Gene has a lifelong love of theatre, both as a performer and teacher. Much of the music in here came from Gene –

 classical to deep South blues. He doesn't just read and write poetry; he feels it. He reminds us that the first poems were sung, and that music "controls the ebb and flow of human emotions." He says, "That is where the

writing of poetry came into my life. Shakespeare to Dylan and then my own poetry—words of joy, sorrow,

love, and humor opening the heart and mind."  He has a radio show "Poetry Now" at www.kwmr.org.

Ed also loves music and theatre. He wrote his first poem in Vietnam (1968). That's where he met Dave Nye and his taste in music changed from pop rock to harder rock. Ed was injured and uses a wheelchair and kept working. He retired and called Dave Nye and they began writing songs – Ed the Words, Dave the music. Dave got studio-tired so Ed hooked up with John Mindock a high shool friend and they collaborated on quite a few songs.

Enter Gene Ptak and the Poetry and Sounds collaboration. Ed says, "Gene taught me how to dig in and

feel the words; how to read them aloud. I will be forever grateful to Dave, John, and Gene."