Pretty much a solo performer at this time. However I do utilize a DigiTech Vocal Harmonizer for my background vocals... I call em "The Eh-Two-Fayes". I'm also accompanied by the fabulous Dr. Rhythm... my most excellent drum machine. On some occassions the very entertaining Mr. Kerry Durfee, Keyboards, is also utilized (yeah, he's an actual person).
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CONTACT US: To contact us for performing within the SOUTHERN ILLINOIS TRI-STATE areas please call: .....618.....996.....3257 and leave message. Our rates are: $75.00 per hour ($200.00 Minimum).
Thanks,
Ron Bertrand
The GUMBOLIMBO or SWAMPABBEAN sound is an influence from a wide variety of musical artists... very wide. Growing up on Swamp Pop on the Bayous of Southeast Texas, Fats Domino ruled! However along the way there was also ELVIS (Sun Label Years), Roy Orbison, Jerry Butler, Rod Bernard, Chuck Berry, Wanda Jackson, Johnny Winter & Edgar Winter, John Denver, The Kingston Trio, Harry Nilsson, Big Joe Turner, BB King, Roy Head, Barbara Lynn, B.J. Thomas, Johnny Nash, Scotty Lee Shuffield, Jimmy Buffett and even Tiny Tim.
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SPECIAL NOTE: My new CD, "TEQUILA TONIGHT, TOMORROW WE RIDE!" Is Now Available For Purchase At: .... www.Swampabbean.com
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TESTIMONIAL... AS TAKEN FROM THE BELIZEWEB COMMUNITY FORUM: "I have been a music buff since I was 7 or 8 listening to country music on an AM transitor radio in South Dakota. I had a love for all music, even Gospel. All music lifts my heart. But now, much older, I have still a wide variety of music I listen to daily from Jimmy Buffett to Eminem. Blues, Country and even some Rap are all execllent. And speaking of Belize, a couple of years ago I ran across a CD by Gumbo Ron and the GumboLimbo Band. Ron Bertrand is originally from Illinois and has made a few trips to Belize and brought back his love of Belize to the US, this is not "Belize Music" but is music about Belize. I would say it’s a cross between the Beach Boys and Bob Dylan. About a year after I bought the first CD, Ron and his band came out with another which I purchased also, they are both excellent. Ron’s squelly voice is indescribable, but give these songs a listen and I gaurantee you’ll be singing along if you just give them time. Ron’s website is www.BelizeMusic.com I am not being paid by Ron or the band, GumboLimbo, even though I wish I was and haven’t talked to Ron since moving to Albuquerque last year but I gaurantee he is still writing and visiting Belize. Thanks, Darwin
Sounds Like
A Lovin' Spoonful Of Swamp Pop With A Dash Of Caribbean Trop-Rock. GUMBO LIMBO... "WE AIN'T GONNA STOP, TILL WE PUT SOME SWAMP, IN THE TROP ROCK!"
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LIMITED TIME SPECIAL OFFER: Go to: www.Swampabbean.com and order more than one CD. You will receive a FREE gift consisting of one complete set of five "All The Girls" Belikin Beer Coasters. Great gift for anyone who's been to Belize.
FIRST AND FOREMOST... SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE HELPED IN GETTING TWO SONGS FROM MY NEW CD, "TEQUILA TONIGH, TOMORROW WE RIDE!" IN TO THE TOP 10 LISTING ON:
******************** RADIO JIMMYDREAMZ ********************
Top 10 tracks on Radio JimmyDreamz:
1. Blame It On Buffett - Kelly McGuire
2. Up Against The Wall Redneck Mother - Jim Morris & Sunny Jim
3. Nymphomaniac - Pat Dailey
4. Public Relations - Jimmy Buffett
5. Island Fais Do Do - Ron Bertrand
6. Tequila Makes My Clothes Fall Off - The Whaleshark
7. Thank God For Palm Trees - T Scott Walker
8. Little Victories - Sunny Jim
9. Mack The Knife - Jimmy Buffett
10. Give Me Seventy Two Wenches - Ron Bertrand
**Based on ratings the past 30 days (updated 6/5/2008)
**Vote for your favorite tracks: When listening to Radio JimmyDreamz simply click the 'thumbs up' for tracks you like and 'thumbs down' for tracks you dislike. We use the ratings to determine which tracks should be removed from our rotation. Thanks for voting!
