Legacy

THE LEGACY
Ronnie started his quest in music many years ago when as a child he played mandolin with his father, Don Reno, and his dad’s partner Red Smiley which made up the Hall of Fame Band “Reno and Smiley”. Ronnie starts his journey in traditional music at that time and played on some of the all time great recordings of this duo in the 50’s and 60’s.

Ronnie is proud of the fact that history acknowledges his father as one of the innovators of the three finger roll on the 5 string banjo and as one of the greatest Bluegrass song writers of his time.

Ronnie worked with his dad for 10 years as the tradition moves on but heard the sweet harmony of Bob and Sonny the Osborne Brothers and decided to move to Nashville to sing and play guitar with them for 5 years. While with them Ronnie helped provide a vocal blend that was the cornerstone of the harmony for which they are known for today.

Ronnie was in the right place at the right time and found his way to the great Merle Haggard Band. He was the opening act for Merle for 9 years. While with Merle he recorded all of Merles Albums and sang harmony on all of his hits from 1972 thru 1981.

Ronnie returned to his roots in 1982 and toured with his dad “Don Reno and his two younger brothers Dale and Don Wayne until his dad’s death in 1984. After that the Reno Brothers Band recorded and toured together for 15 years, they set another standard in the Reno Tradition with the songs Ronnie wrote and the arrangements they produced that carries on with the band that Ronnie has today.

Ronnie continues his journey with the Reno Tradition playing some of the greatest festivals in his genre of music and producing his television show called Reno’s Old Time Music Festival.

Reno’s Old Time Music Festival has been seen in 28 million households on Dish and Direct for the last four years and has been brought to you by BlueHighwaysTV. Ronnie is also a founder of BHTV with his long time friend Stan Hitchcock, together they believe they can make a difference by promoting our music on television.

In addition to his past six CD releases (see discography) in late 2003 and early 2004 Ronnie and the Reno Tradition released their first CD called “Portfolio” along with a pictorial and songbook, “In Concert” a live CD recorded at Victory Stadium in Roanoke VA. was released in 2005.In 2006 the band recorded and released their first all Gospel project call Front Porch Gospel and in Oct of 2006 Merle Haggard asked Ronnie to Produce a bluegrass project for McCoury Music and the” The Bluegrass Sessions” was released on October the 2nd 2007.

In 2006 Ronnie received the Distinguished Achievement Award by the IBMA and is honored to serve on the board of directors for the International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, KY and the Kentucky Center for Traditional Music at Morehead State University. He is also one of the founders of the International Bluegrass Music Association in Nashville TN.

Please enjoy this pictorial slideshow of some of Ronnie’s earliest and fondest memories of his childhood and times growing up in the music business.

Click here to view the slideshow