tag:www.ronblock.com,2005:/blogs/news?p=5NEWS2023-03-10T10:39:20-06:00Ron Blockfalsetag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/71689002023-03-10T10:39:20-06:002023-10-16T09:47:58-05:00The Ron Block Banjo Workshop App! <p><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/163270/9e53177ca05300544c6c7ded33d61585aaa59c3e/original/rbbw-bg.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_m justify_left border_" />The <i><strong>Ron Block Banjo Workshop</strong></i> app is up and running! It has plenty of lessons up for your banjo journey, and more will be continually added. Go to the web app to browse at the Learn tab, or sign up and subscribe at the Plans tab. </span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);"><strong>Web app</strong>: </span><a class="no-pjax" href="https://ron-block-banjo-workshop.passion.io/learn/products" data-link-type="url"><span style="color:hsl(240,75%,60%);">https://ron-block-banjo-workshop.passion.io/learn/products</span></a></p><p><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">After signing up, go to the App Store and search “Ron Block Banjo Workshop” and you can sign in to your account.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">Or - you can download the app and subscribe through Apple. </span></p><p><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">For Android phones, go to Google Play and download the Passion.io app. Search in the app for “Ron Block Banjo Workshop” and you'll find it.</span></p><p><strong>Growth</strong><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">I've spent decades looking into ways to continually improve my own playing by studying other players, reading, watching instructional videos, transcribing, and even taking online lessons myself. I've taught lessons and workshops for years. The Ron Block Banjo Workshop app will be the place I share my years of learning with you.</span></p><p> </p><p><strong>Community</strong><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">There's a community tab where I'll come in every week to chat and answer questions. It's also the place to give feedback on your experience, your progress. I've spent a lot of time in online discussion on the Banjo Hangout and other places, but there's no place I'd rather talk about banjo than right here.</span></p><p><strong>Now Available</strong><br>1. <i>Beginner Banjo</i>. Even for intermediate and advanced players, there are some of these short videos you won't want to miss. No tab, just old-fashioned attention, observation, and imitation.<br><br>2. <i>Hogan's House of Music</i>. Audio files of my bluegrass banjo instrumental album, with bluegrass luminaries like Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Stuart Duncan, Sierra Hull, Clay Hess, Sam Bush, Byron House, Tim Crouch, and Lynn Williams. I'll be breaking these down in the near future - for now, check out the <i>Clinch Mountain Backstep</i> lesson for my first two breaks from the album.<br><br>3. <i>Bending Strings in a Bluegrass Context</i>. In which I talk about and demonstrate string bending techniques. With printable tab.<br><br>4. <i>Developing New Licks and Ideas</i>. I use a solo by Earl Scruggs, break it down, and then use his licks to create new ones. With printable tab.<br><br>5. <i>Mini-Lessons</i>. Short little informative bits on attention to detail, dynamics, transcribing, backup, expression, and more. This section will grow and grow.<br><br>6. <i>Lesson: Clinch Mountain Backstep</i>. My version of Clinch as played on Hogan's House of Music, first two breaks, with printable tab.<br><br>7. <i>Lesson: Man of Constant Sorrow</i>. My solo from the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack, broken down, with printable tab.<br><br>8. <i>Lesson: Foggy Mountain Special</i>. My second break from the Earl Scruggs tribute album of the same name, with printable tab.<br><br>9. <i>Lesson: The Old Hometown</i>. Earl's original break from the recording, with printable tab.<br><br>10. <i>Lesson: You Don't Know My Mind</i>. One of my favorite J.D. Crowe breaks, from a live recording. With printable tab.<br><br>11. <i>Banjo Music Videos</i>. Fun videos I've made through the years. This will be another section I’ll be adding to.<br><br>12. <i>Short Talks On Music and Life</i>. I did this series of videos after I recorded Hogan's. I'll be adding to these at some point.</p><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;caret-color:rgb(34, 34, 34);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:0px;">13. <i>Creating Melody-Based Solos</i>. The videos for this are being put together - the first two are up!</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust:auto;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;caret-color:rgb(34, 34, 34);color:rgb(34, 34, 34);font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-weight:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:0px;">
<br><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);"><strong>Future Lessons</strong></span><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">1. From AKUS to Irish - a course on my banjo style with AKUS, and my genre-bending bluegrass/Celtic compositional collaboration with Irish tenor banjo wizard Damien O'Kane. </span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">2. AKUS Backup Banjo - lessons on my backup playing with Alison and the boys.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">3. AKUS Songs - individual songs and tunes recorded by AKUS. This will be an ongoing project.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">4. </span><i>Banjophonics</i><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);"> and </span><i>Banjophony</i><wbr><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);"> - individual tunes recorded with Damien O'Kane. Another ongoing project.</span><br><br><span style="color:rgb(34,34,34);">5. <i>Hogan's House of Music</i> - tunes from my bluegrass banjo instrumental album.</span></wbr>
</div><p>6. Live courses! The app can do livestreaming.<br><br>7. I'm also open to suggestions!<br><br>For now, thanks again for joining! <br><br>Best, <br><span style="color:#888888;">Ron</span></p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/70725722023-01-05T11:32:52-06:002023-08-04T19:52:02-05:00Book Release: Abiding Dependence<p>For those who like my AKUS songs like "A Living Prayer," "There is a Reason," "Jesus Help Me to Stand," "In the Palm of Your Hand," and are interested in Christian spirituality, I've got a book coming out on Moody Publications called Abiding Dependence. It's a 40-day devotional-style book, beginning with days the life of Jesus as the Son of God and Son of Man, and then moving into our identity as sons and daughters of God. </p>
<p>Abiding Dependence releases October 4th - you can order it here: <a contents="Order Abiding Dependence" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ronblock.com/product/821502" style="">Order Abiding Dependence</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/0c789d81834cf5fea3d1b7496aefccfd7a3b2208/original/abiding-dependence-front.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/0d2a491cbb5936fa90e2b11204f6ee4884d93e60/original/abiding-dependence-back.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpeg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/70725732022-10-01T10:04:37-05:002023-03-22T16:31:38-05:00October Ireland Banjophonics Tour!<p>I'll be playing in Ireland and Northern Ireland on the last leg of the 2022 Banjophonics Tour with Damien O'Kane and the boys, several shows with Mike McGoldrick and one with John-Joe Kelly. Aoife Scott and Andy Meaney will also be co-billing with us, and I'll play with them, plus I've got three extra shows with them. Check my Tour page here: <a contents="IRISH BANJOPHONICS TOUR DATES" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ronblock.com/tour" style="">IRISH BANJOPHONICS TOUR DATES</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/82372cd0009cc5461a6024607682e1a863e30b34/original/dr-bbp-irish-a4-poster-aw.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_none" alt="" /></p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/69324382022-03-25T21:47:02-05:002023-03-30T17:50:01-05:00July U.K. Tour: Damien O'Kane & Ron Block: Banjophonics<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/c082c4e56f7a00ff8525ada0bbf1f7f3a39213b2/original/0jx-suwx.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_xl justify_center border_none" alt="" /></p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/64722612020-11-07T11:55:38-06:002023-03-22T16:31:53-05:00Ron Block Online Guitar Workshop<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/77b154e800e1d546b10f6417ff894224f85a3f34/original/049a0540.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" />HELLO GUITARISTS!<br><br>I've got an <a contents="Online Guitar Workshop" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ronblock.com/product/600438">Online Guitar Workshop (click here!)</a> available now!<br><br>LEVEL: Intermediate to advanced<br><br>OBJECTIVE: To help guitarists see new ways to move forward - to give you the tools and ideas that I've used to create my style of playing with Alison Krauss & Union Station so that you can take those tools and more fully develop your own styles of playing. Order link is here: <strong><em><a contents="Guitar Workshop" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ronblock.com/product/600438" target="_blank">Guitar Workshop</a></em></strong></p>
