HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

Ronald Eldon Sexsmith (born January 8, 1964) is a Canadian singer-songwriter from
St. Catharines St. Catharines is the largest city in Canada's Niagara Region and the sixth largest urban area in the province of Ontario. As of 2016, it has an area of , 136,803 residents, and a metropolitan population of 406,074. It lies in Southern Ontario ...
, Ontario. He was the songwriter of the year at the 2005
Juno Award The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall o ...
s. He began releasing recordings of his own material in 1985 at age 21, and has since recorded seventeen albums. He was the subject of a 2010 documentary called '' Love Shines''.


Early life

Sexsmith grew up in
St. Catharines St. Catharines is the largest city in Canada's Niagara Region and the sixth largest urban area in the province of Ontario. As of 2016, it has an area of , 136,803 residents, and a metropolitan population of 406,074. It lies in Southern Ontario ...
and started his own band when he was 14 years old.


Career

Sexsmith was seventeen when he started playing at a bar, the Lion's Tavern, in his hometown. He gained a reputation as "The One-Man Jukebox" for his aptitude in playing requests. However, he gradually began to include original songs and more obscure music, which his audience did not favour. He decided to start writing songs after the birth of his first child in 1985. That same year, still living in St. Catharines, he collaborated on recording and releasing a cassette, ''Out of the Duff'', with a singer-songwriter friend named Claudio. Side one of the cassette contained five songs written and performed by Sexsmith; side two featured Claudio. A year later, Sexsmith and his family moved to
Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...
, living in an apartment in
The Beaches The Beaches (also known as "The Beach") is a neighbourhood in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is so named because of its four beaches situated on Lake Ontario. It is located east of downtown within the "Old" City of Toronto. The approximate bounda ...
neighbourhood. Sexsmith recorded and released the full-length cassette ''There's a Way'', which was produced by
Kurt Swinghammer Kurt Swinghammer is a Canadian singer-songwriter and visual artist based in Toronto."Canadian pop finds its own way to rock". ''Toronto Star'', 30 June 1989. He has released 13 full-length albums of original songs and as a session musician appea ...
." Ron Sexsmith"
Biography by Jason Ankeny
Meanwhile, he worked as a courier and befriended
Bob Wiseman Robert Neil "Bob" Wiseman (born 1962) is a film composer, songwriter, author and music teacher. Wiseman discovered or produced many artists including Ron Sexsmith, The Lowest of the Low, Bruce McCulloch of Kids in the Hall, Anhai, and forme ...
, whom he met at an open stage. They became friends, and Wiseman agreed to produce and arrange Sexsmith's next release in between his tours with the band
Blue Rodeo Blue Rodeo is a Canadian country rock band formed in 1984 in Toronto, Ontario. They have released 16 full-length studio albums, four live recordings, one greatest hits album, and two video/DVDs, along with multiple solo albums, side projects, a ...
. Because of Wiseman's busy schedule, work on the album stretched out over several years. After the album ''Grand Opera Lane'' was rejected by several Canadian labels, the pair released it independently in 1991. ''Grand Opera Lane'' was credited to "Ron Sexsmith and the Uncool"; the backing band including Don Kerr and Steve Charles, and also featured Sarah McElcheran (horn arrangements) and Kim Ratcliffe on electric guitar. Attention garnered by the song "Speaking with the Angel", Sexsmith earned a contract that led to his self-titled album in 1995. The record was praised by
Elvis Costello Declan Patrick MacManus OBE (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. He has won multiple awards in his career, including a Grammy Award in 2020, and has twice been nom ...
, for whom Sexsmith later opened. Between 1997 and 2001, Sexsmith released three more albums, and then '' Cobblestone Runway'' in 2002. ''
Retriever A retriever is a Dog type, type of gun dog that retrieves Game (hunting), game for a hunter. Generally gun dogs are divided into three major classifications: retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds. Retrievers were bred primarily to ...
'', his next album, is a more pop-oriented album and is dedicated to
Elliott Smith Steven Paul Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003), known professionally as Elliott Smith, was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of ...
and
Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American Country music, country singer-songwriter. Much of Cash's music contained themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially in the later s ...
. Sexsmith performed in the Toronto area in support of these albums. On May 1, 2001, Sexsmith performed "Just My Heart Talkin'" on the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board exam. ...
's '' Later... with Jools Holland'' musical showcase, alongside R.E.M.,
Orbital Orbital may refer to: Sciences Chemistry and physics * Atomic orbital * Molecular orbital * Hybrid orbital Astronomy and space flight * Orbit ** Earth orbit Medicine and physiology * Orbit (anatomy), also known as the ''orbital bone'' * Orbito ...
,
India.Arie India Arie Simpson (born October 3, 1975), also known as India Arie (sometimes styled as india.arie), is an American singer and songwriter. She has sold over five million records in the US and ten million worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards ...
, and Clearlake. Holland backed him on piano. It was his second appearance on the show. He began to have some radio success, particularly on Canadian adult-oriented radio. In 2002, Sexsmith recorded a cover version of "This Is Where I Belong", the title track for a tribute album called ''This Is Where I Belong – The Songs of Ray Davies and the Kinks'', which included contributions from
Damon Albarn Damon Albarn (; born 23 March 1968) is an English-Icelandic musician, singer-songwriter and composer, best known as the frontman and primary lyricist of the rock band Blur and as the co-creator and primary musical contributor of the virtual ...
,
Bebel Gilberto Isabel Buarque de Hollanda Gilberto de Oliveira (born May 12, 1966), known as Bebel Gilberto, is an American-born Brazilian popular singer often associated with bossa nova. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Her uncle ...
, and
Queens of the Stone Age Queens of the Stone Age (commonly abbreviated QOTSA) is an American rock band formed in 1996 in Palm Desert, California. The band was founded by vocalist and guitarist Josh Homme, who has been the only constant member throughout multiple line ...
, among others. In 2006, he performed at the Halifax Pop Explosion. In 2004, he performed at the
RuhrTriennale The Ruhrtriennale ( compound of ''Ruhr'' and ''triennale'' "lasting 3 years"), also known as Ruhr Triennale, was founded in 2002 and is a music and arts festival in the Ruhr-area of Germany which runs between mid-August and mid-October, and happen ...
in the concert series ''Century of Song'' hosted by
Bill Frisell William Richard Frisell (born March 18, 1951) is an American jazz guitarist, composer and arranger. Frisell first came to prominence at ECM Records in the 1980s, as both a session player and a leader. He went on to work in a variety of context ...
. On June 16, 2011, Sexsmith and his band performed
The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, north London, in 1963 by brothers Ray and Dave Davies. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British rhyt ...
' song "Misfits" with Ray Davies at the
Meltdown Festival Meltdown is an annual festival held in London, featuring a mix of music, art, performance and film. Meltdown is held in June at Southbank Centre, the arts complex covering and including the Royal Festival Hall, the Queen Elizabeth Hall and The ...
in London, England. The same year, he won a songwriter of the year
Juno Award The Juno Awards, more popularly known as the JUNOS, are awards presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music. New members of the Canadian Music Hall o ...
for "Whatever It Takes" and a Canadian Indy Award. The album '' Long Player Late Bloomer'' was shortlisted for the
Polaris Music Prize The Polaris Music Prize is a music award annually given to the best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales, or record label. The award was established in 2006 with a $20,000 cash prize; the prize was incr ...
. Sexsmith's 14th full-length album, '' Carousel One'', was released in March 2015. In 2017, Sexsmith published his debut novel, ''Deer Life'', through
Dundurn Press Dundurn Press is one of the largest Canadian-owned book publishing companies of adult and children's fiction and non-fiction. The company publishes Canadian literature, history, biography, politics and arts. Dundurn has about 2500 books in pr ...
. It was well received and ''
Publishers Weekly ''Publishers Weekly'' (''PW'') is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers, and literary agents. Published continuously since 1872, it has carried the tagline, "The International News Magazine of ...
'' wrote that the "novel has much the same effect as his music, conveying uncertainty with fearlessness and heart."


