Ronnie Reno

The eldest son of bluegrass legend Don Reno, Ronnie Reno began his career professionally at age eight. Often standing on a milk carton in order to reach the microphone, the young boy played mandolin and guitar with his father on-stage. After working with the Don Reno Band for almost ten years, Ronnie Reno opted to join the Osborne Brothers, another bluegrass band. Working with them for four years, the group released five albums during that time. Ronnie Reno's first big break came in 1973 with his working relationship with country star Merle Haggard. Opening many of Haggard's shows, Reno would then support Haggard as a backing musician. Reno appeared on ten of Haggard's album throughout the '70s and '80s. He also wrote a hit song for Haggard, "I've Got a Darling." It was also during this time that Ronnie Reno recorded his first album, For the First Time, on MCA Records. In the early '90s, Ronnie Reno teamed up with his younger brothers to form the Reno Brothers. Recording began with 1992's Kentucky Gold and ended with 1998's Three Part Harmony on Pinecastle Records. The band was also nominated for an International Bluegrass Music Association Award in 1997. Working on albums by Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Conway Twitty, Ronnie Reno recorded his sophomore album, Portfolio, in 2002. ~ Jason MacNeil, Rovi