Photo of Lil Ronnie and the Grand Dukes

Lil Ronnie and the Grand Dukes

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Released: Jan 30, 2009
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General Info

  • Genre: Blues / Roots Music / Soul

    Location RICHMOND, Virginia, US

    Profile Views: 75703

    Last Login: 2/28/2012

    Member Since 1/30/2009

    Website www.lilronnie.com

    Record Label Trust Me Baby Records

    Type of Label Indie

  • Bio

    .. .. .. .. .... .. Lil’ Ronnie & the Grand Dukes are, to quote one reviewer, "...the real deal! ... superb talents well versed in traditional blues". While Ronnie & the band are well schooled in all styles of blues they also use elements of 50's r&b, soul, vintage rock & roll & jazz in their unique blend of American roots music. Lil’ Ronnie and the Grand Dukes are led by blues singer / songwriter and Hohner Harmonica endorsee, Ronnie Keith Owens. Ronnie was born in Richmond, VA in 1950. Inspired and encouraged by his jazz drumming uncle, Ronnie was beatin’ the skins by the time he was 8, and giging in local bands by the tender age of 13. Ronnie was weaned on the sounds of swing jazz, rhythm & blues and 50's rock & roll, but it was the post-war urban blues that really spoke to Ronnie, especially the deep blues of Muddy Waters, the wicked harp of Little Walter and all the great Chess artists. Ronnie is a member of that first generation of young white bluesmen who embraced the genre during the folk / blues revival of the 60’s. Ronnie finally, at the age of 30, put down his sticks and picked up the harp and within a couple of years he was fronting his own bands as both singer and harp player. Ronnie has now been leading his own bands for over 25 years. He has played with or shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the blues, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, 'Gatemouth' Brown, Albert Collins, Jerry Portnoy, ledgendary Blues Band w/ Pinetop Perkins, Matt Murphy, Taj Mahal, Carey Bell, Anson Funderburg, Sam Meyers, Johnny Winter, John Mayall, and many many others. Ronnie toured the US and Canada as a featured member of Big Bill Morganfield’s (Muddy’s son) band. Ronnie has also performed with Mark Hummel’s prestigious “Blues Harmonica Blowouts” where he performed with top blues artists, James Harman, Magic Dick, Fingers Taylor and Mark Wenner. Ronnie has also hosted his own ‘Blues Harmonica Revue tours’ featuring west coast Harmonica greats, Mitch Kashmar, John Nemeth and RJ Mischo. Ronnie has worked hard and paid his dues to earn the respect of his peers. Ronnie and his band ‘the Grand Dukes’ are a critically acclaimed touring band and play anywhere from funky little blues bars, where the music was invented, to major blues festivals, including a headlining & swinging night at New York’s prestigious Lincoln Center. They have earned the reputation as an exciting, must see band! Ronnie and the band have recorded 3 critically acclaimed and internationally distributed CD’s. Their latest CD ‘do what’cha do’, produced by renowned Texas blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh was a hit with Blues & Americana radio worldwide. The CD reached 5 on XM Radio’s Bluesville and reached 15 on ‘Living Blues’ worldwide radio charts, where it stayed for 2 months! ‘do what’cha do’ was ranked 8 in Real Blues Magazine top CD’s of 2005, the band was also named ‘Best US Blues Band 2005’ from Real Blues Magazine. Ronnie and the Grand Dukes were also voted ‘Best Blues Artist’ at the 5th Annual Virginia Music Awards. http://hohnerusa.com/banners/Hohner_Web_Banner_Pale_Figures.gif">..
  • Members

    Ronnie Owens - vocals/harp, Ivan Appelrouth - guitar, John Fralin - keyboards, John Sheppard - bass, Mark Young - drums
  • Influences

    Son House, Charlie Patton. Robert Johson, Muddy Water's, Little Walter, Big Walter, Howling Wolf, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Rogers, Bo Diddley, George "Harmonica" Smith, Sonny Boy Williamson I & II, Deford Bailey, Dr. Ross, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Billy Boy Aronld, Carey Bell, Sam Meyers, Robert Lockwood Jr. Otis Spann, Slim Harpo, Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor, Lightin' Hopkins, John lee Hooker, Elmore James, Junior Parker, T-Bone Walker, The 3 Kings, Guitar Slim, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Lowell Fulson, Ray Charles, 'Gatemouth' Brown, Albert Collins, Guitar Jr, Louie Armstrong, Louis Jordon, Big Joe Turner, Ike Turner, Fat's Domino, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Hank Williams Sr, Jimmy Rodgers, Ernst Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Webb Pierce, Ray Price, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Marty Robbins, early Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbinson & all the great musicians in these great bands, there's more, we havn't even hit on all the swing, big band & jazz cats who's licks I still try to steal, and that's just thru the 50's!! The true Pioneers of American roots music.
  • Sounds Like

