Ron Stewart (bluegrass)


Ron Stewart is an American multi-instrumentalist in the bluegrass tradition. He plays fiddle, guitar, banjo, and mandolin, and has won the International Bluegrass Music Association award for Fiddle Player of the Year in 2000 and Banjo Player of the Year in 2011.

Biography

Early years

Ron Stewart was born on December 11, 1968, in Paoli, Indiana. Stewart began playing fiddle at age 3 and at age 9, Stewart made several guest appearances with Lester Flatt, and appeared on one of his live albums. From 1977 until 1990, Stewart, played in the Stewart Family Band with his parents.

Recording and performing career

Curly Seckler

Stewart began working with Curly Seckler in 1989, and recorded two albums with him: Tribute to Lester Flatt and Bluegrass Gospel.

Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers

From 1991 until 1994, Stewart was a member of Gary Brewer and the Kentucky Ramblers. Other members included Bill Colwell and Dale "Punch" Taylor.

Lynn Morris Band

From 1997 until 2003, Stewart played banjo, guitar, and fiddle with the Lynn Morris Band. The band included Morris, Marshall Wilborn, Jesse Brock, and Stewart.

Time Stands Still

In 2001, Stewart released Time Stands Still, his first solo album in 22 years. Lynn Morris produced, and guest artists included Dudley Connell, Sammy Shelor, Rob Ickes, and Marshall Wilborn.

J. D. Crowe and the New South

In 2003, Stewart joined J. D. Crowe and the New South, which also included Rickey Wasson, Dwight McCall, and Harold Nixon.

Dan Tyminski Band

Stewart joined the Dan Tyminski Band in 2007 along with Adam Steffey, Barry Bales, and Justin Moses.

Longview

2008, Stewart recorded and performed with Longview, along with Marshall Wilborn, Don Rigsby, James King, Lou Reid, and J. D. Crowe for the album Deep In The Mountains.

The Boxcars

In 2009, Stewart formed the Boxcars with Adam Steffey, John Bowman, Keith Garrett, and Harold Nixon.
2011 IBMA Emerging Artist and Instrumental Group of the Year.

The Seldom Scene

In 2017, the Boxcars disbanded, and Stewart joined the Seldom Scene, replacing Rickie Simpkins.

Awards

Stewart won the IBMA award for Fiddle Player of the Year in 2000 and the IBMA Award for Banjo Player of the Year in 2011.

Instruments

Warren Yates produces the Ron Stewart Signature Series Banjo, designed to look and sound like a 1933 banjo.
Stewart and his father Frank re-voice, restore, and repair acoustic stringed instruments, and they build violins under the name F&R Stewart Violins.

Personal life

Stewart has a ranch called Sleepy Valley Ranch on which Stewart and his wife built a log house from trees on the ranch in 2000. Stewart also operates Sleepy Valley Barn, a recording studio.

Discography

Solo albums

  • 1979: Talkin' Fiddle Blues as Fiddlin' Ronnie Stewart
  • 1982: Walking In The Moonlight as Fiddlin' Ronnie Stewart and the Stewart Family
  • 2001: ''Time Stands Still''

With [Curly Seckler] with Willis Spears

With [Gary Brewer]

  • 1996: Guitar
  • 1996: ''Nearing Jordan's Crossing''

The Lynn Morris">Lynn Morris (musician)">Lynn Morris Band

  • 1999: You'll Never Be the Sun
  • 2003: ''Shape of a Tear''

With [J. D. Crowe] and the New South">New South (band)">New South

  • 2007: ''Lefty's Old Guitar''

With Longview

  • 2008: ''Deep in the Mountains''

With the Boxcars

  • 2010: The Boxcars
  • 2012: All In
  • 2013: It’s Just a Road
  • 2016: ''Familiar With The Ground''

As producer

  • 2004: John Lawless - Five & Dime
  • 2004: Jeff Parker - Two Roads to Travel
  • 2005: Darrell Webb - Behind the Scenes
  • 2007: Tommy Webb - Eastern Kentucky
  • 2008: Rickey Wasson - From the Heart and Soul
  • 2009: Tommy Webb - ''Heartland''

Also appears on

1985 - 2001

2002 - 2004

2005 - 2009

2010 - present

  • 2010: J. D. Crowe, Doyle Lawson, and Paul Williams - Old Friends Get Together
  • 2010: Steve Gulley and Tim Stafford - Dogwood Winter
  • 2010: Brand New Strings - No Strings Attached
  • 2010: Lou Reid and Carolina - Sounds Like Heaven To Me
  • 2011: Sierra Hull - Daybreak
  • 2011: Charlie Sizemore - Heartache Looking for a Home
  • 2011: Larry Sparks - Almost Home
  • 2012: American Drive - American Drive
  • 2012: Richard Bennett - Last Train from Poor Valley's
  • 2012: Carrie Hassler - Distance
  • 2012: Lou Reid and Carolina - Callin' Me Back Home
  • 2012: Kenny and Amanda Smith - Catch Me If I Try
  • 2012: The Spinney Brothers - Memories
  • 2013: James King - Three Chords and the Truth
  • 2013: Nu-Blu - Ten
  • 2013: The Spinney Brothers - No Borders
  • 2014: Richard Bennett - In the Wind Somewhere
  • 2014: Steve Gulley - Family, Friends & Fellowship
  • 2014: Nu-Blu - All the Way
  • 2015: John Bowman - Beautiful Ashes
  • 2016: Rickey Wasson - ''Croweology - The Study of J.D. Crowe's Musical Legacy''

Music instruction

  • 2010 Ron Stewart: A Bluegrass Banjo Professional DVD
  • 2011: Ron Stewart: The Fiddlers of Flatt and Scruggs DVD
  • 2011: Ron Stewart: Playing Fiddle in the Bluegrass Style DVD