Artist InformationBiography
RON HYNES
With a song writing career that spans nearly 35 years, Ron Hynes is a six-time East Coast Music Award winner, a Genie Award winner (best song on film), a past Juno, CCMA and Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee, and is the recent recipient of the SOCAN National Achievement Award. Ron Hynes also holds an Honorary PhD from Memorial University, conferred in recognition of his song writing and contribution to the cultural life of his beloved home province of Newfoundland (Canada).
Frequently referred to as the "man of a thousand songs", Ron Hynes' songs have been covered by dozens of artists worldwide, including Emmylou Harris, Christy Moore, Mary Black, Denny Doherty, Murray McLauchlan, Valdy, John McDermott, Terry Kelly, Prairie Oyster, The Good Brothers, Shaye, The Cottars, The Trews, Dave Gunning, Hayley Westenra and many more.
Ron Hynes began his career as a singer-songwriter in the early seventies and while on a Canadian theatre tour with The Mummers Troupe in '76, he composed a song called "Sonny's Dream" that’s become a folk classic performed and recorded by artists all over the world. He was a founding member of the Wonderful Grand Band, a musical comedy show featuring a six-piece traditional/folk/rock band together with various members of Codco. The group produced two albums of original work, forty-one half-hour television shows (plus specials) for CBC-TV, and toured the country non-stop during its six-year history.
Ron Hynes recorded two original albums for EMI: "Cryer's Paradise" ('93) and "Face To The Gale" ('97). The independently produced "11:11 Nfld. Women Sing" is a collection of songs co-written by Ron Hynes and Connie Hynes, sung by Newfoundland's best female singers. Ron's 1998 independent release "Standing In Line In The Rain" was awarded Best New Album from MusicNL.
Ron's moonlight career as an actor resulted in two principal theatre roles, as Newfoundland songwriter Johnny Burke in "The Bard Of Prescott Street", and as country legend Hank Williams in "Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave". Ron also had a lead role in the Newfoundland Independent film release, "A Secret Nation", for which his original song, "The Final Breath" won a Genie Award for best song. Ron spent most of his time in 1998 and 1999 involved in film and television projects, playing the irrepressible Johnny Shea in the CBC/Rinkrat TV series, "Dooley Gardens", and closed out the decade as the subject of a concert/documentary film entitled "Ron Hynes: The Irish Tour".
In 2003 Ron Hynes released "Get Back Change" (Borealis Records), garnering MusicNL Awards for Male Artist, Country Album and SOCAN Song of the Year (Get Back Change), and winning the 2004 East Coast Music Awards for Country Recording of the Year and Album of the Year. Produced by Paul Mills at The Millstream Studios in Toronto, "Get Back Change" features 14 Ron Hynes' songs, with guest performances by Sylvia Tyson, Cindy Church and Jenny Whiteley.
December 2005 saw the launch of Ron’s first songbook, "Songs of Ron Hynes - Volume One". Published by Vinland Music, the book features 26 original Ron Hynes songs, arranged for vocal and guitar. Other recent projects include composing and performing the theme song for CBC-TV comedy series “Hatching Matching and Dispatching”, the musical soundtrack for the animated film "The Sparky Book", and composing all songs for the Mary Walsh/Rick Boland stage play "High Steel". He also contributed two original works to the feature film "Young Triffie".
2006 marked the release of the "Ron Hynes" CD, a stirring collection of 14 soul-baring, personal songs, touted by many as Ron's most brilliant work to date. He teamed up again with producer Paul Mills and Borealis Records for this latest disc, which was the #1 most played album on Galaxie Network’s Folk-Roots channel for 2006. The "Ron Hynes" CD generated multiple award nominations, resulting in Ron Hynes winning the 2006 MusicNL Awards for "Songwriter of the Year", "Folk-Roots Artist of the Year", "Entertainer of The Year" and the 2007 East Coast Music Award for "Male Solo Recording of the Year".
Ron Hynes tours regularly throughout Canada and abroad, attracting enthusiastic audiences wherever he performs. For more please visit:
www.hynesite.org
www.sonicbids.com/ronhynes
www.myspace.com/ronhynes
Management and media contact:
Lynn Horne Marketing & Media Relations,
Ph: 902-465-3763,
Email: lynnhorne@ns.sympatico.ca
RON HYNES - CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
1972…Released the album Discovery (World Records/Audat) that was the first recording of completely original material by a Newfoundland artist.
1973...Toured Ontario and Newfoundland playing soft ballads in loud bars.