***** THE CD CAN BE PURCHASED AT: www.Swampabbean.com *****
Okay, now the rest of the story.....
Ron Bertrand has been singin' and playing music since he was a kid. Growing up in Beaumont, Texas and what's called "The Golden Triangle", he was both influenced and inspired by many musicians within that area. You know, folks like Johnny and Edgar Winter, Janis Joplin, the Big Bopper, Barbara Lynn, Rod Bernard, George Jones, Dickie Lee, Joe Berry, Big Sambo And The House Wreckers, B.J. Thomas and so darn many others. It seemed only natural that while in high school Ron started his own band. They called themselves "The Rullettes" and played all the proms, teen dances and such but also played all the "Beach Bars" located between High Island and Galveston. However, all good things must end and Ron eventually went on to "get a real job". It would be many years later that Ron would move to Belize to live on the small island of Caye Caulker. It was there that on rainy days Ron wrote several songs about living and experiencing Belize from what he calls "an island perspective". After returning to the States Ron recorded these songs and began selling, via the Internet, a CD entitled "Going Down To Belize". A year later this CD was followed up with one called, "Got DeBlues-N-BeLize". Presently 15 of the tracks used on these two CDs plus a new song entitled, "Going Back To Belize" has been released and this one is simply called, "WHAT WE BELIZE IN".
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JUMP TO THE PRESENT... Ron has recently completed his new CD, "TEQUILA TONIGHT, TOMORROW WE RIDE!". This CD is Trop-Rock oriented with a touch of his Swampabbean thing (e.g., Island Fais Do Do). Once again, this is a "I'm quittin' my job and headin' south till I see a Tiki Bar" kind of album, but what the heck, wouldn't we all like to do that? !!! This CD is available for purchase at several Internet Sites (Google: Tequila Tonight CD) or go to: ..... www.Swampabbean.com
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THANKS FOR SUPPORTING TROP-ROCK MUSIC.
<<<<< SPECIAL THANKS TO: RADIO JIMMYDREAMZ >>>>>
Hey Dad, I'm waiting 4 U to post some pics of the new TIKI BAR. I'm dying to see it. I hope U like the father's day stuff we sent. Oh and did Deb's wine gift come in a picnic basket? I was curious as to wether or not they packaged it like they described it and what the wines were. Big Kahuna Hugs and Kisses, Beki
I hope so too! Damn boat's still not launched, tho :( Hey. I love the Nana Mon song! Make you a deal... I'll start performing it if you'll start doing my 'Keepin' it Jimmy" (check my profile)
Hey dad, sorry i haven't gotten in touch w/ u in a while but things are cooky here. some updates to tell u and some stuff i'd like to ask u about so i will be calling u soon. i know u are still rockin out on the lake and i wish we were there to take part in it! we love u and deb ALOT so i'll call soon!
Hey Ron, Glad you like my songs. The guitar in the picture where I'm wearing the pink tank was a Takamine, not mine though, so I can't tell you anymore. The guitar you hear in the songs is mine--it's a Taylor 614CE and I love it! Great acoustic/electric guitar and fun to play. If you look in my pix section and click on the picture with the bird you'll see more pix come up and see the guitar. Cindy
Gumbo Ron, Love your space page. You play some mean R&B. It's a good think my fiddle string broke the other nite because I could't have kept up with your fancy picken no how.Merry Christmas.. The Duke of Earl
Hey GumboRon! I wish those were my horses! Rooster is the horse of a friend. He is a BEAUTY!!!! Cheyanne was a horse in Pelham, AL at the Oak Mt. Park. I love horses...one day intend on having a bunch. Thanks again for adding me!!...there is just something great about a Friday, listening to Buffett, eating pizza, and talking to new friends!!! Like the commercial says....it don't get any better than this! Oh, and working when I feel like it..shhhh don't tell my boss.
Hope things are well up your way... happy holidays from the Parrot Island Band (OK, mostly from me.... but it sounds better coming from "the band,doesn't it? :-) Bry
I've got some new Parrot Island songs up on our page, I'm telling folks they sound best with your eyes closed, leaning back in a comfortable chair and day-dreaming about a nice warm beach... have a Happy Thanksgiving... Bry
