“The deft, unscripted turns of phrase Michael Kay often delivers in big moments are a testament to a writer’s regard for the beauty and importance of words well-chosen….Over the years, Michael Kay has delivered plenty of good television. Much of it on CenterStage. The proof of that is on the pages that follow.”
—from the Foreword by Bob Costas
“Michael Kay is one of the best broadcasters in the business. Turns out he’s one heck of an author, too. CenterStage is an entertaining book and definitely should be high on your reading list.”
—Alex Rodriguez, Three-Time American League MVP
“Fabulous…On display in CenterStage is a Who’s Who of pop culture—from John McEnroe to Jon Bon Jovi, from Sir Charles to Sly Stallone, and including dozens more—and by the time you finish you’ll really feel you personally know them.”
—Jon Heyman, insider for MLB Network and former writer for Sports Illustrated
“Michael Kay is a gifted conversationalist. He has the innate ability to make his interview subjects feel comfortable and get them to share fascinating details about their personal journeys. It's never cookie cutter with Michael and always insightful and moving with the perfect balance of humor.”
—Ian Eagle, broadcaster for CBS Sports and YES Network
“Michael Kay never lost the essential gifts of curiosity and inquisitiveness that separate pedestrian interviews from powerful ones. Gathered here is the best of his best, and it is a splendid read from start to finish.”
—Mike Vaccaro, sports columnist for the New York Post
“CenterStage doesn’t just allow readers to glimpse the souls of the rich and famous, it’s a how-to for any aspiring journalist learning the craft of the Q-and-A.”
—Bob Klapisch, coauthor of New York Times bestseller Inside the Empire
“Revealing, entertaining, and emotional. With Kay serving as host, CenterStage has long been must-see T.V. It should come as no surprise then that this compilation of his most memorable encounters is a must-read book.”
—Jack Curry, YES Network studio analyst and coauthor of the New York Times bestseller Full Count: The Education of a Pitcher
“Kay inspires the biggest and most private stars to talk to him and his audience, as if he's talking to a confidant in a bar…Better than anyone, he humanizes celebrities—and his riveting series of CenterStage interviews will show you how he does it.”
—Ian O'Connor, New York Times bestselling author of Belichick and The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter
“CenterStage is another example of why Michael Kay is one of the truly gifted interviewers in the history of our industry. His ability to make all of these sports and entertainment giants feel so comfortable is extraordinary. I bet some felt afterward that maybe they became too comfortable. It’s just one captivating interview after another. A mesmerizing book.”
—Mike Breen, play-by-play commentator for NBA on ABC and lead announcer for New York Knicks games on MSG Network
“If you ever wanted to know what makes musicians, actors, and star athletes tick, Michael Kay has done the work for you….Kay deftly peels back the facade of celebrity to reveal the fears, hopes, and emotions of the people we thought we knew. CenterStage is a fun read that sparkles with interesting nuggets.”
—Tom Verducci, senior baseball writer at Sports Illustrated and coauthor, with Joe Torre, of The Yankee Years
