Ron Kavana is a singer/songwriter/composer, multi-instrumentalist, author, recording engineer/producer and documentary film-maker from Co. Cork in Ireland. Son of a Cork-born father and Chicago-born mother, he has spent most of his adult life working away from his native Ireland as a musician although he now lives close to his birthplace in Co. Cork. Never one to acknowledge the boundaries imposed on music by pigeonholing, he is celebrated by fellow musicians for the unique manner in which he has infused his traditional Irish roots and influences into the various different genres of the many top international artists with whom he has collaborated including the Pogues, members of the Rolling Stones, Chris Farlowe, Alexis Korner, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown, Elvis Costello, Big Jay McNeely, Champion Jack Dupree, Wallace Davenport, Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry, Dr. John, Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers, Tim O’Brien, Donovan, Brian McNeill, Paddy Keenan, Paddy Moloney etc.  ​

 

His songs/compositions have been covered by a virtual Who’s Who of the international folk scene inc. Dick Gaughan, Waterson-Carthy, the Pogues, Mary Coughlan, Coope, Boyes and Simpson, Cherish The Ladies, The Black Family, Aoife Clancy, Geraldine MacGowan, Niamh Parsons, Jimmy Crowley, Sean Keane, Cyril O’Donoghue, Blackie O’Connell, The Irish Descendents, Eileen Ivers’ Immigrant Soul, The Voice Squad etc.



His series of nine Globestyle Irish CD compilations of traditional Irish music from the Topic catalogue have been described as an attempt to "recount the history of Irish traditional music during the 20th century. Ultimately, there is probably no better introduction to that music”. Together with his band, Alias Ron Kavana, he has won dozens of prestigious awards including the Folk Roots (now fROOTS) Best Live Band award on an unprecedented three consecutive occasions while his Home Fire album received the top ”Recommended” place in the Folk section of MOJO 1000: The Ultimate CD Buyers Guide. Three of his albums – Home Fire, For The Children and Coming Days – all figured in the British Indie charts at the same time! His 4-CD box set and accompanying book, Irish Ways: The Story of Ireland in Song, Music and Poetry, featured in HMV’s Irish and British Top 10 charts – a rare accomplishment for a box set - and is regarded by many as his masterpiece. For further biographical insight see Alien Alert booklet written by journalist Chris Urquhart – it’s a lot closer to ‘how it really happened’ than Wikipedia!

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Since Autumn '15 Ron has become a regular contributor to a series of concerts Celebrating Traveller Music (see posterfishpromotions.com). The title track of his latest CD RESPECT!, highlights Irish Travellers pursuit of equal rights in the wake of the Carrickmines tragedy (see 'Lyrics' section of this website). An overview essay on Travellers' origins, culture, problems and possible solutions can be read in the 'Rant' section.