    Lil Ronnie and the Grand Dukes

Comments

Post a comment...
  • 10 months ago
  • Frank Ipach

    "Do Wat'cha Do" is a great record. Love it.

    2 years ago
  • Veruca Jones

    What's up Lil Ronnie And The Grand Dukes? What wonderful vibrations you are capable of. Your intoxicating reflection can but incorporate freely into the powerful surface of a disintegrating mirror set afloat upon a swarm of locusts. In your absence I am forced into finding other forms of amusement while thinking about you. Panoramic aromavision is the future. Your wonderfully bright soul keep the demons from torturing me. Wood nymphs sprinkle your path with rose petals while you dance and prowl in the sequined moonlight with leftover cupcake sprinkles. I love your eyes, I know they can stare through my thoughts. Your tears evoke a taste as memorable as honey. Your eyes show as many deep and full shades of fire as a volcano in heat. Please let me hear more of that wonderful sound. Your hair sends forth a sheen remniscent of golden sunlight winding through shadows. As the bliss slowly rises in my incandescent eluxulator, your mere presence has a euphoric effect upon me. How it passes there and back again like a tear drop glistening in moonlight.

    2 years ago
  • Clayton Hall

    THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP!

    3 years ago
  • ShyneBeats

    Hey! Nice to have you in my friend list! I have a gift for you! DOWNLOAD THESE BEATS FOR FREE!!!!!!!

    IF YOU WANT MORE BEATS VISIT http://www.shynebeats.com/ http://www.shynebeats.com/ http://www.shynebeats.com/ http://www.shynebeats.com/ http://www.shynebeats.com/ ******************************************************* IF YOU KNOW ANYBODY WHO NEEDS BEATS - PLEASE RECOMMEND US !!! ******************************************************* THANKS

    3 years ago
  • Easwood {twitter.com/ea…

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    1PS3, 2 pairs of shoes, and free beats... SO FOLLOW ME

    3 years ago
  • Nice As Pie

    It’s a real pleasure to meet you Ronnie, and a very warm welcome to our friends.

    Wishing you a fun Sunday

    Regards&Luv….Steve &

    NICE AS PIE.

    New CD “STAND WELL BACK” *AVAILABLE NOW* on niceaspie.net

    Photobucket

    3 years ago
  • Hot Springs Blues Festi…

    HOT SPRINGS BLUES FESTIVAL Sept 4,5,6   All new MySpace site www.myspace.com/hotspringsbluesfestival

    HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS


    BLUES FESTIVAL LINE UP
    Hill Wheatley Plaza in downtown Hot Springs, Arkansas.
    Interstate 30 follow the signs to Hot Springs

    Details at www.bluesguitarnews.com

    Friday, 9/4, 6:00 PM
    Mike "Whisker Fish" Dolllins & The Cruize Brothers
    Undeground Blues Division
    2blu
    Stella Vees.

    Saturday, 9/5, 3:00 PM
    Ben "Swamp Donkey" Brenner,
    Unseen Eye
    Joe Pitts Band
    WSNB
    JP Soars and the Red Hots
    Shemekia Copeland

    3 years ago
  • The Freestate HouseRock…

    Thanks Ronnie, Best of luck to you guys. PJ

    3 years ago
  • The Electromatics Featu…

    Thanks for saying so...always enjoyed you.  We have alot of friends in common but did not get to meet when I lived up north.  My best and I hope to catch you in person soon.  Jon

    3 years ago
10 of 22More

Bio:

