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The Victory in Fighting
In Prodigal Song, readers follow you on your journey from your childhood in LA to your time spent as a struggling rock guitarist in Hollywood. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I started writing Prodigal Song shortly after completing a novel called Body: or, How Hope Confronts Her Shadow and Calls the Flutter Girl to Flight. Body is an inspirational romantic comedy exploring self-image and struggles with body image. I had many inspirations for the female protagonist’s issues, but my own story was the main source. I wrote Body with a female audience in mind, which greatly shaped how the characters related to their bodies and how that impacted their relationships and lives. I shared my own journey of identity, music, exercise, and obsessiveness with a friend who thought it would make a great book. I realized that by telling my own story, I could create a book that would explore themes of identity in a way that resonates more with men.
Also, I came of age in a time when everyone was in a band or wanted to be in one. I wanted to give Gen Xers an insider’s view of what it was like being in the Southern California music scene in the 1990s and 2000s, while letting them relish in the nostalgia of that time.
Ultimately, I want my books to be sources of insight and encouragement to readers. I know many people struggle with the themes in Prodigal Song—body image, identity, failure, anxiety, the need for adventure ,and meaning. I hope my story offers perspectives that help readers better understand and navigate their own journeys.
You are open and honest about your most difficult years, and I appreciate the candor with which you tell your story. What was the most difficult thing to write about?
I see Prodigal Song as my version of the first Rocky movie. Spoiler alert for a nearly 50-year-old film: Rocky doesn’t win the fight. He wins most of the fights in the sequels, but there is something sweet—and paradoxically victorious—in the failure explored in the iconic character’s debut. Sharing embarrassing stories wasn’t necessarily difficult, but I faced the challenge of writing a memoir about someone who didn’t succeed in the music business and making that compelling for readers. As Sylvester Stallone did, I had to show the victory in fighting regardless of the outcome.
What do you do when you try extremely hard to achieve a dream—for years—and the split decision doesn’t go your way? More people relate to this experience than to winning the championship belt. The hardest part was writing a book that offers fresh, meaningful insights into this well-worn path.
Is there anything you learned about yourself as you were putting Prodigal Song together?
The subtitle of Prodigal Song is A Gen X Memoir of Excess and Obsession in Pursuit of the Rock ’n’ Roll Dream. I brought the excess and obsession to my story—it was my friends who helped me channel those tendencies into a way forward, one with balance, accomplishments, and joy, even in the face of setbacks and failures.
In the book, I quote a lyric one of my friends wrote:
I don’t know where I’m going
But I know that where I am is not what I’d planned
I don’t know the way out
But I know that when a door is there
I will have a hand.
— Aaron Baker from his song “Someday”
Putting a book like this together, you really see all the unlikely events of your life that had to come together to bring you to the present—and I’m very thankful for my present. I’ve always been aware of how important my friends were along the way, but writing this book emphasized even more that my adventures in music and exercise were really adventures in friendship. At every step of my journey, I found a “door” to enter, and at every door was the helping and guiding “hand” of one of my friends, as Aaron’s lyric captures.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from the experiences you share in this book?
I hope this book can reinforce for readers the power of relationships—that our journeys gain meaning primarily through the connections we create with friends, family, and God. And in that communion, we can live in gratitude, regardless of whether our pursuit of goals and dreams leads to triumph, failure, or some wild, messy combination of the two.
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Part comedy, part cautionary tale, Prodigal Song offers a nostalgic and humorous take on chasing fame in the most image-obsessed place on Earth—Hollywood, California.
For many, the rock ’n’ roll dream ends in rehab, bad tattoos, or worse. For me, it led to a loss of faith and a ballooning waistline. By age twenty-five, I was overweight and spiritually flailing while trying to succeed in an industry where image is everything. So began a decade-long journey of excess and obsession—over my body, my diet, and the pursuit of success in music. I dropped 65 pounds, transformed into a touring musician, and was “living the dream,” though my soul was increasingly out of tune.
Enter an unexpected mentor—a straight-talking, virtuoso guitarist with a gift for speaking hard truths. Through his wisdom, I began to see beyond the mirror and uncover a path to redemption.
Prodigal Song is a story of excess and obsession, but it’s also one of grace, humor, and finding faith in the unlikeliest of places. Whether you’re a music fan, a dreamer, or someone who’s ever struggled with self-worth, this Gen X memoir will leave you laughing, reflecting, and inspired.
