A Conversation with Elizabeth Cook  (continued)

PM: What about acting? I mean, a woman with your God given good looks surely has given the silver screen some thought, right?

EC: I would love to try it at some point. The opportunity just hasn't come for that.

PM: Have you done any auditions in that realm?

EC: I got two things, and both of them had been a while back. Both of them were through Barry Coburn. And one was to be the voice of Trixie, I think was her name, and when the Country Bears movie came out, Walt Disney's Country Bears movie. And I lost it to Bonnie Raitt. Now, who the hell--I know I'm a way better Trixie than Bonnie Raitt.

[laughter]

EC: But anyway, that was one. And then the other one was where I actually got to read. I had no training whatsoever--still don't, for that matter--and I got to go read a part, like I'd been given a manuscript. And I went to this woman's house, and they had a camera set up, and I went in to read. And I felt like I did really good. And the lady, she gave me the best rejection I've ever had it was, "You're much too young and beautiful for this role."

[laughter]

EC: Well, if I could always get turned down that way. But yeah, I'm definitely interested. Ironically, what I seem to be getting into a little bit more right now is some journalism. I'm writing a review for No Depression, and my blogs on Myspace have sort of taken on a life of their own, because I write these sort of, I guess, I don't know, tortured dialogues about things that are going on about gigs and--

PM: Oh, we've got to get you to write some stuff for us, then.

EC: I'd love to. I'm very excited about it, because it's like I'm very aware of--I was raised like a tomboy, so I don't know, I don't think that much about my looks or whatever, and those are going to go away. I mean, that's the reality. And I feel like I have more to offer than that, and more to say than that, and I try to take on a little bit more of a cerebral approach to what I'm giving to the world, hopefully. And so yeah, I'm enjoying the writing, and I'd love to try the acting thing. So somehow, some way--I keep saying if I have a slow winter I'd like to take some acting courses, or try out for some theater, or I don't know. It's sort of a fantasy in my head at this point.

PM: Yeah, and friends of mine that are doing indie films in Nashville, too, I'm going to say, "Well, you ought to talk to Elizabeth Cook."

EC: I mean, I'd work for cheap. I just want the experience. I'd love to try it.

PM: I've got a couple of people in mind when I say that. I'm going to remember to do that. And when I get back to town, let's you and I talk about the journalism angle. Because as I say, I get back on the phone with you, and I think jeez, I forget how fascinating and deep this person is. I just know that I like her and I like her music, but there's a whole lot to this artist.

EC: Well, that's flattering. Thank you.

PM: Well, you know I'm a huge fan of yours, and I'm thrilled to see how well things are going with this new record. It's always such a pleasure to talk with you, Elizabeth.

EC: Same here, Frank. So yeah, let's follow up. Let's figure out what we can do. I'd love to write something for Puremusic. I always read through it--you're one of the places I go to see what's going on.

PM: That's beautiful. Say hi to Tim for me. And I hope to hang with you guys when I get back to town.

EC: All right. You have fun down there, and in the Bahamas.