Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
January 25, 2007 issue
Winston-Salem Bluesman Big Ron Hunter Reenergizes the Blues
Show at Baxter’s this Saturday, January 27
Story by David Brewer
“At the end of a long road, there’s a better day if you play your cards right,” sings Winston-Salem bluesman Big Ron Hunter in the lead track of his debut album from 2006 entitled Pouring Out The Blues. For Hunter, the road to the ever-brightening music spotlight has been long indeed. Now in his mid-50s, the Forsyth County native is earning recognition wherever he goes.
Hunter will perform at Baxter’s Blues and BBQ for free on Saturday, January 27, starting at 6:00 p.m.
Though Hunter is just now starting to dedicate himself to his music career, the talented performer has been playing the guitar and singing since early in his childhood. Though music was never far from Hunter’s mind, raising and supporting a family took precedence over his musical aspirations.
High Country music fans have had several chances to acquaint themselves with Hunter. In addition to performing at the 2005 Thrill on the Hill festival, Hunter has performed at Baxter’s and The Library, both solo and also with The King Bees.
It’s easy for people to get the wrong idea when hearing that a performer plays the blues. The sheer variety of blues styles is mind-boggling. Hunter’s blues are a modern hybrid of folk music, piedmont blues, rock and soul progressions, jazzy flourishes and gospel feeling. When asked about his influences, Hunter reeled off an incredibly long and diverse list of artists, all of whom can be heard in small doses throughout his music.
“What I’m trying to do is develop a new, original sound in blues,” said Hunter. “I’m just adding some freshness to the blues.”
What makes the music so irresistible is Hunter’s lightly weathered but truly uplifting voice. A slight country inflection, his on-the-money tenor vibrato and fantastic phrasing make Hunter an engaging listen.
Lyrically, Hunter’s mood on Pouring Out The Blues is introspective, reflecting over his many years as a musician. Though some of the numbers cover the various hard times often documented in the blues, Hunter also sings the praises of the Lord as well as his father in others, giving the disc a sunnier outlook than some blues offerings.
In late 2006, national publication Living Blues Magazine chronicled Hunter’s life in a five-page article, giving him great name recognition outside of Winston-Salem. He has also been the subject of glowing reviews in a number of other publications.
In recent months, Pouring Out The Blues has made its way into the hands of blues fans well beyond the Carolinas. Hunter’s disc has received airplay in Canada, Australia and Sweden. “I got an email saying that they were playing it in Hong Kong,” said Hunter.
Hunter recently made a trip to play in Washington, D.C., opening for award-winning blues singer Shemekia Copeland and wowing a crowd that included several members of congress. Hunter and his Americana band also recently opened a show at Winston-Salem’s Stevens Center for bluegrass legend Dr. Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys.
In March, Hunter, along with other members of the Musicmaker Relief Foundation, will travel to perform in Paris, France. Trips to the Chicago Blues Festival and the Pocono Mountains are also in the works for Hunter.
Throughout the last couple of years, Hunter’s wife of more than 20 years has been supportive of her husband’s wishes to take his show on the road, so long as he is bringing home the bacon.
“My wife said to me ‘You get out of this house and bring my back some money,’” said Hunter. “I love playing live, especially when I’m getting paid well to do it.”
In talking with Hunter, it is immediately apparent that he intends to take full advantage of his growing popularity. Far from satisfied with resting on his laurels, Hunter is planning the release of a live CD within the next month. Following the live disc, which, according to Hunter is a more Americana type of sound featuring his full band, the singer-songwriter plans to record an all-electric album with horns, as well as a spiritual album.
Want To Go?
Date: Saturday, January 27
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Baxter’s Blues & BBQ
Cost: FREE!