Prodigal Song: A Gen X Memoir of Excess and Obsession in Pursuit of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Dream
Prodigal Song is a deeply personal and wildly entertaining memoir chronicling Sean Coons’ journey from a chubby, music-obsessed kid in 1980s Los Angeles to a struggling rock guitarist trying to make it in the heart of Hollywood. The book traces Coons’ obsession with rock stardom, his battles with body image and compulsive eating, and the wild misadventures with his band, Song Unsung. It’s a raw look at the pursuit of artistic dreams, the trappings of self-indulgence, and the eventual pull toward redemption and meaning. Coons mixes humor with brutal honesty, all set against a vivid backdrop of ’80s and ’90s pop culture.
Coons’ writing is funny, sharp, and full of heart. He doesn’t try to make himself look cool or mysterious or tragic. He just tells the truth, warts and all. I loved how he could pivot from describing an embarrassing childhood moment to riffing on Van Halen lyrics or unraveling the twisted ethics of rock culture with surprising insight. I found myself rooting for him, even as he made bad choices or spiraled into food binges and self-doubt. It’s rare to find a memoir that’s this self-aware without being self-important.
What hit me hardest, though, were the moments where the glamor faded, and the raw stuff came through. When Coons realizes he’s eaten himself into obesity while chasing his dream, it’s not played for pity or laughs, it’s just sad and real. The way he weaves in spirituality, guilt, and the need for grace without ever getting preachy or stiff made the book resonate on a deeper level. He never quite gives up on his dream, but he learns that the real victory might not be fame at all. That really stuck with me. It made me think about my own ambitions and the things I’ve let define me, for better or worse.
If you’re someone who grew up loving rock ’n’ roll, or if you’ve ever felt out of place chasing a dream in a world that doesn’t seem to care, Prodigal Song will speak to you. It’s perfect for fans of memoirs like Rob Sheffield’s Love Is a Mix Tape or anyone who likes their nostalgia with a side of truth. You don’t need to be a musician to appreciate this story, you just need to have wanted something badly enough to lose yourself in the process.
Pages: 215 | ASIN : B0FG2PFXNT
An Intrinsic Disconnect
The Noiseletting details your life in the music industry from the lows of life on the road to your experiences working with legendary musicians. Why was this an important book for you to write?
The world needs a depiction that’s accurate, and fun to read. I’ve long seen musicians and their loved ones struggle to come to terms with the realities of a life in music, and there’s an intrinsic disconnect between what that reality actually is, versus the expectations. Schools don’t teach that reality; magazines, TV shows, and Films invariably depict a life in music as something glamorous and diamond-studded. I wanted to provide not so much a memoir as a fun, entertaining means of giving musicians and their loved ones the actual lay of the landscape, and hopefully, a sense of humor, to get them through the absurdities they’re letting themselves in for. Also, I just love to write.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
The hardest aspect of this book was, for me, knowing where to draw the line. For one thing, I’m actually a fairly private person where I really live. For another, it was difficult to know what this book is actually about, as opposed to what it’s not about. For every story that’s in it, there are a thousand more that aren’t. That said, I knew I’d have to go outside of my comfort zone to write the uncomfortable truths that are needed, so I pushed myself to do that.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had been given as a musician just starting on your journey?
Believe in yourself and your abilities, believe in your capacity to succeed, and don’t sell yourself short. You’ll be surrounded by people who are less able, who kick your butt in competition simply because they have no problem engaging in shameless self-promotion. Also, choose a specific musical discipline. Don’t spin doughnuts.
What do you hope readers take away from your experience?
A feeling that the read was enjoyable and time well spent, as well as an appreciation for what a life in the service of music actually looks like. And of course, a sense of humor about it all; without the ability to laugh at the darkest stuff, the ride will just be too bumpy–for musicians as well as for their loved ones.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
His journey is a dizzying study of how many hats one person can wear, and he places each of them on your head. Incredible stories and adventures range through dozens of strikingly different musical disciplines and worlds, delivering priceless tips and perspectives from every strata of the food chain.
From playing the seediest dives and living on potato buds to riding in motorcades and working with multi-grammy-winning artists alongside world-famous musicians, Byron’s bumpy trajectory navigates musical training, poverty, alcoholism, life-changing injuries and relationships, a beautiful collision with fatherhood, and validation. The story is one of friendship, healing, adaptation, love, and the most important thing for any musician:
An unflinching, sardonic sense of humor.Noiseletting, An editorial review by JD Shipton
Most of us normies have little more insight into the music we listen to than that we stream it online, maybe add it to a playlist, and maybe go see the live show if we like it well enough. Sometimes the lyrics and the sound really speak to us, and we become a little more attached to the song or the artist, but rarely are we able to see beyond the surface of this auditory pond to witness the splendor and the carnage beneath.Fry’s book hands you a snorkel and some goggles.