1974-1976...Was the in-house composer for the Mummers Troupe. Composed music and lyrics for East End Story, Dying Hard, The IWA Show, and The Price of Fish. Wrote Sonny's Dream while touring western Canada in September '76. There are currently more than a hundred cover versions by various artists worldwide.
1977...Starred as the famous Newfoundland songwriter Johnny Burke (1851-1930) in The Bard of Prescott Street.
1978-1983…Co-founded The Wonderful Grand Band with Members of Codco and Newfoundland musicians. The band did six years of television/radio/touring and two albums, The Wonderful Grand Band (Clode Sound) and Living In A Fog (Grand East Records).
1984…Wrote music and lyrics for the Resource Centre for the Arts production of High Steel, which was directed by Mary Walsh.
1985-1986...toured as a solo concert artist and as a musician/actor with The Best of Codco.
1987…Starred as Hank in Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave in Ottawa (York Street Theatre production) and in St. John's (resource production directed by Janis Spence). Wrote and recorded Small Fry: The Ron Hynes Album for Children.
1988…Starred in and hosted The Island Opry Show, a country showcase at the Opry in PEI that featured National and International country stars.
1989…Wrote and produced The Lost Island Opry (LSPU Hall). Toured Newfoundland/Labrador with Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave. (Cultural affairs/Cauldron Production)
1990-1991...Had a principal role in feature film "A Secret Nation", winning the Genie Award for best song with "The Final Breath". Elected vice-president of the Songwriters Association of Canada and signed an exclusive writer's contract with TMP: The Music Publisher.
1992-1997...Signed with EMI Music Canada and released two critically acclaimed albums, Cryer's Paradise (1993) produced by Declan O'Doherty, and Face To The Gale (1996) produced by Chad Irschick. Toured extensively throughout Canada and the UK/Ireland.
1997...Released 11:11 Nfld. Women Sing (songs by Ron and Connie Hynes) featuring Newfoundland's best female artists. This project also received the 1997 MIA SOCAN Songwriter of the Year award. In December, Ron was a guest on the Pamela Wallin Show along with Michael Burgess, Sneezy Waters, and Colin Escott in paying a special tribute to Hank Williams.
1998...Released the independent CD "Standing In Line In The Rain", which was awarded Best New Album at the 1998 MIA Awards. Played Johnny Shea in Rinkrat’s CBC TV series, Dooley Gardens.
1999...Ron was the subject and star of a concert/documentary film shot in Ireland entitled Ron Hynes: The Irish Tour, which aired on CBC TV and Bravo, and featured some of Ireland's most prominent musicians, including Donal Lunny, Christy Moore, Mary Black and more (produced by Mary Sexton, directed by Rosemary House, for Rinkrat Films).
2000...signed with IDEA Artists (Ian Davies Entertainment Agency) for North American representation.
2002...recorded a singer/songwriter demo CD The Sandcastle Sessions, featuring 11 new songs that led to his signing with Borealis Records. Ron received an Honorary PhD from Memorial University in recognition of his original songwriting and his contribution to the cultural heritage of Newfoundland. Official Showcase Artist at OCFF Conference in Ottawa in October.
2003...Official Showcase Artist at North American Folk Alliance Conference in Nashville in February. Released “Get Back Change” CD (May) on Borealis Records. Launch events were held in Toronto, Ottawa, St. John’s and Halifax. Signed management agreement with Lynn Horne Marketing & Media Relations. Won Male Artist Of the Year, Country Artist Of The Year, and SOCAN Song Of The Year Award (Get Back Change) from the Music Industry Association Of Newfoundland/Labrador. Featured guest and topic of a special one hour “Atlantic Airwaves” radio show on CBC Maritimes.
2004...hosted ECMA Songwriter Circle (national CBC radio & regional CBC TV broadcast). Won ECMA for Album Of The Year & Country Recording Of The Year for “Get Back Change”. Recipient of the prestigious "Arts Achievement Award" from Newfoundland/Labrador Arts Council. Performed on the “Eric MacEwan Tribute” at Charlottetown’s Confederation Centre. Recognized with a “Ron Hynes Tribute”, held during Folk Alliance Canada Conference in Halifax. Host was Lennie Gallant w/ George Canyon, Dave Gunning, Cory Tetford & Steven Bowers. The “Sonny’s Dream” limited edition fine art print was launched with a Ron Hynes concert at LSPU Hall, St. John’s, NL.
