The Real Things

The Intimate Journey of a Working Musician from Bill Graham to Billy Graham to Instagram

By: Brent Bourgeois

Narrated by: Brent Bourgeois

This is the warts-and-all musician’s memoir of a survivor, detailing an improbable, fifty-year odyssey that began with a New Orleans childhood and climaxed writing music for "the biggest tech company in the world". The transformation from a youth whose talent was way ahead of his brain into a touring pro with bands like Uncle Rainbow and Bourgeois Tagg, detailing the challenges of the music business, including tours, record deals, and the influence of technology. It is a raw look at the author's struggle with addiction and subsequent turn to sobriety and Christian music. The book details how this shapeshifter regenerated his career over and over again, finally operating in the world of tech royalty at Facebook.

• Witness the self-sabotage of a lifetime: the band’s excited chatter accidentally scares off Paul and Linda McCartney, who tried to sneak into a dive bar show but fled when the crowd swelled to a near-riot.

• Relive the lowest moment: receiving a soul-crushing command from producer Todd Rundgren to "use more heart, less head", followed by a DUI arrest—Todd laughing from the passenger seat the whole time.

• Fulfill a sonic destiny by recruiting Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac to sing harmonies on a personal ballad—the very part he composed in his head for her years earlier.

• Discover the unexpected moments of celebrity proximity, from living next door to Anita Baker as she perfected her multi-million-selling Rapture album to attending a London charity auction alongside Princess Diana

• Uncover the holy war waged over Jon Anderson; the Yes singer gladly offered his soaring vocals for a Christian album, only to have the CCM establishment deem the "heathen’s" voice too pure for their airwaves, forcing a re-recording, then recording a soaring duet with rock legend Michael McDonald, then heading to Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee’s home studio—complete with a demonic nine-foot phallic statue—to cut a contemporary Christian track while Lee bakes warm cinnamon rolls.

©2025, 2026 Brent Bourgeois (P)2026 Brent Bourgeois

Memoir of a musical savant. Brent Borgious’ honesty will not disappoint.

A very engaging, colorful journey of a musical savant full of twist and turns who reaches goals beyond his wildest dreams. I couldn’t stop listening. Music lovers or not I highly recommend.

Brilliant audiobook

This is the most engaging reader and musical experience during an audiobook that I have ever experienced. Story is fascinating and funny and engaging it just felt like he was telling me a story the entire time I never felt like he was reading, just telling the story which is a great story about the music business, the rise and fall of stardom, and how someone can play the long gang in the world of the entertainment and arts. Highly recommend.

The Real Bourgeois Things

So many great stories behind the many chapters of Brent Bourgeois’ life. The background effects and musical diary make this a thoroughly entertaining experience. What an incredible and prolific life that was still subject to struggle and pain. Brent’s story of his rise in music, countered by his fall into addiction and recovery that was followed by a renewed faith that has remained strong while evolving and becoming more closely informed by the direct teachings of Jesus, as opposed to the more conservative and judgmental evangelical religious right. The story is inspiring, impressive and reflective of the amazing career in music that Brent has had and I, for one, hope is yet to be concluded.

Entertaining Memoir in Audio

I have read the kindle version of this and loved the book. This audio version is even better. In Brent voice, with music from his varied career, the story comes alive. I have followed his music for nearly four decades and even got the chance to have dinner with him ten years ago. He is warm, witty and overflowing with music - all of which comes through in this audio book. Highly recommend. Once of the best audio books I have enjoyed.

A Musician’s Fascinating Tale Not Just For Musicians

I first met the author in 1969 while we were in junior high school. He was my closest friend during our years in New Jersey and got me started on my guitar obsession. Our paths would diverge and converge over the following years and this book fills in all those gaps. It takes the reader through one of the most creative eras of music accompanied by an extremely talented and occasionally tortured artist. It is deeply personal and thoughtfully constructed. The epilogue is brilliant. This is a must read on so many levels.