We recently connected with Ralph Tufo and have shared our conversation below.

Ralph, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As a children’s author, I’ve written three books in the Seemore the Seagull Tales. In addition to creating these fun books for children, I’ve strived to have each book promote lessons of kindness: acceptance of diversity, learning to cooperate, awareness and support of disabilities, and anti-bullying. As a former teacher, I’ve come to realize that we need to teach these values to young children as soon as possible. Our society needs individuals who put these vaues into practice.

One of my greatest joys is when I do book readings and musical performances for children in schools and libraries. It gives me great satisfaction to see them enjoy and understand the lessons in the books. I love to hear from parents and grandparents how their children enjoy having the books read to them or when they read the books themselves.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

In terms of my music career, I started playing the accordion when I was five. I later taught mysef how to play the piano, concertina, and Cajun accordion. I’ve been performing in bands for 50 years and have received 4 Boston Music Awards. I’ve been a band for leader for 4 different bands over time and have produced 13 albums/CD’s.
I’m currently working on a children’s CD that is related to the Seemore the Seagull Tales.

As a playwright ,I’ve written 3 full length musicals and 4 short plays. They’ve all been performed and well-received at small theaters in the Boston area,

I came upon my children’s author role by coincidence. When I stopped for a break from walking aong Revere Beach, a very large seagull perched on a wall and was staring at me. I thought what is he looking at? What does he think about humans? That gave me the idea of a children’s book with a seagull who sees more than the average bird.

In terms of products that I offer, I have the Squeezebox Stompers( my band) CD entitled “What’s So Bad About Feeling Good?” It’s available at our performance or on-line at squeezeboxstompers.com. My books can be purchased at my website: seemoretheseagull.com. Along with autographed copies, I include free bookmarks and coloring pages. My children’s CD can also be purchased at my website as well starting in June. All 3 of my books have received literary awards.

I’m proud of all of my creative projects. Their existence within the public domain will be my legacy when I’ve passed on.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

First of all, I believe that everyone has creative instincts or innate talents. In terms of priorities some people spend their time in other directions, most of all pursuing careers with guaranteed incomes. As a result , they might not have the time or energy to focus on creative endeavors. I was a teacher for 40 years and am now retired. Over time I’ve also worked hard at my writing and music. Retirement has give me more time to spend on my creative projects. I use my retirement time in productive use on creative projects.

Luckily, I have a retirement pension to pay for my expenses. I admire people who have made a 100% commitment to their art. It is extremely hard to make a reasonable living as a performer or artist. The sacrifices included in pusuing an artistic career are immense. There are countless jokes or comments made by some people who don’t consider a creative career as a “real job.” Rather than being supportive, they ridicule or question creative endeavors. This can cause an artist or performer to have self-doubt about “”not being practical.” I feel that it’s important for other people not to do this. It can lead to a creative person quitting their career.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

At one point in my musical and writing career, I began to have a lot of self-doubt regarding my creative projects. I would run these negative thoughts through my head: ” What are you doing? You’re wasting your time and money.
What are you an ego-maniac trying to be famous? You should give this all up . You’re never going to be successful.” One day I was letting the “Demons of Self Doubt” occupy my mind and I was considering giving it all up, As I was driving in my car with the radio on, I heard the beginning of a song which sounded very familiar. I soon reaized that it was my song” Magnolia 2 Step” which a local PBS radio DJ was using as the introduction to his show.
It was too much of a coincidence. I took this as a message to keep going and not give up.

This experience made me realize that I was doing thse projects because that was who I am . I wasn’t doing them to make big bucks or to be famous. I was driven to do this for some reason and that I’m going to continue because I have to do this.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.seemoretheseagull.com www.squeezeboxstompers.com
• Instagram: @tuforalph
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seemoretheseagull/ https://www.facebook.com/squeezeboxstompers/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_SXfTkY5Qs
• Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/search/Squeezebox%20Stompers