...the birth of Ragamuffin Music

Music is categorized according to style in groupings called genres ( pop,country ,blues,gospel ,hip hop ,alternative,folk etc.) I recently read an article which said that there are over 30,000 songs released a day (probably %85 of them stink ! ) When I started back writing again,early on I came to the realization that my songs didn’t fit very well into any of the existing genres.Strangely enough the early songs were “ God Stuff” but not of the praise on the mountain variety but rather from the mindset of the broken and downtrodden. I was faced with a decision.I could either try to write songs that fit into one of the more popular ,current genres or remain true to my roots and write what I felt .I chose the latter

Having decided to write from my roots and what I felt …I decided to create my own genre. I was now faced with the task of naming it ( which I thought would be easy ) It would be over two years later before I would come up with a name which I thought fit…and the genre Ragamuffin Music was born.

What is Ragamuffin Music ? Since I created the genre,I guess I can define it like I want,right?...so here goes ! Ragamuffin Songs are born in a place somewhere between fairy tales and faded dreams. They very rarely fit in just one genre. Ragamuffin songs are never clearly or easily defined.These songs are often written in either first person or story style about broken or ragged characters. The melody is often bluesy or melancholic ,with an occasional country or sometime folksy feel. The majority of my songs most definitely belong in this genre.(to be continued )

Some of my songs like Old Tomcat Love and Full Moon Down in Dixie come from my imagination.Others like Gypsy Stars and Me had to be lived first before they could be written.Every now and then God smiles on a songwriter and gives him a really special song to write.Broken Little Heroes was one of these songs.Song writing like so many other talents is a gift from God. As a songwriter,I’m better than some ,not quiet good as others. I’ve often wondered why God chose to allow my talent to flourish so late in life. Because of His generosity I’m writing better songs than I ever dreamed of back in 1971. Even though I’m often frustrated, at the same time I’m extremely grateful. Nonetheless the questions hang heavy in the air…Why me?...Why now ?... What’s next ?

Only recently has God given me the answers to at least two of my questions. Why me ?...because you needed help healing and music is a great healer. Why now ?... You’re a slow learner and nothing else I’ve tried has worked ! What’s next ?…I’ll let you know when when I’m sure you’re ready. LOL . Maybe He'll use one of my songs to touch you ! Ken