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by Ryn Gargulinski | art blogski, Blogski Archives, column, life, music, notable folks, heroes | 8 comments
Many of us are suckers for a success story, and we can find one in a flash with Tom Moran.
This Brooklyn boy went from suicidal drunk to Daddy Rocker who just released his second album “Ain’t Gonna Give Up.”
Success didn’t come easy. The 44-year-old first had to ride the express train to hell and hit a bottom so low he needed to be scraped off it. And he’s not ashamed to admit some of the tough stuff he’s been through.
“I am so proud of my life and my past, ” he said. “I can now help others through my music and by being an example to them.”
Although booze badgered him, bludgeoned him and eventually ruled his life, Moran didn’t even dig the taste of his first drink.
That drink came as a teen and he slowly slid into a life of beer and pining after girls who didn’t pine back. It got worse right after high school.
“That’s when I really got hooked on the juice,” he said.
Other than smashing a beer bottle outside his frequent hole-in-the-wall hangout called the Truck Stop, Moran didn’t get into much trouble drinking – at least on the outside.
Still in his early 20s, the Canarsie chap moved to upstate New York to live with his sister. But his “good buddy Weiser” came with him.
“I was lost for some time upstate and in my mind,” he said. Thoughts of suicide constantly trampled through his head. “My life was really nowhere. I really did not want to go on anymore with my useless life.”
Waking up was turmoil, pulling himself out of bed a major chore.
“Getting up the next morning was hard to do. After a night out, I remember getting up the next day and wishing I would die and the hangover had my head spinning.”
Moran finally sought help when his sister decided to quit her own drinking.
“I went where she went and got some help,” he said. “That was the best decision I ever made: getting help for my drinking.”
Falteringly at first, Moran finally embraced a life without alcohol – even when that life continued to fall apart.
Married and living in Gerritsen Beach, Moran was working as a teacher, which he still does, with 90 percent of his cash going to fixing up the couple’s refinanced house.
He decided to use the meager 10 percent to record his first album, “Starting Over.”
That may not be the main reason behind the divorce that followed – “She did complain a lot!” – but the result still left him as a single parent raising his son Jonathan.
Tom with son John/Daddy Rocker photo
Move over Budweiser, as his son, now 10, took over as the most important thing in his life.
“When he first called me dad, I lit up,” Daddy Rocker said. “When your kid calls you dad for the first time, it’s amazing and wonderful.”
Working with former drug and alcohol addicts in recovery programs, teaching physical education to special needs children and, of course, spreading his message through his music are near the top of his list, too.
Moran’s first album sold 12,000 copies – not bad for “an unusual bad boy turned good,” as he jokes.
His second album has just hit the market, and I’ve already picked out my three favorite tracks:
1. Kisses & Hugs – An oozy, bluesy tune that soothes, grooves and mentions Santa Claus a la Leonard Cohen.
2. No Big Deal – Rocking number that devotes a whole stanza to the joy of Jonathan, especially watching the Yankees-loving boy play baseball.
3. This Poor Boy – Sweet, soulful song asking for help being put back together.
Even with through the turmoil of depression, alcohol addiction, divorce and working as a teacher in NYC public schools, Moran’s music is uplifting and filled with hope.
It is also infused with a simple innocence that makes you smile, not to mention tap the steering wheel while driving.
Even though Moran no longer longs for death, he easily answered the question I asked about what he would want on his headstone as his final words:
To my son Jonathan: I love you.
Go Out and Enjoy Your Life
P.S. Daddy will always be with you.
Full disclosure: I’ve known Tom for about 10 years and he’s one of those sweet, supportive friends that can’t make you mad even if they try. (Tom – that doesn’t mean you should try.)
Check out his album, video and more on his website DaddyRocker.com
Tom gives special thanks to his publicist, DeAlan Wilson.
I’ll be playing some Daddy Rocker songs on my weekly webcast Friday at 4 p.m. (7 p.m. EST) at Party934.com.
My favorite promo shot - love the vest!/Daddy Rocker photo
Do you know someone who is a success story?
Maybe you are success story yourself?
radmax on 07/16/2009 at 9:14 am
Great human interest story Rynski. Always nice to see a positive outcome out of a very hard to kick addiction. Keep Rockin’ Tom.
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Rynski on 07/16/2009 at 9:16 am
Thanks for comment. So glad to know folks are reading (haha). Tom is  a wonderful example for many, especially his kid. Damn fine album, too.
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radmax on 07/16/2009 at 9:36 am
Oh Geez-how could I forget-Mornin’ Rynski!
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azmouse on 07/16/2009 at 9:34 am
This one made me teary, Ryn. He’s an inspiring guy and someone his son can be proud of.
I hope his second CD makes him rich.
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A.Farley on 07/16/2009 at 9:36 am
Very well done Ryn, I read your stuff everyday, I’m hooked. lawyer charred is my captcha
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Karen Nelson on 07/16/2009 at 9:47 am
Thanks Ryn… Always love to be exposed to new music… not to mention freedom from addiction!  Godspeed, Tom!
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Rynski on 07/16/2009 at 9:47 am
Aww, Tom will be so happy to know everyone’s cheering him on.
AZMouse – I, too, hope his CD makes him rich. He deserves it. He’s worked very hard. I’ve seen the pain.
A.Farley – Thanks! for reading. Glad you’re hooked. Also glad you have such a funky CAPTCHA hahaha. On sites where I get one, it’s always something garbly-gookedy, like Ph557B093. The computer gods must be smiling on you to end up with such a grand one.
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leftfield on 07/16/2009 at 3:06 pm
Recovery is possible for anyone suffering from addiction.  It might be food,  drugs,  money,  sex, even power.  The hard part is asking for help.