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A new musical beginning

Ron Ketchum’s musical odyssey started many years ago. The Barrhead artist has travelled the local music scene for more than three decades.
On a musical journey: Ron Ketchum likes to travel everywhere with his guitar. His debut CD will be available at local retail outlets.
On a musical journey: Ron Ketchum likes to travel everywhere with his guitar. His debut CD will be available at local retail outlets.

Ron Ketchum’s musical odyssey started many years ago.

The Barrhead artist has travelled the local music scene for more than three decades.

He has filled country halls with performances of instantly recognizable standards, from the western folk his father loved to the classic rock of his youth.

He has entertained at weddings and socials.

Yet while he has done a lot, none of it realized a dream that lingered for a lifetime. None of it gave justice to the creativity of his maturing songcraft.

Until now.

Now Ketchum’s journey has taken a dramatic turning, now he is fulfilling that dream with the impending release of his debut CD, aptly titled “It’s Time.”

It contains 12 original songs covering several genres, including country and rock, and several themes – from youthful exuberance to love, from loss and spirituality to joyous optimism.

“I know it’s time to quit looking back …” goes the title track. A beat or two later he sings: “I know it’s time to make a change, I know it’s time …

“What am I doing for the rest of my life? Am I growing old all alone? I’ve got my friends and my family, Don’t let them slip away.”

The introspective, hopeful lyrics are a signpost in his travels. When were they written? There are no direct clues, but they seem appropriate for where he is now, embarking on an exciting musical adventure.

You could say those 30-plus years entertaining country hall crowds were an apprenticeship for his new life.

He honed his guitar playing, developed his poetic voice, and managed to amass a stockpile of 50 to 70 self-penned compositions, reflecting his understanding of how a song connects with an audience.

It means Ketchum should have no trouble in finding material for a follow-up to “It’s Time” and several other albums.

But that’s for the future. For now Ketchum is happy to promote his first recording, which he lovingly put together over several months this year at his Barrhead home studio.

Helping him make the album possible was JSiN/Rage Records.

Musically, it was virtually a one-man show – Ketchum wrote the songs, sang them, and played bass and lead guitar.

“I basically did everything apart from the drums,” he said. “We started recording in February.”

End of Time, Feeling Fine, It’s Time, Love One Another, Our Passion, Sun Song, Thank the Lord, Till The Day, Where are You, World of Rock, You Never Knew and You were the results when he finished recording.

An eclectic mix, the final track even contains echoes of one of Ketchum’s favourite bands, Pink Floyd.

“I don’t really follow any formula when I write songs,” he said.

“I just let things flow out naturally.”

Ketchum has let family and friends hear the CD ahead of the official release date.

“So far I’ve received very positive feedback,” said Ketchum, who is in the homes renovations business. “Recording is a dream come true for me.”

Five hundred CDs have been produced, to be manufactured and distributed in Canada by Freedom Music Records.

They will be available in Fyfe’s Friendly Pharmacy in Barrhead, RE/MAX and Home Building Centre in the Industrial Park.

Ketchum (his website is www.ronketchum.ca) has settled on a cost for the CD. It will be $19.95 (inclusive of GST), with $5 going towards the pool fund.

There are plans to put up “It’s Time” promotional posters around the area soon.

For the man from Freedom, Alberta, these are exciting times – 2012 is like a new musical beginning.

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