Performer puts spirit into song

Alex Coolman

GLENDALE -- Michael Lee Gogin plans to play a special song Sunday when

he performs at the Glendale Church of Religious Science: It’s a song

about his son.

Gogin is the father of three boys. But Gogin is also a man who has had

to overcome tremendous obstacles in his life. Born with severe

complications, Gogin had to endure countless surgeries in his early years

and grew to be just more than 4 four feet tall.

On Sunday, as part of a program of spiritual music, Gogin will sing a

song called “You Are My Son,” a piece directed to one of his boys, now an

adult, who is a dwarf.

“The lyrical line is, ‘As I see you grow, I see the same things,”’

Gogin said. “It’s my reflection of how I see him.”

Dealing with difficult issues is part of what Gogin appreciates about

music. The Los Angeles resident has been composing songs for guitar and

piano ever since he was 7, a time of life shortly after he had gone blind

and then slowly regained his sight.

But when it comes to the music business, he admits, he’s something of

a newcomer.

Gogin is best known for his work as an actor of film and television.

He’s appeared in movies such as “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” “Mortal

Kombat” and the upcoming “The Lord of the Rings

His efforts to get a record deal to boost his career as a performer,

he said, have led to nothing but frustration.

But the music is something he loves to do, and something he loves to

share.

“It’s in my blood,” he said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Spiritual music by Michael Lee Gogin.

WHERE: Glendale Church of Religious Science.

WHEN: 10 a.m. Sunday.

HOW MUCH: free.

TELEPHONE: 244-8171.