What's going on with HPI's owner, Shannon McCabe?
Since the last time we interviewed you, 3 years ago, you were turning 33 and just on the brink of some big things.
Yes, thanks to you guys! It's been a fun ride. I'm turning 36 in a few weeks and a lot has happened since we spoke last. Paul and I have taken HPI from 30 or so members (since 2004) to now over 650. We changed our name to HPI International in 2006 when we gained membership in the UK, Austrailia, Uraguay & Mexico. People all around the world really dig the paranormal and love reading about it, so that's what we give them. We also take people on HPI Scouting Missions and have gone to some pretty cool places. We just had a trip to Sonoma, CA in March where we took folks to the Sonoma State Hospital where some of the men from the Philadelphia experiment were hospitalized.
Coming up on May 1st, 2010 we have a UFO/ Bigfoot Scouting Mission to Mt. Shasta that Paul is heading up. There are a lot of paranormal happenings in Shasta and we hope to capture something while we're there. We'll keep you updated!
For information on HPI's Scouting Missions visit: http://www.hpiparanormal.net/HPI_Events.html
We see that you've done a few Paranormal TV shows can you tell us about them?
It's awesome to be able to do shows based on what you love. When I was a kid, I wanted to be an actor... I never wanted to be famous because it scares the $#!^ out of me. People following around celebrities with cameras all day, not cool. But, I did want to be recognized (lightly) for the things I believe in. So with that, I guess I've achieved what I set out to do, some fun and entertaining paranormal shows. I can't tell you how many shows per week contact HPI with show prospects, but what they are looking for is the extraordinary stuff, like a ghost punching you in the face. As fellow paranormal investigators know, it's extremely hard to capture evidence on video, and that is what the producers want now. EVP's (which are coming out my ears) are so passe'.
The shows that did pick up on Paul and I were: Showtime Televisions, "Bullshit" with Penn & Teller. They ripped us a new one on the subject of 2012, but sent us to Mexico to do it... so what can I say, I'd be happy to do it again if they asked! Then we did a show for a UK production company, Two Four Productions, called "Michael Jackson: In Search of his Spirit" on the Sky 1 Network in London. We were sent to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles to investigate where Jackson burned his hair off in the Pepsi commercial. I actually held a part of Michael's hair and scalp... it was frightening, fascinating and disgusting all at the same time. A year or so before that, we did a show for them called "Conversations with a Serial Killer" on Richard Trenton Chase, aka "The Vampire of Sacramento". The place that we filmed at in Ione, CA was called the Preston Castle. I found the castle one day while searching for castles to rent for fun. Since then, Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventurers have filmed there as well. HPI was first!
Right now, Paul and I are in talks with a couple of other shows and will let you know if anything comes of it.
Can you tell us about your animal charity, ROLDA.org?
ROLDA (ROmanian League in Defense of Animals) www.ROLDA.org is an amazing organization located in Romania, with an office in Washington as well. The president is, Dana Costin who spends all her time and money helping street animals in Galati, Romania from suffering on the streets. She takes the animals in and feeds, medicates, neuters, spays and loves them because no one else will. She houses over 600 dogs at one shelter alone! I've began to work as one of her Celebrity Activists (har de har har) and do what I can from California to help. Last week I went down to Los Angeles with fellow HPI investigator, Tim Hawkins, to the OC Pet Expo to promote ROLDA. We shared a booth with an organization called Dande Paws 4 Life and raised money for the shelters overseas. I love animals and will do everything I can to help!
To donate to ROLDA please visit: http://www.ROLDA.org
So what can we expect from you in the near future?
I am now beginning to work on the 2010 Vampire Ball, I think we have the location pinned down and are working on the negotiations for it. The ball will have a booth dedicated to ROLDA and we'll try to raise money for them.. get it Romania- Vampires ha ha, It makes sense to me! This year we are going to have a theme room dedicated to my favorite show, True Blood on HBO. We have a ton of new and exciting changes we've made to the ball including the lower price ($10.00). I've also been hand painting T-shirts (Vampire themed) that will be available on the site soon. We should have a bunch of Twilight memorabilia this year since Eclipse is coming out this summer.
Paul and I also have a book coming out, hopefully by the Vampire Ball. We don't have a name for it yet, but Ricardo Pustanio, your amazing artist, has agreed to help us on the cover art! Maybe we can persuade him to work on the Vampire Ball poster too? Hint hint!
The one he did for the 2009 Vampire Ball was incredible!
Do you have any last words you'd like to say?
Before I die? Just kidding... I'd like to say thank you very much to the staff at Haunted America Tours. You have been so great to me over the years and I really appreciate it, so does Ms. Macabre. Your site is incredible and your contributing writers are totally interesting and entertaining, one of my favorites being Lisa Lee Harp Waugh. I love that woman! Keep up the great work with the site, we all love reading the stories of the weird!
