New Orleans KISS Expo December 14

I was in New Orleans December 14 as a Special Guest at the New Orleans KISS Expo, and had a great time performing, meeting fans and promoting IronHorse.

During my solo acoustic segment, I added to my standard selections from KEEL, Steeler, Fair Game, and IronHorse with KISS classics "Beth" and "Hard Luck Woman".

Later, I enjoyed singing with the band SSG - thanks to Dave, Brett & Steve for working up "The Right To Rock", it was a blast for me and got a great response from the audience. We also did "Love Gun", and during ex-KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick's show with SSG I joined them for "Strutter" and then the high point for me was jumping down into the front row during "Rock & Roll All Night" and singing with all of the young kids, most with their faces painted in KISS makeup, who were gathered in front of the stage.

Big thanks to promoter Phil Elliot and Kreatures Of The South for making me a part of this Expo, my partner Aaron 'Doc' Fischer for taking care of the business, and the fans who made it all worthwhile.

IronHorse Headlines Freedom Festival in San Diego; Second Show Cancelled due to Southern California Wildfires

The second of two recent Southern California appearances was cancelled due to the wildfires raging in the San Diego area.

IronHorse was to have headlined the two-day Freedom Festival to honor the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, Police, and Firefighters on Saturday and Sunday October 25-26. Saturday's performance went on as scheduled, but event coordinators wisely pulled the plug on Sunday when the catastrophic wildfires burned out of control.

Flight cancellations forced us to wait it out at the hotel as the skies filled with smoke and ash. IronHorse expresses our deepest condolences to the thousands who have lost love ones, homes, and property to the devastating fires, and also thanks to Team Freedom, Eddie Carr, and everyone else responsible for bringing the band in to participate in the event - and IH looks forward to being a part of next year's Freedom Festival (hopefully without any disasters to interrupt the festivities.)

Radio Interview/"American Thunder" World Premiere Sept. 25

Thursday, September 25th, at 6:30 pm EST, Ronnie Keel will be doing a phone-in interview on Radioactive 1620. DJ Matt Alexandris hosts a weekly show called "The Right To Rock" (the KEEL classic is the show's theme song), and he will be talking to Ronnie live. This will also be the World Premiere of the new IronHorse anthem "American Thunder" from the upcoming album.

1620 am is the radio station of Southern New Hampshire University, but fans around the world can listen in via the station's on-line streaming by clicking on the logo link above.

Minimum system requirements:

Windows 95 or higher

Internet Explorer 5 or Netscape 4

Windows Media Player 6.4

Recommended:

Windows 98 SE or higher

Internet Explorer 6 or Netscape 7

Windows Media Player 9

Thanks to Matt Alexandris, 1620 am, and Southern New Hampshire University for their support.

New IronHorse Album Mixed & Mastered

for photos from the sessions click here:

Mixdown and mastering have been completed on the new IronHorse CD.

The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by Kevin Beamish. Beamish has numerous gold and platinum releases under his belt in both Heavy Metal and Country, making him the ideal choice to record the new IronHorse music. His accomplishments include everything from producing REO Speedwagon's "High Infidelity" (15 million sold) to engineering the latest Kenny Chesney smash "No Shoes No Shirt No Problems" which debuted on the Billboard Pop Charts at #1.

He has recorded thirty-five #1 songs in the past seven years alone.

Other credits in Country music consist of Reba McEntire, Clint Black, and many more, while his Heavy Metal recordings include Saxon, Y&T, Michael Shenker, and KEEL - we worked together before when Kevin produced KEEL's "Rock N Roll Outlaw" for the "Dudes" movie soundtrack.

Henry Paul & IH in the studio

Henry Paul, lead vocalist for such great bands as BlackHawk & The Outlaws, contributed a song to the album, "Dixie Highway", on which he sings a duet with me. Henry also lent his mandolin-playing skills to "The Other Kind".

Reprising her role as IH female vocalist was singer Terri Lane.

Here is the complete track listing in sequence:

American Thunder

(Ronnie Keel)

The Best Move

(George McCorkle, D. Scott Miller)

Desert Rain

(Ronnie Keel/Jay Rusnak/Geno Arce)

The Other Kind

(Steve Earle)

Hearts Of Steel

(Wynn Varble/Charles Victor)

Dixie Highway

(Henry Paul/Chuck Glass)

One Hell Of A Ride

(John Edwards)

Three Sheets To The Wind

(John Edwards, Troy Martin)

Half Past Goodbye

(Jay Rusnak)

Follow Your Heart

(Ronnie Keel)

Haunted Saloon

(Ronnie Keel/Jay Rusnak)

Under The Gun

(Troy Montgomery/Matt LaPorte)

Many have followed the recording process on line via up-to-the-minute updates on the IronHorse Message Board - click here for a start-to-finish chronicle of the recording sessions:

Release plans etc. will be announced here first so stay tuned and get ready to ride...

