We were lucky to catch up with Bob Pryor recently and have shared our conversation below.

Bob, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

My life as a performing musician has taken many turns over sixty years. As a youth, I began to play guitar in a band that played top 40 hits in the New Your area (I was born in Brooklyn, N.Y.) We had a very talented group, so we quickly were signed by an agent, and from that point on played in many of the upscale clubs in the city on a regular basis. At that time, though I wrote a number of original songs, we were only permitted to play songs that were on AM radio, songs that the club attendees knew.

This went on for a number of years, and we were eventually signed by a small record label. We cut a number of original tunes but unfortunately they sat on the disc jockey’s table, never to be played on the radio. You see in those days, it was one thing to have an original record, getting it played involved an entirely different mechanism which none of us could afford.. So as the years went by I got a “regular job” working in different executive positions in the international shipping industry and doing Leadership Consulting seminars later on. During the time I had these jobs , I did not play the guitar much or sing, I simply did not have time.

During the 80’s there were a number of business issues and many people, including myself were laid off. I decided to start my own company training people how work in the international shipping business. This is where my creativity was expanded. I taught my own classes, wrote my own material, and did well. During that time, I started to play the guitar again as I had more control of my time. From that point forward, original material came from me so fast, I could barely keep up with it.

Since then, nothing has changed, I was fortunate that by the time I started my own business, I had spent and saved wisely, so I had the time and resources to write and perform. I have always looked at being a creative artist from the perspective where if you you do it to become a big star and to make a fortune, you’ll probably be disappointed. To meet those goals you have to be outstanding and lucky, VERY lucky. Does it happen, yes, as often as you many think, not really. With the advent of social media you can get your sound out more easily, the bad news is you are competing with a few billion people! So, my goal has always been to make people happy with my music, and improve their lives, I know that is why I’m here. . Just this year I’ve written 35 songs! Over my lifetime 300 plus. I’ve lost count.

Bob, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As I mentioned during the first question, I’ve been involved in music since I was a youngster, as a singer, guitarist, composer, and author. I have also conducted seminars on Leadership techniques, as well as being a guest speaker at various venues. At present, I write original music, do videos of myself performing it and post on many of the social media platforms including my personal website. I sell the tunes from my music website.

Over the last few years, due to some health issues, I’ve had to do a lot of teleconference live performances for churches and other events. I built a home recording studio and have created so far, 6 CD’s and 8 songbooks which I sell online. Some tunes are spiritual, some are contemporary ballads, some rock and roll, and some blues. The common thread is that the majority of songs are all relevant to many people’s life experiences, and many cover thought provoking subjects, leaving the listener thinking. The thing I am most proud of is my music “makes people think!.” When someone comes over to me, or contacts me and says a particular song, or lyrics from one of my songs made a positive impact on their life, I’m a happy man!

During the last few years, due to severe arthritis, I’ve been mobility challenged. Those limitations however, have not only not stopped me, but with the help of today’s technology, I’m diversifying my content creation, writing more songs, and is presently putting together a digital pathway to all my music and publications.

Sometimes being a Senior and mobility challenged can be depressing, but I’ve has fought that off by including in my writings positive articles directed at Seniors to help them realize, this is the beginning of their life, not the end.

One of my often published articles, “When Did I Become Irrelevant,” describes the emotional process we face as we age, and motivates the reader to “start over, newer and better.”

I have always felt that I have been truly blessed to have the ability to create all types of content and effectively communicate it to other people, with the hope of making their lives better.

I’m just getting started! Stay tuned!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Music, words, all impact us in different ways, emotionally, evoking memories, sometimes hard times. To me, the reason I feel I exist is to write songs, books, etc. that make people think, possibly learn, and to be happier. Sometimes all it takes is the right word. You see, none of us truly know how the brain works. How many of you have heard “that “certain” old song and had a flood of memories and actual emotions literally “stop you in your tracks?”

So, to be one of the people that impacts society with my views, my experiences, my pains, my sorrows, what could possibly be better! My biggest challenge is to be able to get my music out as fast as I write it! Also, I’d love to find artists who may not write themselves, that are looking for original tunes. I have several hundred or will write ones especially for them.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

By far, the most rewarding aspect of being creative is that I can help people by sharing my feelings in different genres, books, talks, etc. I am so blessed to have that ability, but it took a while before I really knew why I was here, and what I could contribute to society. Its enabled me to relax, deal with some health issues, knowing that I still have this ability to communicate and pass on my ideas and experiences. What more could anyone ask for?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.themusicofbobpryor.com
• Instagram: “Tallmusicman” (Or search Bob Pryor)
• Facebook: Bob Pryor’s Music and Live Concerts
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/@Bobpryorsmusic
• Other: Contact Tele: 281-376-4475