Local musician and published author Roland J. Beckerman — pen name of John Martin — knows all too well how to take a devastating situation and use it for something good.
70-year-old multi-talented Beckerman was born in Hamlet where he still resides. One could say when he makes his mind up to do something, he gives it his all. Using his own true-life experiences, he is the author of three biographical fiction novels and is working on a fourth. Each one keeps the reader on the edge of their seat with all the creative twists.
Beckerman’s writing didn’t come into play until later in his life, as music was his first love. His interest began as a very young boy.
“One day when I saw Ringo Star on the Ed Sullivan show, something clicked and I just knew,” Beckerman recalled. Still very young I would go listen to a friend play in a garage band, and one day I told them I could play better than the drummer they had. I tried out and got my first job playing with that garage band.
“At that time, I either wanted to be a golf pro or a rock star. My father was very supportive of my musical talent and purchased my first set of drums right after that.”
While attending Hamlet High School, Beckerman joined the band. He would add ghost notes during practice because it didn’t keep his interest, so after a week he quit.
“My brother Carl, who passed away in 1968, loved music too and was the one who exposed me to concerts,” Beckerman said. “When the Allman Brothers came along, I noticed their music was different. I first saw them at the Jubilee Festival in Chapel Hill …in the spring of 1971 which really opened windows in my brain about music.
“It was then I really started to jump into music and do it. I played a lot in the early ‘70s and met a lot of people that I still know today. I decided shortly after that I needed to get a job, and so I became somewhat of an entrepreneur.”
Beckerman went on to mention his interest in antiques and how he studied and learned a lot about them. His interest landed his job of purchasing and selling antiques. He also mentioned working for two other companies which gave him the means to grow them; he became very successful.
Unfortunately, shortly thereafter at age 48, he became sick, and by age 50 he was very sick.
“I was physically checking out and kept getting worse,” Beckerman. “The physician that needed to perform my surgery was not available, so we had to settle with another one.”
Henceforth, came the malpractice suit.
Beckerman was still in the hospital a month later and couldn’t walk. He went on to mention how very costly it all was, but in the end, he survived.
“This led to my early retirement because, at this point, I couldn’t work,” he said. “I didn’t have an income for several months and was in a wheelchair for six months because I couldn’t walk.”
Beckerman went on to say how many of his followers gifted him with walking canes, as he pointed to his large collection in the corner of the room.
“When I was around 58 years old, I decided to go back to music,” he said.
The novels were birthed due to Beckerman’s severe medical issues and malpractice suit: “Seeking Justice: Courtroom Drama in a Medical Malpractice Setting;” “Atticus Wentworth Comes of Age: A Young Lawyer Earns His Stripes in the Courtroom;” and “Atticus Wentworth: The Jury Speaks.”
Beckerman changed the names of the people, places and things in the books to avoid any lawsuits as he incorporates a very vivid imagination into each book. He also designs his own book covers and is very thorough in proofreading, which makes less work for the editor.
The main characters in his books are his friend Atticus Wentworth (William “Bill” H. Elam), who is a nationally known lawyer he met at Groucho’s Deli while attending the University of South Carolina, and himself.
As the story begins, Beckerman is a part-time psychology major as well as working as a forensic jury consultant; soon thereafter he became a partner in the law firm.
The first book told of a seven-year period of his life which his friend Elam encouraged him to write due to the malpractice suit; Beckerman took to the challenge full force.
Elam is not only Beckerman’s lawyer but also his business partner and agent.
“The first book took off like a rocket, and I had people from all over the country sending me messages wanting to know more about the book as I left the reader on the edge of their seat waiting on the next one,” said Beckerman.
He told one story of a time when he was at a book signing in Charlotte. He noticed a man who was waiting in line to get a couple of books signed, but every time someone would come in behind him, he would go to the back of the line. He was finally the only one left to have his books signed.