<p>TOPICS<em>: Roots and Inflluences</em> - George Shuffler, Larry Sparks, and Clarence White to blues and country players. We'll move on into some of my solos with Alison throughout the course, but at the front end we'll look into some of the players that helped create the guitar style I use with AKUS, and how I change my playing for other situations. </p>
<p><em>The Psychology of Playing Well</em> (this is incredibly important) </p>
<p>Right and Left Hand Technique </p>
<p><em>Tone - Timing - Taste </em></p>
<p><em>Rhythm Playing </em></p>
<p><em>How I Learned and Continue to Learn the Neck </em></p>
<p><em>Make Solos More Moving with Expression </em></p>
<p><em>Make Solos More Engaging with Intervals ("doublestops") </em></p>
<p><em>Playing the Melody: The Many Ways to Vary a Solo. </em></p>
<p><em>Crosspicking </em></p>
<p>And I'll add more before the starting date. </p>
<p>Plus these freebies and more: Downloads of <em>A Light So Fair: Peaceful Guitar Instrumentals</em>; my <em>Hogan's House of Music</em> bluegrass instrumental record (I took quite a few guitar breaks on it); a pdf of my Traditional Guitar Workbook with my personal tabs of George Shuffler, Larry Sparks, Bill Napier, Don Reno, Clarence White, and Junior Blankenship. These freebies alone are worth about $47. </p>
<p>The Workshop will be held on these days at 7pm Central in 2020: Nov 12, 19, 27, Dec 3. (Nov 26 is Thanksgiving, so that day will be done on Friday, Nov 27). </p>
<p>When signing up, you'll get a download link for Hogan's House of Music. I'll be putting all email addresses into a file, and in the next week or so when I get everything into Dropbox I'll be sending out the Zoom link, passwords I'll use for the videos, and the Dropbox link with the outlines, tabs, and freebies. <br><br>I'm looking forward to it!<br><br>(Photo by Russ Carson)<br> </p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/59935242019-12-05T11:54:04-06:002023-03-30T17:50:44-05:00Listener Reviews of A Light So Fair: Peaceful Guitar Instrumentals<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/b0ed0643b8bb8490e5bad0d60dc3ccb75409f064/original/shreview.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/d4cf85bb3cbbb950947ace0ee4b81827244eba3c/original/a-light-so-fair-lower-res.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/a4c5c0792911f6c72181c602a310f1f7e697e92d/original/untitled-31.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/d3878956f32e213c8759956c75d74f56c9ad3160/original/untitled-26.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/20e76094563caea3c2ea330b44943b614da01993/original/untitled-40.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/ce262770c8a998dc10c40e6d3dfb5b803ff0d32e/original/rr.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/713f5bbaeed3a24c3ef13fbbe0fa297de68e202a/original/untitled-36.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/39e2bbe1d093f61ff039866cb31c3b302e6d3c2d/original/untitled-37.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/0c1d4096d05e9d5fe32afd96aead264da6d4ca95/original/untitled-27.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/b0be8f442d13ea1f400b5b18541a6e3190ee98cb/original/untitled-34.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/8e0a76aefb2e5c4aeb9461e9db41e5c957e40aa0/original/untitled-41.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/8b7a32b023f07d46db62f3981c74e07c0c763468/original/untitled-29.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/32b1b17c195248d529306ad28013109e1eb20f96/original/untitled-39.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/59712992019-11-24T10:01:45-06:002022-05-28T22:15:45-05:00Donne's Passage - from A Light So Fair: Peaceful Guitar Instrumentals<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="0MFRTO78zUI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/0MFRTO78zUI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0MFRTO78zUI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe>During the Alison Krauss Windy City tour in 2018, Alison suggested I record an album of peaceful, meditative guitar pieces. I took her suggestion to heart. <a contents="Order the cd or download here." data-link-label="STORE" data-link-type="page" href="/store" target="_blank">Order the cd or download here.</a></p>
<p>Usually in the mornings I spend some time in reading and reflection. For this album I'd pull my guitar out after this peaceful, reflective time. A period of experimentation would lead into an idea for a melody, mostly simple and peaceful, which would then lead into an idea for an arrangement. The melodies are variously inspired by the morning sunlight on our fields in Tennessee, walks in the Yorkshire countryside, a river in Scotland behind Huntly Castle, writers George MacDonald, John Donne, and C.S. Lewis, melodies of Stephen Foster, and ballad books from the 1800s. </p>
<p>By late morning I would be adding another guitar, or shruti (a simple, accordion-like instrument). The idea was to let everything flow into the music from that early morning feeling of peace, focusing on simplicity, tone, and nuance, with the intention that listeners would be able to take away some of that peace for themselves. </p>
<p>Some stellar voices added background vocals. Suzanne Cox, Sierra Hull, Kate Rusby, Damien O'Kane, and my daughter, Erica Block, all added some lovely, ethereal parts to the mix. </p>
<p>For vintage guitar aficionados: most of the recording was made using my 1938 Martin D28, used on the AKUS albums Lonely Runs Both Ways and Paper Airplane.</p>
<p>A Light So Fair will be released Nov 29th digitally. CDs will be shipped on Dec 3rd. You can listen to two whole tracks, "Hope Sings" and "The River Deveron," clips of the others, and preorder at the <a contents="RonBlock.Com Store" data-link-label="STORE" data-link-type="page" href="/store">RonBlock.Com Store</a></p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/59641792019-11-18T08:38:50-06:002022-03-01T12:00:25-06:00A Light So Fair: Peaceful Guitar Instrumentals<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/c39a836d3d191ddfbdae703017fba36dc67f7191/original/a-light-so-fair.jpeg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsImxhcmdlIl1d.jpeg" class="size_l justify_left border_" />Some of you know I've been working for awhile on an album of peaceful, sparse instrumentals. Usually in the mornings I spend some time in reading and reflection. For this album I'd pull my guitar out after this peaceful, reflective time each morning. A period of experimentation would lead into an idea for a melody, mostly simple and peaceful, which would then lead into an idea for an arrangement.</p>
<p>By late morning I would be adding another guitar, or shruti (a simple, accordion-like instrument). The idea was to let everything flow into the music from that early morning feeling of peace, focusing on simplicity, tone, and nuance, with the intention that listeners would be able to take away some of that peace for themselves.<br><br>Some stellar voices added background vocals. Suzanne Cox, Sierra Hull, Kate Rusby, Damien O'Kane, and my daughter, Erica Block, all added some lovely, ethereal parts to the mix. <br><br>For vintage guitar aficionados: most of the recording was made using my 1938 Martin D28. </p>
