Ron Sexmith
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Ronald Eldon Sexsmith (born January 8, 1964) is a Canadian singer-songwriter from
St. Catharines St. Catharines is the most populous city in Canada's Niagara Region, the eighth largest urban area in the province of Ontario. As of 2021, St. Catharines has an area of and 136,803 residents. It lies in Southern Ontario, south of Toronto ac ...
, Ontario. He was the songwriter of the year at the 2005
Juno Award The Juno Awards (stylized as JUNOS), or simply known as the Junos, are awards presented by Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's mu ...
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 most populous city in Canada's Niagara Region, the eighth largest urban area in the province of Ontario. As of 2021, St. Catharines has an area of and 136,803 residents. It lies in Southern Ontario, south of Toronto ac ...
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 ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
, living in an apartment in
the Beaches A beach is a geological formation consisting of loose rock particles along the shoreline of a body of water. Beach, Beaches or beaching may also refer to: Geography Canada * Beaches (federal electoral district), a federal electoral district in ...
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 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 former Canadia ...
, 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 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, and colla ...
. 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 (born 25 August 1954), known professionally as Elvis Costello, is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, author and television host. According to ''Rolling Stone'', Costello "reinvigorated the literate, lyrical ...
, 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 as Elliott Smith, was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of his life in Portland, Oregon, whe ...
and
Johnny Cash John R. Cash (born J. R. Cash; February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter. Most of his music contains themes of sorrow, moral tribulation, and redemption, especially songs from the later stages of his career. ...
. Sexsmith performed in the Toronto area in support of these albums. On May 1, 2001, Sexsmith performed "Just My Heart Talkin on the
BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...
's '' Later... with Jools Holland'' musical showcase, alongside
R.E.M. R.E.M. was an American alternative rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. One of the fir ...
, Orbital,
India Arie India Arie Simpson (born October 3, 1975) is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to prominence with her debut album, '' Acoustic Soul (2001),'' which was a commercial and critical success. She has since released the albums '' Voyage to ...
, 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 musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is best known as the frontman, main vocalist, and lyricist of the rock band Blur (band), Blur and the co-creator and primary musical con ...
,
Bebel Gilberto Isabel Buarque de Hollanda Gilberto de Oliveira (born May 12, 1966), known as Bebel Gilberto, is an American-born Brazilian people, Brazilian popular singer often associated with bossa nova. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miú ...
, and
Queens of the Stone Age Queens of the Stone Age (commonly abbreviated as QOTSA or QotSA) is an American rock band formed in Seattle in 1996. The band was founded by vocalist and guitarist Josh Homme shortly before he returned to his native Palm Desert, California. ...
, 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. He 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 contexts, notably as a participant ...
. On June 16, 2011, Sexsmith and his band performed
The Kinks The Kinks were an English rock band formed in London in 1963 by brothers Ray Davies, Ray and Dave Davies, and Pete Quaife. They are regarded as one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s. The band emerged during the height of British ...
' 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 (stylized as JUNOS), or simply known as the Junos, are awards presented by Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to recognize outstanding achievements in Canada's mu ...
for "Whatever It Takes" and a Canadian Indy Award. The album ''
Long Player Late Bloomer ''Long Player Late Bloomer'' is the 12th studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, released in 2011. On June 16, the album was named as a longlisted nominee (one of 40) for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize.
'' 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 inc ...
. Sexsmith's 14th full-length album, ''
Carousel One ''Carousel One'' is the 14th studio album by Canadian musician Ron Sexsmith. It was released in March 2015 under Compass Records. The title is a reference to the luggage retrieval belt at Los Angeles airport where bags from flights from Toronto ...
'', 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 fiction and non-fiction. The company publishes Canadian literature, history History is the systematic study of the past, focusing primarily on the Hum ...
. 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." In February 2024, Sexsmith staged a retrospective concert at Toronto's
Massey Hall Massey Hall is a performing arts auditorium in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1894, it is known for its outstanding acoustics and was the long-time hall of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Although original ...
, his fifth performance at the venue.


