Ron Irving's Biography
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Ron Irving |
From
hearing the opening chords of “She Loves You” blasting out of his
transistor radio, Ron Irving was hooked on the Beatles and music was
the only thing that mattered.
By the time he was 14, Ron was teaching guitar and playing in the
local Legions in his hometown of Powell River, BC. At 21 after
playing on the road throughout Western Canada, Ron set down in
Vancouver to play six nights a week with pick up bands by night and
spend his days wood shedding on his Baldwin jazz guitar with the
ambition to become the next Lenny Breau.
Soon Country music caught his ear and he put together his award
winning band Bootleg who went on to top the national Country charts
with Ron’s hit songs leading the way. With numerous songwriting awards to his credit and his guitar under his arm Ron headed to
Nashville to pitch his songs and to collaborate with some of music
city’s finest tunesmiths. BMG Music Publishing took notice of Ron’s
composing talents when Anne Murray, Lee Greenwood and the Statler
Bros all recorded his songs. They immediately signed him as a staff
writer.
During one of his many trips back and forth to Nashville for writing
sessions, Ron produced the first “Canadian Night at the Bluebird
Café” in Nashville where he performed with fellow hit makers Randy
Bachman, Marc Jordan, Shirley Eckhard and Eddie Schwartz.
Upon completion of his 3 year contract with BMG, Ron’s writing moved
towards the Pop music world with cuts by Asian superstar Jackie
Cheung and Korean boy-band Shinwa, Michael Bublé, Japanese Pop star,
Mink, and South African Idol winner, Anke.
Over 100 Ron Irving penned songs have been recorded worldwide in 6
languages and his songs have received national awards from both
SOCAN and the Canadian Music Publishers Association. In 2003 Ron was
inducted in to the prestigious British Columbia Country Music Hall
of Fame reflecting his status as not only a writer but as an artist,
performer and entertainer.
Success as a songwriter was very gratifying but something was missing. That ‘something’ was playing his guitar and singing his songs for a live audience. It was time to record “Into The Blue”, a Ron Irving solo album of eclectic songs from Pop, Modern Country, Blues and World Beat music. Ron was on the road again – appearing at music festivals, concerts and songwriter shows. “You’re Not Alone”, Ron’s second self-produced album, was completed in 2007. Ron's 3rd CD "Something Only Love Can Do" was completed in November, 2010.
In 2010, along with co-writers Lynda & Tom McKillip, Ron created the song "Standing Strong & True (For Tomorrow)" as a fundraiser for the website www.wesaluteourheroes.ca. The website is dedicated to all fallen soldiers of the Canadian Military Forces who served in Afghanistan and to help their families. "Standing Strong & True (For Tomorrow)" was recorded as a group project during the 2010 Canadian Country Music Awards (CCMA) held in Edmonton, Alberta, with many of Canada's top country music recording artists lending their voices to the over 2 days of recording sessions. CMT filmed the recording sessions for not only the song video but also 'behind the scenes' studio footage as well as footage with the artists out at CFB Edmonton with our troops. General Walter Natynczyk and the DND fully backed this project and General Natynczyk is also interviewed on the full DVD along with many of the recording artists. The DVD and song were promoted by Post Media and played across Canada through the year and is available for purchase with all proceeds going the Military Families Fund and Boomer's Legacy.
One year later, at the CCMA Gala Dinner, attended by Ron, his wife Sue and fellow songwriters Lynda & Tom McKillp, with their guests, Colonel Pat Stogran (Retired), Major James D. McKillip and Lieutenant Colonel Scott Attridge, the project was honoured by the CCMA and the video of "Standing Strong & True (For Tomorrow)" was played for the over 400 attendees and received an overwhelming standing ovation.
To view the video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuNeV0fMflw
Recent recordings of Ron's songs include Sony Taiwan's latest singing sensation Lin Yu Chun, who appeared on the Ellen Degeneres show and Amerca's Got Talent and Asian super group Lollipop Four.
Ron continues to captivate audiences with his powerful lyrics, velvety vocals and his sometimes intricate, sometimes hypnotically rhythmic guitar playing.
Throughout this musical journey, Ron, a teacher by nature, has continued to share his knowledge and skills with others by leading songwriting workshops and critique sessions and often participates as a guest panelist during music industry conferences. He is currently on the Faculty of Harbourside Institute of Technology in North Vancouver and as a long standing member of the Songwriters Association of Canada, Ron often hosts "An Evening with SAC" where songwriters work is assessed and mentored by Ron and other SAC representatives.
Ron's other production credits also include Ginette Genereux's debut "Tomboy Girl" CD and Michael Vincent's much anticipated CD, "Thank You"
Potter's Christmas Store contracted Ron to produce a 21 song Christmas CD in 2006 "From Our Family To Yours" and it is still a much in demand Christmas CD today.
Throughout this musical journey, Ron, a teacher by nature, has continued to share his talents with others by leading songwriting workshops and critique sessions and often participates as a panelist during music industry seminars.
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Sue Irving's Biography
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Sue Irving |
Sue Irving has a long history in the Canadian music industry and is highly regarded by her peers. Sue worked for 16 years immersed in the performing rights world as the Administrative assistant to the National VP of Member Relations at SOCAN, Canada's performing rights society, representing over 70,000 composers and music publishers. During her tenure at SOCAN, Sue acquired extensive knowledge of the revenue streams, administration, protection and promotion of music copyrights. Prior to SOCAN, Sue was the executive director of the B.C. Country Music Association and is currently serving on the Board of Directors of that association. Today, Sue handles administration for SueCo music publishing a company she jointly owns with her husband Ron Irving.
Songs from the SueCo Music catalogue have been recorded by artists in Canada, the U.S. Europe, South Africa, Japan and S.E. Asia. With her own keen sense of ‘what works’ in a song Sue is applying her administrative and creative skills in establishing SueCo Music as an internationally recognized music publishing company. She also works with Ron in leading workshops and seminars focusing on songwriting and music publishing.
