About Ron Kendricks...

Ron has been entertaining in one capacity or another since he was a child. Whether it was as the head of his fifth grade entertainment committee, for relatives, or on stage before the masses, he has always been a crowd pleaser. His earliest musical interest as a child was country music. Listening to the radio daily, Ron was influenced by such artists as Faron Young, Conway Twitty, and his greatest country inspiration, Merle Haggard. Even as a child, Ron would learn to mimic artist's voices, which would later become one of his biggest assets.

Growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, A very ethnically diverse city, Ron began playing the accordian at the age of nine. Ron took an interest in the hot Slovenian polka sounds of Frank Yankovic, and in the 70's began playing the contemporary and polka circuits. He had the opportunity to work with local entertainers Don Gralak, Russ Allen and sax great Kenny Brandt who first featured him as a vocalist.

Ron's interests in Country, Rock and Blues were later fulfilled as a frequent guest singer with the hot sounds of Country Rock band and regional act "Four Wheel Drive," in which lead singer Steve Simpson became an inspiration with his dynamic singing range, intensity and feeling that he delivered with every performance. Today, Steve Simpson remains not only Ron's favorite vocalist, but also his greatest vocal inspiration. (Steve always told him, "You've got the pipes kid, don't waste it.")

Wisconsin entertainment legend Skip Wagner, whose outstanding resume includes backing up Sammy Davis, Jr., recognized Ron for his incredible vocal ability. Skip featured him in his shows throughout the 80's during which Ron's skillful stage presence and showmanship became polished and professional.

Ron also began to collaborate with other great local talents in the business, including jazz keyboardist Jeff Stoll. Working as a vocalist with this keyboard virtuoso, Ron developed a knack for phrasing, improvising and stage presence within the contemporary Jazz sound. Skip Wagner and Jeff Stoll continue to be a great influence to Ron's career as a singer and performer.

During his time with the Skip Wagner Show-band, Ron met Gary Steffens, who was then playing drums and doing stand-up in the show. Ron and Gary's offbeat personalities and shared enthusiasm for entertaining was a great combination and in the summer of 1990, they became "Kendricks & Steffens - Two Idiots . . . No Waiting." They hit the ground running. Together in this two-man musical comedy show, they utilized their many combined talents to produce a crowd pleasing act. From original comedy tunes heard on radio stations around the country to Ron's great vocal impressions, they quickly attracted the attention they deserved.

By 1994, Ron decided to work on a solo act and first love, country music. Combining his entertainment skills with his vocal ability, rhythm guitar, keyboards and accordion, Ron has been a consistent and reliable performer throughout Wisconsin, Northern Illinois and even Nashville, Tennessee. In Nashville Ron has worked at the "Opry Land Hotel", and performed at such prominent places as "The Nashville Palace", "Barbara's" in Printers Alley, and at "The Nashville Nightlife". Ron has entertained on a local Nashville television show and his performance is included on his promotional DVD.

Since Ron's stint in Nashville, he has managed to put together one of the best country bands anywhere! A hand picked group of truly professional pickers and players who have worked and toured in Nashville. throughout the U.S., and abroad. One such player who has been a constant in Ron's band is fiddle player Tommy Greywolf, who also toured with Brooks and Dunn. Tommy adds an edge and energy to every performance. Another such player would be Joe Savage. A nationally known steel guiatist from St. Paul Minnesota who has backed up a who's who of national recording artists and a frequent performer with the Prairie Home Companion Radio Show.

As a regional act, Ron perfoms at many midwestern casinos, major country festivals, and has been an opening act at many concert events. Since 2009 Ron has branched out to the Southwest, playing throughout Arizona from September to May. To date, Ron has been an opening act for such country greats as Sawyer Brown, Aaron Tippin, Mark Chessnutt, Porter Wagoner, John Anderson, Joe Diffie, John Conlee, David Lee Murphy, John Berry, Trick Pony, Leroy Parnell, Darrel Singletary, Wade Hayes and Rhett Akins.

Although Ron performs a plethora of voice impressions within his vocal resume, Ron's greatest voice remains his own.

When he's not on the road performing, Ron loves to spend time Backpacking, Mountain biking, Cowboy action shooting and many other outdoor activities. And whether he's on the road or not, his dog Molly is never far from his side.