Justin's Run For Hope raises $7000+

IronHorse Headlines Annual Charity Event For 3rd Consecutive Year

IronHorse was proud to participate in the annual Justin's Run For Hope benefit in Caledonia, Ohio, on July 12th. Coordinator Nance Beckley reports that over $7000 was raised to help with medical expenses for 14-month-old Caden Hord, hospitalized since birth with 'complete trachial rings'.

This was the band's third year in a row to headline the event, which annually raises money to help children in need of medical attention. IronHorse auctioned the Session Files paperwork from the new CD and raised $375.00 for the cause, thanks to winning bidder Chris Wicks of Cleveland.

We are very pleased to learn that young Caden Hord was able to go home a couple of days after the benefit and everyone on Team IronHorse wishes him continued success in his recovery. Thanks to all who worked, participated, and came out to the event - plans are already underway for next year's Justin's Run For Hope July 9-10 2004. For information on how to help, e-mail Nance Beckley at shovel70hd@aol.com.

In conjuntion with the event, the Marion (OH) Star newspaper ran a feature article that is archived on their web site. View it by clicking here:

IronHorse Attends Summer NAMM in Nashville

IronHorse was in Nashville July 18-20 for the Summer NAMM Convention, supporting our endorsement companies and continuing to develop relationships with the best manufacturers of musical equipment and products.

Ultimate Support Systems presented me with a new Colorado Custom chrome IronHorse microphone stand, with the 'Horse' from the logo on the base - photos of this stunning piece are coming soon, but other Ultimate Support Colorado Custom chrome microphone stands can be seen on their web site:

Thanks to all the companies that supply us with the gear it takes to make it all happen, and stay tuned for some exciting new endorsement news as the smoke clears from Summer NAMM 2003.

IronHorse Headlines at Texas Motor Speedway, Biketoberfest in Daytona

IronHorse rode into Texas to headline the Lone Star Biker Bash at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday September 20. Over 20,000 people were there for the event and it was all captured on film as videographer Peter Lippman ("Tears Of Fire, Because The Night" from KEEL) filmed a video for the new IH anthem "American Thunder".

IronHorse also returned to Daytona for Biketoberfest for three nights at The Last Resort.

Thursday, Friday, & Saturday October 16, 17, 18:

Port Orange/Daytona Beach, Florida

The Last Resort

5812 Ridgewood Avenue, Port Orange 32127 - (386) 761-5147

showtimes TBA

Radio Interview/"American Thunder" World Premiere Sept. 25

1620 am is the radio station of Southern New Hampshire University, but fans around the world can listen in via the station's on-line streaming by clicking on the logo link above.

Minimum system requirements:

Windows 95 or higher

Internet Explorer 5 or Netscape 4

Windows Media Player 6.4

Recommended:

Windows 98 SE or higher

Internet Explorer 6 or Netscape 7

Windows Media Player 9

Thanks to Matt Alexandris, 1620 am, and Southern New Hampshire University for their support.

Ron Keel & Marc Ferrari Reunited On Stage For NY KISS Expo

dateline May 7 2003

Ron Keel & Marc Ferrari (KEEL, Cold Sweat, Medicine Wheel) were together again on stage at the 17th Annual New York KISS Expo.

We both attended the event as Special Guests - hanging out with fans and signing memorabilia and merchandise.

But the high point of the event was an acoustic performance where Marc & I performed live unplugged versions of KEEL hits and IronHorse's "Run For The Border", which Marc co-wrote. This took place on Saturday afternoon and it was a blast to be back on stage with one of my best friends and favorite guitarists.

The Expo was held at the Sheraton Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Saturday & Sunday May 3-4. I want to thank Aaron "Doc" Fischer for making it happen, and promoter Ritchie Ranno for having there me as a special guest.

I will also be a special guest at the first ever Denver KISS Expo on Saturday September 6. For details and ticket info, visit the Denver KISS Expo web site by clicking here:

There is another confirmed Expo appearance this year that I am not yet at liberty to announce...stay tuned.

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Ron Keel & IronHorse Back On The Tour Bus

dateline May 7 2003

On Saturday, May 3, while in New York attending the 2003 NY KISS Expo, I made a return visit to The Tour Bus, the extremely popular syndicated rock radio show where IronHorse made their radio debut in 2000.

