About Ron and His Music
Ron Eckert is a singer/songwriter from Odessa, Texas. He grew up in West Texas, where he spent much of his time working as a ranchhand on the Circle ME Hereford Ranch, the family ranch located in Seminole, Texas. On the ranch Ron learned how to build fence, work cows, dig irrigation ditches, clear mesquite trees, haul hay, and complete any other tasks assigned by his father Miles. The Circle ME Ranch is still alive and well today, breeding and selling the finest in registered Hereford cattle. And from time to time Ron still helps out on the ranch.
Ron is a proud graduate of Permian High School, Texas A&M Univesity, and The University of Texas School of Law. Ron has spent the last fifteen years practicing law in the Lone Star 
State, providing quality legal representation to his clients. Ron began writing songs in the year 2001. In 2004 and 2006 Ron recorded and released two albums, “Riding the Whirlwind” and ”A Little Change Would Do Me Good.”
These albums encouraged Ron to continue his development as a storytelling singer and songwriter, culminating in “The Badman,” a western concept album containing a series of interconnected songs that combine to tell an integrated story. It is believed to be only the second album of its kind in the history of cowboy/western music.
The first, “The Redheaded Stranger,” was recorded by Willie Nelson. It was one of Ron's favorite albums growing up. Ron would sit in the family living room, spin the record, and study the cartoon drawings on the album, imagining the story as it played out in his mind.
Over thirty years later Ron was invited to record his own western concept album at Willie Nelson's World Headquarters in Luck, Texas, which served as part of the movie set for “The Redheaded Stranger.” Given his love for Willie Nelson's music, Ron felt honored and privileged to record the album there. His biggest surprise was meeting Willie one April afternoon, and hearing him compliment one of the songs on the album. Willie also took the time to listen to Ron tell the story of “The Badman.” Ron will always treasure the time he spent that afernoon wth the Dean of Texas songwriters.
More about “The Badman”
“The Badman” is a series of songs and narrations written by Ron and telling the story of Johnny Collins, a young man turned bad by an uncivil war that destroyed his family. The listener follows Johnny on his quest for redemption.
“The Badman” was recorded and produced on Willie Nelson’s ranch by Nelson collaborator Matt Hubbard. Session musicians on the project include Matt (Willie Nelson, Ray Price, Fastball) on piano and harmonica, David Carroll (Billy Joe Shaver, The Derailers) on upright bass, Derek Groves (Gary P. Nunn, Pauline Reese) on lead guitar and mandolin, and Gary Newcomb and Jeff Johnston (Li’l Cap’n Travis) on steel guitar and saw.
“The Badman” also has a spiritual theme. It tells the story of a dark prodigal son who has wandered far from his heavenly Father, who then endures trials and tribulations in his quest for redemption. Ron hopes that prodigal children of all ages will enjoy this story, inspiring them to read the Bible and discover how the wonderful grace of God and the life-giving blood of Jesus can rescue them from the devil's dark domain, setting them free from sin and death. Free to live a happy, peaceful life, safe in the arms of Jesus.