<p>A Light So Fair will be released Nov 29th digitally. CDs will be shipped on Dec 3rd. Listen to clips and preorder here: <a contents="preorder here." data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://ronblock.com/album/1226294/a-light-so-fair-peaceful-guitar-instrumentals">http://ronblock.com/album/1226294/a-light-so-fair-peaceful-guitar-instrumentals</a></p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/58161312019-07-06T18:53:04-05:002022-08-18T10:04:55-05:00New Store Item: Rickard Cyclone High Ratio Banjo Tuning Pegs<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/d271066f5285d7e79e6bbde7e54c99a8426efa0a/original/img-6161.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/f652c234447189f9e8d6489ca376f2f1ec40b32d/original/img-6165.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_right border_" />These tuners are classy through and through, from the feel to the materials to even the box. I put the Gold/Galaith Ivory pegs on my Rich & Taylor (So Long So Wrong banjo) and have been using them on the Alison Krauss tour. The 10:1 gear ratio makes my job easy. I'll be putting them on my 1926 Gibson Granada and my Banjocaster this week. Check the Store page for more details!</p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/53883232018-08-15T06:34:42-05:002020-04-20T07:03:12-05:00Banjophony: Bluegrass-Irish Fusion<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/cb03d1438650bf00135afed8b70619d3af8af8c6/original/banjophony-cover.jpg/!!/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />My most recent record (or album, as Damien O'Kane would say) Banjophony has been out for nearly a month now and we've been thrilled by the brilliant response to our 'cooperating-banjos' sound! There are exciting bits of news we can't mention yet but, for now, here's what some people have been saying about Banjophony, which is available on <a contents="Amazon " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.amazon.com/Banjophony-Damien-OKane-Ron-Block/dp/B07FW1CK95/ref=tmm_msc_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1534333000&sr=8-1-spell" target="_self">Amazon</a> as cd or download and iTunes. </p>
<p>'Fuses together Irish and American bluegrass traditions with impressive ambition' - FOLK ALBUMS OF THE MONTH, The Guardian, July 2018 </p>
<p>'Individually Damien O’Kane & Ron Block are masters of their instruments. In Banjophony, they’ve taken a collective approach to create an album of incredibly captivating music' - Folk Radio </p>
<p>'They have invented the title Banjophony to describe their sound. I would have called it simply gob-smacking' - 5*Review Spiral Earth </p>
<p>'Banjophony goes deep into the American-Irish cultural connectivity in a soulful, intricate way' - Irish Music Magazine Official </p>
<p>'The banjo has too often been the subject of jokes but this transatlantic duo has produced a truly magnificent album - Shire Folk Magazine (Sep/Oct 2018) </p>
<p>'If you weren't up for swinging your pants to a banjo tune or two, you are now...Ron and Damien are flying the flag for making the banjo more cool and even sexier' - Louderthanwar </p>
<p>'Banjo playing is the new rock n' roll and you better believe it after listening to this wondrous album' - 4* Review http://getreadytorock.me.uk/blog/2018/07/quick-plays-chinawhite-calm-for-the-restless-damien-okane-ron-block/</p>
<p>“I challenge banjo non-believers not to be moved by this transatlantic banjo union” - Lynette Fay BBC Radio Ulster </p>
<p>'Absolutely delightful – a superb piece of music by two big banjo players. Working in harmony and tandem – a superb sound. Just so sweet' - BBC Radio Merseyside </p>
<p>'Phenomenal! I was utterly blown away by these guys. Exquisite musicianship. My gig of the year' - Ralph McTell (after a live show). </p>
<p>"Beautiful and wild...there are no boundaries here" - Jerry Douglas </p>
<p>"Banjophony is the soundtrack of summer" - Kate Rusby </p>
<p>Thanks for all the banjo love!</p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/52467202018-05-21T10:43:30-05:002022-05-28T22:15:16-05:00Banjophony: Album and Tour with Damien O'Kane<p>I'm so thrilled to announce this upcoming duo banjo record with Irish banjo wizard Damien O'Kane, with an amazing mix of U.S. and U.K. musicians. We'll be touring in late July and early August in the U.K. </p>
<p>Artwork by Alkalart and design by Tom Pitts at Hand Drawn Pixels. </p>
<p>"Like" our Facebook page here for updates, upcoming videos, and whatnot: https://www.facebook.com/DeeandRon/<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/114df415f86465b372f22e29672048744ec97c81/original/32792470-2134268973467571-2285147541794193408-o-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/51267382018-03-13T18:38:59-05:002020-04-20T07:07:40-05:00News! Banjophony Record and Tour w/Damien O'Kane, Alison Krauss Touring<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/a06e637f0b77c0fb443b26ae5b89672df91d3a6d/original/damien-ron-web-image.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Greetings! First of all, thanks so much to everyone who has participated in my online banjo workshop on RonBlock.com! It has been an amazing response. The workshop sessions and extra videos will be up on the site for a good long while, and the extras, including my Traditional Banjo Workbook, will continue to be given away as a part of the online course. If you're interested you can find the course at <a contents="https://ronblock.com/home" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://ronblock.com/home">https://ronblock.com/home</a>. </p>
<p>2018 has shaped up very well for touring. I spent the end of January until the middle of February in the U.K., playing with Kate Rusby and Damien O'Kane at Celtic Connections in Glasgow, then headed to Yorkshire to finish recording Banjophony, a melding together of Damien's Irish four-string banjo style with my more bluegrassy approach. Damien is one of the best musicians I know, and I'm thrilled to work with him. We'll tour Banjophony in the U.K. this year, starting with the Underneath the Stars Festival and ending with the Cambridge Folk Festival on August 5th (I'll be playing with Kate Rusby there as well, and one other date on that U.K. trip). </p>
<p>I came home Feb 13th, and on the 16th through the end of the month helped produce a ten-song, sparse, folky recording with Jackson and Ella Paul, a brother-sister duo from London with excellent voices and playing. </p>
<p>Despite a minor flood in my studio due to a broken pipe, Ethan Jodziewicz and Barry Bales played bass last week on several of the Banjophony tracks, and Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, and Stuart Duncan are due here next week to add parts. </p>
<p>I'll be guesting on March 17th at the Music City Irish Festival here in Nashville, and near the end of March I head to Sore Fingers, a bluegrass and old-time camp in Kingham, U.K., near Oxford - always a thrill to spend time with U.K. friends. </p>
<p>When I get back I've got some dates at the end of April with The Vintage Martins (Eric Uglum and Bud Bierhaus) in Kentucky and Indiana, and then rehearsals for the Alison Krauss tour start. We tour, more or less, from mid-May until October - check <a contents="www.ronblock.com/tour" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.ronblock.com/tour">www.ronblock.com/tour</a> for specifics - not all dates are up yet; I'll post them as they are confirmed.</p>
<p>Best, </p>
<p>Ron</p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/49387862017-11-18T13:52:18-06:002023-12-10T12:09:36-06:00Ron's Online Banjo Workshop<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/3259624b3da4b394dd3f55743c8464247a0dd136/original/ron-at-13.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Greetings, fellow banjo pickers! </p>
<p>Have you had moments where you've wanted your playing to move along more quickly? Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to go to the next level? </p>
<p>I've struggled with all those things. At nearly every level, I've plateaued and thought, "Is this it? Am I stuck here?" Since the age of thirteen I've been obsessed with learning how to play the banjo well, because going to the next level is always such a thrill. </p>
<p>As a result I've had to develop some tried-and-true ways of doing things through experimentation and study. I've used these ideas for my 26 years with Alison Krauss & Union Station, for the O Brother soundtrack, and for everything else I've ever played on - and I'd love to share them with you. </p>
<p>Just got this in an email: “I’ve just got to say, this workshop has been so much more than I expected….The effort you’ve put into this and the ground you’ve covered like a fog will keep me busy for years….Again, thanks so much. I call that a bargain, the best I ever had!” David W. </p>
<p>TOPICS: Just a few of the things I've covered: </p>
<p>Releasing tension (the thing that puts a lid on our dexterity). </p>
<p>How I work on timing and feel. </p>
<p>Dynamics. </p>
