Live Fan Chat
Tom Wopat
May 20, 1998

country.com Welcome to the auditorium Mr. Tom Wopat.

pauly You were great on Home Improvement and Cybill. When are you going to be on television again?

country.comTonight on Prime Time Country at 8:00 Central live.

Rhonda Tom, I have always liked your singing and acting. I'm having trouble finding your music available, how do I go about getting any of your music?

country.com Find the fan club on the internet. I'm not sure what the address is...The fan club is called Tom Wopat International Fan Club.

chessehead Tom... being from Wisconsin, are you a Green Bay Packers fan; a true Cheesehead?

country.comIf you are just joining us, our guest tonight is Tom Wopat.

Tom Well they didn't call them Cheeseheads when I lived there. I left in '77, but I just played golf with Brent Favre, Mark Chmura and Frank Winters in Mississippi. I hope to sing the anthem there this year.

Tom grew up in Lodi, Wisconsin and attended the University of Wisconsin.

bigbubba What was your favorite episode of The Dukes of Hazzard.

country.comTom played Luke Duke on the hit series the Dukes of Hazzard from 1978-1985.

Tom Wow. Let's see there was Luke's Love Story, no not one... but the one where I was a boxer, In This Corner- Luke Duke.

willa How does if feel to have a whole new generation of Dukes fans?

Tom My son sings the theme song and it just cracks me up to think that he's a fan of a show I used to love as a kid.

country.comIf you are just joining us, our guest tonight is Tom Wopat!

Tom Mmmm...well it's actually a kind of a thrill in a way because I still watch the old Andy Griffith shows and I enjoy every episode I see even though I know exactly what's going to happen. I like to think our shows are something like that.

Julia Tom, did you ever hurt yourself climbing in and out of the General Lee? It looked kinda difficult...

Tom It wasn't supposed to look difficult. laughing. The first time I slid across the hood was an accident. And I got about a 4 inch gash on my left forearm. But it was a blast all in all!

udlundri How do you stay in shape?

Tom Tension mostly. Stress.. no, I try to play basketball two to three times a week, and try to be sensible about my diet.

Kathleen What kind of roles have you played in musicals?

Tom All different kinds. I played Curly in Oklahoma. Tony in West Side Story, ole let's see... Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd and actually it looks like I may be playing Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway this winter with Bernadette Peters.

wkw After the "Duke" Reunion Tour is over for this year is there any chance that you and John will do a CD together?

Tom Every chance. In fact, at this moment we're negotiating a record deal together. Hopefully it will be out by the fall.

Cornstalk Will you become a regular on Home Improvement?

country.comKeep sending in your questions for Tom Wopat!

Tom (Tom's laughing) I hit on Tim's wife, I don't think I'll be back. It was a lot of fun though.

Fireman3115 Where can I get a car like the general lee?

Tom We have a crew here right now from Today's Country.

country.comThey are filming the chat for a story on Interactive Week tomorrow night on TNN.

Tom (ha ha) Well, most of the '69 Chargers I've already seen have already been painted orange. We have several in Nashville, one that John and I use on the Reunion Tour.

dukeboy What was your reaction to the passing of Denver Pyle?

country.comDenver played Uncle Jessie on the Dukes.

Tom (sighs) That's a tough one. He was really a mentor to three of us younger actors on the show. And he taught us a lot mostly by example. And he will be sorely missed.

nicole2 If you weren't an actor or musician/singer what would you be?

Tom Mmmmm, I don't know. I've often thought I'd like to be a teacher but that seems to be a thankless job these days. I seem to keep planting things outside the house. So, who knows, I might have ended up being a farmer like my father.

Christop Tom what is your favorite show or movie you have done?

Tom Wow! Let me think about that.... I'd have to say the Home Improvements are probably the best things I've done. Of course, Dukes of Hazzard set the standard.

drb What was the name of the TV movie you did with Barbara Mandrell?

country.comSend in your questions now for Tom Wopat, we have about 20 minutes left, before Tom has to leave for Prime Time Country.

Burning Rage. Yeah, we shot it in East Tennessee in 1984.

guest683 How old were you when you got the role as Luke? Do you know of anyone who was offered that role before you? You fit the role PERFECTLY though...

ashcroft What languages are you fluent in other than American English?

Tom I was 27. As far as I know, I was there first choice. The best thing was I was their last choice. I speak jive. No, actually I speak some Spanish and German. Enough to get around with.

MaCalla What is your favorite sport?

Tom Baseball. I'm a Milwaukee Brewers fan.

GirlPower How do you like working on Cybill? It looks like you two have a lot of chemistry.

country.comTom played "Jeff Robbins" the ruggedly handsome stuntman ex-husband #1 of Cybill.

Tom Well... I'm afraid that's a past tense question. Her show has been cancelled. But we did have chemistry and I look forward to working with her again sometime.

jake1 What charities do you support?

