Hi, my name is Ray Van Horn, Jr. Author of Coming of Rage and Revolution Calling and later in 2024, my new horror compilation, Behind the Shadows. I’ve worn many hats as a music and film journalist and concert photographer for 16 years, a press release writer, a former NHL game analyst, local beat reporter, scribe of serialized superhero adventures and haunter of the open mike.
I’m a deep cut kind of guy, though there’s always a place for timeless hits in my heart. I’m currently grinding out the psychedelic bombast of Heavy Temple with the hip hop stylings of Kid Cudi’s Entergalactic soundtrack on deck. My son turned me on to Kid Cudi and I’m proud of that, because I’m sometimes a tough one to sell in music. I have way broad horizons in my music tastes, but the bottom line is I demand integrity, not filler, from you as a musician.
I beat my 54-year-old body senseless through fitness endeavors because I only know when to quit when the stakes call for it. I have maybe one more Spartan event in me come November at Fenway Park, but knowing my stubborn self, I’ll be scrolling the event calls once again next year.
I’ve hashed 27 years scratching coin in the mortgage title industry and currently hold a title examiner position. That’s a long daggone time in one industry as I’ve seen friends come and friends come again in a business we refer to as incestuous since everyone knows everyone. Now I’m seeing next to no one I remember. Read into that as you will.
This is my favorite picture anyone’s ever taken of me, by the love of my life, TJ, my best friend, catching me in a wee sloshy, mostly infatuated man who knows he’s struck gold in his life. I used this picture as an author photo for my first two books and other publications, but nothing makes me smile harder other than looking at pics of our wedding every single day.
My name is Ray Van Horn, Jr. and I’m on the ups.
–Ray Van Horn, Jr.
Roads Lesser Traveled 
Finding happiness, contentment, and love is a gift. 🤟🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
All of that, my friend, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a great picture. Your happiness shines through…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I appreciate you. TJ caught me in mid-trance gawking at her and loving what I saw. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ray, been reading your content for years, but had no idea you were a fellow member of the ‘senseless fitness endeavors’ club!
When our youngest was born a couple of years back, I decided to call it a day on ultra racing–let’s face it, training for 50k’s weren’t doing my mid-40’s body any favors.
But, here I am, perusing the 2025 race calendar…
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, my next senseless fitness endeavor is one more Spartan coming up. Not sure how many more my body will take, but 50K? Jeeezzzz, man! PROPS! I have a friend who does everything like you’re talking about and she just keeps going after it all. She has tree trunks for legs at this point and she is getting close to 50.
LikeLike
Hey Ray, I just recently discovered your work. I must have been living under a rock all this time. I love your resume and it’s great to see you love music, film and comics, much like myself. Cheers!
LikeLike
Hey Ray, I recently discovered your work. I must have been living under a rock all this time. Anyways, I love how you dig music, movies and comics! So great, since these are my interests too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, brother, good to see you over here since we’re FB friends. Thanks a mil for digging up my work and checking it out! We definitely seem to gel in mutual interests!
LikeLike