<p>Tone. </p>
<p>Backup. </p>
<p>The trick to learning the neck well. </p>
<p>String bending, vibrato, and working it all into rolls. </p>
<p>Single-string playing. </p>
<p>Slow playing. </p>
<p>Clinch Mountain Backstep. </p>
<p>Mollie Catherine Carter. </p>
<p>Learning from recordings. </p>
<p>How to practice effectively. </p>
<p>Oh, I almost forgot the extras. By signing up for the workshop you'll receive free downloads of my banjo-oriented bluegrass record Hogan's House of Music, my Christmas Collection (18 holiday favorites), and a pdf of my long out-of-print The Traditional Banjo Workbook. </p>
<p>I look forward to seeing you there. </p>
<p>LESSONS WITH A PRO: 26 Years With Alison Krauss & Union Station, banjoist on the O Brother Soundtrack’s “Man of Constant Sorrow,” and on sessions with Dolly Parton, Kate Rusby, Dan Tyminski, Vince Gill, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, and many more. </p>
<p>LEVEL: Broadly Intermediate - lots of material for not-so-beginners all through early advanced players. </p>
<p>SUBJECTS: Playing without tension, improving timing and feel, dynamics, tone, string bending, vibrato, scales, single-string playing, transcribing, and more. </p>
<p>BONUS MATERIALS: Each participant will receive free downloads of Ron’s banjo-oriented bluegrass cd, Hogan’s House of Music, his Christmas Collection of 18 holiday favorites, and a free download of the long out-of-print Traditional Bluegrass Banjo Workbook – a total of $49 in free extras. </p>
<p>WORKSHOP REVIEWS: "As a guy who's been participating in this clinic I promise you the value you'll receive is worth FAR more than the price. I've done banjo camps, clinics, and lessons with the best in the business. The wisdom Ron imparts is second to none. You WILL be a better player, and you'll enjoy every second. You'll have a hard time putting your banjo down after the first session, and you'll be thinking about it all day at work after the second. And it only gets better from there." </p>
<p>"Great class. Ron knows how to communicate; he 'teaches ideas' and is well prepared. No wasted time. The overall class experience is like having a one on one lesson with good friend." </p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/46037682017-02-23T14:00:01-06:002022-05-28T22:14:56-05:00Facebook Live and The Traditional Banjo/Guitar Workbook videos<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/9284dd8f04b6f83b2c42c2fc54eb50ae117bc881/small/tradbanjo.jpg?1487879873" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Hello folks! I've got a couple of videos up on my Facebook page (<a contents="Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/RonBlockMusic/">Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station</a>); one is a short talk about my approach to banjo backup. The second video is an up-to-speed and slow-speed version of the first tune, "The Old Hometown," from my long out-of-print <em>The Traditional Banjo Workbook</em>. A YouTube link to the song is below the Facebook video in the comments, along with a scan of the tablature. <br><br>I plan to do more of these free videos in the future, both for <em>The Traditional Banjo Workbook</em> (featuring solos from Scruggs and Crowe) and <em>The Traditional Guitar Workbook </em>(featuring solos from George Shuffler, Larry Sparks, Don Reno, Bill Napier, Junior Blankenship, and Clarence White).<br><br>"Like" my Facebook page and/or follow for more videos and updates for Facebook Live banjo/guitar workshops.<br><br>Best, <br>Ron<br><br><br> Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/45586462017-01-21T08:16:06-06:002020-04-20T07:09:17-05:002016 Year In Review!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/fb6ec209d8eb149716b8d59be74913c84e157908/medium/15894492-1273596456022133-1037166704670504351-n.jpg?1485008148" class="size_m justify_center border_" />Thanks to all of the friends and fans who support my various and sundry musical adventures. It was a busy year, and I'm grateful for the opportunities I was given. </p>
<p>Here are just a few of the highlights: </p>
<p>Released two recordings - <em><strong>Trouble Go Down</strong></em>, with Jeff Taylor, and my own <em><strong>Leiper's Fork Christmas</strong></em>. </p>
<p>Performed on Woodsongs in Lexington. </p>
<p>Played shows with the Soggy Bottom Boys in California, Virginia, North Carolina. - Dan Tyminski, Barry Bales, Stuart Duncan, Mike Compton, Pat Enright, Jerry Douglas. These guys are a blast. </p>
<p>Taught banjo at Jack Hatfield's banjo camp in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. </p>
<p>Taught banjo at Sore Fingers in the U.K., and I'm going back this year to teach advanced guitar. A great bunch of folks.<br><br>Played banjo on four songs on Kate Rusby's <em>Life in a Paper Boat </em>- always a certifiable thrill to be a part of such great music. <em>Life in a Paper Boat</em> has gotten a lot of attention for Kate, and deservedly so. Great songs, top singing and playing, and out-of-this-world arranging and production.</p>
<p>Played my own shows in the U.K. with Sierra Hull. We played Kate Rusby's Underneath the Stars Festival, the Summertyne Americana Festival at the Sage in Gateshead, and shows in Tamworth at the Bolehall Manor Club and Sheffield's Greystone's. In the middle of this trip I recorded half of a collaborative record with Irish banjoist/guitarist Damien O'Kane and guitarist David Kosky at Pure Records out in the Yorkshire countryside. Sierra sat in on some of the sessions on mandolin. </p>
<p>Played shows with Steve Martin - the band was myself, Stuart Duncan, Barry Bales, Jeff White, and Adam Steffey. <br>Played several of my own shows with Clay Hess and Brennan Hess in California and North Carolina. </p>
<p>Played Red Hat Theatre in Raleigh and the IBMA awards show with the Soggy Bottom Boys. </p>
<p>Performed a video version of Leaning On The Everlasting Arms with Selah. </p>
<p>Played with Ricky Skaggs, Sharon White Skaggs, and Leslie Satcher at a songwriter in-the-round in Franklin, Tennessee. <br>Played shows with Buddy Greene, and a Christmas show in Macon, Georgia with Buddy and Jeff Taylor. </p>
<p>Played Andrew Peterson's two Nashville Behold the Lamb of God shows. </p>
<p>Played with Alison Krauss, Jamey Johnson, Melonie Cannon, and Jim "Moose" Brown for Dolly's Smoky Mountains Rise telethon. <br><br>Played on Alison Krauss's new record, <em>Windy City</em>, and on her videos featuring four songs from the record.</p>
<p>Played on Marc Martel's version of What Child Is This? and was featured in his video. I had the most hilarious time making it with him. </p>
<p>I'm looking forward to another year of music!</p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/44822072016-11-24T01:26:39-06:002020-04-20T07:10:30-05:00Leiper's Fork Christmas Releases!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/55f0945d12696e62063f0a21bd1f5b019ed5d6e8/original/cover.jpg?1479969845" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p>Leiper's Fork Christmas is available NOW at RonBlock.com/store </p>
<p>Get nine instrumental Christmas favorites and one original song for $10, or combine it with a download of Carter's Creek Christmas to get eighteen holiday tunes for $15. </p>
<p>I had another blast of a time recording these tunes on vintage 1930s and 1940s Martins and a 1926 Gibson Granada, along with Barry Bales, Tim Crouch, Jeff Taylor, Luke Bulla, and Julie Lee. </p>
<p>1. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing <br>2. The First Noel <br>3. We Three Kings <br>4. Away In A Manger <br>5. Go Tell It On The Mountain <br>6. Come, Children Of This Long, Discarded Night <br>7. Here We Come A-Wassailing/Good Christian Men Rejoice <br>8. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel <br>9. In The Bleak Midwinter <br>10. Jingle Bells </p>
<p>Buy digitally now at RonBlock.com/store</p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/39759972016-01-06T00:46:49-06:002020-04-20T07:10:50-05:002015 Year In Review!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/89331421b0082b18fa5501d16bd190853085f900/original/12523206-997970970251351-1607487826163191296-n.jpg?1452062797" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>I'm a little late on my New Year's wishes but I just returned from a holiday trip with little-to-no wifi.<br>2015 was an eventful year for me, and many thanks go to all of you who support the music of Alison Krauss & Union Station and my own music, and particularly this year my bluegrass instrumental record Hogan's House of Music and my end-of-year record, Carter's Creek Christmas. <br><br>I wish everyone a very blessed and happy 2016!<br><br>Here are a few highlights of 2015: </p>
