Ron Sexsmith
Biography
Canadian singer/songwriter Ron Sexsmith has earned worldwide acclaim, not only from critics and fans, but also from some of music’s biggest names. Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello and John Hiatt - some of the same artists who initially inspired Ron to become a musician - are just a few of his famous supporters.
Born in 1964 and raised near Niagara Falls, Ron started his first band at the age of 14. Influenced by folk musician Pete Seeger, Ron began making the rounds on the folk music circuit, earning a regular gig at a local club within a few years, and eventually deciding to focus his attention on becoming a songwriter. After moving to the Toronto area, Ron formed the Uncool and began issuing his own material in 1985 with the cassette Out of the Duff, followed a year later by There's a Way.
With the help of former Blue Rodeo member Bob Wiseman, Ron released Grand Opera Lane in 1991. This collection of songs earned Ron a publishing deal, and eventually a record contract, with Interscope Records.
Ron released his self-titled debut in 1995, and followed it with Other Songs(1997), which was awarded the Juno for Best Roots & Traditional Album - Solo the following year. Continuing his rapid pace, 1999 saw Ron release Whereabouts followed by 2001's highly-praised Blue Boy, which featured production work from the Twangtrust (aka Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy).
Ron returned with his sixth full-length release, Cobblestone Runway (2002), a collection bolstered by a duet with Chirs Martin of Coldplay. Early editions of the album came packaged with a reissue of the hard-to-find Grand Opera Lane. The following year Ron released Rarities, a comiliaton of what Ron describes as his "orphaned songs.".
In 2004 Ron released Retriever, yet another well-received disc which earned Ron the Songwriter of the Year award at the 2005 Junos.He followed that with a collaboaration with Don Kerr, the 2005 release Destination Unknown. His latest album, 2006's Time Being, reunites Ron with producer Mitchell Froom, who helmed most of Ron's Nineties output.
Ron's songs have been recorded by a wide range of artists, from Rod Stewart to Curtis Stigers, from Anne Sophie Van Otter to kd lang. He has also saw collaborated with Glenn Tilbrook and appeared on the Squeeze star's solo outing, The Incomplete Glenn Tilbrook.
Over the course of his career, Ron has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with the likes of Elvis Costello, The Chieftains, Sarah McLachlan, The Cardigans and Radiohead, to name but a few.
Sources: The Official Ron Sexmith Website, All Music Guide, the official website of the Juno Awards
Photo credit: Jenine DeShazer
Relationship to Blue Rodeo
Ron Sexsmith has a number of direct, and indirect, connections to Blue Rodeo, including:
- Ron sang "Bad Timing" with Blue Rodeo on their CMT special, "Blue Rodeo and Friends" in 2002.
- Jim Cuddy cites Ron Sexsmith as one of his influences.
- Ron opened for Blue Rodeo at several shows on The Days In Between tour in 2000.
- Both Jim and Ron performed at the Taste of the Danforth festival in 1999.
- NOW Magazine's Best Artists of 1999 list included Blue Rodeo (Best Band), James Gray and Bob Wiseman (Best Keyboard Player), Ron Sexsmith (Best Songwriter) and Jim Cuddy (Best Songwriter, Best Vocalist).
- Ron and Jim both appear on 1998's 30 Hour Famine, a benefit compilation CD.
- Ron played at the 1998 Stardust Picnic, Blue Rodeo's gift to summer music festivals.
- Bob Egan is reported to have 'sat in' with Ron Sexsmith prior to joining Blue Rodeo.
- Bob Wiseman produced Ron's 1991 Grand Opera Lane.
- Ron appeared on Bob Wiseman's CD Accidentally Acquired Beliefs. Ron sings background vocals on "Love is a Rose".
- Both Ron and Blue Rodeo provided "dark, bracing backing" on Neko Case's Furnace Room Lullaby. In fact, the YAHOO! music site describes this CD as including "Neko Case & Her Boyfriends ... Bob Egan and Ron Sexsmith."
- Ron is also connected to Blue Rodeo through John Borra. Borra has played and recorded with Ron, and has toured across Canada with Greg Keelor as both the opening act and bass player for Greg's solo band. James Gray has a cameo appearance on John Borra's 1999 CD Band. John Borra currently plays bass with Glenn Milchem's band The Swallows.
Quotes
"Ron is brilliant songwriter. He also gives great advice." - Greg Keelor
"I've known Ron for a very long time. He's fantastic ... so musical, and a talented songwriter." - Jim Cuddy
Related Links
Ron Sexsmith's Official Website
Last Updated
April 2007