Ron Renninger - Press Page

In a nutshell, Ron Renninger is:

Superb picking; Distinctive vocals; Both woven seamlessly around well-crafted and powerful songs. With an easy going rapport and an obvious joy from performing, Ron leaps across a wide range of musical genres lightly touching down in some rather surprising places....

And in a slightly larger nutshell . . .

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.

Whether 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....

CHRISTINE LAVIN

"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 sub conscience; 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 "There but for the Grace of Love".

THE NEW YORK TIMES

"Ron Renninger more than held his own with well crafted, well sung and superbly played original compositions. An unexpected treat."

ACOUSTIC ISLAND TIMES - Jeanne Johnson

"Songs that are deeply engaging, poignant, and thoughtful, with clear lyrics that anyone with a heart can related to, along with rich, warm, and intricate instrumentals that show fine finger style playing and highlight strong alternation bass lines that carry the songs heartbeat."

SING OUT MAGAZINE

"Renninger has a clear voice and proves to be an excellent writer."

PERFORMING SONGWRITER Magazine

"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."

DIRTY LINEN

"Retaining a warmth that draws you into the stories he's telling"

CONNIE BOWBLIS, New hampshire Public Radio

"A versatile performer who embraces different genres of music with chameleon-like style, Ron is a true "crowd pleaser".

HUGH PRESTWOOD (Hit Nashville Songwriter)

"Renninger is one of the best guitar players I've ever heard"

VICTORY REVIEW

"Renninger is a graceful, sensitive writer and performer who deserves a wider audience"

PETER GRAD (The Bergen Record)

"Terrific vocals, stunning guitar work, and enthralling performer"

THE FOLK SONG MAGAZINE

RON RENNINGER, Another Kite To Fly, (Vienna Virginia 2042850).
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 could learn to use well. "Flowers In The Sidewalk" is about being in the wrong place in a 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 well-crafted with imaginative images, but suffers from excess repetition of the theme line. The instrumental cuts provide good interludes, almost intermissions, of well-played guitar music. It would have been nice if the liner notes had described the songs, or better yet, contained the lyrics. Renninger's clear voice almost makes up for this lack, though, and he proves to be an excellent writer. On the whole, this one is highly recommended. -- VH

The magazine of folk, electric folk,
traditional and world music.

Ron Renninger Another Kite to Fly [Vienna Virginia VV2042850 (1996)],
Ron Renninger There But for the Grace of Love [Vienna Virginia VV2052850 (1997)]

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 instrumentals 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)

TOP 12 INDEPENDENT RECORDINGS

RON RENNINGER There But for the Grace of Love

All around are 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 road metaphors, 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 Van Morrison, Lucinda Williams, Sonny Terry and more. Grace is his fourth 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.