Biography
Given Name: Rolando Lionel Gonzalez
Stage Name: Ro
Born: October 24, 1964, Ft. Wainwright, Alaska
Genre: Soft Rock & Easy Listening
Slogan/Tagline: Tears & Smiles
Active: Since 2015
Recording Studio: Myrtle Avenue Studio, Visalia, CA
Website: http://www.ro1.rocks
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, SnapChat, & YouTube Channel
Download: CDbaby, Google Play, & iTunes Apple Music
Streaming: Spotify, Soundcloud, & Jango
Merchandise: rosmerch.bigcartel.com
Introduction:
Ro is a soft rock and easy listening singer from the Central California San Joaquin Valley whose lyrical tenor voice can tug at your heart strings. His songs can be described in two words… “tears & smiles”. He sings passionate love songs that will bring a tear to your eye and feel good songs that will make you smile ear to ear.
Beginnings:
Ro was discovered by a professional vocal and performance coach who heard him perform a Partridge Family song on a karaoke machine. Crazy, huh! He was told he had natural presence and a unique voice that others would enjoy hearing. To Ro’s horror it was suggested he immediately begin performing live. No one was more surprised than Ro, who at this point had only sung in is vehicle and the shower, much less in front of people! With a heavy dose of encouragement Ro was convinced to participate in an open mic event. Having never performed in front of people, his first live performance was scary to say the least, but the audience response was very positive. Ro has been studio recording and performing live regularly ever since.
Media Quotes:
“Ro’s voice has an incredible range marked by stunning high and covered notes. His emotional live performance with theatrical body movements and piercing eyes is mesmerizing”, Stephen C. Zimmer, vocal & performance coach, musiczimmer.com
"Nice interpretation and feeling... good projection", Teresa Orozco, Classical and Latin American flutist, soloist, orchestral player and ensemble coach, recording artist, and studio musician. orozcoflutestudios.com
"Good rhythm... good interpretation", Orlando Castro, singer, guitarist, harmonica player and Afro-Cuban Percussionist, Grammy Award winner, BMI Song Of The Year winner, orozcoflutestudios.com/orlando-castro
Awards:
2017 San Jose International Performing & Visual Arts Festival, Performance Showcase, Excellence Award
2017 The Next Big Thing Talent Show, Kings Fair, Hanford, CA., Semi-Finalist
Current Activity:
Ro has a home studio in Visalia, CA called “Myrtle Ave Studio”. His studio is used for vocal & performance practice and recording. In 2018 he released his debut album titled "tears & smiles". As of 2019 he is working on his sophomore album titled "Keith Cassidy". A tribute album to the music of David Cassidy and The Partridge Family. In addition, he continues to perform regularly in the Central California San Joaquin Valley area.