.. .. .. ..
.. .. Lil’ Ronnie & the Grand Dukes are, to quote one reviewer, "...the real deal! ... superb talents well versed in traditional blues". While Ronnie & the band are well schooled in all styles of blues they also use elements of 50's r&b, soul, vintage rock & roll & jazz in their unique blend of American roots music. Lil’ Ronnie and the Grand Dukes are led by blues singer / songwriter and Hohner Harmonica endorsee, Ronnie Keith Owens. Ronnie was born in Richmond, VA in 1950. Inspired and encouraged by his jazz drumming uncle, Ronnie was beatin’ the skins by the time he was 8, and giging in local bands by the tender age of 13. Ronnie was weaned on the sounds of swing jazz, rhythm & blues and 50's rock & roll, but it was the post-war urban blues that really spoke to Ronnie, especially the deep blues of Muddy Waters, the wicked harp of Little Walter and all the great Chess artists. Ronnie is a member of that first generation of young white bluesmen who embraced the genre during the folk / blues revival of the 60’s. Ronnie finally, at the age of 30, put down his sticks and picked up the harp and within a couple of years he was fronting his own bands as both singer and harp player. Ronnie has now been leading his own bands for over 25 years. He has played with or shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the blues, John Lee Hooker, James Cotton, 'Gatemouth' Brown, Albert Collins, Jerry Portnoy, ledgendary Blues Band w/ Pinetop Perkins, Matt Murphy, Taj Mahal, Carey Bell, Anson Funderburg, Sam Meyers, Johnny Winter, John Mayall, and many many others. Ronnie toured the US and Canada as a featured member of Big Bill Morganfield’s (Muddy’s son) band. Ronnie has also performed with Mark Hummel’s prestigious “Blues Harmonica Blowouts” where he performed with top blues artists, James Harman, Magic Dick, Fingers Taylor and Mark Wenner. Ronnie has also hosted his own ‘Blues Harmonica Revue tours’ featuring west coast Harmonica greats, Mitch Kashmar, John Nemeth and RJ Mischo. Ronnie has worked hard and paid his dues to earn the respect of his peers. Ronnie and his band ‘the Grand Dukes’ are a critically acclaimed touring band and play anywhere from funky little blues bars, where the music was invented, to major blues festivals, including a headlining & swinging night at New York’s prestigious Lincoln Center. They have earned the reputation as an exciting, must see band! Ronnie and the band have recorded 3 critically acclaimed and internationally distributed CD’s. Their latest CD ‘do what’cha do’, produced by renowned Texas blues guitarist Anson Funderburgh was a hit with Blues & Americana radio worldwide. The CD reached 5 on XM Radio’s Bluesville and reached 15 on ‘Living Blues’ worldwide radio charts, where it stayed for 2 months! ‘do what’cha do’ was ranked 8 in Real Blues Magazine top CD’s of 2005, the band was also named ‘Best US Blues Band 2005’ from Real Blues Magazine. Ronnie and the Grand Dukes were also voted ‘Best Blues Artist’ at the 5th Annual Virginia Music Awards. http://hohnerusa.com/banners/Hohner_Web_Banner_Pale_Figures.gif">.. ..

Member Since:

January 30, 2009

Members:

Ronnie Owens - vocals/harp, Ivan Appelrouth - guitar, John Fralin - keyboards, John Sheppard - bass, Mark Young - drums

Influences:

Son House, Charlie Patton. Robert Johson, Muddy Water's, Little Walter, Big Walter, Howling Wolf, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Rogers, Bo Diddley, George "Harmonica" Smith, Sonny Boy Williamson I & II, Deford Bailey, Dr. Ross, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Billy Boy Aronld, Carey Bell, Sam Meyers, Robert Lockwood Jr. Otis Spann, Slim Harpo, Jimmy Reed, Eddie Taylor, Lightin' Hopkins, John lee Hooker, Elmore James, Junior Parker, T-Bone Walker, The 3 Kings, Guitar Slim, Johnny 'Guitar' Watson, Lowell Fulson, Ray Charles, 'Gatemouth' Brown, Albert Collins, Guitar Jr, Louie Armstrong, Louis Jordon, Big Joe Turner, Ike Turner, Fat's Domino, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Hank Williams Sr, Jimmy Rodgers, Ernst Tubb, Lefty Frizzell, Webb Pierce, Ray Price, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Marty Robbins, early Elvis, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbinson & all the great musicians in these great bands, there's more, we havn't even hit on all the swing, big band & jazz cats who's licks I still try to steal, and that's just thru the 50's!! The true Pioneers of American roots music.

Sounds Like:

Lil Ronnie and the Grand Dukes

Record Label:

Trust Me Baby Records

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