Bronson was my hero. I even bought a sportster and tried to dress like him when I was a teenager. I would like to see the shows come out on video. I have all of Michael Parks old vinyl recordings and I will order his new release Coolin Soup. He is still the best.

--DC

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I fell so much in love with Bronson. Since my divorce I just want to date men who ride, especially Harleys. He was just the coolest. He was just so free and doing his thing. I still have his first record on vinyl, "Closing the Gap", which I burnt to cd. When "Bronson" was on I felt like I was just as free for that hour. Michael Parks was just too perfect, so to me they are one and the same, character and actor.

--Shelley-too

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I was a big TCB fan way back when I was around 16 and even though everyone around had a cycle, I never got one. I wore the hat, black shirt and brown cords but looked nothing like michael parks. I always enjoyed the realistic pace and great character actors. I doubt todays youth would sit still long enough for plot and chacter development. I think his singing was excellent and a guy who sings with his mother on his first album ("My Little Buckaroo"} can't be all bad. His mumbling technique that worked so well for him , was fairly inefective on my friends.

--mike

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"Wow, what was it about that show? Just about every single time I get on a long stretch of road somewhere on my bike, that song from the series -'going down that long lonesome highway'- plays along in my head and I'm 17 again, like I was when TCB first aired. My favorite episode was filmed right here in my home, Reno: it was the one where Bronson was visiting his sister here who had a gambling problem. They filmed it in the Sky Room at the Mapes Casino, a beautiful, historic club that sadly, the city council decided to blow up about seven years ago. But the show was way ahead of it's time with very personal and poignant issues and it was Michael Parks, I believe, and not the motorcycle that made it work. The bike was great and I've been ridin' ever since then too, but there was something about the gentle soufulness of Park's character that inspired us then and makes so many of us long for those sweet, honest days once again. What ever happened to Michael Parks: with all that promise, why did we see so little of him after that?

--Tuna

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I was in 9th grade when the show was on. I had a huge crush on Michael Parks. I even bought a watch cap like he wore and made motorcycle models starting with the Sportster and I learned a lot about motorcycles. I had his albums and played them over and over. I still to this day remember all the songs from the albums and sing them frequently. I lived a quiet uneventful childhood and this show and Michael Parks made an impact on me. I still think of TCB and how much I enjoyed it. I have videos of all the movies Michael Parks has been in and if I could get videos of TCB I would buy them all.

--Kathy

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I just saw a movie on TV today that had Michael Parks in it and did a little internet research and found this site.

I haven't seen Michael for a long time. We were pretty good friends and hung out in Monterey, Carmel and surrounding areas. Especially Floras on Cannery Row. Good times and lots of laughs. Michael was always a real guy. He didn't really get into the Hollywood type, i. e he was a down to earth person.

About filming the series. One time in Pacific Grove, a couple of friends of mime and I were casted as extras on motorcycles running around the background. We got a little out of hand and they had to keep re-shooting the scene. Michael asked us to just keep doing what we were doing and the scene stuck. I don't remember the episode but it had something to do with camping on the beach near the fog horn.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that we (a bunch of us that rode bikes) would make sure we were home to see the program. I don't think anyone else could play Jim Bronson as well as Michael.

"Hang in There" and "If you don't work, you don't eat"

--David

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I met Michael Parks in Pacific Grove, California where he was filming an episode. Maybe it was "Forest Primeval", I don't know. I was just a kid and my best friend had come along so we could meet 'Mr. Parks'. He was surrounded by kids, but he took the time to give me an autograph on a slip of paper and talk with us a little bit. I still have the paper. That best friend is my friend today - he's gone through some difficult family times lately but is doing great and working for a custom motorcycle builder in Morgan Hill, CA. They let him borrow a Sportster for the weekend, and tomorrow morning he and I are going for a long ride for the day. When he emailed me to say he had the bike, he made a reference to "that long lonesome highway". I remembered how much I liked the tune, though I could never get it quite right on my guitar. I looked on the 'net for a chord chart and I found this site. Better, I found where I can get some of Michael's CDs. I was lucky enough to have spent a few months living like the character Bronson, and though my adventures weren't as dramatic, it represents some of the best memories of my adult life. I'm hoping my friend comes away with a little bit of that tomorrow. Thanks for bringing back a good memory from one of my favorite shows.

--CityGuide

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I thought Michael Parks was one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood he turned me on and I was only thirteen. I have seen almost all his movies he had charisma, magnetism and ultimate cool. Terri Wright

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We lived in New Orleans at the time Then Came Bronson came on. I experienced my first and most unforgettable crush. I was sure I would marry Mr. Bronson. I was 9 then and am still waiting :)

The theme song pops into my head now and then. I was unable to comprehend the ratings and reasons tv shows were shuffled around but when that show went off the air, I cried. I will forever be a fan. Love, Debbie Acosta, Realtor, Saratoga, CA. . . . .

--debbieacosta@comcast.net

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1/7/06

I took a dreamy trip into the past last night with series pilot for 'Then Came Bronson' which was broadcast on the Speed Network. It brought back memories (fondly remembered) that I thought I had totally wiped from my memory bank. I had forgotten just how terrific this show was. Michael Parks was just wonderful. I was 17 when I first watched TCB which must have been the best age in the world to have the priviledge to see something of such excellence on television (of all places)! He was the best thing on any screen during this time. I could so understand why his character, Jim, called his job quits and hit the road; to be so fortunate to take a nation-wide cruise on a HD is too cool to imagine. Plus, his understated, smooth, and quiet singing voice played during parts of the pilot magnified his talents.

I don't know where Mr. Parks is these days, but if he should happen to read this at some future point, I hope he knows how much I, and many others, loved TCB.

--Sassafrass

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I loved this series and especially Michael Parks!! What a hunk!! I was always jealous when he had a "girl" - wanted it to be me!! Love ya, Michael!!

Shirley Compton

Plainfield, IN

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Loved Then Came Bronson then and now in re-runs, love Michael Parks then and now! What a hunk!

--ann

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