Music
Press
"I'm on a mission to get Ron's music exposed to as many people as possible. Hearing him, I'm reminded of why I decided to get involved in music in the first place. I first heard of Ron through his first CD, "ANOTHER KITE TO FLY". I'll usually hear a CD for the first time and perhaps like one or two tracks. Nearly every cut on "ANOTHER KITE TO FLY" blew me away.
He truly is a great Singer, Songwriter and Guitarist. Ron's music seems somehow to tap into the subconscience; he's able to put into words those thoughts and feelings that usually lie just below the surface.
I think his song "Twilight" is going to turn out to be a modern day standard. Along with "Another Kite to Fly" I highly recommend "Ther but for the Grace of Love".
- Christine Lavin
"Ron Renninger more than held his own with well crafted, well sung and superbly played original compositions.
An unexpected treat" - The New York Times
"Quite a gifted performer.
A natural and easy going stage presence" - Alan Pepper
"Another Kite to Fly" CD review:
There are some great songs here.
"The Corner of Gunhill and Hell" is about growing up where a "kiss is a means of persuasion and a lie is a tool you can learn to use well". "Flowers in the Sidewalk" is about being in the wrong place in a wrong relationship. " Twilight" chronicles a dying love that is not quite light, not quite dark,and not quite over although it's not like it was."Even the Strongest of Trees" is a well-crafted with imaginitive images. The instrumental cuts provide good interludes, almost intermissions of well played guitar music. Renninger has a clear voice and proves to be an excellent writer. On the whole this one is highly recommended-VH - Sing Out Magazine
CD Review: "There But for the Grace of Love"
"All around are the lonely souls with sadness in their eyes/And I think there but for the grace of love go I" In his title track, Ron Renninger has written a song of heartbreak and celebration. It's kind of a "God Bless The Child That's Got His Own" folk song.
Throughout the 15 tracks here Renninger displays a knack for summing up the good and the bad when it comes to affairs of the heart. "Sweet Old Time" is an ode to the good. "Highway of Love" with its car and roadmetaphors, examines the bittersweet side.
Renninger is based in New York City and boasts a pretty colorful musical history. At sixteen, his band, Basement Concession, was the first act signed to the newly formed Sire Records. He's shared stages with folks like Lucinda Williams, Sonny Terry and more. "Grace" is his second solo album.
When he's not addressing the many facets of love, Renninger takes on more topical subjects: the death of Carl Sagan in "Sometimes Stars Fall Too Soon", dysfunctional families in "They Die But They Don't", and the mayhem brought on by guns in "Piece". Simple instrumentation keeps his voice and nimble finger picking in the forefront. Renninger seems to be an artist whose fuse and muse still burn bright.
- Performing Songwriter
CD Reviews "Another Kite to Fly" and
"There But for the Grace of Love"
"Another Kite to Fly", the first solo recording by Ron Renninger, is a self confessional, autobiographical collection of well written acoustic based songs. Renninger's years as a studio musician shows in the simple but effective use of backing musicians. A couple of intrumentals round out what is an enjoyable set of music. His second recording has many of the charms of the first. Renninger's still writing songs drawn from personal experience, still using a very simple backing and still retaining a warmth that draws you into the stories he's telling (JLe) - Dirty Linen
"Renninger sings from the heart"
"Twilight" is an excellent song and "Another Kite to Fly" is a very good album.
- WNYC-New York public radio
Neil Best of New York Newsday says...
"Ron's an original stylist and captivating performer"
Definitely on the cutting edge of Neo-Folk"
John Hammond , Sr. of Columbia Records said...
"An excellent and spirited musical interpreter"
- Varied
Discography
"Another Kite to Fly"
"There but for the Grace of Love"
"Vanishing Breed"
"Eldersongs"
"Soulmates & Sentences"
"Late Bloomer" (due out summer 08)
Photos
Bio
Audiences find much to relate to in Ron's heartfelt song writing; words and music that draw on a wealth of experience from a fascinating and well-traveled life.
Wheather it's channeling his inner old blues master in songs like "I Got the River (in my Backyard)", to addressing existential issues in "No Matter How Big You Are", or to trying to outrun heartache in "If Time were a Highway", one is left with some moving and unforgettable stories and images.
Aided by outstanding dexterity on an old Martin, and a slightly raspy baritone, Ron's music touches on universal themes that can at once entertain, inspire and often move some feet....
Bio:
Self taught at age 15, Ron soon formed the first band to be signed to the newly formed SIRE records, such early success was very encouraging to a starry eyed teenager who moved to NY's Greenwich Village to pursue his music career.
Dividing his time between Woodstock NY, Manhattan and Northern California, Ron added to his musical experiences by rubbing elbows and jamming with such greats as David Bromberg, Jorma Kaukonen, Doc Watson, Buzz Feiten, Tim Hardin, and Taj Mahal. (during a particularly exciting six month stretch, Ron played back up for Chuck Berry, jammed with Santana and had a one-on-one with Jimi Hendrix. ..one of his heroes at the time)
Moving on to recording, he became a sought-after session guitarist on New York's highly competitive recording circuit. Ron's quest for a more acoustic sound led him to the Green Mountains of Vermont. It was while performing with folk-rock groups such as the popular Willow that he began honing his distinctive singing and song writing skills.
In his career so far, he has shared the stage with such greats as Richie Havens, Lucinda Williams, Jesse Colin Young, John Hammond Jr., Lucy Kaplansky, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, and Christine Lavin. (He was also one of the artists on Christine Lavin's very popular compilation CD and tour, "THE STEALTH PROJECT, musicundertheradar")
He's performed in countless venues and festivals from Tampa to Tokyo; from the Telluride Bluegrass Festival (where he was a finalist in the troubador competition) to NYC's Bottom Line to London's Albert Hall.
Ron's five CDs, have been well received. His most current "SOULMATES & SENTENCES" will be joined by his soon to be released 6th CD, "LATE BLOOMER". His discography also includes "ANOTHER KITE TO FLY", "THERE BUT FOR THE GRACE OF LOVE", "VANISHING BREED" and "ELDERSONGS".
Band Members
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