Lee Norris dishes about ‘Tree Hill,’ ‘Guitar Hero’

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Greenville native Lee Norris has been acting in Wilmington off and on since he was 6 years old. But this weekend marks his first visit to the N.C. Azalea Festival, where the One Tree Hill actor is appearing as a celebrity guest with co-stars Chad Michael Murray and Hilarie Burton. During a break from filming the final episodes of the show’s fifth season last week, Norris, who plays wannabe sports reporter Mouth McFadden, talked about his love of the Port City, the show’s controversial relaunch, and his love of Guitar Hero.

Q: This year’s Azalea queen, Barbara Alyn Woods, also is a One Tree Hill cast member, but she hasn’t been seen much this season. Will we see her again?

A: We’re back at work, and she’s in a couple of the (upcoming) episodes. You just couldn’t have a better queen than Barbara. She’s such a beautiful person, and she and her family have really come to love Wilmington so much. It’s just a perfect fit.

Q: You’re from Greenville and have worked on Dawson’s Creek and American Gothic in Wilmington. Did you come here a lot when you were little?

A: We grew up coming down to go to the beach. When I decided I wanted to be an actor at the ripe old age of 6, my mom and dad didn’t really have many places to turn. I was so fortunate enough to be able to start booking jobs, and I really grew up working here. I did a lot of TV movies here when they were sort of in vogue. It’s just such a blessing to be from this state and work in this field (in North Carolina).

Q: Were you nervous when you learned the show’s story line this season would take place four years after last season’s finale?

A: We were all sort of nervous because it was a new concept, and we didn’t want to alienate our fan base, which has been so loyal. But at the same time, we are entering our fifth year of the show, and obviously concepts get tired over time, and there are only so many high school stories you can tell.

I think everyone really responded to the idea, but sure, there was some nervousness there about how it would be received. But then this year it premiered to such a great reception. It’s just breathed new life into the show. I think it’s really invigorating everyone.

Q: What do you think about how Mouth has aged?

A: The beginning of this year was pretty tumultuous for him. But I think you have to go through those dark places in order to grow as a person. And he’s certainly done that. He’s found a new relationship with Millicent, and I think she’s much more his type of girl and much more his speed. I’m really excited to see where that relationship is going to progress.

Q: You’re not filming today. What do you do on your days off?

A: I love Wilmington, especially when it’s warm and I can get down to the beach because I am definitely a beach bum. I love going downtown and eating way too much of the good food that’s here.

We just enjoy hanging out with each other, and we are a tight-knit family, whether we stay in and play Guitar Hero or go out to the movies or go to the beach, we’re always having a pretty good time.

Q: Who’s the best Guitar Hero player?

A: I play a lot with James Lafferty, and I’d say I’ve got him on guitar but now Rock Band’s been added to the mix, and Rock Band has the drum set, so I think he might have the edge on drums. It’s safe to say that neither one of us could play the real guitar or the real drums if we tried. Little (6-year-old) Jackson Brundage, who plays Jamie, he’s probably the best of all of us, to be perfectly honest.

Source 

Home