Ron Renninger - Illustrated Biography

Ron Renninger's Biography

Born into a lively and artistic first-generation American family with eastern European roots, Ron at first showed little enthusiasm for music.

His responses to piano lessons given sporadically throughout his childhood by his mother were lukewarm at best.

Ron, after writing his first song

Age 15, with first guitar (and first recording studio).
It wasn't until age 15 when he came across an old guitar of his father's gathering dust beneath the piano in their Bronx apartment that he discovered his true passion.

Teaching himself to play he soon formed a band called The Basement Concession (with Ron on electric lead) that became the first act to sign with the then newly formed SIRE records. Although the band broke up after a tour and the release of two singles, such early success was very encouraging to a skinny, starry-eyed eighteen year old who decided to drop out of high school and move to New York's Greenwich Village to pursue his musical career.

Ron's first band "The Basement Concession" circa 1968. (Ron is at the lower right)

Dividing his time among 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, Carlos Santana, Paul Butterfield, Tim Hardin, and Taj Mahal.
A few lucky breaks along with increasing recognition of his skills landed Ron a position playing rhythm guitar in Chuck Berry's back-up band. 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 where he performed with folk-rock groups such as the popular Willow. It was during this period that he began honing his distinctive singing and song writing skills.

In Vermont with Willow in 1975.
(the hair went to the gigs in a separate vehicle)

Today, Ron is based in New York City. In his career so far, he has shared the stage with such names as Jesse Colin Young, John Hammond Jr., Lucinda Williams, Lucy Kaplansky, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Bill Staines, Susan Werner and Christine Lavin.

He's performed in hundreds of venues across North America, Europe and the Far East as well as for large outdoor events such as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
His five CDs, Another Kite to Fly, There but for the Grace of Love, Vanishing Breed, Eldersongs, and Music from the Final Woods have generated rave reviews and are fast becoming personal favorites for a growing number of folk DJ's and acoustic music enthusiasts alike.

At present, along with his folk music concerts, Ron is performing shows for children (ages 1-8) and conducting songwriting workshops for kids age 7 and up.

Page last modified 26 April 2000.

Born into a lively and artistic first-generation American family with eastern European roots, Ron at first showed little enthusiasm for music. His responses to piano lessons given sporadically throughout his childhood by his mother were lukewarm at best.	Ron, after writing his first song

Age 15, with first guitar (and first recording studio).	It wasn't until age 15 when he came across an old guitar of his father's gathering dust beneath the piano in their Bronx apartment that he discovered his true passion.

Teaching himself to play he soon formed a band called The Basement Concession (with Ron on electric lead) that became the first act to sign with the then newly formed SIRE records. Although the band broke up after a tour and the release of two singles, such early success was very encouraging to a skinny, starry-eyed eighteen year old who decided to drop out of high school and move to New York's Greenwich Village to pursue his musical career.	Ron's first band "The Basement Concession" circa 1968. (Ron is at the lower right)

Dividing his time among 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, Carlos Santana, Paul Butterfield, Tim Hardin, and Taj Mahal. A few lucky breaks along with increasing recognition of his skills landed Ron a position playing rhythm guitar in Chuck Berry's back-up band. 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 where he performed with folk-rock groups such as the popular Willow. It was during this period that he began honing his distinctive singing and song writing skills.	In Vermont with Willow in 1975. (the hair went to the gigs in a separate vehicle)

Today, Ron is based in New York City. In his career so far, he has shared the stage with such names as Jesse Colin Young, John Hammond Jr., Lucinda Williams, Lucy Kaplansky, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Bill Staines, Susan Werner and Christine Lavin.
	He's performed in hundreds of venues across North America, Europe and the Far East as well as for large outdoor events such as the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. His five CDs, Another Kite to Fly, There but for the Grace of Love, Vanishing Breed, Eldersongs, and Music from the Final Woods have generated rave reviews and are fast becoming personal favorites for a growing number of folk DJ's and acoustic music enthusiasts alike.

At present, along with his folk music concerts, Ron is performing shows for children (ages 1-8) and conducting songwriting workshops for kids age 7 and up.