About

  Welcome to my life … Roger M Banks

And the journey of my love

Sit back and enjoy as I share my life and my work with you

As an author, an artist or creative spirit we all have something in common …

The love of expression, presentation and interpretation

Follow me as I introduce you to some of my motivations

As a young man, I was drawn to the melodic sounds of music.  I joined the church choir, participated in school plays and thanks to an early introduction to the theater by my mother, began to attend as many stage productions as possible.

Stage productions carried me away.  I became mesmerized with the power of the actors, the messages of the producers and the executions of the deliveries.  Often, I would imagine being responsible for such performances … envisioning myself with the ability to create something so captivating.

Living in a small town did not offer many opportunities to participate in musical productions or theater but I continued to dream of being on stage and/or hearing the applause and the approval of the audience.

Upon high school graduation I decided to defer college to pursue my desire of being involved in the theater.  I wrote plays and short stories with the hope of getting them to the stage.  I learned to play the piano by ear and was able to add that to my arsenal with the expectation of one day writing a musical.  I decided to take lessons to improve my newly acquired skill.  Armed with these tools I decided to go to school to major in theater.

I was proud and excited but abruptly hit a brick wall upon my first day of class.  It was obvious that I had a few years on the class of musicians but was encouraged by being in the presence of such young talent.  Each of us was required to play a piece of our choosing which included traditional rock and roll, Bach, Beethoven and other classical renditions.  When it was my turn to present, I played a gospel song only to be interrupted abruptly by the professor yelling, “Where is the theory behind that?”

One of the young ladies in the class came to my defense by exclaiming how much she appreciated it.

After class in a requested meeting with the professor I received the following message, “I think you should find something else to major in, young man.  You will never be an accomplished musician.”  Her words rang in my ears with the shrillness of chalk on a board.  Her words felt like a sharp knife being plunged into my chest making it difficult to breathe.

The wall …

I left class that day feeling completely defeated!  My dreams now shattered, my life began to spiral out of control for several years.  I no longer felt in control.  I no longer had the confidence.  I no longer felt … until one day I listened to a familiar voice … mine … telling me to get it together … telling me how foolish it was to allow someone else to determine my journey.  It told me to go and find the outline I had written eleven years earlier. I did.  I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it but one thing was certain … I was going to get busy.

The wall came tumbling down …

Again, I met doubters and dream killers.  This time I was armed to deal with each in a way that allowed them to be while encouraging me to press on.  I met with a soon to be mentor, the late Russel A. Rabb Jr, a well-known musician out of the Ypsilanti area.  He was excited.  He loved it and wanted to be a part of this project which had not yet been identified.  This would be a new venture for him as he had not been involved in producing a musical.  He added the spice which resulted in being my first musical, ‘On My Christian Journey’.

Within a year we debuted, ‘On My Christian Journey’, at Ypsilanti High School with 21 original songs and a cast second to none.

Though the turnout was small, the response was huge.  What an exhilarating feeling! I specifically remember one review which came from Dr. John Shelton, a prominent physician.  He said it was one of the best plays he had seen.

I just knew the next step would be doors opening leading to roads of greater venues like Detroit’s music hall, etc.  That did not happen.  We were busy putting on as many shows as possible … eight shows in five months all with great reviews.  Still there was no magic, no connections.   What did exist was debt and the continued desire for the level of success I always wished for and obviously did not know how to get. 

Years passed without the prominence of ‘On My Christian Journey’. I had to stop the bleeding.  I decided to pivot and put my words on paper in the form of a book.  My first was, “The Diary of one Black Man,” a piece I wrote in tribute to my dad and Pastor Rev. Freddie L. Banks, a truly amazing God-filled man.  Pleased with the result I decided this path was quite fulfilling and very inspiring to see my talent come to fruition in another form. 

From this new awakening, ‘The Black Don Juan,’ was born.  How invigorating I felt. I was constantly thinking of my next project.  Grammatical errors and all, I began to give copies to co-workers and friends for their feedback.  Encouraged by the positive responses I fed on the energy and continued to write and write and write.  I now possessed a new light, high level of motivation and renewed confidence.

I was ready to introduce Roger to a new market through my writings.  I spent many years seeking out the right connections, mentors, editors, and ultimately a publishing company albeit … self-publishing.  My work was readily received by the publishers but required more money and more money and more money to make it ready for them.

I did not have any more money.  I decided I was going to step out with my ambition, drive and prayer … yes, prayer.  This action would allow me to continue to set the example of ‘never stop’ … ‘don’t let anyone else block your path’ … you get the message.

My persistence and love for my craft propelled me with a lot of self-talk.  Giving up was not an option.  I talked to everyone I met about my project and one day met a gentleman who believed as I did … persistence would pay off.  He supported me, propped me up and sang in harmony with that ‘you can do it, Roger’, voice of my own.  I learned he had an ambition to compose a novel of his own.  I shared my experience, good and bad to help eliminate some stumbling in his journey.

Thank you, Mr. Andre V. Pough, Sr. who is also the co-author of my novel, ‘I Wanna Know What Love Is.’

When I paused to determine my next step(s) I realized I had written the content for 11 complete novels … all on a thumb drive.

Together Mr. Pough and I consistently sought out ways to market and distribute my work.  Both had the drive to make this our focus and pay day.  After 30 years in my position my eagerness to get out was forceful.  I decided to stop giving me to someone else and give more of me to me.

Today, I am proud to say, I am able to bring my work to you in paperback and Kindle version.

Currently you are able to see all of my work, with more to come.    

The Black Don Juan                         

In My Shadows – Volume 2 of The Black Don Juan

On and On – Volume 3 of The Black Don Juan

In The Bloodline – Volume 4 of The Black Don Juan

Definitions

Ghetto Mama

I Wanna Know What Love Is

In The Company of Friends

Little Sally Walker

The Tangueray Lounge

Something Inside

The bottom line is never stop moving.  Never stop doing.  With action comes change.  The difference between desire and dreaming … with one of them … you are sleeping.  Get busy, being busy about your desires and ambitions.  Good luck!