Ronny Cox

Ronny Cox is a superbly talented singer-songwriter, musician and actor who has been consistently active in the music world and Hollywood for over 40 years. He was the third of five children, born in Cloudcroft, New Mexico in 1938, and grew up in Portales, New Mexico. Ronny met his wife, Mary, when in high school, and they married in 1960. He graduated from Eastern New Mexico University in 1963 with a double major in Theater and Speech Correction. Mary passed away in 2006, 50 years to the day of their first date. Ronny often talks about her during his music performances. A father to two sons of his own, he brings his extraordinary view of life into a magnetic, likable, onstage persona. Ronny’s music is eclectic, a woven tapestry of songs and stories with an over-all arc that eventually comes together and tells something about “the human condition”. Scores of fans and promoters will attest that attending one of his performances is one of the greatest evenings to experience. With the gift of a consummate storyteller, he shares funny, sad and tender moments. His loyal band of listeners are blessed, if only for a while, to spend time with a truly remarkable man. Enhancing these great stories is the music provided by Ronny and his band of world-class, virtuoso musicians. A look of familiarity has helped make Cox one of Hollywood’s most versatile character actors. His first time in front of a camera featured him playing the guitar in the Dueling Banjos scene in Deliverance, creating one of the most iconic moments in the history of moviemaking. He has also appeared in films like Beverly Hills Cop, Total Recall, Taps, Bound For Glory, The Onion Field, all told over 125 movies and television appearances. Despite his great success in movies and TV, what he says he loves most is singing and playing the guitar. According to him, nothing cuts through to the heart like music. The acting experience simply enhances his musical and song-writing skills. In 2012, Ronny became an author with the release of his book Dueling Banjos: The Deliverance of Drew. The book coincided with the 40th anniversary of the release of the film, and is a collection of stories about the making of the movie and a look behind the scenes of his springboard into Hollywood. Warner Brothers also released a deluxe version of the film that year, and the book is also now available in audio format. He’s an artist who wears a variety of hats………but his first love is music. He’s released eight CDs, including the audio version of his book. According to Cox “The truly great thing about music is that it’s like a double-edged sword. Songs can be frivolous or sad, but they can trigger an almost overwhelming emotion……immediately. What I have found is that if I open up to my audience, they not only accept that, they also help me get through it. It is that sharing…..of silliness, or sadness, or mutual understanding that I find to be very compelling.” …he is a study in easygoing amiability and unforced charisma. He charms crowds with self-teasing humor, tart progressive insight, and a lulling Southwestern folk sound…. Scott Alarik, Boston Globe Official Facebook Page for Ronny Cox - Actor, Singer/Songwriter, Storyteller