A
Musical
Life

Since I was child my connection with rock music runs bone deep.

I saw Van Halen at MSG in NYC in 1982, I was nine years old. I dressed up as Alice Cooper for Halloween in the second grade. I listened, bought records, 8-tracks, boom boxes and iPods, played in bands and solo, read about, talked about, and since my first reporting job at Villanova University as the school’s first music editor… write about it. In 2008, I moved my music writings to the web at www.thunderbirdranchramble.com

I traveled far and wide to not only see my favorite performers, but also visit landmark venues. The tales of these shows pepper the TBR Ramble. The thing I love most about attending shows are the music people I went with and met there. When I am talking music with music people I am deeply rooted in the moment and using all corners of my brain… something people are in constant search of and some never find. 

Ever since I can remember I have been putting together collections of songs and sharing with friends and Music People I meet along the way. When the Philips CD Recorder first came I quickly abandoned mixed cassettes and tried to raise the bar on presentation. These CDs were called the Thunderbird Ranch Productions Music Collections. The most popular series were “Boozin’ Tunes” and “Independence Day) released annually on Christmas and July 4 every year. When CDs were replaced by streaming music, they petered out. Sharing music via an Apple Music playlist or Spotify isn’t the same as a good old mixed tape.

Hence, The Music People Project (musicpeopleproject.com) was born as a compliment to the Thunderbird Ranch Ramble blog… and is a creative installation that centers on the stories and ramblings of Music People. It is a way to touch, feel and connect with other Music People. At some point when I have enough interviews, the project will be shared at galleries and maybe created into a film for entry at film festivals, and online outlets. 

Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest places if you look at it right.