Coincidences or The Devil? – The Inspiration for 
MAM

My new album – Malicious Animal Magnetism (MAM) – was inspired by events that began 44 years ago, in 1981…

Coincidence 1 or The First Brush?

When I was a kid, my parents were part of a social group in a small town called Brookfield. I was only 9 years old, but I clearly remember helping my dad get ready for the annual haunted house at the Green Knoll. The haunted house had a significant following of people, but in 1981, it grew tremendously. I think it was because of a specific occurrence that year – the Devil Made Me Do It trial. This bizarre murder in small town Connecticut received national, and eventually international attention. I was too young to fully understand it all, but I think this court case involving the devil, is what drew all the crowds.

 

 

Coincidence 2 or The Second Brush?

Before the 2021 movie ‘Conjuring 3,’ there was only one book about the infamous Devil Made Me Do It case in Brookfield. It was called The Devil in Connecticut and was written by Gerald Brittle, Ed Warren, and Lorraine Warren. In the late 1980s, I went to an event at the Congregational Church in New Milford, Connecticut where I saw the Warrens give a talk on the supernatural. And later, in 2006, I sat next to Gerald Brittle at a wedding. I didn’t know anything about him at the time, but discovered later he was related to my wife. 

 

 

Coincidence 3 or Getting Closer?

For decades, the only movie adaptation of this trial was a made-for-TV-movie called, The Demon Murder Case starring Kevin Bacon as Arne Johnson (the “possessed” murderer).

My mother and her friend were hiking deep in the woods of Litchfield County, Connecticut. And who do you think they met randomly on their hike? Of all the millions of people in Connecticut (and countless celebrities) they met Kevin Bacon walking in the woods with a small group.

 

 

Coincidence 4 or Are We Neighbors?

In 2010, my wife and I relocated to Sherman, Connecticut. After living there for several years, we learned that the real Arne Johnson lived an eighth of a mile down our road. Yes, as I was writing this album, and he was living right at the end of our dirt road and I didn’t even know it!

 

 

Coincidence 5 or Drawing Me In?

Later in 2011, I had a midday appointment with a new doctor. I followed the directions on their business card, but when I got to the office, a sign on the door redirected me to an entirely new location. According to the GPS, the new office wasn’t that far away, so I drove over and arrived just in time. As I started to get out of the car and stand, I began to realize where I was – I was looking directly over a fence and into the Brookfield Dog Kennels. According to the book, this was the actual location of the Devil Made Me Do It murder thirty years ago. This random and eerie redirection literally brought me to the scene of the crime.

 

 

Coincidence 6 or The Attack?

In 2013, a massive tree fell on our home in Sherman, endangering our lives. It happened at 3 AM on January 31st, 2013. The occurrence forced us to leave our home and we never returned. Later that year, we noticed another strange numeric, when we moved into apartment 1213 in Danbury.

 

 

Coincidence 7 or Maybe I Won?

During a visit to the Gaylordsville Cemetery in 2023, preparing for a photoshoot with Myra, I stumbled upon a peculiar sight—a small toy house near a grave stone. This toy house resembled an actual structure that once stood in the graveyard decades ago. Just like this little toy, the original shed also lacked any doors or windows. I describe my memory of this old structure in the lyrics of my song The Witches’ Circle (the second track on my new album MAM).

After the photoshoot we left and I didn’t think about it anymore. But, when I returned the next day, the small toy house was gone. It felt like something gave me a wink, like it was acknowledging my win – at least for now. 

 

 

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So, do I think I was followed and attacked by the devil?

No, but we all experience moments when we feel “possessed.” The coincidences and metaphors I use in my album, like witches, wild animals, vampires, and even the devil, help me convey a sense of being hopelessly out of control. This feeling of “possession” is something we all can relate to and it can truly test our trust and our ability to love. I hope this new album will inspire you to confront these emotions and overcome your vices. Remember, you are not alone! Don’t give up! Your day will come!

 

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So, Why is the album called Malicious Animal Magnetism (MAM)?

In 2013, my wife and I went to a conference in Boston. While I was out walking, I stumbled on the Christ Science Monitor & Church. Intrigued by their beliefs, I learned about Malicious Animal Magnetism, a concept started by Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910). Eddy believed people could control and even harm others with their minds. This seemed like the perfect backdrop to my new album: Malicious Animal Magnetism or MAM.