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 and percussionist Will Champion, and manager Phil Harvey (band m ...
's
Chris Martin Christopher Anthony John Martin (born 2 March 1977) is an English singer, songwriter, musician and producer. He is best known as the vocalist, pianist and co-founder of the rock band Coldplay. Born in Exeter, Martin went to University Colleg ...
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 ...
album ''
Heavy Songs ''Heavy Songs'' is a 2002 album by the Japanese rock group 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 R ...
''. 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 singer-songwriter and guitarist of Sami people, Sami origin who sings primarily in English. Since 2003, she has released eleven studio albums, six live albums, five compilations, o ...
, which appeared on her album ''
A Temporary Dive ''A Temporary Dive'' is the second studio album by the Norwegian singer-songwriter Ane Brun, initially released in Norway and Sweden on 7 February 2005. The album debuted at No. 1 in her native Norway. The track "Song No. 6" features the Canad ...
'' 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 songwriter, singer, poet, and novelist. Themes commonly explored throughout his work include faith and mortality, isolation and depression, betrayal and redemption, soc ...
in
Yorkville, Toronto Yorkville is a neighbourhood and former village in Toronto, 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, Toronto, Avenue Road to the west, and ...
. 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 singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...
, and
Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, bandleader, and activist. She is considered one of the leading music artists behind the country rock genre in the 1970s and the Americana (music), Americana genre ...
His song "Secret Heart" has been covered by
Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...
, Feist, and
Nick Lowe Nicholas Drain Lowe (born 24 March 1949) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and producer. A noted figure in Pub rock (United Kingdom), pub rock, power pop and New wave music, new wave,Exit Strategy of the Soul'' and on Feist's album ''
The Reminder ''The Reminder'' is the third studio album by the 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 ...
''. A version of Sexsmith's "Whatever It Takes" appeared on
Michael Bublé Michael Steven Bublé ( ; born September 9, 1975) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. Regarded as a pop icon, he is often credited for helping to renew public interest and appreciation for traditional pop standards and the Great American ...
'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 (stylised in all lowercase), is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress. Lang has won Juno Awards and Grammy Awards for her musical pe ...
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 which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...
'' 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 British singer and songwriter. She was born in Kutaisi, Georgia and raised in Belfast and London. Under the management of composer ...
'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". She had a further UK top-40 hit in 1983 with a cover of ...
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 Pub rock (United Kingdom), pub rock, power pop and New wave music, 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.Deer Life
/ref>


Personal life

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


Discography


Albums

* ''Out of the Duff'' (Self-released cassette; split album, with side 2 by artist "Claudio") (1985) * ''There's a Way'' (Self-released cassette) (1986) * ''Grand Opera Lane'' (1986) * ''
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 ...
'' (1995) * '' Other Songs'' (1997) * '' Whereabouts'' (1999) * '' Blue Boy'' (2001) * '' Cobblestone Runway'' (2002) * '' Rarities'' (2003) * ''
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 ...
'' (2004) * '' Destination Unknown'' 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'' (2006) * '' Exit Strategy of the Soul'' (2008) * ''
Long Player Late Bloomer ''Long Player Late Bloomer'' is the 12th studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, released in 2011. On June 16, the album was named as a longlisted nominee (one of 40) for the 2011 Polaris Music Prize.
'' (2011) * '' Forever Endeavour'' (2013) * ''
Carousel One ''Carousel One'' is the 14th studio album by Canadian musician Ron Sexsmith. It was released in March 2015 under Compass Records. The title is a reference to the luggage retrieval belt at Los Angeles airport where bags from flights from Toronto ...
'' (2015) * ''The Last Rider'' (2017) * ''Hermitage'' (2020) * ''The Vivian Line'' (2023) * ''Hangover Terrace'' (2025)


Other contributions

* '' For the Love of Harry: Everybody Sings Nilsson'' – "Good Ol' Desk" (1995) * '' Real: The Tom T. Hall Project'' – "Ships Go Out" (1998) * ''Bleecker Street: Greenwich Village in the 60's'' – "Reason to Believe" (1999) * ''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" (2002) * '' Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot'' – "Drifters" (2003) * ''Beautiful Dreamer – The Songs of Stephen Foster'' – "Comrades Fill No Glass for Me" (2004) * ''Our Power'' – "Love Henry" (with Don Kerr) (2006) * '' Northern Songs: Canada's Best and Brightest'' – "All in Good Time" (2008) * ''Redeye 2008 Holiday Sampler'' – "Something to Hold on to (At Christmas)" (2008) * '' Crayon Angel: A Tribute to the Music of Judee Sill'' – "Crayon Angel" (2009) * '' Crazy Love'' – "Whatever It Takes" (with
Michael Buble Michael may refer to: People * Michael (given name), a given name * he He ..., a given name * Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael Given name * Michael (bishop elect)">Michael (surname)">he He ..., a given nam ...
) (2009) * ''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" (2011) * ''Textuality OST'' – "Since I Don't Have You" (2012) * ''Lowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe'' – "Where's My Everything" (2012)


The Kelele Brothers

* ''Escape from Bover County'' (2001) * ''Has-Beens & Wives'' (2004)


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 20th-century Canadian songwriters 21st-century Canadian songwriters