April 26, 1999

Question: Is there a video coming from Karma?
Rick Springfield: Yes, there is. We are looking at story lines at the moment, and getting it together now. It should be available within a month.

AOLiveMC10: Here's a cute one...

Question: Besides Scooby, how many animals live in your house (not including the boys -- ha ha)?
Rick Springfield: Two, now. We recently lost a pet rat and we have two dogs, Molly and Scooby.

AOLiveMC10: We have many many questions on tour dates, Rick. How does our audience get the dates and website?
Rick Springfield: I have a website, rickspringfield.com, I think it's up now. Tour dates are on there. It's posted at Tower too and at Platinum Records' website.

AOLiveMC10: GREAT! Onto more questions...

Question: I saw you in Temecula, Ca. recently. It was a great show! Were the cameras there to film scenes for your new videos?
Rick Springfield: We may use some of those shots, but that will be used for a back stage on-the-road video that will be sold at shows, coming out in the next couple of weeks. Some live stuff, behind-the-scenes footage and some fun stuff too.

Question: Hey Rick, do you prefer the screaming girls of the 80's or the screaming women of the 90's?
Rick Springfield: LOL Well, they certainly both have their appeal. I prefer the relationship with the audience now, it's great, a much more regular relationship without the hysteria.

Question: I heard that Britney Spears has your Greatest Hits in her CD player? How does it feel to have today's "teen idol" appreciate your music when she wasn't even born for some of it (not to make you feel old, or any of us for that matter!)?
Rick Springfield: I think it's very flattering when someone wasn't around for the hysteria, but appreciates it for what it is. There was a nine-year-old girl singing "My Father's Chair," which was an obscure track on an album from '85, before she was born. I love to see that.

AOLiveMC10: Let's talk a bit about "Karma." What would you like to say about it? How much sweat went into this work?
Rick Springfield: A ton of sweat, and a few tears. It was the longest I've ever worked on an album -- I hadn't been in the studio for ten years. But it was also a wonderful experience, and I'd like to do it again very soon.

Question: Are any of your sons into music??
Rick Springfield: Very much so. My youngest son plays drums and keyboard, and my eldest son plays guitar. They've actually played on stage with me at a children's charity event that I host in Tucson every year.

AOLiveMC10: Have you mentored them in their music, or have you let them take their own lead?
Rick Springfield: I think both. I let them follow what they want to do, the kind of music they like, but I make sure they're open to music in the first place -- It's kind of hard not to be, around this house. It's like a jukebox in the car -- right now they listen to Korn, Rob Zombie and the Deftones.

AOLiveMC10: What kind of advice would you give then to a young musician?
Rick Springfield: Make sure it's your passion, and commit to it 1000%, it's the only way you'll get heard.

Question: Will you be coming out with a box set of all of your albums any time?
Rick Springfield: Well, it's kind of up to BMG (the record label).

Question: How does Rick like acting? He was excellent on Suddenly Susan.
Rick Springfield: I like it very much -- as I get older, I find it more and more rewarding as I have more to draw from in my life.

AOLiveMC10: Some people guard this kind of information. Answer if you feel comfortable...

Question: Rick, I understand you are involved with several charities. Which charities are you involved with?
Rick Springfield: The Tucson charities -- one with Michael Landon, before he passed away, but I host it now and am pleased to do it. I'm involved with a couple of different charities.

Question: What is your favorite thing to do when you need to relax?
Rick Springfield: LOL... Well, I like to play sports with my kids. It's very relaxing for me to write or play guitar.

Question: Did you enjoy your experience on Politically Incorrect? Do you plan on appearing on that show again?
Rick Springfield: Yeah, I did enjoy it. It went by very fast and was a new thing for me. I like to talk, but I find it hard to jump in on people, so I sat in the back and the Bishop kind of monopolized the dialog. I'd do it again, but I'd drink a lot of coffee first.

AOLiveMC10: LOL

Question: What is still on your "life to do list" Rick?
Rick Springfield: Live it! :) Pretty much, everything. There's so much further I want to go with writing songs and playing, acting... and I want to be a better dad. :)

AOLiveMC10: Rick, We have time for one last question.

Question: Hi Rick!! I thought you were great on Suddenly Susan and I noticed that you'll be back on in May. Is this a frequently recurring role?
Rick Springfield: Thank you. It's what they call a "character arc," where the character goes through a couple of episodes. I don't know what they plan.

AOLiveMC10: Thank you SO much for joining us this evening, Rick!
Rick Springfield: You're very, very welcome! I hope to see some of you on the road. We're doing about 45 dates through the year. I hope to see you out there!

AOLiveMC10: As usual, audience, GREAT questions, and great company! Thanks again, Rick for joining us on AOL Good night everyone. Stay safe, and stay calm! :) Night, all!