<p>West Coast tour with AKUS and Willie Nelson. <br><br>Hired a manager for the first time in my career. <br><br>New photo shoot. <br><br>New website with its own store. <br><br>Composed seven tunes, added nine others, and recorded Hogan's House of Music, named after my Dad's music store in Southern California. <br><br>Created my record label, Hogan's House of Music. <br><br>Arranged and recorded tunes for my first instrumental Christmas release, Carter's Creek Christmas. <br><br>Performed cd release shows around Nashville for both releases. <br><br>Created first music video of my solo career. <br><br>2 page feature interview in Country Weekly about Hogan's House of Music. <br><br>Played tunes from Hogan's with Sierra Hull on Nashville’s Lightning 100. <br><br>Played music from Hogan's for the folks at Country Weekly and Music Row Magazine with Clay Hess and Sierra Hull. <br><br>Did two benefit concerts with Alison Krauss, one with Dan Tyminski. <br><br>Played with the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band at Guitar Town in Colorado. <br><br>WSM interview. <br><br>Interview in the Tennessean and the Nashville Scene. <br><br>Held a record release party for Hogan’s House of Music at Puckett’s in Franklin, Tennessee, with Sierra Hull, Todd Phillips, Trey Hensley, Bryan McDowell, and Lynn Williams. <br><br>Played shows with Buddy Greene, Jeff Taylor, Mark Fain, and Sierra Hull. <br><br>Interview for Bluegrass Unlimited. <br><br>An appearance on Fox 17 in Nashville. <br><br>A showcase of Hogan’s House of Music with Sierra Hull, Rob Ickes, Clay Hess, Bryan McDowell, and Irl Hees. <br><br>Featered interview in Collectible Guitar Magazine. <br><br>An Alison Krauss & Union Station show at IBMA in Raleigh. <br><br>A banjo workshop. <br><br>An appearance at the Huber Banjos booth at IBMA to sign cds. <br><br>An appearance to play some tunes with Clay Hess and talk with the Grammy folks at the Nashville NARAS office. <br><br>Played three separate shows at the Franklin Theater in three months - one with Buddy Greene, Gordon Mote, and Lee Greenwood, one with Andrew Greer and Cindy Morgan, and one with Jars of Clay and Rob Ickes. </p>
<p>All in all, a good year.</p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/39257112015-11-17T22:27:36-06:002017-01-10T07:08:24-06:00Carter's Creek Christmas release day announced!<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/d56206c8375576b2b85409f062a7ad7874e942a9/original/rb-christmas-cvr-noborder.jpg?1447820847" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br>We have some exciting news to announce!</p>
<p>Ron Block is in the process of putting the finishing touches on his new Christmas EP, "Carter's Creek Christmas", releasing November 27th!</p>
<p>He has taken a handful of Christmas tunes requested from fans, and picked a few of his personal favorites. </p>
<p>The album features:</p>
<p>-O Holy Night<br>-What Child Is This?<br>-Santa Claus Is Coming To Town<br>-Angels We Have Heard On High<br>-God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen<br>-Brightest and Best<br>-Cherry Tree Carol <br>-Sleigh Ride</p>
<p>The record is all instrumental and reimagined versions of some Christmas classics! There are both sparse/intimate moments, and a couple uptempo and light hearted tunes.</p>
<p>Everything has been recorded in his Moonlight Canyon Studios in Franklin, TN with instruments ranging from his 1938 Martin D-28 Herringbone, 1946 Martin 00-18, a 1957 Gibson ES-125 and a 1963 Fender Tele through a late 50s Fender Deluxe, and his newer 1990s Gibson F-5 mandolin, and Huber Ron Block Model banjo.</p>
<p>Tim Crouch is also featured on the record. Tim also played some of the fiddle on "Hogan’s House of Music". </p>
<p>The album will be for sale digitally on the 27th and we will have physical CDs as well. We're thrilled to share this holiday music with you, and hope these songs will be good additions to your Christmas playlists.</p>
<p>Many thanks go out to <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=51801092" href="https://www.facebook.com/katealbie">Kate Albie Armstrong</a> for the incredible album cover she created, and <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=875995132" href="https://www.facebook.com/crystal.koster">Crystal Koster Martel</a> for the beautiful photography. Also thanks to <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1075657432" href="https://www.facebook.com/laura.preston3">Laura Preston</a> for diligent and invaluable work helping me launch and sell this music!<br><br>-Josh (Music City Management)</p>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/39256302015-11-17T16:36:43-06:002017-04-10T14:32:06-05:00November Newsletter!Hello to friends and fans!<br> <br>Special thanks to you for supporting <a contents="Hogan’s House of Music" data-link-label="STORE" data-link-type="page" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnVhnSpoqLEhHitUquVgc9-2FDhWcpgWLYPPgwMyjrzIwu-2FBI5GcefAvVgh7mb6QYHyHebNmRnLqmQINr4vj7jcqpKMsNGz3wb383eTZ-2Fj-2Fk-2BMKDfgPwo3gfa94KLsPVUieI4thBw3WaOAqHhed3EBXyyA-3D-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKOwEFi06hWZlThQjPZCnUHUn3SHLp5XgszFWmtB9SSIjwTH83n5H7yUlYbcMN3uJMEar6NLsPWAZNtrAZXFcTx8OSZ0vOo6uVtK8MIP-2BhXixmkGPvjiglx2bNpXYxJCqDFqkvCIWGqRTH7GGvTZEuQpoxzm-2B77xPCoec32-2Fp7o2ALqwWSgYILk8-2BS6B8CyHrJR" target="_blank">Hogan’s House of Music</a>. I love making music for you and that’s a community activity, impossible without the support of friends and fans. This is the first of a monthly email newsletter to update you on what’s happening – tour dates with AKUS and others, solo dates, recording, interviews, and other fun stuff. Several things are coming up.<br> <br><strong>Christmas EP</strong><br>A Christmas EP is now in the works, Carter’s Creek Christmas, with some of the selections requested by vote from those on <a contents="my Facebook page" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnCWQQ91h4OSznF8mfipvkf8IR-2B0pMerWYRmYB7kbz033MydoMbDA82ZSGUZignKYftu75YPSpvN-2F9yPk-2BsP-2BfdKkLGT6liQRPIDOqGDvD0BKqbOoYNoYNb5IlS-2F96c14TdH6PCmX7tNPAFWDViLK3mY7c4p6SzQoeV-2F468esUYgc-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKOF3CSrxGjAoHA4GZ5uxrEvNYD4KDgQlNpaocPUHpi8eATZvQJnoQYnFVH7I8OmPdOqBKoZjRsNcXCTzJxa1P01He7CvDFhGhZ6PLg-2BLXQ0VX430weFjHV0UERO3E9vZgjEqGfn56NZAD9VXSCGHLbc2-2BLPf1-2Ft8ZSOPHNvr4C-2BRgagG50P1EBKMkG9DTciEbf" target="_blank">my Facebook page</a>. I’ve recorded six of the tunes in my studio with several of my vintage guitars and Huber banjos and will do more in the next few days. <strong>Release date will be November 27<sup>th</sup>.</strong><br><br><strong>Song titles will be:</strong> <br>O Holy Night<br>God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen<br>What Child Is This?<br>Angels We Have Heard On High<br>Santa Claus Is Coming To Town<br>Cherry Tree Carol<br>Sleigh Ride<br>Brightest and Best<br> <br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/174c6ee41154ad839133792462254e52775a0c98/medium/xmasalbum2.jpg?1447561369" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><strong>The Local Show</strong><br>On November 17<sup>th</sup> I’ll be playing at <a contents="The Local Show" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnCWQQ91h4OSznF8mfipvkf5tl6AJrTEkUJ7QKBYbCYUgOf-2FgFtXEXzE0neJiChryevSLLp39RSuqcDxtjOkGyMLrqXX1L67u6Jpilzl2VOznUGTvzYVz5P0bWjx0icr7uZeWxqDjbGOQAHmih2FsTM-2FRxZQKUMSWP77KnVcCAa4I-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKOFA-2BkbdKlGVFXK9t4azxftgUwy4BXbiYxAz5-2BaXnMl9sp03BhvRYfKb8L3Z6gXoet-2Fg-2BHBzeogoIyC2lPz6tYCclsI5PO7no8v-2BWB3dSn316KMFUv02WS2Hv8vbokLK2Y4K8w3V6NSzdryFuOIqAiC-2B2ZLxdjosypZGoEYRP8cibnU1wckGJgR-2B4N0SOLk7Dq" target="_blank">The Local Show</a> with <a contents="Buddy Greene" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnVhnSpoqLEhHitUquVgc9-2FIOTZJjhdMYHC0gbmhUeB-2B1IIxhMCqvRqQYz-2BZ1it5MCPMAgDd-2FuBFoAIKa6j-2F-2BilfSJkS-2BkJbI9GJBQTMPX1UZk5qBrk2G-2BXqPK7GSeIpdtP3pAUHIaPbZIkdcfniMRrw-3D-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKONaVoYWNsnKwykaYN7qMPs7pXvTuu3duTV3IzH-2FjL-2ByGokCZg5B0YNmDUcgM72IZ3ZCdxtOkUBqs5n4b6sN0jVio8EZWQ1kRobiypFUsy1ZRAtg3-2BOxRGsah2a4lK2U6s2fNcnfvEvNRT8isxrjKQNe5rOcUzR4xVfZQg5VCEnSKcRRkGn9FZxouUTrS4CPmH" target="_blank">Buddy Greene</a> and <a contents="Andrew Peterson" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnVhnSpoqLEhHitUquVgc9-2FH6WO80XjV0rkN8cvI8ShNeTNwUOmIbqTMwbCPvsOLy8kRj7Bra1skorFt-2FLh9PLkmtbwVNDTXwrxVrcuvBTRkY0gRbjUVabAlH8NMWhGAFnLKw3Plvr-2BK7Kn-2FZrnuyr2g-3D-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKOWWT0I2NaP90gJj80C6hrwOEShknry8WORekcjFLTO7Bs0-2BYK2WHHDXKxVLteCYX2wMUlBhjfPgRpOE-2BMZxZrA-2FlHnAMgGGD83wbPx-2Fpf48m0b3dictnKSCWltE1TJGrECJ1UPyG5PMtaJ6rNhYXPlOkBHmBA-2BfamsfisZZHIK6cY3yuavg6quvR6ml8lID8-2B" target="_blank">Andrew Peterson</a> at<a contents="The Well Coffeehouse" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnVhnSpoqLEhHitUquVgc9-2FO7lRraelqrVGv0yQYuCkGIjigb-2BzbYF6OemMi-2FxmWsHQ1lcgxncU2zwnwi-2BFWjVCXJKyBEL03-2BUDDlrmRlP-2FntAOgJbVkGGQxs7t6nzte4oM7EyCefY3NNQCaJ4PUYT3A-3D-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKO5TaTAcmWOMiYAxkb5TlTErZLJp6KaI8DZRPQebxmOnXhWvcvm9YSNmqfnogQjNwjETQtihtl8qSrK4ILMMs1oNoj-2FRtgZdf3KgC8voj26cYIKotXk2Tspa5GkfIetPeLAGRi2FXIUgtqJBoBpYF-2FfWo6ucTRtrQ1V2tvXB7Td2OWedIlYAt-2F2SUwHBtF8J0t" target="_blank">The Well Coffeehouse</a> in Brentwood, Tennessee. Come join us if you’re free. Buddy knows some of the tunes from Hogan’s so we’re sure to do a few.