J.D. Ryznar (right), co-creator of "Yacht Rock" video series, seen here portraying a drunk Michael McDonald.
One of the greatest bits of homemade video comedy on the Web in recent years, the saga of "Yacht Rock" still lives on today. Co-creator J.D. Ryznar of Los Angeles started making these goofy short films, which lampoon the soft easy listening acts of the '70s, with his buddies and they soon became an Internet sensation (check out an episode guide on Wikipedia). Filmed in behind-the-music style, the crude show originally aired on LA internet channel 101, where it won voter contests.
After trying to call Ryznar and getting no answer, I caught up with him by e-mail. He was a little terse with his answers, but he's probably ready to get over this particular phase in his career and strike it big as a screenwriter.
Nonetheless, if you haven't seen "Yacht Rock" yet, do yourself a favor. Or just listen to a sweet yacht rock tune at their myspace page.
These things made me laugh out loud when I first saw them. It helps if you know a little about the bands in question, I might add.
E-MAIL Q&A with J.D. RYZNAR
What are you currently working on?
-A couple of feature script projects.
What is the current state of the "Yacht Rock" show: are there still ongoing festivals and special screenings?
-We have upcoming screenings in various states of finality in New York, Minneapolis, Detroit, Muskegon Michigan, and Chicago.
How has your life changed since the show became a popular underground success on net?
-I have a career writing movie scripts now.
Have you ever thought of trying to turn it into a comedic screenplay, or develop your own yacht rock musical?
-"Yacht Rock" is what it is, and it would never work as anything else. And it would lose all of its appeal if we were paid for it or had to answer to anyone but the audience.
What kind of advice would you give people who want to try to gain attention for their work online?
-No advice. It was all dumb luck for us. Make sure its good.
What about merchandising: I figure a DVD is out of the question, but what about shirts and stuff?
-We sell shirts sometimes, when we feel like it.
What kind of feedback have you gotten from actual soft rock artists?
They all seem to like it. I've never talked to one personally about "Yacht Rock" nor would I ever want to, but those who have say they get positive responses.
I heard the whole thing started because you were a fan of Steely Dan (which I am too, seen them many times); Does it bother you that people mostly consider the show a mockery of these artists?
-No. When we made Donald Fagen talk gibberish, it wasn't so the audience would appreciate the sarcasm of Steely Dan's lyrics or the brilliance of their arrangements, its so they would laugh at the guy playing Donald Fagen. "Yacht Rock" is a comedy, hopefully, so when people watch it and laugh, they often assume the music is the joke. If people get into the Doobie Brothers or Steely Dan as an afterthought, then they are some lucky people, cause that's some sweet music to listen to.
What has the success of the program meant for you personally, it seems to have quite an underground following.
-It means a lot. It's fun to take it real easy with people listening to smooth jams. I'm glad more people are doing that because of our show.
What do you think most accounts for its popularity?
-I have no idea.
Do you keep in touch with Hunter Stair [co-creator of the show]: or will you be working on other "Yacht Rock" related projects with him? Is there one story you wish you could've covered in the series, but didn't?
-I see Hunter all the time. If there's a story we really want to do badly enough, nothing will stop us from doing it. If we want to make a Yacht Rock, Hunter, Dave Lyons and I get together, drink malibu rum and coke zero, kick ideas around, and then, when we're all drunk, Hunter yells at us about how great Michigan State sports are. A month or two later, there's a completed "Yacht Rock." Magic.
Note: Watch below the classic first episode of "YACHT ROCK." Yeah! Starring J.D. himself as former Doobie Brother, Michael McDonald.
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