Biography

Best known for his role as the musical director of the internationally acclaimed public radio show, Mountain Stage, Ron Sowell is also a dynamic singer-songwriter, guitarist, performer and producer.

Growing up on the high desert plains in Roswell, New Mexico, with his fellow "aliens," Ron dedicated his early years to both sports and music. He learned to sing by mimicking his dad's high tenor in church and he played a mean third base for his state champion little league team.

At age 13 his life was altered forever when his mother bought him a guitar and lessons at a local music store (a decision she later questioned!). Buoyed by her encouragement and the revelation that "girls dig it," Ron played till his fingers hurt in a series of rock bands and folk groups.

In high school he was crushed by the realization (and several NFL-sized linebackers on the opposing football team) that at 5'8" and 155 pounds, a professional sports career was not in his future. So, heading off to college with a scholarship to sing in the choir in his pocket, Ron dove headlong into developing his guitar and singing skills. It was then that he began writing his first songs.

After graduation he loaded up his battered Dodge and hit the road playing clubs and coffee houses. Four years later, on a brief visit to the beautiful hills of West Virginia, he felt "so right" that he unloaded his car and put down roots. There he formed two eclectic and critically acclaimed bands, "The Putnam County Pickers" and "Stark Raven." He recorded four albums, clocked thousands of miles and performed across the United States, Greenland, Iceland, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Crete and Ethiopia.

At the same time Ron joined a fledgling local radio show called Mountain Stage as the resident guitar player, eventually becoming the music director. Mountain Stage is now heard each week on 120 public radio stations nationwide and worldwide via Voice of America. On the show he has played with hundreds of performers, such as Sarah McLachian, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, Kathy Mattea and the legends Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Rambling Jack Elliott and Odetta.

In 1992 he released his first solo CD, Oil and Water, featuring ten original compositions. The songs range from the absurdly humorous to the socially conscious. His story songs have been compared to John Gurka and Nancy Griffith, and his voice to James Taylor.

As a performer he has the gift to make a thousand people in a concert hall feel like they are sitting in his living room. He's engaging and funny and plays great guitar and harmonica. Whether making you laugh or cry, sing or dance, Ron Sowell exudes sincerity and grace rarely found in such an accomplished entertainer.