When Ron was young, the Fetner family moved south to Virginia.  Ron swears there was a spot in the back yard, where on a clear day; you could see the outline of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west and the top of the Washington Monument to the east.  Even today Ron keeps an open ear to musical traditions of the mountains and the back-beat soul of the city. 

  Performing and recording projects in the seventies and eighties helped spread the word, but it wasn’t until his first solo CD release in 1997 that the buzz started to expand beyond the Mid- Atlantic region. “This Box I’m Looking Through” got immediate attention when Public Radio's “The Folk Sampler with Mike Flynn” and WHRO/Barry Graham’s “Off The Shelf” played cuts on their nationally syndicated shows.  Along with his expanding radio audience, Ron’s performing dates now extended to throughout the country, including performances at Nashville’s Bluebird Café, Tucson Folk Festival, South Florida Folk Festival and Little Rock’s Acoustic Sounds Café.  In 2001 Ron released his second CD, “Turning For Home”, and was named one of the winners of the prestigious Kerrville NewFolk competition.  This coincided with awards at Doc Watson's/ Merlefest Chris Austin Song Contest, Falcon Ridge’s Emerging Artist Showcase, the Austin Songwriter Group and Winfield, Kansas' Walnut Valley Song Showcase. 

  Ron released “Defying Gravity” in the winter of 2005.  Included on this CD is the holiday favorite, “My Name Is Justin”.  In 2006 "Justin" received a Gold award from the Songwriters Association of Washington in Washington's Mid-Atlantic Song Contest.  “My name is Justin” has also been recorded by Mandate recording artist Robynne French in 2011 (retitled “My Name Is Christmas”) and Barbados-based artist Anderson Ward (Mr Impact).  In January 2008 "Sunday Morning Blue" was released.  Ron gathered a few good friends to join him to record some of his favorite cover songs and a few new originals.  His version of the classic “Route 66” and newly written “Don’t Burn The Zion Church” became popular choices on acoustic radio across the country.  In 2010 Ron joined with Tom Dikon to perform a series of acoustic blues shows.  Fetner & Dikon released a six-song EP in January 2011 and were named solo/duo winners in the Tidewater area IBC Blues Challenge.

  Ron has appeared at major festivals like Kerrville Folk Festival, Merlefest, Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, Falcon Ridge, and First Night-Asheville, and in top venues like Nashville’s Bluebird Café, Memphis’s Pig On Beale, and DC’s famous “The Bayou”.  Ron has opened or shared stages with Trisha Yearwood, David Wilcox, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kate Campbell, and Dire Straits just to name a few.  Incorporating elements of Folk, Blues, southern Appalachian, Rock and Jazz, Ron has found a voice in our American music.  Ron's spiritually uplifting shows offer attendees an intimate glimpse into the world we live in. 

Quotes

"Ron Fetner's gifts with lyric and melody are in full bloom on "Sunday Morning Blue".  By mixing rustic traditional songs with his own sturdy originals, he shaped an album that's easy listening in the best sense". Sam MaDonald, Daily Press, New Port News, VA

:-“This irrepressible guitarist and singer draws on traditional folk, Southeastern roots music and early jazz to create his own earnest brand of Americana  ” Connect Savannah News, Savannah, GA

“Not only can Fetner write a lyric, his melodies are contagious and his voice rich. With clear-sighted lyrics, he paints powerful but unassuming images on canvas, images that remind us of the simple pleasures in life. I strongly suggest to everyone that you hear Ron Fetner.” – Tidewater Friends of Folk Music

“…really great music. Listeners love Ron’s songs.” – Mike Flynn, NPR’s “The Folk Sampler”

“(Defying Gravity) a collection of thoughtful, melodic songs full of true stories and intellectually satisfying lyrical journeys…he obviously has his spiritual side, one that’s especially evident in “We Have Come” and the hit-in-waiting, “My Name is Justin… You could say he’s our David Mallett, as he reminds me of Maine’s favorite-son folk songwriter.” – Jim Newsom, PortFolio Weekly, Virginia Beach, VA  (Full interview)

“His gifts for writing/performing are remarkable...and moving.” – Joe Henry, Acoustic Sounds Café, Little Rock, AR

“If you are ever given an opportunity to see this songwriter and performer ….you will certainly be moved, both emotionally and physically.” – The Virginia Gazette

“…pours a lot of real life into his original tunes, .emotional honesty.” – Daily Press, Newport News, VA

“I could play this all night.” – Mike Montgomery, WCMS, Virginia Beach, VA