Ron Eckert - Singer & Songwriter: Press and Articles

The following was excerpted from an article that appeared in the June 6, 2008 edition of the Midland Reporter-Telegram.

"Open Mic Nite"
by Graham Dixon

A tradition in European cafes since coffee first arrived on the continent in the 15th century has been to provide various times when people can perform music, poetry, drama or anything else they wish to offer for consumption along with the magical beverage. Shakespeare, Byron, Alan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and many other writers are said to have tried out their works on café patrons. So it was with a sense of both anticipation and history that I went to the Cuppy's Café "Open Mic Nite" on Tuesday. Occurring every Tuesday evening from 7-9, this splendid new forum offers the opportunity for locals to follow in the footsteps of some of the greats.

While some poetry reading occurred, the evening was dominated by a performance from Ron Eckert, a local singer-songwriter who mixes Western and hillbilly music -- with reminders of Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson along the way. Eckert has a fine voice, fluid guitar-playing skills and some mischievous, skillful lyrics under his belt. One song, "The Wench Who Stole Christmas" was both scathing and comic in its storytelling of a relationship that disintegrates at precisely the wrong time of year.

Eckert also told some remarkable details about his songs, such as the one that "I wrote about my first fiancée, and believe it or not, it is one of my wife's favorites." Speaking to the musician after his set, he told me of his upcoming CD called "The Badman" that will be based loosely on the kind of concept album found within Willie Nelson's "Red-Headed Stranger."

While a lawyer by profession, Eckert expressed an enthusiasm for his art that can perhaps only be found within those who are just starting out on what may well be a long and eventful journey. His description of writing a song in his sleep -- shades of how Paul McCartney wrote "Yesterday" -- was fascinating. Ron Eckert is a singer-songwriter who deserves a large audience.