2005…performed at the Canadian Songwriter Hall Of Fame Awards and presented the Special Achievement Award to CSHF founder Frank Davies. This was broadcast “live” coast to coast on CBC Radio. Toronto launch concert for the “Sonny’s Dream” limited edition print at Hugh’s Room. Traveled to Ireland for part one of “Islands Of Song” tour. Recorded two “live” concerts at LSPU Hall, St. John’s, then joined producer Paul Mills at The Millstream, for studio sessions recording new Ron Hynes CD. Performed on “John Allan Cameron Tribute” at Savoy Theatre, Glace Bay, NS. Hosted Songwriter Circle at Hfx International Celtic Feis w/Frances Black, Karine Polwart, Enoch Kent, Mary Jane Lamond & Dave Gunning. Summer tour included Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Festival, George Street Festival and Writers At Woody Point. Featured performer for International Delegates Reception at Atlantic Film Festival. Composed/performed theme song for CBC TV comedy series “Hatching, Matching & Dispatching”. Launched first songbook “Songs of Ron Hynes-Volume One”.
2006...Official Showcase artist at North American Folk Alliance in Austin, Texas. Toured Atl. Region on SAC “Bluebird North” series w/Ron Sexsmith, Jane Siberry, Shari Ulrich, etc. Released self-titled “Ron Hynes” CD at Confederation Centre, during ECMA Concert Series in Charlottetown, PE. Performed Junofest and was surprise “Special Guest” on JUNO Songwriter Circle w/ host Alan Doyle, Ron Sexsmith, Jann Arden, etc. (national CBC radio broadcast). Performed w/Atlantic String Quartet, Arts & Culture Centre, St. John’s, NL. Composed several new songs for remount of stageplay/musical “High Steel”, (directed by Mary Walsh w/ 10+ sold out shows at LSPU Hall, St. John’s, NL). Summer tour included Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Mariposa Folk Festival, New Glasgow Jubilee, and Shamrock Festival in Ferryland, NL where Ron was honored with Commemoration ceremony and custom plaque in recognition of 30th Anniversary of “Sonny’s Dream”. The new “Ron Hynes” CD was #1 most played album for 2006 on the CBC Galaxie Network Folk Roots Channel. “Ron Hynes” (and “Get Back Change”) were released in USA (Burnside Distribution). Songwriter, Jason Wilber (aka John Prine’s guitarist), wrote and released a song about Ron Hynes called “Watching Picasso”. Co-wrote and recorded duet "Only One" with Steven Bowers for Steven's "Tired Light" CD. Ron received “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Newfoundland/Labrador Folk Arts Council. Hosted Songwriter Café” at Canadian Country Music Awards. Composed/performed music for Mary Walsh directed feature film “Young Triffie” and NFB animated short film titled “ The Sparky Book”. Showcase at 2006 Atlantic Film Festival. Won the 2006 Music NL Awards for Entertainer Of The Year, Songwriter Of The Year and Folk Artist Of The Year. Nominated "Best Singer" (contemporary) and "Best Songwriter" for Canadian Folk Music Awards.
2007...Nominated for SOCAN Songwriter of the Year, Recording of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and won the 2007 East Coast Music Award for "Male Solo Recording Of The Year". Hosted 2007 ECMA Songwriter Circle (national CBC radio broadcast). Performed his song "Dry"on national CBC TV / ECMA Gala Awards "live" from Halifax Metro Centre. Toured Ireland with "The March Hare" festival. Joined The Trews' Colin & John-Angus MacDonald for national CBC radio show "Fuse". Headliner at Loyalist City Folk Festival, Privateer Days Festival, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Miramichi Folksong Festival, Filberg Festival, Lunenburg Folk Festival, Celtic Colours Festival, Fredericton Playhouse Theatre. Wrote & performed narrative for song on Grady (aka Gordie Johnson)"A Cup of Cold Poison" CD. "Sonny's Dream" covered by classical soprano Hayley Westenra for her "Celtic Treasures" CD (worldwide release). Co-wrote and recorded duet "Hard Workin' Hands" with Dave Gunning for Gunning's CD "House For Sale". Feature performance and music included in docufilm "To Dublin With Love." Feature performance and music in TV series "Shaye". Album "Face To the Gale" named in the "Top 100 Canadian Albums" (book by Bob Mersereau). Performed/recorded concert w/ Atlantic String Quartet and Jeff Johnston Trio for national CBC radio special "Canada Live".
