Ronnie Kole
N 29° 57.344 W 090° 04.099
15R E 782941 N 3317496
Bronze statue of the Ronnie Kole in the French Quarter at New Orleans.
Waymark Code: WM637G
Location: Louisiana, United States
Date Posted: 03/24/2009
Views: 22
From RonnieKole.com
Ronnie Kole's love affair with the piano began as a boy in Chicago, where he was born. It was a classic case of fate which gave him a lifelong mission that has been uplifting to audiences around the world.
As a youngster Ronnie developed a bad heart which would put him flat on his back for 4 or 5 months out of the year. Fortunately, in years to come, this condition was to clear up...but it was a blessing in disguise. To keep him from playing baseball his parents bought him a piano, and the rest is history. Ronnie went to Spaulding School for the handicapped in his birth place of Chicago, and it was there that many movie and radio celebrities would visit and try to help the students to build up their morale. That's why you see Ronnie so involved with civic and charitable work, to pay back for the good fortunes that he's had in his adult life.
The late legendary trumpet virtuoso, Al Hirt is mainly responsible for the career of Ronnie. It was he, who insisted that Ronnie leave his "steady gig" in Chicago, and go on the road, as in Mr. Hirt's words, "you are as good as Roger Williams, Peter Nero, and Liberace, and you should be on network TV and working in Vegas." Kole took Hirt's advice, and within a year was performing on Johnny Caron's Tonight Show, the Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin shows, and yes, even in Vegas. It was also Al Hirt who brought Ronnie to New Orleans. Al asked Ronnie to alternate with his band at his new club on Bourbon Street. This he did for a few years, until one day Al said to him, "Kole, you're getting too big to be working opposite me...you need to have your own club." It wasn't long after that, Kole's Corner became on of the big three places to go when in New Orleans...the other two being, Al Hirt's and Pete Fountain's.
Since becoming a citizen of New Orleans, Ronnie Kole has been a member of the board of directors of The Easter Seal Society of Louisiana since 1972, and President on four separate occasions. He has been host of The Easter Seal Telethon for all of its 19 years. Easter Seals is Ronnie's main charity, because they help anyone with any kind of disability. He's also been active with Catholic Charities, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 9 Muscular Dystrophy Telethons, The American Heart Association, The National Dyslexia Foundation, The Lions Sight And Sound Telethons, The Boys Club, and Co-Chairman of the United Way of St. Tammany Parish.
The civic side of Ronnie Kole has been equally as busy, mainly directed toward tourism and music. He's been chairman of the State of Louisiana Tourist Commission, chairman of the St. Tammany Parish Tourist Commission, on the executive board of the New Orleans Tourist and Convention Commission, twice chairman of the Louisiana/New Orleans Host Committee, and represented the State as VP of the Southeast Tourism Society. At Loyola University, he's a member of the College of Music Visiting Committee, the Music Industry Advisory Board, and the President's Council.
Ronnie served as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the 1999/2000 Nokia Sugar Bowl, and was President in 1998/99. His is a charter member of the French Quarter Festival, and has been Chairman of the Board on two different occasions. He has also been entertainment chairman since its inception in 1984. Ronnie was also a charter member of the original New Orleans JazzFest, and is founder and chairman of the New Orleans Music Industry Foundation. He's also been a member of the Super Bowl Task Force twice, the Final 4 Entertainment Chairman, plus is on the board of the Northshore Regional Medical Center, and the executive board of The World Trade Center, which was the first one in the world.
Ronnie is the only non-chef to ever receive coveted Paul Prudhomme Award at the Acadiana Culinary Classic in 1992. This award is given each year to the person doing the most to promote the foods of Louisiana throughout the country and world. Kole was honored with the prestigious Meritorious Service Award, presented by American Federation of Musicians President, Steve Young. Also honored were the late Al Hirt, Pete Fountain, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, and Dr. John. Later that month, The New Orleans Jazz Club presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to Jazz Greats: Pete Fountain, Al Hirt and Ronnie Kole at their 50th Anniversary Party. He has been inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame and the La. Music Hall of Fame.
Ronnie Kole has had the great pleasure of performing for Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton, as well as Pope John Paul II. He has performed in concerts at Carnegie Hall as well as in well over 500 cities throughout the United States, Mexico, Central and South America. Add to that many tours to France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, England, Japan, The Philippines, Korea, Taipei, Singapore and Russia, and you know the broad scope and versatility of his music and personality.
Ronnie has recorded 28 CD's/Albums. Recorded and released in 1999 were "Kole Alone", "The Ronnie Kole Trio In Concert, " "Music of the Vines," Volume II and "A Kole Christmas."
Name of Musician: Ronnie Kole
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