Tom Well I've done stuff for cerebral palsy. I think one I'd like to get involved with is a reading program.

guest688 I'm curious if you are a NASCAR fan? If so, which driver in particular? GO EARNHARDT!

country.comIf you are just joining us, our guest tonight is Tom Wopat.

Tom (Ha Ha) Well, being from Wisconsin I must admit I'm a Dick Trickle fan.

Fireman3115 Where was the Dukes of Hazzard filmed?

Tom We filmed the first five outside of Atlanta. And the rest in and around Los Angeles.

beppa Are you a good cook?

Tom You betcha!!

beppa If you had to choose between singing or acting, which would it be?

Tom Well, that's a tough one. I think the singing came first and it's a little more self contained. So I'd probably have to go with that.

Straitfan Tom what advice do u have for aspiring songwriters like myself?

Tom Whew... come to Nashville. It's an ideal environment for songwriters.

Lizajaneee29 What is your favorite movie you have seen and would of liked to been in it?

Tom Wow...Oh mercy...Actually there was a film called A Perfect World starring Kevin Costner and directed by Clint Eastwood.

country.comThanks for all your great questions! Keep sending then coming! We still have 15 minutes with Tom Wopat.

guest688 What is the MOST important thing to you?

Tom Yikes! Let's see here... doing work that's satisfying and contributes to society.

guest694 How does it feel to be recognized by fans while you're out shopping or eating? What are the reactions?

Tom You know I kind of can take it or leave it. If they want an autograph, usually I just accomodate them because it is much easier than causing a scene and I do appreciate their support.

Dukesfan My name is Chris Lance and you and John signed a poster of you and him and the General I wanted to thank you personally.

Tom Cool! We try to sign stuff every chance we get. And with our Reunion Tour this summer we hope to come in contact with lots of fans like you!

YourMother Tom, what's your favorite vegetable?

TomPotatoes.

Lizajaneee29 Who are some of the actors and singers you most injoyed working with ?

Tom Waylon Jennings. Let me think, who else?... I enjoyed working with Roxanne Hart on a movie called Meteorites that will be shown June 3rd on the USA Network.

Cornstalk Is your new album finished yet?

Tom No. It's going to be a compilation of old and new songs by myself and John. With an added bonus.. a re-recording from the theme of the Dukes of Hazzard.

country.comWe only have 10 more minutes left with Tom, so send in your last questions now.

k9aeg I have a friend that went to school with you in Lodi, WI. Do you get home to Lodi very much?

Tom I sure do. When I was there recently my son, my girlfriend and I roofed my stepmother's house. Talk about Karma.

country.comWe still have time for a few more questions, so please feel free to send a few more questions.

beppa If you could act/perform with anyone in the world, who would it be?

Tom I'd like to sing with James Taylor. I'd like to act with Kim Bassinger.

Lacey I always loved your song "Always a Blue Moon." How did you get a hold of this song?

Tom The standard Nashville way...It was pitched to my producer Rick Hall and we kind of fell in love with it. I'm glad you like it.

George Did John or you ever date Catherine Bach? When is John coming?

Tom Unfortunately, John can't be here today. He's in Los Angeles filming a movie. No, we never dated Catherine Bach.

Christop Tom, did you ever get to take any souvenirs home from the dukes of hazard

Tom Well...I always wore my own jeans so I always took those home... clothes and a bow and arrow set.

Joy Since you are a good cook, what is your favorite thing to make?

Tom Steak. Steak and baked potatoes and sweet corn. Mmmmm...

YourBiggestFan Tom, what's one piece of wisdom you'd like for others to know?

Tom Geez...Seize the Day. Enjoy what you have.

TargetPractice Tom, you've traveled quite a bit. What do you think is the prettiest area of our country?

country.comWe only have five more minutes left with Tom Wopat.

Tom That is really a tough question. I actually like most parts of the country. I really enjoy where I grew up in Wisconsin, I love the Grand Canyon, that's probably the most amazing thing. And mountains and oceans have always been special to me.

433 Tom, what's your favorite song?

Tom Mmmm..You know actually a great song to sing is the Lord's Prayer by Gounod.

music Tom, do you have any pet peeves?

country.comThese will be our last two questions for Tom.

Tom Chat Rooms...ha ha NOT REALLY!!!! Let's see... people making such a big deal about celebrities. They're JUST people. And probably more flawed than most.

Duck Tom, what's been the biggest thrill of your career?

Tom Singing in Carnegie Hall. I sang there last March with the Cincinnati Symphony and flew my High School music teacher there to see it. It was wonderful.

country.comTom, Thanks for joining us tonight!

Tom Thanks everybody. It's been a lot of fun. Check out my fan club page. We'll have a Chat Room there real soon. See ya'!