Bluegrass Luminary, Ronnie Reno, To Hang Up His Hat

After over 60 years of traveling, Bluegrass luminary,SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats inductee, and longstanding host of the award-winning"Reno's Old Time Music" television show, Ronnie Reno announced today that he will retire at the close of 2019 and hang up his hat.

"It's been a great run!" says Reno. "I've been truly blessed to get to travel around the world and make a living playing the music I love! I wouldn't change one minute of it...but the road just doesn't call me like it used to," he explains.

"At this point in my life, my wife, Debby, and I are blessed to be active and healthy. So, we just want to take time to enjoy life, love on our grandchildren and do the things we've never had a chance to do," he says. "It's a bittersweet moment for this ole' road dog. I'm excited about the next chapter of my life, but I would be pleased if Reno's Old Time Music plays forever."

Reno would like to extend deep heartfelt thanks to all of his friends, bandmates, and fans for their continued support throughout his many years.

To stay up to date on future Ronnie Reno news, please join his fan club at www.ronniereno.com, or follow him on Facebook and/or Twitter.

Sometimes referred to as "Bluegrass Music's Youngest Old-Timer," son of banjo pioneer, Don Reno (of the Hall of Fame duo Reno & Smiley), Ronnie Reno began his professional career at the age of 7, later joining his father's band, providing vocals and playing utility for their TV show and great King recordings of the 50s and 60s.

Leaving the nest, Reno would join the Osborne Brothers as a utility player and was the third voice in the trademark trio harmony for five years. In 1971, they were awarded CMA Vocal Group of the Year.

That same year, Ronnie would be hired away by iconMerle Haggard, performing with Bonnie Owens & The Strangers throughout the 70s and 80s for a 10-album stretch (ACM Touring Group of the Year in 1971, 1974 & 1975). As an additional bonus, Reno would serve as Haggard's opening act, allowing him to build his own name as an artist, and wrote several of Haggard's cuts, including the hit "I've Got a Darlin' for a Wife."

During this time, Reno would sign a solo contract with MCA and release For the First Time and would share his talents for many recording sessions with artists such as Johnny Cash, Johnny Paycheck, Willie Nelson and Leona Williams. He also became a widely respected songwriter landing additional cuts with many other artists, including Sammi Smith, Vassar Clements and Conway Twitty. Reno's song "Boogie Grass Band" was a pivotal career hit for the legend.

Reno also celebrated success as a producer, churning out albums such as Haggard's The Bluegrass Sessions by Merle Haggard and the celebratedKentucky Gold (which reached #1 on the Bluegrass charts), Swing West (which reached #1 on the Americana charts), and Drawing from the Well by The Reno Brothers, with whom he team up after the passing of their father, Don. The distinguished group was nominated for an IBMA Award in 1997.