Author Interview + GIVEAWAY: When Angels Sing (book) and Angels Sing (movie), ends 12/19

Just in time for the holidays, you can win a copy of the film Angels Sing from me, as well as a copy of the book (When Angels Sing) as well! The movie has some great actors in it too, such as Harry Connick Jr., Connie Britton, Kris Krisotofferson, Willie Nelson, and more.

About the movie:
Harry Connick, Jr. stars as Michael Walker, who, as a child, wished every day was Christmas. That is, until a tragic accident crushed his holiday spirit. Thirty years later, Michael still can’t muster any joy for Christmas, despite encouragement from his playful wife (Connie Britton) and well intentioned parents (Kris Kristofferson and Fionnula Flanagan). But when his young son (Chandler Canterbury) faces a tragedy, Michael needs to make amends with his past. A mysterious man named Nick (Willie Nelson) gives Michael a gift that instills in him the courage to find the Christmas joy that he lost.

Website: www.angelssingmovie.com

About the book author, Turk Pipkin:
Writer and actor Turk Pipkin has had a career like no other. A former stand-up comedian who gave up performing after a long run on the road with Rodney Dangerfield and many others, he's since published eight books, including two well-received novels, and written a hundred hours of primetime television. He's also traveled around the world for thirty years, writing as he journeyed for a dozen national magazines. In his latest incarnation, Turk can be seen as a recurring character in the third season of HBO's hit series, "The Sopranos."

Interview with Turk Pipkin:

1. How did you get the idea to write this Christmas story for your daughter?

I wrote When Angels Sing as a Christmas present for my both my daughters and for the rest of my family. I had thought a lot about the connections between family and Christmas traditions, and thought it would be great to use some of our own family traditions as background in the book.


2. Did you have any say/influence over the movie (ie, who they casted, the script, etc)?

Other than writing the novel, my main contribution to the film was to lend a hand on casting. I'd always thought Willie Nelson would be perfect to play the role of Nick, a mysterious man who may or may not be St. Nick. Likewise for Kris Kristofferson, a former army pilot, to play the grandfather. Other friends like Connie Britton, Lyle Lovett, Eloise Dejoria and a great host of wonderful Texas musicians also ended up in the film. Director Tim McCanlies deserves a lot of credit for realizing the musicians like Bruce Robison, Marcia Ball and Charlie Sexton would be great on camera.

3. You yourself are an actor as well - are you in the movie at all?

Most people know me as an actor from my role as that idiot narcoleptic guy in HBO's The Sopranos. In general, I get cast for a little comic relief - no surprise since I used to be a juggler and a comedian (and because I'm 6'7" tall). In Angels Sing, the great Texas singer songwriter Bruce Robison plays Harry Connick, Jr.'s brother, and I played the part of Uncle Theo, who is one of those close family members we all have at Christmas that no one seems to know who or how he fits in. It's a small part but I had a lot of scenes with Kris Kristofferson and the rest of the family. I'd made a couple of movies in the past with Kris and Willie Nelson, and any time you're working with those guys, life is treating you good.

GIVEAWAY:

Enter via the form below. Giveaway will end on Friday, December 19th at 11:59pm EST, and winner will be emailed the next day and have 24 hours to respond, or an alternate winner will be chosen.

U.S. residents only, please.

Good luck!

When Angels Sing book + Angels Sing movie