I was holding off on my big announcement until the day we had all our ducks in a row, but let’s face it: that’s the day that never comes. There will always be some ducks that are out of line (yes, autocorrect, I actually meant “duck” this time). I need to acknowledge that things are actually in pretty good order. So. . . no more hesitation. Duck it.

Support Life And Music is officially live.
https://www.supportlifeandmusic.org/
S.L.A.M. is a fiscally-sponsored non-profit founded by Jack Mangan to help musicians combat suicide, substance abuse, and other self-destructive behaviors. S.L.A.M. delivers information, awareness, and wisdom from veteran industry pros and musicians about how to survive and find happiness in “the life” through articles, audio podcasts, and videos. https://www.supportlifeandmusic.org/voices/

A recent study showed that in the U.S., the highest female suicide rate among all occupations is found in female musicians, while male musicians face the third highest rate. S.L.A.M. exists to tackle this problem head-on. To find solutions. To restore hope.
S.L.A.M.’s Life-Saving and Critical Services for working musicians:

♯ Lobbying for policy and fees changes to make the working musician’s career more sustainable

♯ Access to Mental Health Resources

♯ Guidance from musicians and industry professionals

♯ Access to financial survival resources

♯ Data and essays on Music’s importance for communities and individuals

So, how can you help?

Volunteer. Support Life And Music is growing fast, but still in its early days. We’re going to need help with all kinds of tasks. Contact us directly to find out more. jack@supportlifeandmusic.org

Donate. https://givebutter.com/lifeandmusic The money we raise will enable S.L.A.M. to powerfully, successfully implement our programs of musician outreach, support, access to trained professional help, awareness, and education.

Like, Follow, Subscribe, Support.

Support Life And Music is proud to announce its all-star Advisory Council:

Jack Mangan (Journalist, Writer, Executive Director)
Dr. Sheila Dee (Educator)
Jack Frost (Musician)
Eric Haley (Attorney)
Sarah Hyde (Entrepreneur)
Evo Terra (Podcast Strategist)

Jack Mangan has been working in music media since 2006, his non-profit background includes a VP role with the Joe Murphy Memorial Fund (2007 – 2008), content creator duties with Immunization Ambassadors (2015 – 2019), and a role with Easter Seals New Jersey (2002 – 2003, 2006 – 2007). In 2024, he founded Support Life And Music to provide resources and inspiration against the scourges of suicide, substance abuse, and self-destruction that have run rampant through the professional music community for over a century. 

If you’re a struggling musician, please know that you’re not alone, and that there are people out here who’ve been there too. We want you to persist and succeed.

We’re glad you’re here.

You and your music are special.

There are many good and caring people in the music industry (In fact, they’re the majority. No, really!). Don’t let the negatives silence your beautiful voice. 

Author Jack Mangan and artist Kyle Burles are back for more! Following up on their amazing collaboration on “Am I Evil? The Graphic Novel,” they’ve teamed up again for a new take on the classic Irish legend and folk song, “Whiskey in the Jar,” which has famously been performed by Thin Lizzy, Metallica, The Irish Rovers, The Dubliners, The Pogues, Jerry Garcia, and many others.

This adaptation will feature a Steampunk/Cyberpunk/Post-Apocalyptic twist on the setting and story.

Stay tuned. More details to come.

State of the Jack, September 2024.

Jack Mangan has been really low key in 2024. What gives? Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.

 I actually have a lot going on. 

Metal Hall of Fame: I’m still very active with The Metal Hall of Fame, writing meaningful articles about Metal’s Past and Present, keeping the website content as updated as I possibly can, and participating in board discussions with great people. Pat Gesualdo (the CEO) is driving something amazing and I’m proud of the work we’re doing. I look forward to the gala event every year.

MetalAsylum.net: Rich Catino and I are rethinking the best way to run his creation in the 2020s. We want to continue to support the great new wave of Heavy Metal bands as well as the classics, we’re just trying to do it in a different way than the past. The PR pros in our networks are fantastic people. I have always loved weeding through the new releases they send out and finding cool stuff to review. Rich and I are still onboard to do our part, we just want to do this in a fresh and still-relevant way.

What about the Livestreams? Man, I miss doing the Livestreams. Some of you do too, I hope. I’ll simply say this: I fully intend to return to Livestreaming, much in the way that we used to. Schedules have been difficult for a long time, but I do plan to get my ugly mug back to talking music in your Facebook and YouTube streams in the near future. Did you see that Kix interview? Or when I talked to Frank Bello? We had a great crew of regular participants in the past, we’ll get whoever’s willing to jump back on and rejoin us when the time is right.

Through it all, I’m still digging (discovering? studying?) new and old music as much as ever, and doing my small part to promote the artists that I care about through the avenues available to me. My earbuds are always full. 

Spherical What? I’ve been sitting on a completed, full-length novel, entitled “Spherical Heart.” Tomi’s story is finally told. I will probably self-publish, rather than go through the traditional New York publishing. I did self-publish “Creature of God,” an old short story of mine unrelated to “Spherical.” I didn’t promote or track it as well as I should have, but I got some nice responses. I’d like to do more indy work in the future. Fiction writing is still strong in my past, present, and future.

Am I Evil? My “Am I Evil?” graphic novel (based on the Diamond Head song, famously covered by Metallica) has been out in the world for over year now. I’m so proud of this book. I have not done much to market and generate sales; for now, it’s just a special release. I’d like to revisit this in the future. My sincerest thanks to all who helped make that happen. We still haven’t fulfilled the t-shirt perk. I know.

Final vague note: I do have a very exciting new venture in the works – – mostly-unrelated to any of the above, but I need to not sacrifice any of the above things to get it to launch.

Other personal stuff.

I started 2024 with an exciting career change, which went into full effect in March. My new dayjob role has been rewarding and challenging, but it’s also taken up a great deal of my time and mental energy. 

Family. Nothing is more important than family. My youngest has the most amazing mind and personality. My older daughter is a fully independent, responsible college student/adult. She is also one of the most amazing people I’ve ever known.

The greatest heartbreak of my life is as painful today as it was 8 years ago, and beyond. 

–

Final thing: I draw pictures for my daughter. I’m nowhere near pro-level, but I’m better than I ever thought I’d be. I usually look up a picture online and do my best to copy it. NO AI.

Of all Deadpans.

Vague: hopefully some cool news coming.

Stay tuned to the Am I Evil? Facebook page, the Am I Evil? website, and the Am I Evil? IndieGoGo page!

Updates will be coming soon with information about the campaign to get yourself a low-price, Indy graphic novel of “Am I Evil?” based on the classic song.

This is about creating a widely-available print version, but it can also get you access to the e-comic and the 17,000-word novella.

Hammer in hand. Irons in the fire.

Eyes