Whether you’ve never even picked up a recorder, or you’re out there on the road with your own band of misfits, this book has a great deal to offer on the music industry and the battles of an artist through his storied career, all presented by a musician who should not have had time to become so clever a writer.
The Noiseletting: Hijinx, Hard Knocks and Wisdom from Life Inside the Music Industry
Byron Fry’s life unfolds as a symphony of experience, a musical odyssey spanning dive bars, cruise ships, grand stages, and recording studios. As a seasoned guitarist, Fry has mastered it all—from crafting orchestral arrangements to performing in bands and producing records. Over the years, his talent has intertwined with legends, collaborating with musicians who have shared stages with icons like Paul McCartney. A true guitar virtuoso, Fry embodies the soul of a lifelong artist.
In his memoir, Noiseletting, Fry invites readers into the wild, vibrant, and unpredictable world of a professional musician. His story bursts with energy, recounting the highs and lows of life on the road, backstage camaraderie, and the exhilaration of performance. From the opening pages, Fry’s narrative struck a chord with me, resonating deeply as I reflected on my own experiences as a musician. His tales of playing in bands evoked a wave of nostalgia, making the book not just a memoir but a personal journey for readers with a musical past.
Beyond its nostalgia, Noiseletting captivates as an intricate and deeply engaging read. It is not a book to rush through; Fry’s storytelling demands savoring. The layered details of his life as a professional guitarist offer a rare glimpse into the discipline, passion, and artistry that define a career in music. Every anecdote, whether outrageous, poignant, or inspiring, reveals Fry’s unique perspective as a musician wired with an extraordinary creative drive.
Fry’s writing is as compelling as his music. His vivid prose and natural storytelling drew me in from the start, making it clear that his talents extend far beyond the guitar. For music enthusiasts and fellow “music nerds,” this memoir is an absolute treasure. It’s a love letter to the craft of musicianship, written with authenticity and heart.
The Noiseletting, by Byron Fry, is more than a memoir—it’s an invitation into a world shaped by strings, sound, and stories. For anyone passionate about music or curious about the life of a virtuoso, this book is an essential read. Fry has crafted a narrative that will linger in the minds of readers, much like the echo of a perfectly played chord.
Pages: 376 | ISBN : 978-0228633297
Outside Voices: A Memoir of the Berkeley Revolution
Outside Voices by Joan Gelfand is a candid memoir that delves into the author’s experiences during the vibrant and transformative 1970s in Berkeley. Gelfand navigates through her adventures, marked by involvement in the feminist movement, an exploration of her sexuality, and the pursuit of her artistic passions. Her narrative oscillates between her carefree social life, including encounters with drugs and diverse romantic relationships, and her deeper, more introspective struggles with family loss and societal expectations.
Gelfand’s prose is notably rich and evocative, breathing life into her experiences with a flair that goes beyond mere storytelling. Her ability to convey complex emotions and thoughts is particularly striking, as she uses vivid imagery and poetic language to share insights, such as her introspection about mortality and fear. The memoir gracefully weaves through various phases of Gelfand’s life, from an idyllic childhood marked by a close relationship with her father to the sorrow and adjustment following his passing. The narrative is peppered with captivating anecdotes, encompassing fleeting romances, detailed observations of her surroundings, and reflections on art, history, and culture. This blend offers readers a textured and multi-faceted view of the era and Gelfand’s journey within it. While the book’s multifaceted nature can occasionally feel overwhelming due to the multitude of themes and elements introduced, this complexity also contributes to the richness of Gelfand’s story. Her evolution from a youthful, rebellious spirit to a more grounded individual seeking stability and self-identity is a compelling aspect of the memoir.
Outside Voices is particularly resonant for readers interested in historical contexts, especially those pertaining to women’s roles and societal changes in the 20th century. Gelfand’s story is a blend of the personal and the historical, offering both an intimate look at her life and a broader reflection on a dynamic period of social change. The memoir stands out for its vivid storytelling, historical insights, and its exploration of personal growth and identity in times of societal upheaval.
Pages: 256 | ASIN : B0BYXGCQXZ
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