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Ron's debut album, First Breath, (released 07/15/2021) is a diverse collection of 14 original acoustic, lyric-driven songs, recorded by gifted producer Jerry Brown at The Rubber Room in Chapel Hill, NC. A first-rate community of musicians contributed their unique styles and beautiful interpretations to the tunes (in order of appearance in the studio):
Robbie Link upright bass Joe MacPhail drums and keys Andrew Marlin of Watchhouse (f.k.a. Mandolin Orange) mandolin and acoustic guitar Joseph Terrell of Mipso acoustic and electric Guitars, lap steel, upright bass, and vocals Rebecca Newton and Janet Stolp background vocals Apple Music Spotify Pandora Amazon YouTube "Elusive Love" selected as a 2021 Finalist in the Folk category of The John Lennon Songwriting Contest! Album Cover Design: Chris Eselgroth Four Eyes Studio |
About Ron
Equipped with two instruments, his voice and his trusty 1956 Martin D-28, Ron brings his interpretation of life through song. He is also accompanied by something unseen -- experiences of a lifetime filtered through the lens of spirituality and honest self-reflection. In his songwriting Ron strives to give voice to the ambiguities of human experience and to the struggles and joys of faith in the search for meaning. His creativity is inspired by experiences with love and loss, hope and despair, faith and doubt, desire and regret, contentment and longing. While a childhood accident led to the permanent disability of his right arm, it did not deter his determination to pursue his passion for music. Out of the ashes of tragedy, his lifelong love affair with music began with his learning to play guitar against all odds (thank God for thumb picks!). This defining chapter in his life story is the basis for much of the resilience, determination and tenacious hope he expresses through his award-winning songs.
The first song on the album, "Elusive Love", was selected as a 2021 Finalist in the Folk category of The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Among several other noteworthy recognitions is "Lone Cypress" which was a finalist in the 2003 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at the Merlefest Music Festival. One of Ron's highest honors came in 2008 when he performed his song "Day of Jubilee" at the inaugural meeting of the New Baptist Covenant (the first interracial gathering of Baptists in North America to address racial justice and reconciliation) immediately before the opening address by Former President Jimmy Carter.
Ron calls Raleigh, North Carolina home and is the proud father and grandfather of an amazing and beautiful family located in California and Hawaii.
Equipped with two instruments, his voice and his trusty 1956 Martin D-28, Ron brings his interpretation of life through song. He is also accompanied by something unseen -- experiences of a lifetime filtered through the lens of spirituality and honest self-reflection. In his songwriting Ron strives to give voice to the ambiguities of human experience and to the struggles and joys of faith in the search for meaning. His creativity is inspired by experiences with love and loss, hope and despair, faith and doubt, desire and regret, contentment and longing. While a childhood accident led to the permanent disability of his right arm, it did not deter his determination to pursue his passion for music. Out of the ashes of tragedy, his lifelong love affair with music began with his learning to play guitar against all odds (thank God for thumb picks!). This defining chapter in his life story is the basis for much of the resilience, determination and tenacious hope he expresses through his award-winning songs.
The first song on the album, "Elusive Love", was selected as a 2021 Finalist in the Folk category of The John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Among several other noteworthy recognitions is "Lone Cypress" which was a finalist in the 2003 Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at the Merlefest Music Festival. One of Ron's highest honors came in 2008 when he performed his song "Day of Jubilee" at the inaugural meeting of the New Baptist Covenant (the first interracial gathering of Baptists in North America to address racial justice and reconciliation) immediately before the opening address by Former President Jimmy Carter.
Ron calls Raleigh, North Carolina home and is the proud father and grandfather of an amazing and beautiful family located in California and Hawaii.
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Photos: Hobert Hampton
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