Was a real treat chatting and singing on ‘The Burg’ yesterday.
Thanks to Spencer Duby and CKBG 107.9 FM for having me!
DH Bday Bash
On April 6, 2024 we blew the roof off the Dominion House Tavern. I officially became an old geezer so to soften the blow I decided to assemble the hottest band around. All world-class talents: Dean Drouillard, Adrian Lawryshyn, Derek Impens, Tara Watts and Kelly “Mr. Chill” Hoppe. Tara and Travis Reitsma also did opening sets. And what a night! Windsor folk from across the entire spectrum of my career showed up and so many wonderful surprises. Plus lots of out-of-towners from Toronto, Chatham, Woodstock, Detroit and as far away as Atlanta. The vibes in the room were to say the least incredible. One of my favs nights ever on stage.
Here's a little documented evidence of the evening…
*Video captured by Russell Ledford.
Ron Leary's Big Bash
Saturday April 6, 2024
Dominion House Tavern
8pm ~ No Cover
You only get to hit the half century mark once, so party we will. Joining me on stage will be the exceptional talents of Dean Drouillard, Adrian Lawryshyn, Derek Impens, Tara Watts & Kelly “Mr. Chill" Hoppe.
9pm: Tara Watts
10pm: Ron Leary Sextet
No cover but please do contribute to the jug generously.
*Poster by Greg Maxwell
Ron Leary & Dean Drouillard to open for The Sadies
*photo: Garth Jackson
Friday February 23rd @ Meteor (Windsor)
$30 advanced / $40 door (limited availability - if any)
8pm doors
9pm Ron Leary / Dean Drouillard
10 pm The Sadies
“Without doubt or qualification, The Sadies are one of this continent’s greatest extant rock ’n’ roll bands — just as they have been for the last quarter-century. Versatile and imaginative, they skip from astral psychedelia to shuffling bucolics and leap from puckish pop to righteous garage-rock without losing momentum or mastery. Their albums deliver masterclasses on pointed songwriting, lockstep harmonies, and a devil-may-care attitude to expectations and past successes.”
Toronto Show - Fri Dec 1st
We're playing Toronto for our first time since the spring, and once again at Sellers & Newel Used Bookshop. It's such a great room for a show. We sold it out last go round so grab your tix in advance!
$25 minimum donation.
To reserve tickets call the store at 647-778-6345 or email sellers@sellersandnewel.com
Ron Leary to star in film shot on Pelee Island
A rather interesting development here, I've been cast in a short film called Retreat as a middle-aged musician who goes to Pelee Island trying to rediscover his creative spark. A stretch I know.
It's written by author/musician/performance artist Henry Adam Svec and will be directed by the great Erin Brandenburg and will no doubt be a visually stunning film, my mug aside. Tess Girard will be the Director of Photography and Andrew Penner the Music Supervisor. An incredibly talented and accomplished crew to say the least.
Taking a crew of a dozen or so to Pelee Island will not make for a cheap venture and a GoFundMe has been set up to help cover some of the production costs. If you'd like to help make the film a reality please do consider a donation!
Here's the link, click 'read more' for all the details:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/vyf6p8-retreat-short-film
Film Premise:
Retreat is a 15-minute short narrative film directed by Erin Brandenburg, written by Henry Adam Svec, and starring Ron Leary. The story depicts grizzled songwriter Harold Murphy attempting to find solitude on a retreat to Pelee Island. He may be a local music legend, but Harold has lost his creative spark and he hopes that some time alone will enable him to write his next record. Instead of inspiration, Harold is distracted by the beauty and strangeness of the island, and by a migrant worker on a bike who haunts his days. Visually stunning, with scenes from the landscape of Pelee Island and music by acclaimed musician (and true local legend) Ron Leary, Retreat is an ode to searching for your artistic voice and finding it in the most unlikely of places.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/vyf6p8-retreat-short-film
Film Premise:
Retreat is a 15-minute short narrative film directed by Erin Brandenburg, written by Henry Adam Svec, and starring Ron Leary. The story depicts grizzled songwriter Harold Murphy attempting to find solitude on a retreat to Pelee Island. He may be a local music legend, but Harold has lost his creative spark and he hopes that some time alone will enable him to write his next record. Instead of inspiration, Harold is distracted by the beauty and strangeness of the island, and by a migrant worker on a bike who haunts his days. Visually stunning, with scenes from the landscape of Pelee Island and music by acclaimed musician (and true local legend) Ron Leary, Retreat is an ode to searching for your artistic voice and finding it in the most unlikely of places.
