Once upon a time (back in the 1980's & 90's), I was the lead singer, songwriter and guitar player of a popular regional band called The Void.
In 1995 I fronted another band (actually more of a musical project/experiment) called 5 Empty Chambers.
Both bands released albums, all of which sold very well and were favorably reviewed by critics.
I was also the manager of the Home Video Exchange in Edinboro, Pa., from 1983 - 1994.
In 1994 my family bought the store and renamed it Poppa Ropp's Video where I worked until it closed in 2005.
I helped organize several events in the region over the years including a few Hemp rallies and celebrity appearances.
I worked for a local film festival from 2002 - 2005 during which time I developed the idea for a horror specific film festival.
That idea became a reality in 2004 when the first Eerie Horror Film Festival was held in Erie, Pa.
I was the Director of the Festival for the first two years.
In 2006 I secured the exclusive rights to the festival and established it as a non-profit film organization.
The Eerie Horror Film Festival is now an internationally recognized event, with an active board of directors, staff and volunteers, including several prominent names in the entertainment and publishing world.
I still write songs and perform acoustic shows every now and again. I plan on releasing at least another two or three albums before I shuffle off this mortal coil.
It's probably worth noting that I am also a deeply spiritual person and a die-hard Libertarian.
I love movies, music, books, nature, life, friends, animals (especially cats), politics and drama-free people.
Amen.
"I got this today," they say; "tomorrow I shall get that. This wealth is mine, and that will be mine too. I have destroyed my enemies. I shall destroy others too! Am I not like God? I enjoy what I want. I am successful. I am powerful. I am happy. I am rich and well-born. Who is equal to me? I will perform sacrifices and give gifts, and rejoice in my own generosity." This is how they go on, deluded by ignorance. Bound by their greed and entangled in a web of delusion, whirled about by a fragmented mind, they fall into a dark hell. Self-important, obstinate, swept away by the pride of wealth, they ostentatiously perform sacrifices without any regard for their purpose. Egotistical, violent, arrogant, lustful, angry, envious of everyone, they abuse my presence within their own bodies and in the bodies of others."
- The Bhagavad-Gita "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."
- Jalal ad-Din Rumi
"If you're frightened of dying and you're holding on, you'll see demons tearing your life away. If you've made your peace, then the demons are really angels, freeing you from the earth."
-Meister Eckhart
Please note: Use of my image, name and likeness, personal photos, blogs entries and/or use of the Eerie Horror Film Festival name, logo, likeness, etc., without prior written permission from me (Greg Ropp) or the Eerie Horror Film Festival, is strictly prohibited.