Collaborations and covers

Sexsmith has collaborated with many artists. In 2002, he sang a duet with
Coldplay Coldplay are a British Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1997. They consist of vocalist and pianist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, drummer Will Champion and creative director Phil Harvey (manager), Phil H ...
's
Chris Martin Christopher Anthony John Martin (born 2 March 1977) is an English singer-songwriter and musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist, pianist, rhythm guitarist and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay. Born in Exeter, Devon, he went to Uni ...
in the song "Gold in Them Hills", which appeared as a bonus track on the album ''Cobblestone Runway''. Sexsmith sang on "An Elephant Insect", which appears on the 2003
Shonen Knife Shonen Knife is a Japanese pop-punk band formed in Osaka in 1981. Influenced by 1960s girl groups, pop bands, the Beach Boys, and early punk rock bands such as the Ramones, the band crafts stripped-down songs with simple yet unconventional lyr ...
album ''
Heavy Songs ''Heavy Songs'' is a 2002 album by the Japanese rock group Shonen Knife. Track listing #"A Map Master" #"AAA" #"Golden Years Of Rock'n Roll" #"Rubber Band" #"Heavy Song" #"A Boogie Monster" #"Mushroom Hair Cut" #"Whatever" #"Pigmy Jerboa" #"An E ...
''. In 2005, he released a collection of songs recorded with drummer
Don Kerr Don Kerr is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is the drummer, lead singer and front man of Toronto band, Communism. He plays in Ron Sexsmith's band,Destination Unknown''. Also in 2005, Sexsmith sang on the track "Song No. 6" by Norwegian singer-songwriter
Ane Brun Ane Brun (; born Ane Brunvoll on 10 March 1976) is a Norwegian songwriter, guitarist, and vocalist of Sami origin. Since 2003, she has recorded ten albums, eight of which are studio albums of original material (including a collection of duets), ...
, which appeared on her album '' A Temporary Dive'' and again on her '' Duets'' album later the same year. In 2006, he performed a duet of "So Long Marianne" with
Leonard Cohen Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934November 7, 2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and novelist. His work explored religion, politics, isolation, depression, sexuality, loss, death, and romantic relationships. He was inducted in ...
in
Yorkville, Toronto Yorkville is a neighbourhood and former village in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is roughly bounded by Bloor Street to the south, Davenport Road to the north, Yonge Street to the east and Avenue Road to the west, and it is part of The Annex nei ...
. In 2014, he wrote and sang a duet together with Dutch singer-songwriter Marike Jager, the song "Don't you", featured on her album ''The Silent Song''. Sexsmith's songs have been performed and recorded by a number of well-known musicians, including Elvis Costello, Feist,
Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British rock and pop singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, he is of Scottish and English ancestry. With his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the best-selling ...
, and
Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, includin ...
His song "Secret Heart" has been covered by
Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British rock and pop singer and songwriter. Born and raised in London, he is of Scottish and English ancestry. With his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the best-selling ...
, Feist, and
Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave,Exit Strategy of the Soul'' and on Feist's album ''
The Reminder ''The Reminder'' is the third studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Feist. It was released on April 23, 2007 in countries outside of North America, and May 1, 2007 in the United States and Canada. Following its release, it debuted on the ...
''. A version of Sexsmith's "Whatever It Takes" appeared on
Michael Bublé Michael Steven Bublé ( ; born September 9, 1975) is a Canadian singer. A four-time Grammy Award winner, he is often credited for helping to renew public interest and appreciation for traditional pop standards and the Great American Songb ...
's 2009 album '' Crazy Love''. In 2004, fellow Canadian singer-songwriter
k.d. lang Kathryn Dawn Lang (born November 2, 1961), known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress. Lang has won Juno Awards and Grammy Awards for her musical performances. Hits include the son ...
covered Sexsmith's song "Fallen" on her album '' Hymns of the 49th Parallel''. In 2010, Sexsmith appeared on "Liberace", a track off the album ''
Vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic compositio ...
'' by Canadian rapper D-Sisive. In 2012 his song "Gold in them Hills" was included on
Katie Melua Ketevan Katie Melua (; ka, ქეთევან "ქეთი" მელუა, ; born 16 September 1984) is a Georgian and British singer and songwriter. She was born in Kutaisi and raised in Belfast and London. Under the management of com ...
's album Secret Symphony, and "Right About Now" was covered by
Mari Wilson Mari Macmillan Ramsay Wilson (born 29 September 1954, Neasden, London) is a British pop and jazz singer. She is best known for her 1982 UK top-10 hit single "Just What I Always Wanted" and her 1960s image complete with beehive hairstyle. Car ...
on the album "Cover Stories". In 2012, Sexsmith appeared on ''Lowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe'', a
Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in power pop and new wave,Ryan Granville-Martin's 2013 album, '' Mouthparts and Wings'', which features a different vocalist on each song. Sexsmith was featured on vocals on the Mel Parsons song "Don't Wait" from her 2015 album
Drylands Drylands are defined by a scarcity of water. Drylands are zones where precipitation is balanced by evaporation from surfaces and by transpiration by plants (evapotranspiration). The United Nations Environment Program defines drylands as tropical ...
.