2008 - Nominated 2008 ECMA "Entertainer of the Year." Performed "Hard Workin' Hands" (duet, co-write) w/Dave Gunning on national CBC TV special "Barenaked East Coast Music". Co-wrote "I Can't Stop Laughing" w/ The Trews for their No Time For Later CD. Co-write/duet "Decisions" with Ian Foster for Ian's Room In A City CD. Co-wrote "Salesman" w/ Steven Bowers for Steven's new Homing CD. Wrote/performed "Smooth Sailing" for nationally broadcast docufilm "Tarsands". Featured interview/ live performance of "Godspeed" for docufilm series "Grave Concerns - Gene MacLellan". Guest vocalist on JP Cormier's "Great Harbour Deep" for JP's "The Messenger" CD. Performed Parliament Hill for Canada Day events incl. NCC Songwriter Circle (w/ Murray McLauchlan, Garnet Rogers) and main stage national TV broadcast w/ Joel Plaskett, Blue Rodeo, DRUM!, Kevin Parent and more. Headliner at Capitol Theatre, PEI's Festival of Small Halls, Stan Rogers Folk Festival, Acoustic Maritime Music Festival, Music on Main, Gander 50th Anniversary Concert (w/Great Big Sea), Figgy Duff Tribute/Reunion and Writers at Woody Point. Received the 2008 SOCAN National Achievement Award.
Management & Media Contact:
Lynn Horne
Lynn Horne Marketing & Media Relations
902.465.3763
lynnhorne@ns.sympatico.ca
www.hynesite.org
www.sonicbids.com/ronhynes
www.myspace.com/ronhynes
Ron Hynes - Film & TV Credits
2008 – Co-writer (with The Trews) of song “I Can’t Stop Laughing” placed in TV series “The Best Years”
2007 – Performer/composer of two songs and appearance in segment of the “Shaye” television series
2007 – Performer/composer of song, spoken word piece and feature appearance in documentary film “To Dublin With Love “
2006 – Composer/performer of two songs for feature film “Young Triffie”
2006 – Composer/performer “My Forever Shadow”, theme music/soundtrack for animated film “The Sparky Book”
2006 – Performed several original songs on CBC TV Special “ The Songwriters” (ECMA)
2005- Composer/performer theme song “Dead or Alive” for CBC TV series Hatching, Matching
& Dispatching
2004 – Hosted and performed several original songs on CBC TV Special “ECMA Songwriters Circle”
2004 – Composer/performer “The Final Breath” (1992 Genie - Best Original Song) in docufilm
Hard Rock & Water
2003 – Performed several original songs on “Four Strong Winds” CMT songwriter series
2000 – role in feature film Violet
2000 – role in feature film The Bingo Robbers
1999 - Ron Hynes and his music, the subject of concert documentary film Ron Hynes: The Irish Tour
1998 – principal role (Johnny Shea) in Rinkrat Productions CBC/TV series production, Dooley Gardens
1998 – role in feature film Rain, Drizzle & Fog
1994 – role in feature film Anchor Zone
1991 - principal role in Secret Nation, composer/performer “The Final Breath” 1992 Genie Award - Best Original Song
1986 - role in The Adventures of Faustus Bidgood
1978-1983 - Composer/performer/actor for 41 half-hour Wonderful Grand Band CBC TV shows + specials
Management & Media Contact:
Lynn Horne Marketing & Media Relations
77 Cannon Cr., Eastern Passage, NS, Canada B3G 1E8
Ph: 902-465-3763
Email: lynnhorne@ns.sympatico.ca
Instrumentation
SOLO SET UP:
Ron Hynes: vocal, acoustic guitar
BAND SET UP:
Ron Hynes: vocal, acoustic guitar
Sideman 1: bass guitar, vocal
Sideman 2: electric guitar, vocal
Sideman 3: drums
ADDITIONAL OPTIONS:
Sideman 4: fiddle
Sideman 5: pedal steel
Sideman 6: piano/organ/keys
Sideman 8: Female BG Vocalist
Discography
SOLO RELEASES:
2006 - Ron Hynes (Borealis)
2003 - Get Back Change (Borealis)
1998 - Standing In Line In The Rain (Indie) N/A
1997 - Face To The Gale (EMI)
1993 - Cyers Paradise (EMI)
1984 - Small Fry (childrens album - Indie) N/A
1976 - Discovery (Audat) N/A
OTHER:
2007: (Re-issue) Wonderful Grand Band - Living In A Fog CD
2007 - Duet/co-write w/Dave Gunning ("Hard Workin' Hands") on Dave's CD "House For Sale"
2006 - Narrative/spoken word piece on Grady's CD "A Cup of Cold Poison"
2006 - "Savior" on "One Night In January- Songs for the IWK" CD
2006 - Duet/co-write w/Steven Bowers ("Only One" ) on Steven's CD "Tired Light"
1997 - 11:11 Newfoundland Women Sing, Songs of Ron & Connie Hynes (Indie) N/A
1981 - Wonderful Grand Band - Living In A Fog
1978 - Wonderful Grand Band N/A
Links