"SHALEIONAIRES - While some complain that extracting natural gas from shale rock formations is tainting their water supply, others who have allowed drilling on their property are getting wealthy and becoming "shaleionaires." Lesley Stahl reports. Shachar Bar-On and Meghan Frank are the producers."

The link: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/07/08/60minutes/main13502.shtml

I was approached by the producer, Shachar, to assist in locating individuals for this segment. Some of you may have spoken to Shachar, or other producers, as well. Because of our assistance, the residents of NW Louisiana will be represented on this segment to its 13 million viewers. 60 Minutes" airs Sundays at 7 p.m. ET/PT. Check your local listings.

Among those interviewed for the segment are Northwest Louisiana residents CB Leatherwood and Mike Smith, who are actually cousins. The 60 Minutes crew spent a day at the Leatherwood residence interviewing both Mike and CB at the same time. If you have seen the Haynesville Documentary, you have seen Mike Smith. Mike was one of the three whose Haynesville story was featured in that documentary.

I spoke with CB soon after the interview and CB told me that he was impressed and pleased with the 60 Minutes crew finding them “down to earth” and “real nice.” CB's goal was to show them southern hospitality during their visit. And of course, that means good food.

On a Sunday in May, an assistant producer, out of N.Y.C., showed up to screen the couple to see if they adequately fit the profile of what they needed in the segment. When the producer arrived at the Leatherwood’s home, fresh coffee cake and coffee were waiting to be had.

Toward the end of the screening (and coffee cake), CB informed the producer that she could probably find folks that had done “better” (made more money) on the Haynesville Shale. “I didn’t think we’d actually get selected,” Leatherwood added.

[Editor's Note: The producer's found CB a great story teller]

Selected they were and a CBS caravan showed up on the day of the interview with videographers, photographers and producers in tow. It was typical hot and muggy summer day. The crew got busy and as CB puts it, “they took pictures of everything! Chickens, cats, dogs, mules…everything.”

Lesley Stahl, who would be conducting the interview, showed up to their Sabine Parish home in a chauffeured Lincoln Town Car. After Ms. Stahl had entered their home, she promptly asked, “may I use your restroom and borrow a can of hairspray, I’ve been on a drilling rig all day.”

Welcome to showbiz.



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