Music to Stevenson’s Ears
PASSIONS’ James Stevenson tunes up for the Daytime Emmys by telling us how he learned the big news about his nomination, and he looks ahead to life after PASSIONS.
Soap Opera Weekly: How are you feeling about your nomination?
James Stevenson: Very good. I’m still shocked. I’m just having fun and enjoying it while it’s going on, because I know how it is to not have it going on. I’ve got a long trip ahead of me, but if I keep working like this and keep my nose to the grindstone, I’ll get somewhere in this crazy business.
Weekly: How did you find out about the nomination?
Stevenson: I got a phone call from Heidi Mueller (Kay), who was at work. That was at 7:30 a.m. and I didn’t have to work, so I’d stayed up till 4 in the morning writing music. She goes, “You know!” I said, “What do you mean?” She gave me the news and that was immediately followed by text messages from people around the country. There was no chance I was going back to bed after the call!
Weekly: So you were the last to know. Did you call anyone?
Stevenson: Oh, yeah. I called my family. My mom had to pull over the car, because she was freaking out, and my dad was excited. My sister was the most excited. I spent my whole day on the phone, talking to people. Friends and old girlfriends pop up at times like this.
Weekly: As the only actor nominee, do you feel you have to represent for the whole cast?
Stevenson: I’ll try. Knowing the show and the lack on nominations we’ve had in the past, it’s an honor to be nominated and to represent the show — represent NBC, actually.
Weekly: How did you choose your submission episode?
Stevenson: I was watching the DVDs, and a lot of them were skipping in my DVD player. This one looked pretty clean and I didn’t see anything I didn’t like. The other ones were also shirtless. That’s pretty much a deal breaker — no way I’m using something where my shirt’s off, which is at least 50 percent of them! It was difficult. I wish I could have picked from after the New Year, because I had some great stuff. There was a lot of engagement stuff and walking in on Ethan and Theresa together. There’s always next year.
Weekly: With the show winding down, what would you like to see for Jared?
Stevenson: I’m hoping they do a switcheroo here. I’ve never been given the evil character. They always have me as the sweetheart. I did it once in a stage play in high school, Brigadoon, and I was a real badass. I loved it and I do a good job of playing bad. Let Jared come out and say he was doing something all along. I think about it a lot and make sure to mention the idea to the higher-ups a lot.
Weekly: You mentioned you were up writing music. What kind of music do you make?
Stevenson: My sound is acoustic, like James Blunt or a male Tracy Chapman. I’ll write a million things and then throw them out. The other day, after I got my nomination, I was looking at what I’d written the night before and I was like, “Wow, this is horrible!” When it’s late at night and you get tired, it starts to get corny. Especially if you drink a couple beers when you’re writing (laughs)! But you salvage some of it. “This is a great line. I’ll use this in something else.” Before you know it, you take pieces from other puzzles and you have a song.
Weekly: What else have you been getting into?
Stevenson: I’m working on a drama about a guy who’s born into a life he doesn’t belong in. It’s called Family Honor. I have a writing partner in New York and we already have a couple actors attached to the film. There are a few things I want to tweak, but I’m happy with what we have. I keep myself pretty busy. I’m also trying to work on some music for the movie so that when we do — fingers crossed — get a budget, we won’t have to spend a lot of money on that part.
Weekly: So is this what you see yourself working on after PASSIONS?
Stevenson: If this does happen, I’ll be co-starring in the movie, producing it and will have been a partner in the screenwriting. I’m trying to learn how to do it all. I don’t like surprises. When I first moved to New York and was going to acting school, I worked for a production company. I wanted to learn the other side of the camera and understand what everybody’s job was. With the script, now I’m trying to learn producing and writing.
Weekly: On top of all this, are you out there auditioning?
Stevenson: I’m auditioning too. It’s a good time in my life to be single, because I have no time for anything or anybody else!
Weekly: Is there time for any fun?
Stevenson: Work hard, party hard. That’s what you’ve got to do or you drive yourself insane. I went out and celebrated the nomination with Charles Divins (Chad), Brook (Kerr, Whitney), some folks from the makeup department and a couple people from another show. We got a little crazy, but we started early. By 10:30, just the strong ones were there surviving.
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