No. 58: The Ties That Bind

Hi, everyone!

First, Merry Birthday, Mom, aka Nook (to my girls)!

Next, I have a confession: I was not an extra in the Stranger Things series finale.

I know, I know—disappointing. But stick with me here, because what I’m actually working on is way cooler (at least to me, and hopefully to you if you’re reading this).

And if you’ve been following along, you know I’ve been dropping cryptic hints and vague teases about a “big project” for months now. Well, the wait is finally over. Here it is:

I’m writing an independent biography of Don Henley.

Yes, that Don Henley. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. The guy who wrote “Hotel California.” One of the most talented—and notoriously private—figures in music history.

Why? Because no one has ever told his full story. There’s never been a comprehensive, deeply researched biography of Henley or, frankly, any member of the Eagles. That felt like a gap worth filling.

Since May 2025, I’ve been living and breathing this project. I’ve conducted over 100 interviews so far—talking to former bandmates, music industry insiders, people who knew him before he was famous, and plenty of others who have pieces of the puzzle. There’s more reporting underway, more calls to make, more threads to chase down.

It’s been fun. It’s been frustrating. It’s been absolutely fascinating. Henley’s story really is one for the books (pun intended), and I’m excited to keep digging deeper in 2026. That means the research continues, but it also means I’ll actually start writing this thing in the coming months.

Here’s Where You Come In

I’ve launched a contribution page to help cover the costs of publishing this book independently. I’m not going to drag you through all the reasoning behind that choice right now—there’s a whole section on the site if you want the details—but the short version is this: I want creative control, I want to move quickly, and I want to do this right.

This isn’t some passion project I’m winging on weekends. It’s serious. It’s comprehensive. And I’m treating it that way.

For context: I wrote an Amazon bestseller back in 2018 when I had almost no professional writing experience. Since then, I’ve written viral articles for Yardbarker, built a regular soccer beat for The Charlotte Observer, and contributed freelance work to a bunch of outlets. Add in years of interview and research work, and I feel pretty confident saying I know what I’m doing here.

In fact, I’ve already met with my publishing, entertainment, and IP lawyer. (Yes, really — aka last week’s hold up.) I’m taking this seriously, and the people around me are too.

One important disclaimer: This is an independent work. It is not affiliated with, authorized by, or endorsed by Don Henley. I want (and need) to be crystal clear on that.

How You Can Help

Head over to the contribution page to learn more, support the project, and unlock some cool rewards along the way. You can also sign up for behind-the-scenes updates if you want to follow the process as it unfolds.

I’m running this campaign all year long, so if now isn’t the right time for you financially, no worries. I’ll be posting regular updates throughout 2026, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to jump in. (Fair warning: I’ll probably remind you at least 51 more times this year. 😜)

A Quick Thank You

Before I wrap this up, I need to give a massive shoutout to Christine. This project has not been easy to navigate—for a lot of reasons I won’t get into here—but she’s been supportive the whole way. Even when it was hard for her to do that, she encouraged me to keep going. I couldn’t do this without her.

Let’s Connect

If you’re an Eagles fan, a Henley fan, or you just love a good rock and roll story, I’d love to hear from you. Bookmark this site, reach out anytime, and feel free to share this with anyone else who might be interested.

Thank you for reading, for being here, and thank you in advance for any contribution—big or small—that helps make this book a reality.

Cheers to 2026. 🎸

— Colin