New Orleans-based Father Ron and Friends, a folk/Americana band, are taking advantage of glorious fall weather to perform music from their Global Music Award-winning Forever The Seasons [Louisiana Red Hot Records] at fall festivals (Abita Fall Festival / Ozone Songwriters), lawn concerts, and porch performances.
Retired Episcopal priest Father Ron Clingenpeel, folk DJ on beloved New Orleans radio station WWOZ, has toured the world evangelizing for folk’s powers of peace and healing. Originally from Nebraska, Father Ron served as priest at Chapel of the Holy Spirit across from Tulane University in New Orleans. His band’s journey started with a tribute to Pete Seeger a decade ago, and is still rolling in the folk/Americana renaissance.
Inspired by the life of Pete Seeger, The Seekers, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and more, Father Ron and Friends have spent the year leading children’s folk singalongs for the Little Box of Good News program from the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, performing Don’t Let The Fire Die at a New Orleans MLK Service, and lifting spirits at their popular porch performance series.
Father Ron and Friends lend their voices to Americana folk with members: Robert Eustis on guitar; David Schwartz on keyboards; Barbara Smith-Davis on vocals; and Max Valentino on bass. Their Great American Singalong introduces new generations to the rich history of folk.
Following their album On My Way Home, Father Ron and Friends' 2024 album Forever The Seasons features the award-winning title ballad, the haunting refrain of The Promise Land, and New Orleans classic Saint James Infirmary. The songs Roll River Roll, Don’t Let The Fire Die [Global Music Award], Bayou Goula Ball, San Antonio Rain, Easy Moments, Another Night, Blues #42, and comedic original Damned Roaches round out the acclaimed album.
Guest musicians on Forever The Seasons are Louisiana greats Jack Craft on cello and Gina Forsyth on fiddle, and the chorus includes New Orleans vocal divas Debbie Davis (Smith-Davis’ daughter) and Cole Williams. The album, produced by Andre Bohren and recorded at studios including Marigny in New Orleans, is on the New Orleans Public Library’s Crescent City Sound.
Father Ron and Friends Fall / Winter 2025
October 4: Porch Concert, Fontainebleau, New Orleans, 5 p.m.
October 5: Lawn Concert, Park Place, New Orleans, 4 p.m.
October 9: Grill & Grocery, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, 8 p.m.
October 11: Abita Fall Fest, Abita Springs, LA, 11 a.m.
November 1: Robert & Ron, Ozone Songwriters Fest, Covington, 3 p.m.
November 2: Porch Concert, Marigny St., Gentilly, New Orleans
November 13: La Divina, Baton Rouge, LA, 6 p.m.
November 14: Lawn Concert, Mid-City, New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.
November 21: Lawn Concert, The New Neutral Ground, New Orleans, 6:30 p.m.
Porch and Lawn Concert addresses at: fatherronandfriends.com
