Neal pursues dreams with music
Campus Times
April 16, 1999
University of La Verne alumnus Ryan Neal, just released his first
CD "Gonna Make It." The pop CD was written, performed, financed
and composed solely by Neal, who was a music major while attending the University.
Aside from his musical endeavors, he also teaches several subjects on a
part-time basis at Bonita High School. Ironically, he said he finds teaching
math and English classes easier than teaching music.
by Simon W. Bouie
Arts & Entertainment Editor
The song says that, "People who need people are the luckiest people
in the world." Although that might be true, some of the happiest people
in the world are the ones who can honestly say that they have found their
calling. They understand what they were made to do. They have the joy of
having their work also be their passion.
Such a person can be found in 1998 University of La Verne graduate Ryan
Neal. Neal walked across the stage at last year's commencement ceremonies
and graduated with a degree in music but not before tackling what might
be one of the greatest senior projects of all time.
"I've always wanted to record and I love to perform. So, I decided
to make it happen. A lot of people wait to be discovered, I figured by making
it my senior project I could do what I really always wanted to do."
The end result of a year and one-half's work is Neal's first CD entitled
"Gonna Make It." The album contains 13, songs all of which were
written, arranged and sung by Neal.
It is of little wonder to those who know Neal that he would spend a
year and one-half and $2,000 of his own money to create a lasting senior
project. "My family sometimes gets annoyed because I sing all of the
time. I connect to life through singing it's how I express myself."
Neal said that he sang before he talked and that music has been a part
of his life for as long as he can remember. "I sang in church, at home,
everywhere and all the time. It just continued, I have always sang."
However, there is more to this artist than the ability to carry a tune.
"I wrote my first real song when I was in the 7th grade at age 12."
Neal does not take simple solace in the fact that he has a good voice
(which he does) and is a fine lyricist (which he is), his love for music
is much deeper than these attributes. "I love music because it has
the ability to capture and infuse a listener with any kind of emotion, be
it happy, sad, angry or melancholy."
Even beyond his love for his art, his love for his passion, this 24-year-old
is humbled with the gift that he has been given. "I am blessed because
I get so much from listening to music. As much as bone and blood are a part
of my body, music is a part of my soul. If there were no music, there would
be no me."
As far as future aspirations are concerned, Neal knows his calling.
"I am doomed to a life of creation. Writing music drives me. Sometimes
I write prolifically and other times it takes me longer. It's sort of like
water that builds up, eventually it needs somewhere to flow."
Currently, Neal is the newest member of a group called, "Phase4."
The group is made up of four guys, all between ages 21 and 24. It was Neal's
ability to write music that got him connected with the other young men in
"Phase4." "They came to me because I write music and they
needed a writer. I sang some of my music for them, and they said that they
wanted me to join them in singing as well."
The group just recently finished filming a music video and they are
putting the final touches on a demo song for a promotional package. Neal
is extremely optimistic that "Phase4" will eventually be a rousing
success. "We have a lot of good connections in the music industry and
I know that we are good." This sentiment is not expressed with arrogance.
Instead it is with a sense of humble confidence the Neal can speak with
certainty of his impending success.
Neal's current CD "Gonna Make It" is currently available for
the bargain basement price of $10. In order to make a purchasing inquiry,
contact Neal at his web site at http://RyanNeal.virtualave.net
or contact Steve Biondo in the music department at ext. 4917.
There are only 100 copies of "Gonna Make It" on this planet
that we call Earth, so remember that quantities are limited and supplies
are going fast. If one is so inclined to purchase this CD, remember what
the artist wants those who listen to take from his music.
"I want people to enjoy my music. The biggest compliment that I
get is when someone tells me that they were driving along and singing to
my music. That makes me feel really good."
If people who need people are the luckiest people in the world, a great
argument can be made that people who find their ultimate calling life and
make daily use of their gifts, might very well be the most fortunate and
content people in the world.
Among this group you would have to include Ryan Neal; ULV graduate,
singer, songwriter, composer and recording artist who is in every sense
of the word a true artist. At a higher level, he is a gifted individual
who has not lost sight of humility and reality. His talent is real, his
music is good and it does indeed deserve to be sung to in ones car. Hey,
he may very well be some of the luckiest people in the world.
