I am the only artist on the books of THRAN RECORDS. In fact I set up the label myself. "Thran" is an Ulster word that means stubborn, difficult, even persistent. Not only am I the proprietor of the company, I am also the treasurer, promotional and secretarial staff and sole shareholder. I can call a board meeting anytime. It’s hard work at times but the real benefit is that I have met people...in many cases only through e-mail...who have become advocates of the merits of these albums. Anything that has to be done I know will be done because I do it myself. I have made some good friends recently... strong supporters of these songs... through THRAN RECORDS, both in the media and elsewhere.

And can I say something about songs and songwriting. I believe in the value and importance of songs. Songs are undervalued in our society. They are regarded as ephemeral and trivial. But I know that a good song can be beautiful. It can articulate something of importance or bring back a memory of a time or a place. It can stay in your head for the rest of your life. That’s a good song. I don’t have the words to describe a great song. Songs combine two wonderful things... melody and words. That makes them unique. There is no other thing in the whole world like a song. It is that unique combination of words and music that makes the song potentially greater than poetry or instrumental composition. I am happy that I am a songwriter. It gives meaning and purpose to my life.