Ross Muir
Ross Muir describes himself as "just your ordinary average guy... although Joe Walsh once sang the same, and look how he turned out...".
Ross wanted to get more seriously involved in music or even graphic or comic book artwork back in the day, but as regards the latter it was a problematic pursuit from the off as the West of Scotland isn't exactly a hotbed for that career or ability, although as he points out "Mark Millar managed just fine, thank you very much". However musical claims to fame include singing Todd Rundgren songs backstage with Pat Travers, and some two and a half decades prior to that performance was dodging school classes to help keep a beat or run a bass line for Mike (The Waterboys) Scott as he recorded demos.
Mike always wanted to be involved in music - and is.
Ross always wanted to be involved in music - and is in Architecture.
Go figure.
Away from the day job he can be found sharing time and events with wife Anne as well as with good friends, but also enjoys 'alone' time, especially if reading or writing.
Anne and Ross prefer to take holidays/ breaks exploring their own country these days, but have taken many trips Stateside to visit friends in the San Francisco and Santa Cruz areas (Anne used to live in California and Ross has an affinity and familiarity with the Bay Area that he "can't explain...so I don't try"), and the trips across the pond allow Ross to head for Candlestick Park and San Francisco 49er's games, which is part of another passion...
"I played (American) Football for four years and, strange though it may seem, being deep in the heart of Scottish Links golf country I hardly ever swung a club (Mark Twain was right - spoils a good walk) but used to catch a football at a Pro-Am level before the World League and subsequently NFL Europe got to the UK".
Other hobbies or pastimes include cycling, walking, Pilates & physio exercises, although the latter are more necessity over relaxation to help keep chronic lower back problems at bay (courtesy of that football thing mentioned earlier).
Ross will also happily discuss topics with like-minded individuals and those of opposite opinion in equal measure ("the great lost art of conversation - the Internet, Video Gaming and MTV have got a lot to answer for") and reads (when time permits) on many a subject - "primarily anything that challenges our thoughts, be it alternative views on pre-history, civilisations, etc., as well as fiction, biographies, specific graphic novel/ comic-book works, San Franciso 49ers Monthly and other similarly depressing news...".
As this site will testify (and other selected sites where he comments or posts) he also enjoys writing ("primarily on music, but pretty much on any subject that interests me or that I feel needs addressed to keep the buggers 'honest'") and has written many articles in a professional capacity including Design Statements for Housing in National Regeneration Areas.
Ross is also proud to be amongst those that are termed 'The Vocal Minority'.
And having given up "proper singing" over twenty five years ago it's fair to say that thankfully, for the musical world, he writes a lot more than he sings.
Pentland12@hotmail.co.uk
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Jason Galu (contributor to 'One in a Million')
As passionate about music as his sparring partner above, Jason Galu (shown as Nalu in 'One in a Million' simply because the surname is pronounced more 'Na' than 'Ga') does not unfortunately have music as his day job either, but is directly involved in music due to his tenures as lead vocalist in amateur bands covering British and American rock classics, occasionally recording demos of original material, fronting an AOR tribute band covering songs by Toto, Foreigner, and some group that used to feature a guy called Perry (and not Como), and more lately lead vocalist with Rock of Ages, who cover the 'Hair Bands of the 1980's' (to use their own description).
Jason also had a stint as the lead in a production of Jesus Christ Superstar in his native New Zealand, and has worked as a music tutor.
Jason, like Ross, will talk music all day if given the chance but will be the first to admit that if he puts it down in writing it's more akin to an enthusiastic but uncoordinated stream of consciousness.
And thankfully, for the literary world, he sings a lot more than he writes.
jasonius2007@hotmail.com