Writing

Sexsmith published a book on September 16, 2017, called ''Deer Life''. It has been described as a "grown up fairy tale" by Sexsmith himself. It is the artist's first effort as an author.


Personal life

Sexsmith has two children (Christopher and Evelyne) with his common-law partner, Jocelyne. Their fifteen-year relationship ended in 2001. Sexsmith's wife, Colleen Hixenbaugh, is also a musician. She is a member of By Divine Right, half of the duo Jack and Ginger, and the duo Colleen and Paul with Paul Linklater.


Discography


Albums

* 1986: ''There's a Way'' (Self-released cassette) * 1991: ''Grand Opera Lane'' (Linus Entertainment; produced by
Bob Wiseman Robert Neil "Bob" Wiseman (born 1962) is a film composer, songwriter, author and music teacher. Wiseman discovered or produced many artists including Ron Sexsmith, The Lowest of the Low, Bruce McCulloch of Kids in the Hall, Anhai, and forme ...
; with The Uncool) * 1995: ''
Ron Sexsmith Ronald Eldon Sexsmith (born January 8, 1964) is a Canadian singer-songwriter from St. Catharines, Ontario. He was the songwriter of the year at the 2005 Juno Awards. He began releasing recordings of his own material in 1985 at age 21, and has s ...
'' (Interscope/Warner; produced by
Mitchell Froom Mitchell Froom (born June 29, 1953) is an American musician and record producer. He was a member of the bands Gamma and Latin Playboys, and is currently the keyboardist for Crowded House. He has produced albums for several artists, including ...
&
Daniel Lanois Daniel Roland Lanois ( , ; born September 19, 1951) is a Canadian record producer, guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter. He has produced albums by artists including Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Peter Gabriel, Robbie Robertson, Emmylou Harris, Willi ...
) * 1997: '' Other Songs'' (Interscope/Warner;
Tchad Blake Tchad Blake (born 1955) is an American record producer, audio engineer, mixer and musician. A native of Baytown, Texas, he has worked with numerous artists and musicians, including Al Green, American Music Club, Ani DiFranco, Apartment 26, ...
&
Mitchell Froom Mitchell Froom (born June 29, 1953) is an American musician and record producer. He was a member of the bands Gamma and Latin Playboys, and is currently the keyboardist for Crowded House. He has produced albums for several artists, including ...
) * 1999: '' Whereabouts'' (Interscope/Warner;
Tchad Blake Tchad Blake (born 1955) is an American record producer, audio engineer, mixer and musician. A native of Baytown, Texas, he has worked with numerous artists and musicians, including Al Green, American Music Club, Ani DiFranco, Apartment 26, ...
&
Mitchell Froom Mitchell Froom (born June 29, 1953) is an American musician and record producer. He was a member of the bands Gamma and Latin Playboys, and is currently the keyboardist for Crowded House. He has produced albums for several artists, including ...
)) * 2001: '' Blue Boy'' (Cooking Vinyl; produced by
Steve Earle Stephen Fain Earle (; born January 17, 1955) is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, author, and actor. Earle began his career as a songwriter in Nashville and released his first EP in 1982. Initially working in the country music g ...
and
Ray Kennedy Raymond Kennedy (28 July 1951 – 30 November 2021) was an English footballer who won every domestic honour in the game with Arsenal and Liverpool in the 1970s and early 1980s. Kennedy played as a forward for Arsenal, and then played as a l ...
) * 2002: '' Cobblestone Runway'' (Nettwerk; produced by
Martin Terefe Martin Terefe (born 1969, Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish record producer and songwriter, now living and working in London, who has produced Grammy, Brit and Juno award -winning albums with artists like Jason Mraz, James Morrison and KT Tunstal ...
) * 2003: '' Rarities'' (Linus Entertainment) * 2004: ''
Retriever A retriever is a Dog type, type of gun dog that retrieves Game (hunting), game for a hunter. Generally gun dogs are divided into three major classifications: retrievers, flushing spaniels, and pointing breeds. Retrievers were bred primarily to ...
'' (Warner; produced by
Martin Terefe Martin Terefe (born 1969, Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish record producer and songwriter, now living and working in London, who has produced Grammy, Brit and Juno award -winning albums with artists like Jason Mraz, James Morrison and KT Tunstal ...
