Today we’d like to introduce you to Lyle Blackburn.
Hi Lyle, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I’ve always been a fan of monster movies, mysteries, and music. At a young age, I wanted to become a professional musician and play in a band. Eventually, I learned drums and guitar and joined a band when I was in high school. We began to play gigs at clubs in the early Deep Ellum (downtown Dallas) music scene. I later secured a record deal with a band, recorded several albums, and went on to tour the USA, Canada, and Europe. During this time, I also developed my writing skills. I always had talent in writing and was something I also enjoyed. I was interested in the paranormal and sightings unknown creatures, or real-life “monsters” that people have reported all over the world. Eventually, I was hired to write for the horror magazine, Rue Morgue (based in Toronto), covering topics regarding monster movies and cryptids creatures (such as Bigfoot, Yeti, Mothman, etc.). I wrote my first book, The Beast of Boggy Creek, which was published in 2012 by Anomalist Books. It was successful, so from there on I balanced both music and writing careers.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It’s always been a struggle because my areas of interest and passion was not always in subjects that are mainstream. For example, my bands were unique and usually part of underground-type music scenes such as punk, metal, and later, even more unique with my band Ghoultown. Even the subject of my books, which falls in the paranormal category, wasn’t as popular when I first started as it is now. However, I stuck to my passions and eventually built audiences who appreciated the same sort of subjects.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m essentially an author, musician, and monster hunter, which is a career that sets me apart from others right off. These those pursuits have also led to other related work such as tv appearances and narration voiceover. I’m probably best known for my book “The Beast of Boggy Creek” that explores the history of a mysterious creature reported in Southwest Arkansas over the years. The mystery was the subject of the classic movie “The Legend of Boggy Creek,” which was released back in 1972. Since this deals with an alleged real-life monster, I’ve become known as a ‘monster hunter.’ I’m also known as the frontman of Ghoultown, a rock band I formed in 1998. Ghoultown has released eight albums, toured extensively, and even appeared in a video with the tv personality Elvira, Mistress of the Dark. I’m known for my signature black cowboy hat as much as anything! It has become somewhat iconic and recognizable to anyone who sees me on stage, at a book signing, or on television. If I don’t wear it, fans inevitably ask ‘where’s your hat?’ So, I always wear it!
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
I’ve always felt that if you follow your dreams and stick to your passion, you will succeed, as long as you have some amount of talent. My success was not instant, but it did come. For many years now, I’ve made a living as a monster hunter, writer, and frontman for a very unique Texas rock band. I would have never dreamed I could make a living at such things when I was young.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.lyleblackburn.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyleblackburn/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lyleblackburn.official
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackburnLyle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MonstroBizarro
- Other: https://www.ghoultown.com/
