Prescription Music

About the Book

Life is full of trials and adversity and such trials and adversity often poses a challenge for a person at times when that person least expects it. Byron Smith began experiencing some of life’s trials and adversity prior to his high school graduation which was supposed to be a time a triumph. As a teenager he found himself embattled against adults who were supposed to be mentors and role models in his life. Little did Byron know that the unjust encounter was the first of several encounters to come. Early on Byron responded angrily to adversity but then he began to find solace in an unlikely source, music. He used music to help himself cope and navigate through trying times. After completing college Byron embraced the concept of dealing with adversity with intelligence, tact, and diplomacy. In his story he details how he prescribes certain songs for himself when he needs comforting. He also shares his observations of how music has a different affect on today’s youth because they are not listening to prescription music but are bombarding their ears and brain cells with poisonous music that desensitizes them and diminishes their desire to use intelligence, tact, and diplomacy to battle adversity.

About the Author

Byron L. Smith is from Mobile, Alabama. After graduating from Murphy High School he enlisted in the United States Navy as a communications technician and was responsible for ship to ship and ship to shore communications. After completing his naval tour he enrolled at Alabama State University where he excelled in advanced and honors English and writing courses. Upon completing college he secured a position within a superior court judge’s office. It was at this time that Byron began using his creative writing talent to write poetic essays about his experiences. He has performed spoken word at venues in Montgomery, AL, Atlanta, GA, Rochester, NY, and Los Angeles, CA. Many fans that had an opportunity to hear him perform spoken word encouraged him to write the story that inspired the poetic essays. He is presently an English teacher with the Compton Unified School District. He teaches his students about the strong value of being an effective communicator both orally and written and advises them how the power of words can resolve and bring amicable closure to difficult issues. He is also a freelance writer, screenwriter, and lyricist. His writings have appeared in the Los Angeles Sentinel, the Hub City News, and the Los Angeles Journal.