September 28, 2006 – Nashville, Tennessee  - Ronnie Reno was presented with one of Bluegrass Music highest career achievement awards – the International Bluegrass Music Association 2006 Distinguished Achievement Award.  This annual award honors those in bluegrass music who have:

 

· Proven to be forerunners in their particular field of endeavor

· Fostered bluegrass music’s image with developments that will broaden the music’s recognition and              accessibility.

 

Ronnie’s music history tells the story of why he was presented with this honor:

 

There was no escaping bluegrass music for Ronnie Reno. He was the son of legend Don Reno and from the time Ronnie was 10 years old and able to hold a mandolin and balance on a wooden crate he was “belly up to the microphone” performing with his dad and Red Smiley.  From then on Ronnie became a part of musical history as the signature sound of Reno & Smiley caught fire in the late 50’s and 60’s. Ronnie was a part of every Reno & Smiley album of that period. Ronnie credits this 10-year period with his solid development as a songwriter and performer.

 

When Ronnie joined The Osborne Brothers, at age 20, he helped provide a vocal blend that was the cornerstone of the Osborne harmony for which this group is now famous. He was a part of The Osborne Brothers band for 5 years.  While The Osborne Brothers were touring as an opening act for Merle Haggard, Ronnie’s vocal talents came to Merle’s attention.  Smitten with Ronnie’s vocals Merle offered Ronnie a job as his opening act.   Ronnie’s performance was a hit and soon Ronnie was asked to remain on stage during Merle’s set and harmonize with he and Bonnie Owens.  This led to a 9-year performance relationship with the legendary Merle Haggard.  While with Merle, Ronnie was able to also focus on his songwriting and penned- Boogie Grass Band that charted as a #1 Hit single for Conway Twitty in 1977.

But Bluegrass called.  Reluctantly Ronnie said good-bye to his good friend Merle, and in the family tradition Ronnie called upon his younger brothers to form The Reno Brother’s Band. It was also during this time that Ronnie created, produced and starred in the nationwide television show “Reno’s Old Time Music Festival” for which he was awarded with a nomination for Cable Television’s prestigious CableACE Award for Best Musical Series – right along with Big Boys MTV’s “UnPlugged”.  Ronnie now takes the stage with The Reno Tradition, and continues his stage and television tradition of bringing excellence in traditional bluegrass to a nation of music lovers both on stage and as part of BlueHighways TV. 

 

Ronnie Reno, a part of Bluegrass music history for well over 40 years. Congratulations Ronnie on your Distinguished Achievement Award!