Renowned New Orleans folk/Americana band Father Ron & Friends is thrilled to announce that their new album’s title track “Forever the Seasons” (Louisiana Red Hot Records) has won a bronze medal at the Global Music Awards . The prestigious recognition comes as the band prepares for its Fall/Winter 2024 tour, which will include dates on the South and West Coasts, including a special show at Hollywood’s famed acoustic lounge The Viper Room. I am doing it.
Father Ron and his friends celebrate the tapestry of the American experience through music. Led by Father Ron Klingenpeel, a former Episcopal priest and beloved folk DJ on New Orleans’ iconic radio station WWOZ, the band tours the world advocating the power of folk music to bring peace and healing. I’ve done it. Drawing inspiration from legends like Pete Seeger, The Seekers, and Woody Guthrie, the group brings a fresh spin to traditional American music.
The band has talented musicians.
Robert Eustis (guitar) David Schwartz (keyboards) Barbara Smith-Davis (vocals) Max Valentino (bass)
They will be joined by guest artists such as Louisiana cellist great Jack Craft and fiddler Gina Forsythe. The album’s choruses showcase the vocal talents of New Orleans songstress Debbie Davis (Smith-Davis’ daughter) and Cole Williams.
Produced by Andre Bolen and recorded at famous studios such as Marigny Studios in New Orleans, “Forever the Seasons” is also included in the New Orleans Public Library’s Crescent City Sounds. The album, which was released digitally on March 15th, follows the 2022 release On My Way Home and ranges from the haunting “The Promise Land” to the New Orleans classic “St. Contains a wide range of songs, including “Tokoro”.
Other notable songs on the album include:
“Roll River Roll,” “Don’t Let the Fire Die,” “Bayou Gula Ball,” “San Antonio Rain,” “Easy Moments,” “Another Night,” “Blues #42” Comedy originals “The Damned Roaches”
Father Ron and his friends are on a mission to introduce new generations to the rich history of folk and Americana music. Their journey began in 2014 with a one-time tribute to Pete Seeger and evolved into the Great American Folk Singalong, a series that unites communities through a common musical heritage.
A native of Nebraska, Father Ron devoted himself fully to music after serving as a chaplain at Holy Spirit Chapel across the street from Tulane University. With the release of “Forever The Seasons,” the band invites listeners to “spend some time sitting on your porch and listening to the songs,” embodying the communal spirit of folk tradition.
To celebrate the Global Music Award and album release, Father Ron and Friends is launching a national porch concert series, aiming to unite the community one song at a time.
Upcoming Fall/Winter 2024 Tour Dates:
October 18th – Abita Brew Pub, Covington, LA October 19th – Buffer’s Happy Hour (Solo), New Orleans, LA October 20th – La Divina, Baton Rouge, LA October 26th – Ozone Song Writers Festival (Solo), Covington, LA October 26th – Grill & Grocery, Hattiesburg, Mississippi October 27th – Buffer’s Back Room, New Orleans, LA November 24th – Buffer’s Back Room, New Orleans, LA The Back Room, New Orleans, LA November 29 – House Concert, Los Angeles, CA November 30 – The Viper Room Acoustic Lounge, Hollywood CA December 22 – Buffers, New Orleans, LA・Back Room February 21st – Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Grill & Grocery April 4th – Lebanon, Tennessee, House Concert (Fr. Ron Solo)
Plus, check out their residency every fourth Sunday at Buffer’s Back Room in New Orleans.
For more information and the full tour schedule, visit FatherRonAndFriends.com.