“When I asked him how he would like me to personalize the books, he said ‘My name is Judge Roy Wiggins,’ Beckerman recalled. “He went on to tell me he was one of my biggest fans and complimented me on my legal terms. He also did a review on the books as well as giving me permission to use his name on anything I have. There is also a retired federal judge who is a big fan and wants to meet me soon.
“People always told me I should write a book about all the neat stuff I did in my lifetime, but it was only after the malpractice suit did I desire to write one,” Beckerman said. “I would not have written the books if I had never went through the experience; it was not fun, but I survived it.”
Using an example of his creative imagination and taking the facts from real life cases, he said, “Bill, my lawyer friend, has handled an enormous amount of cases during his lifetime. He may hand me a paragraph about a case which may have around 250 words in it; I will take that and turn it into over 35,000 words.”
He continued as he told how Elam had given his phone number to a film producer after the third novel was published in October 2022.
“I got a call from film producer Sharee Pemberton within a few days after she got my number. She worked in the film industry all her life with people like Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, the movie ‘Home Alone,’ and many more,” Beckerman said. “Pemberton had read my first book, and after reading the second and third one, she called me back and requested a meeting with me and Bill to discuss making a 10-episode TV series. She flew into Charlotte shortly after.
“I was hesitant about writing a teleplay, as I had never written one before,” he said. “She quickly put my mind at ease and helped me out a lot. It has now been turned over to the next step and the appropriate people; all 10 episodes are finished but not completely polished.”
Beckerman and Elam recently met with another publisher and two more lawyers. Beckerman was handed the book “Dark Trades” by Ken Harris to read.
“It was a most unusual novel,” Beckerman said. “They asked me to write a screenplay for the book. I haven’t got a green light on it yet; the whole process is very time-consuming.
“Heather Place is another person who has gotten involved,” he continued. “She is very experienced, knowledgeable, and well known in the industry. She is an actor, producer, and has done casting; we have met with her a few times. She is very involved as well as helpful to me.”
Beckerman recently retired from the road as percussionist with Idlewild South, an Allman Brothers tribute band.
“Some musicians would kill for some of the things that I’ve done and experienced in my lifetime,” said Beckerman. “If I never hit another note, two biggest things that I’ve experienced are that I’ve performed at the Grand Opera House, and I have recorded at Capricorn Studios; I am very grateful.”
Beckerman was recently honored with two bricks being laid at The Big House which is the Allman Brothers Band Museum in Macon, Georgia. “The bricks are a special honor.”
Beckerman mentioned performing with a few other musicians from Richmond County; one being Jonathan Robinson, with whom he has played with numerous times.
“Jonathan masters many different types of music. He works at Casino Guitars in Southern Pines, and about a year or two ago invited me to do a podcast with them; these guys are great. I told a lot of stories about some rock stars I knew and some of the crazy things that have happened. It got tons of hits.”
To add to his list of expertise, another opportunity arose for Beckerman within the past few years pertaining to his medical experience.
“In the process of learning how to deal with situations due to having major surgeries and having various organs changed and removed, I have been asked to speak at many different occasions with people who are having a very difficult time physically and mostly mentally in dealing with how to survive,” Beckerman said. “There is an international medical manufacturing company based in Chicago that has flown me to various places to speak with three or four on-staff… engineers and tell them why their ideas wouldn’t work.
“I know from first-hand experience what will and what won’t work,” he added. “I have given them ideas that they have used, as the advice I gave comes to fruition on their equipment. I enjoy helping anyone get through things or get out of a dark cloud that hovers over them. I continue to do consulting with this company either in person or through zoom meetings with attendees from all over the world.”
After about four hours, we ended our most interesting conversation as Beckerman spoke of his gratitude.
“The books are doing great; I couldn’t be happier,” he said. “I am humbled, yet surprised. I do want to make something clear: if the TV show or films never get a green light, I’m extremely flattered beyond words that people in high places have noticed my work and like it enough to push it as far as it’s been pushed.
“If it happens, I’m even happier. I have done some great and wonderful things in my life; bottom line is that I am forever grateful for everything I have experienced.”
(Note: John Martin is a former contributor to the Richmond Observer.)
