Ronni Rae
Born in Sydney, Australia to an Aussie Mum and Texan Dad, Ronni spent time between Australia and the USA during her formative years. She carved out her performing niche at a young age in Houston through performing at Rodeos and Honky Tonks while still in school. When her parents moved back to Australia, she immediately formed a band and played at every Country Music Club and Pub in WA from Albany to Broome. Having been described as a dynamic, engaging, wild redhead reminiscent of a young Reba McEntire blended with Tanya Tucker, her raw energy, unbridled passion and musical prowess captivates and mesmerizes audiences. A consummate professional whose performance skills seem to defy her young years, Ronni owns every inch of every stage she performs on.
Currently dividing her time between Perth, Australia and Nashville, Tennessee is proving to be a great decision for Ronni Rae, as her songwriting has been a major focus since being awarded a songwriting mentorship by ARTS WA (Western Australian Government Body supporting Artistic talent) to travel to Nashville and write songs for her new forthcoming album.
A graduate of the CMAA Australian College of Country Music, Ronni’s fiddle, guitar and piano skills have enabled her to work locally and internationally. She has shared the stage with some of Australia’s best known country music entertainers such as Adam Harvey, Lee Kernaghan, Kasey Chambers, Beccy Cole and Adam Brand as well as internationally renowned Jose Feliciano and Aaron Neville.
Two time Western Australian female vocalist of the Year award winner, Ronni Rae has been recognised through numerous awards in Australia, including being named the ASA (Australian Songwriters Association) Awards Country Songwriter Of The Year while her debut album ‘Notice Me’ produced 5 Top 30 Australian Country Music Radio hits and 2 Number #1 hit singles.
In 2006 she was the subject of the BBC World documentary ‘Destination Music’ which featured performances and interviews with the 10 hottest Country Music Acts in Australia. For the second consecutive year, was named a 2006 Golden Saddle Awards finalist and was nominated for 2 songs in the 2006 APRA awards.
In 2007, Ronni was acknowledged her fellow musicians in Australia, by receiving a Top 3 finalist nomination for the 2007 Golden Fiddle Awards. This award goes to the fiddle player who demonstrates excellence in both live and recorded performance.
2008 is set to be a hugely successful year if the first few months are anything to go by, having been selected again as one of the hottest export ready musical talents by Austrade and featured on the OZGIGZ 4 DVD, releasing the new single ‘Cowboys Come Home’ from her highly anticipated forthcoming CD, and having been chosen as the CMC hot video clip of the week.
Her new CD ‘Whole Heart To Give’ will be released in October 2008.