In addition to the interview, it was the World Radio Premiere of "American Thunder - Live", the new IronHorse anthem recorded live during their recent Ohio tour dates. Ron was accompanied by KEEL guitarist Marc Ferrari; they performed an acoustic version of "Tears Of Fire", and joined with former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick for the KISS classic "Strutter".

Thanks to the following stations for carrying the show:

WCRZ Albany, NY

KOPR Albert Lea, MN

KZMZ Alexandria, LA

KBFX Anchorage, AK

WQNQ WQNS Asheville, NC

WPUP Athens, GA

KASS Casper, WY

WHDQ Claremont, NH

KICA Clovis, NM

KLRQ Clinton, MO

KMOM Colorado Springs, CO

KXGE Dubuque, IA

WNGZ Elmira, NY

KKBX Fargo, ND

WLSR Galesburg, IL

WACL Harrisonburg, VA

KZMT Helena, MT

KRXL Kirksville, MO

WDRE Long Island, NY

WDBN Macon, GA

WTBK Manchester, KY

WQUL Marion, IL

KZZE Medford, OR

KBRE Merced, CA

KZPR Minot, ND

WDHA Morristown, NJ

KXLP North Mankato, MN

WBTO Petersburg, IN

WTOS Portland, ME

KFXS Rapid City, SD

KLKK Rochester, IA

KQBA Santa Fe, NM

KSID Sidney, NE

WRAT South Belmar, NJ

WIRX South Bend, IN

KFLW St. Roberts, MO

KYGL Texarkana, AR

WKLT, WKLZ Traverse City, MI

WQAK Union City TN

WOTT Watertown, NY

WIFX Whitesburg, KY

WGLX Wisonsin Rapids, WI

KATS Yakima, WA

Highlights from the show are archived on their web site about a week after the original airdate; to visit The Tour Bus web site, click on the animated banner above.

If you don't get the show in your town, call or e-mail your local rock stations and tell them to get off their ass and get on The Tour Bus.

"The Country Years" CD Available Now

dateline: April 2003

A compilation CD of my Country music recordings from 1995-1998 is now available; entitled "The Country Years", it contains the "Western Country" album and The Rat'lers "Thick As Thieves" album in their entirety plus a previously unreleased bonus track, 21 songs in all, 72 minutes worth of music.

To order by mail, visit the RK store:

To order by credit card with PayPal, go to the Ebay listing by clicking here:

Feature Article: Major Brazil Metal Mag "Roadie Crew"

dateline: March 3 2003

The new issue of "Roadie Crew", Brazil's premier Metal magazine, has a great feature article & interview with yours truly. This is a beautiful high-quality publication, and I thank editor Ricardo Batalha for including me in this special 50th issue.

The on-line version of the magazine does not include the interview, but you can check it out by clicking on either the picture or logo above.

Concert for CASA featuring IronHorse

dateline: February 6 2003

IronHorse returned to the stage in January for four shows in the Nashville area, including a benefit Concert for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). These were new guitarist Jay Rusnak's first gigs with the band, and the in-concert debut of some new IronHorse songs - a great way to kick off what promises to be a very busy and exciting year.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) is a non-profit organization whose agencies provide trained volunteers to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in court. On Thursday, January 30, IronHorse was on hand to perform and help raise money and awareness for this very worthwhile cause.

Even though the show is over, I will maintain this link on my site for those who wish to learn more and contribute:

The show, which also featured Brent Lamb (Shenandoah), Eddy Raven, Billy Walker, Sylvia, and Host Jimmy Carter of CNN, took place at the prestigious Gibson Bluegrass Showcase at Opry Mills Mall.

Now Playing & Endorsing Dillion Guitars

I am very pleased to announce that I am now playing and endorsing Dillion Guitars exclusively.

My new acoustic guitar of choice is the Dillion 270CET, aka The Black Stallion and for my electrified needs I am using the Telecaster-styled DTT70.

Dillion offers a wide variety of quality instruments of all styles - please check out their web site by clicking on the logo above. My thanks go out to John Dillion for the opportunity to play and promote his products, and to the entire staff of Dillion Guitars worldwide.

Vocal Book Now Available

I am featured in "Pro Secrets Of Heavy Rock Singing", a new book by author Bill Martin. Just released by Sanctuary Publishing, the book contains 8 pages of my personal vocal insight and philosophy, warm up exercises, autobiographical references and much more.

Other vocalists included are Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Geoff Tate (Queensryche), and a host of others. This work is highly recommended for singers of all styles and fans of heavy rock vocals in particular.

To order the book, visit the Secrets Of Singing web site by clicking on the cover - please let them know you heard about it here.