Conversations with Ron Daughton

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ron Daughton.

Hi Ron, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m originally from a small town called Sparks Maryland located in Northern Baltimore County Maryland.

Humble beginnings but I wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything. My hometown was rural my family was close I went to church four nights a week. I got my start playing music in a Jesus band called Salt and Pepper plus, I barely knew six chords but it ignited a fire in me to perform.

I went to an agricultural high school, I’ve been a member of 4H Future Farmers of America, the Boy Scouts the Marines, and a 2015 inductee into the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think very few of us consider our journey a smooth road but we would all probably agree that the life lessons shaped us and made us who we are today.

As a small child, I spent some time in the foster care system until my great aunt removed me and raised me as her own. I struggled in school socially and academically for many years I was quite shy. I’ve never known my father a story with a double edge – while it was tough because I was athletic and always dreaded any father/son night as I always had to walk alone.

But, the upside is it instilled in me as a young man what kind of father I would be. I have vivid memories of my thoughts walking across the field that if I ever had kids they would never go through any of this embarrassment – I would always be there.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a singer/songwriter and guitarist. Classic Rock, Blues, and Motown were the genres The Dalton Gang my band in Baltimore played for over 30 years. It wasn’t until I moved to Arizona that my country journey began. I went to lunch with my wife at the Perch in Chandler on a Sunday afternoon shortly after we moved here.

At the table next to us there was a guy with a Fender shirt on and I asked if he was a musician and indeed he was. Several drinks later he pointed across the sandlot at Bourbon Jacks and said there’s an open mic going on over there right now. We made our way over and I met the guys hosting Jelly Jam and I sat there in awe of these great country pickers!

I kept coming the week after and eventually was onstage every week for a bit with the house band. They dubbed me “Rockin Ron” a name that signifies my strong suit. I’m proud to call each of them my friend and thankful for lessons in my new lane.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson is to be humble no matter who you are where you’ve been or what you have achieved there’s someone better and these days it’s most likely a kid.

I try to stay grounded and help others I would have never gotten anywhere without some of the top bands letting me get up and sit in when I had no business being there.

I’ll never forget going to audition to join my cousin’s band and everyone just staring at me because I was clueless – that afternoon set my intent that no one would ever make me want to turn my equipment off again.

Contact Info:

• Email: rondaughtonmusic@gmail.com
• Website: arizonaavenuerocks.com
• Facebook: @ArizonaAvenueBand
• Twitter: @DaughtonRon

Image Credits:
Country Road Entertainment and Maile Alday