<br> <br><strong>Angel Band Christmas</strong><br>November 30<sup>th</sup> is a show with <a contents="Andrew Greer and Friends: An Angel Band Christmas" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnVhnSpoqLEhHitUquVgc9-2FNGRSiSxyEhJcbiC1NJRHDcrsS8bcxdBArIRQDaWHiFKVNON3ZKIKP5neWsW5tLusUN7hY6ZwAeUVXZS0iq5yK7p7fdIVmZsZ-2FQ220moUnSix1xFGl5Zxwv6WRC-2Bave9PEOOXVf9mmdyiaobo9hlnX98ASINskV1zH1N2gMrL7NxBNsCPOFeYjkKE0d-2FrNApWh-2FcsCTQptmc5oFKmUuzb7ECC7U1-2Fybi-2BU9E1CuVrMu781QLEVYn5MmScyIfxLNLDO9XmTVSVJqoMxj1TZUqnuA-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKO-2BKUgTPZP5Kc33YRu-2BLvOmvYqHFk91weqPHaELbn2Fz7ymE05MfSYntdmnMPBnofn-2FLfx72BeJ10rhc5xQVzCv4Vbdds-2FHHB1UUAUSKfz2zinw-2BeIZSosOGdu7CTx3gOh6pPCkaadPsCAc1k-2FdERAnjlvHEq902UDcsoGuKQ7-2FJtxjYyNl50EYd6iKRWM347l" target="_blank">Andrew Greer and Friends: An Angel Band Christmas</a> at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee. It’s a benefit for Food for the Hungry Nicaragua, sure to be full of Christmas cheer.<br><br><b>Behold the Lamb of God at the Ryman</b><br>Andrew Peterson's annual Christmas shows are a favorite event of mine. I'll be playing banjo and guitar in the show on December 13th and 14th.<br><br><b>Jars of Clay</b><br>I'll be sitting in with Jars of Clay and also doing one of my tunes at the Franklin Theatre on December 16th.<br> <br><strong>24 Years With AKUS</strong><br>October 12<sup>th</sup>, 2015 marked the beginning of my 25th year with <a contents="Alison Krauss &amp; Union Station" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnhVEMgppe73xUf1vWtlEvrY2apepj4zgWrGfizLODkmYrVClzz48qoyhqX-2Bn5Uuli8F28eRicsLYr0yJPtm45sZKHmXXOQSHQaaM93s5g5o3qRPdcyRrueS5HFZFu7fI-2B7zeLnWrZlzHO0f-2BVwWDsww-3D-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKOMI0oneGa24V1ucbMVd3-2FYNH21nZyzgbmLstvvYKokOfjs4-2BC0IsQbLbFLZIYDFPIoBFEQgMkOxYt2UKO9gj7EuVUCk8ZwfUlvD-2Fg8CQhbAoOAMkqhcvbS29eFt4jInXFAjufKtMPH8005dlzIuQwgsED5brRjwOmZOdJvDQ60X31QEsw0R-2BuIywiHr4rR74L" target="_blank">Alison Krauss & Union Station</a>. They’ve always been my first musical priority. Alison, Barry, Dan, and Jerry are great people and some of the best musicians I know.<br> <br>As time goes on, our band’s touring ebbs and flows, and in that vacuum there’s a restless need to play music. So – that’s what I do.<br> <br><strong>Making Hogan’s House of Music</strong><br><a contents="Hogan’s House of Music" data-link-label="STORE" data-link-type="page" href="http://email.zooglelabs.com/wf/click?upn=nw-2F8eob701T-2B1MqM0snzNePbaHAV3IzDGhv3jPsyAOHdTyjGAO8XloPQyPa8MddnVhnSpoqLEhHitUquVgc9-2FDhWcpgWLYPPgwMyjrzIwu-2FBI5GcefAvVgh7mb6QYHyHebNmRnLqmQINr4vj7jcqpKMsNGz3wb383eTZ-2Fj-2Fk-2BMKDfgPwo3gfa94KLsPVUieI4thBw3WaOAqHhed3EBXyyA-3D-3D_WkOuPoRIO5AiVpnApH0eeShVnnJUFYVSr4Av9HKJKG2WJRQFqyAJhUyGS29u9xKOKB22ju5VFOdlI5fwOLhb9eN3ypTxLq091ax6Ttnq9XDdIbPJAGW5Xpz477PEd2N1JIQyRa8hX6GYBxaM0gU6r7BnXorvk-2FfeI8HFWmOS7FCN904N4aqr38k9fRYDjmJVjiQ-2FLjABiCeWXf6d5hD4BlMAvvmdc3OBCKKQHCZZuasTwRfh0Fg9TJfrqMKcndDg" target="_blank">Hogan’s House of Music</a> combines many elements. There is a strong emphasis on tradition. At heart I’m a rural boy. But there is experimentation. I love visiting cities, seeing new things. Hogan’s House of Music is a clashing and melding of the jaggedly different worlds I grew up in. There’s rural and there’s city; there’s relentless banjo-rolling and bendy, bluesy single-string.<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/2f1160f08044003f88fa03aedd33dd761121e823/medium/11926070-943298945718554-232252493575370917-o.jpg?1441720469" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br>It’s been a long road since beginning the record earlier this year - writing and finding the tunes, tracking at Nashville’s Southern Ground, and mixing at Eric Uglum’s studio in California. Josh Petersen, my manager, and Ronna Rubin, publicist, have done a lot of legwork setting up interviews, appearances, and some of these shows.<br><br>Here are a few highlights of the past month: <ul> <li>Interview for Bluegrass Unlimited. </li> <li>Playing with Sierra Hull on Nashville’s Lightning 100.</li> <li>Playing for the folks at Country Weekly and Music Row Magazine with Sierra Hull and Clay Hess.</li> <li>A set with Alison Krauss in Atlanta at a benefit.Release day on September 25<sup>th</sup>.</li> <li>WSM interview.</li> <li>Interview in the Tennessean and the Nashville Scene.</li> <li>A record release party for Hogan’s House of Music at Puckett’s in Franklin, Tennessee, with Sierra Hull, Todd Phillips, Trey Hensley, Bryan McDowell, and Lynn Williams.</li>
</ul>IBMA events:
<ul> <li>A Skype session from home – a panel with Claire Lynch, Mark Schatz, Stephen Mougin, and Greg Cahill on getting along musically and personally in a band.</li> <li>A showcase of Hogan’s House of Music with Sierra Hull, Rob Ickes, Clay Hess, Bryan McDowell, and Irl Hees.</li> <li>An Alison Krauss & Union Station show at IBMA in Raleigh.</li> <li>A banjo workshop.</li> <li>An appearance at the Huber Banjos booth at IBMA to sign cds.</li> <li>Played tunes from Hogan’s House of Music at a church in Raleigh with Sierra Hull and Clay Hess</li>
</ul>When I got back to Nashville after IBMA:
<ul> <li>An appearance to play some tunes with Clay Hess and talk with the Grammy folks at the Nashville NARAS office.</li> <li>A set with Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski at the Nashville Palace for the 9th Annual MNPD Law Enforcement Show with Phil Vassar.</li> <li>Interviews for <a href="http://rabbitroom.com/">RabbitRoom.com</a>, <a href="http://bluegrasstoday.com/">BluegrassToday.com</a>, and Country Weekly. </li>
</ul>It’s been a very productive few months. Thanks to Josh and Ronna for all they do (Josh keeps me on track – he’s a man with a plan).<br> <br>Thanks again for supporting the new record!<br> <br>Best,<br>RonRon Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/38689022015-09-25T14:05:11-05:002022-07-28T18:10:07-05:00Hogan's House of Music Releases Today!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/2f1160f08044003f88fa03aedd33dd761121e823/original/11926070-943298945718554-232252493575370917-o.jpg?1441720469" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Today is release day for Hogan’s House of Music, my new bluegrass instrumental record. I’ve wanted to make one for a long time. It’s been a long road since starting work on it in February, with starts and stops due to touring with AKUS and Willie Nelson. I came out of the studio thrilled with how all the musicians played, how Eric Uglum and I mixed it, and Brad Blackwood’s mastering job. Throughout the process we’ve tried to tell the story on Facebook and the website, and pre<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">sales and downloads have been good. The cds are now actually here for real! It is exciting to see the idea go from thought to reality, from concept to an actual, physical cd. </span></p>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">We decided to fund and put this record out ourselves. It’s a bit scary taking that sort of a risk, but it was the best option on many levels. I’m still playing with Alison Krauss & Union Station of course, but I’m pushing into a new phase in my personal expression of music. I’d love your help in spreading awareness, telling your friends about Hogan’s House of Music via social media and word of mouth, and reviewing the record on iTunes and Amazon.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">Apologies on the website store glitch today where you got 47 emails. Bandzoogle was contacted and it was fixed. Everything is up and running and stable now.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">From my family to yours, thank you for investing in this music. Thanks for supporting what I do! It’s the fans that make it all work; it’s folks like you who enable folks like me to create music on a continual basis. </p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">Hogan’s House of Music can be found at <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FRonBlock.Com%2Fstore&h=MAQEdzPhXAQGUv6W1DfcsdCTJemNqzDKeeCbemUOzQ9XGLA&enc=AZOb2FuCvRgMoapLJF0mWIEvRhhQFDK8wskGf5KBYNUZvtHqYq15LQwnd5F10BzCKRUVV5P4VmdSFsFdhiAoRjpm7Q8TePsm7Y_VeJHymMSmu_mGJEEqMzg331eEyYJj1C2Wxl5LedhUyENSZCTzn74g2FR2q0dchkBQkB5DiRpjOi-EXdY9wSKlqK9XWHl5_wlO-tGpJIQYdWwJ3LMq3rKG&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">RonBlock.Com/store</a>, iTunes, and Amazon, and the behind-the-scenes at Southern Ground Studio video for Smartville is on YouTube here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DeffEvDhNd8c&h=PAQHgEtFaAQFnuIwvGyF4VMQ9KaYXczzROElLPWvPDhO5ww&enc=AZPjF2OkDcEszSEDkLZsESPfdHr4uyP3OymVIsUF6V9oUrrmMjeu-wM-wD7RHtjFynzGmaGaoRqhehV4Nh0sEvk1F0awXNifSBWIg2kto66Xz1Tyck3XCnSvdMCtD66xXUxG549DO3c3QnXGnkFYlRwqy5uPjE0zyt-_pNjWId9YyNd5fJxT5kfHslUzrmCGvobINmjzVyPCPRGKQH01U8w6&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=effEvDhNd8c</a></p>