) * 2005: '' Destination Unknown'' (V2, with
Don Kerr Don Kerr is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is the drummer, lead singer and front man of Toronto band, Communism. He plays in Ron Sexsmith's band,Time Being'' (Warner; produced by
Mitchell Froom Mitchell Froom (born June 29, 1953) is an American musician and record producer. He was a member of the bands Gamma and Latin Playboys, and is currently the keyboardist for Crowded House. He has produced albums for several artists, including ...
; also released in 2007 by Coppertree Records UK on 180g vinyl) * 2008: '' Exit Strategy of the Soul'' (Yep Roc; produced by
Martin Terefe Martin Terefe (born 1969, Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish record producer and songwriter, now living and working in London, who has produced Grammy, Brit and Juno award -winning albums with artists like Jason Mraz, James Morrison and KT Tunstal ...
) * 2011: '' Long Player Late Bloomer'' (Thirty Tigers/Cooking Vinyl; produced by
Bob Rock Robert Jens Rock (born April 19, 1954) is a Canadian record producer, sound engineer and musician, best known for producing rock bands and music artists such as Metallica, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, The Tragically Hip, the Cult, ...
) * 2013: ''
Forever Endeavour ''Forever Endeavour'' is the 13th studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith. It was published in February 2013 under Cooking Vinyl Records, and produced by Mitchell Froom. The album won the Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album ...
'' (Cooking Vinyl; produced by
Mitchell Froom Mitchell Froom (born June 29, 1953) is an American musician and record producer. He was a member of the bands Gamma and Latin Playboys, and is currently the keyboardist for Crowded House. He has produced albums for several artists, including ...
) * 2015: '' Carousel One'' (Compass Records; produced by Jim Scott)Feature and interview with Ron Sexmith. ''Metro Morning'', CBC Radio One, also ''Our Toronto'', CBC television, broadcast April 6, 2015. * 2017: '' The Last Rider'' (Compass Records) * 2020: ''Hermitage'' (Cooking Vinyl; produced by
Don Kerr Don Kerr is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is the drummer, lead singer and front man of Toronto band, Communism. He plays in Ron Sexsmith's band,For the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson'' – "Good Ol' Desk" * 1999: ''Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village in the 60's'' – "Reason to Believe" * 2002: ''This Is Where I Belong – The Songs of Ray Davies & The Kinks'' – "This Is Where I Belong" * 2002: ''WYEP Live and Direct: Volume 4 – On Air Performances'' – "Just My Heart Talking" * 2002: '' Maybe This Christmas'' – "Maybe This Christmas" * 2003: '' Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot'' – "Drifters" * 2004: ''Beautiful Dreamer – The Songs of Stephen Foster'' – "Comrades Fill No Glass for Me" * 2006: ''Our Power'' – "Love Henry" (with
Don Kerr Don Kerr is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is the drummer, lead singer and front man of Toronto band, Communism. He plays in Ron Sexsmith's band,Northern Songs: Canada's Best and Brightest'' – "All in Good Time" * 2008: ''Redeye 2008 Holiday Sampler'' – "Something to Hold on to (At Christmas)" * 2009: '' Crayon Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill'' – "Crayon Angel" * 2011: ''Harrison Covered: MOJO presents an Exclusive Tribute to George'' – "Give Me Love" (15-song CD given away free with ''MOJO'' magazine November 2011 issue) * 2011: ''This One's for Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark'' – "Broken Hearted People" * 2012: ''Textuality OST'' – "Since I Don't Have You" * 2012: ''Lowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe'' – "Where's My Everything"


The Kelele Brothers

* ''Escape from Bover County'' (Gas Station Recordings) * ''Has-Beens & Wives'' (Gas Station Recordings)


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sexsmith, Ron 1964 births Living people Canadian folk-pop singers Canadian male singer-songwriters Canadian folk singer-songwriters Best Original Song Genie and Canadian Screen Award winners Juno Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year winners Musicians from St. Catharines Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year winners Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Solo winners