Barron Ryan

ABOUT THE BOOK

This is the true story of a song.

Don Feagin wrote the words and Barron Ryan wrote the music. But this wasn’t your average collaboration. That’s because Don died in 1981—six years before Barron was even born.

As a young songwriter and composer, Don Feagin wrote music that would be heard around the world. But his favorite person to write for was his wife, Linda. The two were building a beautiful life together, but Don was living on borrowed time. They both knew that his disease, cystic fibrosis, would take him from this world far too soon.

When Don died, Linda thought she had heard all the songs he would ever write
. . . until a chance encounter paved a path to bring his lyrics and legacy back to life.

Honey, If It Wasn’t For You is a love song, written for a wife, that a husband could no longer sing. It’s also a poignant tale of love and loss that shares the power of music to connect us with the ones we cherish—even after they’re gone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The son of two musicians, Barron Ryan grew up in a house filled with the sounds of artists ranging from Mozart to Motown. In his own work, he combines those disparate influences into a musical adventure that’s vintage yet fresh, historical yet hip, classic yet cool.

Barron seemed destined for a career in music. He began piano lessons at age four with his father, then excelled in performing throughout middle and high schools and as a piano performance major at The University of Oklahoma. But it was only after an international concert tour—the result of winning a piano competition—that Barron found his artistic voice. He discovered the joy of jazz and ragtime-inspired concert music and endeavored to fill the void of funk, pop, and country-inspired classical music. Following his unique muse, Barron has released four albums. 

In 2021, Barron wrote a commissioned piece for piano trio entitled My Soul Is Full of Troubles to commemorate the 1921 massacre in Tulsa, OK. Smithsonian Magazine took note and named him one of Ten Innovators to Watch in 2021.

As was the practice of his favorite composers, Barron publishes his original works in the public domain—offering his work as a gift to the world, and as a chance to collaborate with artists from around the globe. Honey, If It Wasn’t For You is his first book. 

TALKING POINTS

• Why beauty matters in everyday life
• How to not starve as an artist … eventually
• The songwriting process: from big ideas to little choices
• 3 reasons to give your ideas away
• How to defy categories as an artist