Step into a music store on Mass Ave in Cambridge, Massachusetts, circa 2003, and witness the magic that unfolded when three guitar players walked through its cluttered, narrow aisles. Sheet music, lesson books, and a treasure trove of musical items surrounded them. Guitars of all shapes and sizes adorned the walls, while shelves held Dixie fifes, kazoos, and drumsticks. A lone ceramic dog perched on a counter, seemingly ready to listen intently to the music that was about to fill the store.
Amidst this eclectic backdrop, an old, weathered Harmony guitar hung lifelessly on the wall. As one of the musicians picked it up and strummed some deep, soulful blues, it was as if the guitar had awakened from a long slumber. Each guitarist took their turn, and when the legendary Ronnie Earl got hold of the guitar, the room was transformed. The sound emanated from every corner, like a scene from "The Wizard of Oz" shifting to technicolour. On that cheap, raggedy old guitar, Ronnie Earl's music spoke volumes, resonating in all the meaningful ways. (Based on a true story)
Ronnie Earl, born Ronald Horvath in Queens, NY, is renowned for his fiery, passionate playing, soothing transitions, gentle turnarounds, and clean tone. A night in his presence, alongside his band, is a transformative journey through the blues, one that defies expectations. His music ranges from a thunderous roar to a whisper, captivating both the feet and the hearts of those fortunate enough to be in the room.
Critics and fellow musicians alike have hailed Ronnie's talent. Jim Hynes dubbed him "The John Coltrane of the guitar." B.B. King considered Ronnie one of his sons, while Ron Weinstock praised him as a "master of tonal dynamics, phrasing, and solo construction. Earl builds solos like smoldering coals in a charcoal grill, that bursts into flames when fat drips down."
"Beautiful Child," a signature song, serves as the backdrop for Ronnie Earl's life story, as recounted to Rev. Deborah Blanchard, his manager, minister, and friend since 2007. This biography weaves together the voices of family, friends, journalists, and musical colleagues who were inspired and comforted by Ronnie's notes. One contributor attests, "I'm not cold in the winter for a week or so after a show. I'm more tolerant and generous, slower to anger, and more prone to forgive." Another shares, "The Broadcasters' music has been the mainstay of my life, shaping who I am and how I perceive the world."
Beyond the guitar and the music, the story of Ronnie Earl is a tale of love and musical expression, a life marked by opportunities, tools, highs, and lows—a profoundly human journey of playing notes, both gentle and intense, but always infused with the blues. So, slow down, take a deep breath, lean in, and listen attentively to the story and soundtrack that is the remarkable life of Ronnie Earl.