My name is Ron, and I was the kid you never talked to at school. Whenever you saw me, I was either sleeping, or writing in a notebook. And then, one day, I left and never came back.
I didn’t drop out; didn’t take to the streets or sell any drugs. I just got tired of talking about the future, and decided it was time to go out and live it. Music would guide my life, I was sure of it… And so, at the age of sixteen, I became Ronnie Day.
I gave music lessons and used the money to buy books on audio engineering. Whatever I had leftover bought the equipment I used to record my first album, Nine Sleepless Nights. I built a website, promoted the album, and then organized my first tour.
On the road, I met strange people, slept on couches, floors and car seats, ate whatever came my way, and played songs on street corners and in backyards. Eventually, I’d met so many people that "the music industry" took notice. They gave me a big pile of money, and a chance to record another album.
At seventeen, I subletted a room in Hollywood and went to work on what would become The Album. I shot some music videos, and then a whole series for MTVu, held dozens of interviews and photo shoots... I even got to lead my own major-label marketing group.
Somehow, music had taken me to luxurious hotels, posh restaurants, and high-rise Manhattan offices… But I began to wonder: what does any of this stuff have to do with music?
I got my answer when it came time to tour.
I toured through the summer, fall, winter, spring, and back into summer again; through sickness, heartbreak, snow and rain. I celebrated two birthdays on the road, lived through both good times and bad, and always worked hard to earn my keep.
Though I hadn’t seen my family in years, I knew that it wasn’t time to be with them, yet. But then, one day, I got a note from the label. It was time. They dropped me. I went home.
When I got home, I spent some time in reflection, trying to make sense of everything I had seen. Music certainly helped me put things into perspective. I wrote hundreds of songs, and eventually got around to building a studio for myself (Simplify Studios).
Now, armed with experience, knowledge, and my everlasting love for song, I’m embarking on a new chapter. I believe that there’s a way to help music spread without a middleman, and I call it Simplify. Look for this to take shape in the coming year.
None of this crazy shit could have happened without your thoughtful understanding and support, so please allow me to extend my deepest gratitude. Thank you. Thank you… Thank you!
I hope you’ll continue to watch as I discover more and more of this music dream.
Love,
-Ronnie