</div>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/38679592015-09-24T21:58:15-05:002017-01-10T07:08:22-06:00Nash Country Weekly features "Behind The Scenes" Video on homepage<span style="color: rgb(208, 208, 208); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.760784);"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/368b4e62021329069489268b9c6e8fb28fa0f723/original/img-8636.jpg?1443149764" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></span><br>Nash Country Weekly features "Behind The Scenes" Video on homepage!<br><br><a contents="Nash Country Weekly!" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.countryweekly.com/music/first-listen-smartville-ron-blocks-new-album-hogans-house-music">Nash Country Weekly!</a><br><br style="margin: 0px; color: rgb(208, 208, 208); font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"> Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/38631092015-09-22T12:01:20-05:002022-04-25T13:11:16-05:00Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Hootenanny show added!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/2e2e5dc2805dc3806ac9c9e6bfb34cb9a7276b97/original/12009684-951212374927211-1939722232941005532-n.jpg?1442941237" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br>Doors and DJ at 8pm<br>Show starts at 9pm<br><br>A portion of the proceeds goes to BloodWater<br><br>Also on the bill: Better Tan Ezra, Jars of Clay, The Whistles & the Bells, Emerson Hart, Kelsey Kopecky, Brooke Waggoner, Matthew Perryman Jones, and more!<br><br>Go to BloodWater.org or PilgrimageFestival.com for more informationRon Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/38512232015-09-11T15:28:09-05:002022-09-02T13:13:36-05:00Hogan's House of Music Cd Release Show (Franklin, TN Pucketts)<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/473c3bfdbd6261111bac0165d23e6b58d8aa553c/original/9-27-15-ron-blocks-cd-release-show.jpg?1442003205" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br>For tickets go to: <a href="http://bit.ly/franklinreservations" style="font-family: Helvetica;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/franklinreservations</a><br><br>Join us for this special evening!Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/38461162015-09-08T08:54:45-05:002017-01-10T07:08:21-06:00Pre-order for Hogan's House of Music Now!<p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/2f1160f08044003f88fa03aedd33dd761121e823/medium/11926070-943298945718554-232252493575370917-o.jpg?1441720469" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>After over 30+ years of playing banjo and guitar professionally, and nearly 24 years after joining Alison Krauss and Union Station, I'm thrilled to announce preorder for my first ever bluegrass instrumental recording, Hogan's House of Music, at <a href="http://ronblock.com/store" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://ronblock.com/store</a> </p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The record features Barry Bales, Sam Bush, Tim Crouch, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Mark Fain, Clay Hess, Byron House, Sierra Hull, Rob Ickes, Alison Krauss, Adam Steffey, Jeff Taylor, Dan Tyminski, Lynn Williams, and m<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">yself on banjo and lead guitar.</span></p>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Buy now from <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fronblock.com%2Fstore&h=KAQHfKFuYAQEgRVfx9qYqKW82QAkg_FKkxkfgX3P_4TDPmw&enc=AZMq0YeJuEzAgXYooPLGOAtAYSES7KtrqKbw3w6t0JfGZzxTFHTsmBHZkVSwCzq01cZXnXNpYNojfpg1Cu8EVX4xpEGF3XIk-8YvkVlsYMqWjcdC0DdjuHgH4aIuBjtFs6u2N6TqdIU5uansApx_WgfvLoKjs-pyEYTOp31HwmQseo97ODpWg887eL4EKLJsrrY&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://ronblock.com/store</a> and receive three downloads:</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">1. "Smartville” </p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">2. "The Spotted Pony" (featuring Stuart Duncan and Alison Krauss)</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">3. "Carter's Creek Pike” </p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">PLUS two exclusive free downloads of extra tunes not on the record! Only at <a href="http://ronblock.com/store" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">RonBlock.Com Store</a>.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">Website: <a href="http://ronblock.com/store" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://ronblock.com/store</a></p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">Rabbit Room: <a href="http://store.rabbitroom.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">store.rabbitroom.com</a></p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">iTunes: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fitunes.apple.com%2Fus%2Falbum%2Fhogans-house-of-music%2Fid1036368532&h=AAQFys91KAQGDb5OCWZgpXhBg1tKyD9MrL6EQmzWCMjh7yQ&enc=AZOpHEg3TzVvomn_KkpI951_crfXa_OGFFsUsW9eyE11wdXamc04sEWu_A8J92JAFcrn-Bay8qlL1yhxsBkOnSLihtfNB6S6hdEsJ9VxlGx3QOHgnzr_NhE3Bl9lLy6KrI8U5GCIWVIp73gtUj3UrTq1DQTNA61GxLlxqgrnLM5urlHSlm07h55ye6CYSnuG4KA&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://itunes.apple.com/…/hogans-house-of-mus…/id1036368532</a></p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">(upon purchase from <a href="http://ronblock.com/store" rel="nofollow" style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://ronblock.com/store</a> the 3 downloads and 2 bonus songs will be emailed to you within 24 hours or less)</p>
</div>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/38333022015-08-26T10:23:39-05:002017-01-10T07:08:20-06:00Hogan's House of Music: Bluegrass Instrumentals Pre-order September 8th!<p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/506bc95af2317b984b9b6c0c70cd204de536820c/medium/img-7783.png?1440602598" class="size_m justify_left border_none" alt="" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>The new bluegrass instrumental record, Hogan's House of Music, goes on preorder September 8th. Pre-sale will be on <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FRonBlock.com%2F&h=kAQH-2AYYAQFkJM4mJF68mRdZtQ9XiI2mBLiY462qVMzknw&enc=AZOaguGYfrNTfXfoYtaX4crFxchNDJDEdcfPXEZdot0NkXymgYP9VyDyoCX-7Zf2HR4u904GOZryUV1mC9dc7RjcPK3BdH5SQWCjUHm_XAnxEMiWNjha8R-s0MATuxOnHlaqgCsnK3npm_UnS2j3dVpVItMWcGZC7f5iuOmcBN28tY-HHss8mNZm2x_sTvqoZWnVLtiEX8r6dxinBHM9suTV&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">RonBlock.com</a>, iTunes, <a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2FRabbitRoom.com%2F&h=AAQHqU-KPAQEYSHGcRzxPhIZDEG_yu4xtyWqyx5Ne2A-SXQ&enc=AZODVThZQi0G7b6CUH71srdrfAJqb2ZYd9talUe3Mvut4_1LDieTSomCtQ9vq7jGy6BgdvbFFva4BGSEAGzz0jzL0HMUk-uVsvqjFzGsWuQ7D_TX5tznCNfYapNh77xxg2FgRkulBRRVyqXY8hrROIgNvz__630LkviBSk6WRCy78BqvyEUdwbwCdIXRygjpnAno2OBMkF1-sx5hjAvx2I5H&s=1" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">RabbitRoom.com</a>, and other outlets. </p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Buy early and receive three downloads of the tunes instantly: <br>1. "Smartville" (with Clay Hess, Barry Bales, Jerry Douglas, Adam Steffey, and Tim Crouch). <br>2. "The Spotted Pony" (featuring Stuart Duncan and <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=93061076450" href="https://www.facebook.com/OfficialAlisonKrauss" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Alison Krauss</a>).