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The second oldest of eight surviving children Ronnie 'Sportcoat' Overton was born 1953 in Pontiac Michigan. His parents Christine and Norman encouraged Ronnie to follow his musical dream from an early age and like a lot of musicians in grade school he started out by playing the violin. Despite a scare when he broke his first string, and was fearful of what the reaction of his teacher might be, he stuck with it and expanded his horizons to the cello before the sixties in general and the Beatles in particular began to intoxicate him. He just had to have a guitar and, on hooking up with some childhood friends, formed the fabulously titled Soulful Determinations. Despite a few false starts he finally switched to bass guitar and in 1972, at age 19, got his first gig as part of Ronnie McNeir's touring band. He played with McNeir (who is currently with the Four Tops) and Kim Weston until 1978 but after a two year layoff the attraction of the road proved too strong and he resumed touring, this time with 50's doo-wop band The Del Vikings. He stayed with them until 1988 but, in the words of the Valentine Brothers classic hit, 'money was too tight to mention'. It was a situation that for a time placed him on the wrong side of the law and which landed him a substantial custodial sentence.
Things looked bleak but drawing on his faith and a belief that everything happens for a reason he used the time to hone his keyboard skills and develop his own tunes. This led directly to his first solo project 'When The Smoke Clears ', a collection much stronger for the fact it is based on his own life experiences. Five years in the making, it's been described in part as music to make babies by and, accepting its sensuous nature, is nevertheless a fine example of feel good music designed to cover a range of moods and emotions. In creating it Ronnie has had the chance to reconnect with some talented musicians that include McNeir, David Finley, Charles Anthony, Derek 'DJ' Johnson, Marcus Cummings, Darryl Wakefield and Danny Carthane. The end product ensures that whether you want to tap your feet or simply enjoy music while 'driving with the top down' ' When The Smoke Clears' has something for everyone.
Looking forward to a new and exciting phase of his career Ronnie thanks the heavenly father for watching over him and for providing the strength that has enabled him to make it this far. Now, with 'When The Smoke Clears,' there is a whole lot further to go.
Biography courtesy of Denis Poole. Visit his website at www.smoothjazztherapy.com.
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