On a crisp New Orleans afternoon, you might catch Father Ron and Friends on a porch, leading a singalong, or letting their voices drift across a sunlit lawn. The retired Episcopal priest, Father Ron Clingenpeel, has spent decades touring the globe, preaching not sermons but the healing powers of folk music. A fixture on WWOZ as a folk DJ and former priest at the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Father Ron channels his faith into music that connects communities.
This fall, Father Ron and Friends are sharing music from their Global Music Award-winning album, Forever The Seasons, at local festivals and intimate concerts. Their repertoire nods to the giants of folk, intertwining the rhythms of New Orleans life, Americana traditions, and cheeky originals like “Damned Roaches.”
The band — Robert Eustis on guitar, David Schwartz on keyboards, Barbara Smith-Davis on vocals, and Max Valentino on bass — balances polished musicianship with approachable charm. Their work with programs like the Little Box of Good News children’s singalongs and the Great American Singalong demonstrates a dedication to keeping folk music vibrant for new generations.
Forever The Seasons features Louisiana greats Jack Craft on cello and Gina Forsyth on fiddle, with a chorus including Debbie Davis and Cole Williams. Produced by Andre Bohren and recorded at studios including Marigny, the album is now part of the New Orleans Public Library’s Crescent City Sound collection.
Here’s where you can catch them this fall:
- October 9: Grill & Grocery, Hattiesburg, MS – 8 p.m.
- October 11: Abita Fall Fest, Abita Springs, LA – 11 a.m.
- November 1: Robert & Ron Ozone Songwriters Fest, Covington – 3 p.m.
- November 2: Porch Concert, Marigny St., Gentilly, New Orleans
- November 13: LaDivina, Baton Rouge, LA – 6 p.m.
- November 14: Lawn Concert, Mid-City, New Orleans – 6:30 p.m.
- November 21: Lawn Concert, The New Neutral Ground, New Orleans – 6:30 p.m.
Porch and lawn concert addresses can be found here.