<br><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">3. "Carter's Creek Pike" (with <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=21344224008" href="https://www.facebook.com/DanTyminski" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Dan Tyminski</a>, Sam Bush, Byron House, <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=56204392064" href="https://www.facebook.com/jerrydouglasband" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;">Jerry Douglas</a>, and Lynn Williams). </span></p>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">Buy early from <a href="http://ronblock.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">RonBlock.com</a> and get the aforementioned tunes PLUS two exclusive free downloads of extra songs not on the record: <br>4. "Fireball Mail" (Tyminski, Steffey, Crouch, Bales, Rob Ickes, and Williams),<br>5. "Little Darlin' Pal of Mine" (Sam Bush, Tyminski, Byron House, and Tim Crouch).</p></div>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/37857852015-07-21T16:18:15-05:002017-01-10T07:08:18-06:00"Hogan's House of Music" to release September 25!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/9be49c3c225d5a8de75ab775d986b50e7f3eb743/original/img-6854.jpg?1437513429" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br> <strong><em>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</em></strong><br><br><strong><em>CONTACT: Ronna Rubin, Rubin Media</em></strong><br><strong><em><a href="mailto:615.298.4400/ronna@rubinmedia.biz">615.298.4400/ronna@rubinmedia.biz</a></em></strong><br><br><strong>Ron Block to Release <em>Hogan’s House of Music</em>September 25</strong><br><strong>First Solo Instrumental Album for 14-Time Grammy Winner</strong><br> <br> <br><strong><em>NASHVILLE, TENN. (July 21, 2015) – </em></strong>Widely respected banjo and guitar player Ron Block will release <em>Hogan’s House of Music</em>, his first instrumental album, Friday, September 25. Block is a 24-year member of Alison Krauss and Union Station.<br><br>Named for his father’s music store in Lawndale, CA, <em>Hogan’s House of Music</em> features guest appearances by (in alphabetical order) Barry Bales, Sam Bush, Tim Crouch, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Mark Fain, Clay Hess, Byron House, Sierra Hull, Rob Ickes, Alison Krauss, Adam Steffey, Jeff Taylor, Dan Tyminski, and Lynn Williams.<br>The album was self-produced by the Grammy, CMA, Dove, and International Bluegrass award winner and engineered by Brandon Bell (Earl Scruggs, Zac Brown Band, Dierks Bentley) at Southern Ground Recording Studios in Nashville.<br><br>The multi-instrumentalist and singer is currently on the road with Alison Krauss and Union Station as they wrap up the Willie Nelson and Family tour.<br> <br>###<br><br><em><a href="http://www.ronblock.com/">www.ronblock.com</a></em>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/37390322015-06-12T09:41:24-05:002017-01-10T07:08:15-06:00Alison Krauss & Union Station on the road with Willie Nelson and Family<p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/e770cff8abebb77b6f3e14f784322e1e9d5be8e9/original/11535905-900032980045151-706937580952640798-n.jpg?1434120075" class="size_l justify_center border_" />It's an exciting week around here. I've been laying down guitar parts and doing preliminary mixes for my new album, "Hogan's House of Music," and preparing to go back out on the road with Alison Krauss & Union Station. </p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">We will be on tour with Willie Nelson this month and next.</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Go to <a href="http://ronblock.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: rgb(59, 89, 152); cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">RonBlock.com</a> for more info on these shows and to see more about my new album releasing this Fall.</p>
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 6px;">I'll do my best to show you pictures, and a little of my vantage point as I go out and play with these great musicians!</p>
<p style="margin: 6px 0px;">Stay tuned.....it'll be fun!</p>
</div>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/37103752015-05-16T22:53:20-05:002023-03-30T17:51:04-05:00"Hogan's House of Music"<div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5558105296dac5688607494" style="display: inline;"><span aria-live="polite" class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft='{"tn":"K"}' id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" style="outline: none; display: inline; width: auto; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; color: rgb(20, 24, 35); font-family: helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/7c78d25c4b40455f354032dc8a3825cff97b0e6b/original/11209520-887888437926272-2653825973493591123-n.jpg?1431834789" class="size_l justify_center border_" />After laying out all the songs for the upcoming banjo instrumental recording, and trying to come up with a title that encompasses the running theme, I’ve decided to name the album "Hogan's House of Music.” <br><br>I grew up as a teenaged banjo and guitar player working for my Dad’s rock and roll music store, Hogan’s House of Music, in Lawndale, California. I was really into traditional bluegrass when I <span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">started working there at 16, in 1980 – Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Jimmy Martin, J.D. Crowe, the Osborne Brothers, Reno & Smiley, Larry Sparks, the Stanley Brothers, Ralph Stanley, and others. The Hogan’s employees were hilariously funny, most of them musicians (Gilby Clarke went on to play with Guns and Roses and have his own career). The guys played Eric Clapton, Skynyrd, the Eagles, Pat Metheny, Fleetwood Mac, Leslie West, ZZ Top, B.B. King, Boston, Foreigner, and many more on the store stereo. When I was working sales, I’d be hearing all that music for several hours a day, and then head home to learn from people like J.D. Crowe and Earl Scruggs. <br><br>But those sounds from Hogan’s eventually began to affect me. At about 19 or 20 I started buying recordings of other genres – particularly electric guitar players like Larry Carlton, Pat Metheny, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, and Roy Nichols with Merle Haggard, among others. I worked for Hogan’s for about five years, and quit just before I went out to South Plains College for two semesters. Hogan’s House of Music was the first and the last day job I ever had. <br><br>In making this banjo record, I am combining a lot of these influences that I love. The underlay is found in those traditional bluegrass sounds of Jimmy Martin, J.D. Crowe, Lester and Earl. There’s some banjo craziness a la Sonny Osborne, Don Reno single-string, old-time fiddle tunes, bluesy tunes with electric guitar influences, and a hint of Leon Rhodes and the Texas Troubadours. It will be recorded in the next three days. Barry Bales, Dan Tyminski, Adam Steffey, Sam Bush, Lynn Williams, Stuart Duncan, Clay Hess, Byron House, Sierra Hull, Mark Fain, Alison Krauss, and Jerry Douglas will all take part.<br><br>(Back image of album...not final art)</span></span></span></div>
<div><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" style="display: inline;"> </div></div>Ron Blocktag:www.ronblock.com,2005:Post/37038782015-05-11T22:11:32-05:002021-02-13T18:47:58-06:00Instrumental Bluegrass Album To Be Released In September<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/163270/4e6353ab22df9b93e5c6f5e7147030c0e27906c0/original/img-5302.jpg?1431400283" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br>Bluegrass instrumental recording in the works!<br><br>Glad to say that for the first time in over 30 years of playing banjo professionally I'll be soon recording my very first instrumental bluegrass record. I’ll be writing and finalizing tunes and arrangements this week. It's been a blast digging through some of my banjo influences - Flatt & Scruggs, J.D. Crowe, Jimmy Martin and the like, and then reaching into some of my guitar influences like Eric Clapton, Roy Nichols, Leon Rhodes, and others. <br><br>Musicians on the recording so far will be Barry Bales, Adam Steffey, Dan Tyminski, Sam Bush, Stuart Duncan, Jerry Douglas, Clay Hess, Alison Krauss, Sierra Hull, and Mark Fain.<br><br>Recording will be at Zac Brown’s Southern Ground studio, engineered by Brandon Bell, longtime associate of Gary Paczosa. Looking forward to working with all these folks!<br><br>(Record title TBA)<br><br>Photo by: Crystal Martel Photography Ron Block