"Our Dogs"
Here’s a brand-new single (listen on the music page or wherever you prefer to stream music). It’s a song about a couple of kitties who snuck their way into my heart this past winter.
This is Brando (aka Chonk Dog):
And his little brother Arnold (aka Arn Dog):
(*Photos by Dean Drouillard)
“Our Dogs” wasn’t intended for public consumption, I was just messing around creating things as I do. But it seemed to make a connection with a few of my cat-loving friends so I decided to record it up and share.
The process was chill and organic. I rented a mic and recorded my part here in Windsor. Then transferred it up to Dean Drouillard and Adrian Lawyrshyn in Toronto in their respective studios to add in some texture and tension. For the finishing touch, my fav comedian Rachel K. Olsen, also a fine painter and cat lover, would bring the boys to life via the paintbrush. A fun and enjoyable creative venture from start to finish.
Here's the boys story…
Arn Dog, he barks like a dog
Chonk Dog, he eats like a dog
Ah they’re good kitties
Except when you go to sleep
And they start attacking your feet
Arn Dog, he’s a playing machine
Chonk Dog, he’s a digesting machine
Ah they’re good kitties
And they came…
They came from the street
It started with one
It turned into two
We went to see Brando
But Arnold was right there purring for you
They’re brothers from the street
A black and ginger team
Running up and down the stairs
As happy as two dogs can be
Arn Dog, he’s a lap dog
Chonk Dog, he’s my best bud
Ah they’re good kitties
Except when you go to sleep
And they start a clawing your feet
Words & Music by Ron Leary © 2022
Musicians: Ron Leary (vocals, acoustic), Dean Drouillard (electric), Adrian Lawryshyn (upright)
Mixed & Mastered by Dean Drouillard (Hepburn Lab)
Artwork by Rachel K. Olsen
New Weekly Gig - Phog Lounge (Windsor)
Weekly gigs are how I've survived as a professional musician these past two decades, here's my latest and I couldn't be more thrilled. Things fire up officially beginning Wednesday March 16th.
Toronto Show on St. Paddy's Day
Sharing The Dakota Tavern stage with my good friend Old Kid and his band this St. Paddy's Day, Thursday March 17th. It's one of the finest sounding venues in Toronto and as such I'll be bringing out the full band to join me, in Dean Drouillard (guitar), Adrian Lawryshyn (upright) and Derek Impens (drums).
$10 Advance | $15 Door
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/old-kid-with-ron-leary-tickets-288690590327
Peele Island Sessions (Spring 2022) - The Best of the Best
Working up a plan to record a trio album with Dean Drouillard and Adrian Lawryshyn in the spring. We'll hit a cabin for a week on Peele Island and lock in a dozen or so tunes live-off-the-floor.
Here's the current list of tunes in the running, if there's a particular tune you think we should include please let me know in the comments.
Spotify Playlist of the tunes
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6fo6xdgDKQnUxtpga1XIlA?si=bce16a63ad8943ed
1. Long, Long Day
2. Communist Cafe
3. Baby I'm No Good
4. Your Eyes
5. Sweet Valentine
6. I Was Born
7. The Road in Between
8. Ballad of Bob Probert
9. Tattooed Lady
10. The New Girl Who's Causing A Stir
11. Hey, Hey!
12. The Ancient Seeds of Ojibway
13. For the Woman
14. Turn
15. Roadside Motel
16. Long Lost Love
17. You've Got It All Wrong
18. Musicians Make Great Construction Workers
19. Sitting On A Bench
20. Legacy