Questioning Chief Swan: Billy Burke on Kristen Stewart, his debut album

The Ministry has previously highlighted the struggles of "The Twilight Saga's" ordinary humans, and perhaps the most popular is Kristen Stewart's on-screen dad, Billy Burke.

It's arguable that some of Stewart's most comedic and relatable moments come from her scene work with Burke, as bone-dry rural police chief Charlie Swan. In our chat a while back with "Twilight" screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, the scribe said Burke's character was her favorite to write for.

Our Q&A with Burke provides more insight.

Ministry of Gossip: So this is the third time around playing Bella's dad. Are you and Kristen on autopilot at this point?

Billy Burke: We sort of jumped right in from the get-go. We naturally have a similar relationship [to Charlie and Bella], you know, we don't bring a lot of baggage. But I feel like she could take care of me. She's a very strong and solid individual. 

MoG: You're a fan favorite, but we don't see many photos of you grocery shopping or working out. How do you avoid the attention?

BB: It happens once in a while on the street, but I'm really not recognizable without the Charlie mustache.

MoG: Is that bad boy real? 

BB: Yep, it takes me about a month and a half to grow out, so I've got to start soon.

MoG: Yes, for "Breaking Dawn." In the meantime, you're releasing your first solo album, "Removed." Not many people know you as a singer. What's the record like?

BB: It's about 12 songs chosen from a catalog of material I wrote in the last 15 years. They're songs you'd hear in your local bar. Melodic, ironic sad drinking songs.  

MoG: Any tracks about the eternal debate of Team Edward versus Team Jacob?

BB: I don't play that game. I like both. 

Talk about removed -- and a wise choice. Burke's album is available for download on iTunes. Fans also can order the disc from his official website, complete with a 12-page booklet of photos and lyrics.

-- Matt Donnelly

Photo: Billy Burke as Chief Charlie Swan, carrying Kristen Stewart as Bella in "New Moon." Credit: Kimberley French / Summit Entertainment 

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Comments

[RockFan]

I have the "Removed" CD. Love it. Billy's voice is unique and sexy. He makes you want to listen and as soon as you do, you're hooked. There so much feeling and meaning in each song. After several listens, it's like the soundtrack to a movie that I really want to see. I'm hoping Billy has time to tour it or there's a movie based on it in the works. It's that good.

[annamorphos]

I absolutely adore Billy Burke as Charlie; they couldn't have picked anyone else. He's one character I look forward to seeing in every movie. :)

[AngB]

Love Billy Burke. The scenes with Billy and Kristen are some of my favorites from this series. I also loved him in Untracable.