This is the question people ask when they hear Ron E. Beck sing for the first time, his music having stirred their passions so, that they are utterly surprised that he is a "new" vocal artist.

Like a preacher, a singer is called to his profession. People hear someone do a song, and they say, "Hey, you can really sing!". Ron E. B. was called over the years when heard singing background vocals, or singing an occasional lead vocal. Tom Bell, Carlos Santana, Steve Cropper, and Wallace "Scotty" Scott of the Whispers praised his vocal style, yet he did not heed the call.

Ron was busy playing drums on the world's foremost stages with Tower of Power, Herbie Hancock, The Temptations, Bobby Womack, Bill Withers, Bob Marley, John Lee Hooker, Etta James, Rick James, Sista Monica, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Taj Mahal, Santana, Dr. John, and many others. He was also preoccupied recording with some of these artists.

Actually, Ron E. B. was called to sing, and to play, at conception. He came from the womb of a jazz singer/pianist. His mother was a wunderkind who easily evolved into an accomplished artist, but sacrificed a promising career to raise her five gifted children. Ron E. B. and his siblings grew up in a large old house in Omaha that was a Mecca of sorts, drawing master musicians as well as budding talent to what became essentially a music incubator.

At age 18, Ron E. B. moved to northern California, where he still resides. For longer than he could remember, people had been encouraging him to sing. Then one day, a few years ago, it all came to a head. He found himself being offered numerous singing opportunities. Musicians and songwriters were rallying around him. His wife, Sadie, was now leading the refrain, urging him to pursue a dream simmering long within. He realized it was time to come from behind the drums and face the crowd.

Since then, Ron E. B. has been leading his own bands, and singing with others, on a myriad of North American and European stages, including the Umbria Winter and Summer Jazz Festivals (Perugia, Italy), Bill Graham Auditorium (San Francisco), Joslyn Museum Summer Nights (Omaha), Hot August Nights (Reno, NV), UK Bank Holiday (Manchester, England), Mt. View Art & Wine Festival, Monterey Blues Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival, Blues Estefette (Utrecht, Holland), San Francisco Jazz Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, and the Lucerne Blues Festival (Switzerland).

When one sees Ron E. B. bring people to their feet, screaming, it is unmistakably clear that it was his audience more than anyone else who called him to sing. Ron has captivated the public with his fresh approach to contemporary soul music.

Ron E. B. is on a spiritual journey. He is full of passion . . . full of love. But he is hungry. And after all these years the flames are still flickering. Hear his Soul Cry. This man is on fire.