I interviewed musician and author David Amram late in the night on April 6, 2002 at The Kerouac House in downtown Orlando, Florida. That's a small, unassuming house where Jack lived in the back half with his mother at the time that "On The Road" was released in 1957. It's also where he wrote his follow up "The Dharma Bums." Amram frequently worked with Kerouac, providing musical accompaniment for his live readings, and saw him off and on until Jack's death in 1969. When I spoke with Amram he had just released his fascinating book "Offbeat, Collaborating With Keraouc," which details his experiences with the beat icon. I found the book interesting because it seemed to provide a different perspective on Kerouac than I've read in other books and Amram has a sharp recollection of their time together.

MP3 AUDIO: David Amram discusses the significance and purpose of The Kerouac house, his feelings being there, and efforts to ensure its preservation. Length 4:24 (4.04 mb).

MP3 AUDIO: Amram talks about how he and Jack met, what their collaborations were like, and what the incredible success of "On The Road" did to Jack. Length 10:00 (9.17 mb).

MP3 AUDIO: Amram discusses Jack's alcoholism, frustrations after becoming a world famous icon, and what Jack's final years were like. Length 11:55 (10.9 mb).

MP3 AUDIO: Amram talks about Jack, as well as the other artists he has worked with, and changes that have occurred over the decades in New York City. Length 11:44 (10.7 mb).

A few months after the interview I saw David Amram again, this time as he spoke and performed for a group at Florida International University's North Miami campus in October 2002.

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