Biography for Ronnie Cato Site

As far as the "sound" he is hoping to create? "I am hoping to do something a bit more raw and refined than anything I have done in the past. Ultimately, I want to play music that hopefully makes you feel better than worse, when it's all said and done." Back to basics is where I am headed", says Cato. For 10 years he was the main songwriter and singer for the local Indie Pop/Rock outfit, Living Space (listen here). They managed to record three self- released albums and played on and off at local venues and even received label Major Label interest from RCA records. Over the years, through the different configurations of the band, one thing remained constant. Ronnie was opening himself up to write and listen to different music while searching for his own voice. He received an "Honorable Mention in the Billboard's songwriting contest in 2000. "I owe my songwriting to the interesting collection of music that I was exposed to", says Cato.

I had many fun times playing music with the band, but now I think I want to settle into my own skin, take the things I have learned and create something personal. Having grown up listening to pop, rock, jazz, classical, and R&B music of his parents generation He became infatuated with searching out new music for inspiration whether it was (early 50's and 60's doo wop, Motown, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding. Sam Cooke, Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder etc. I was always struck with how people's voices can make you feel a certain way. After all the human voice is an amazing instrument." Recently He has been dwelving into Gillian Welch, david Gray, Grizzly Bear and others.

"He began his formal training playing in Elementary School playing clarinet and taking piano lessons. He continued throughout his teens. As a teenager in the 80's, Cato's music exposure included records from British as well as American artists (Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Prince, etc). "I really didn't get into guitars until the 90's. That's when I heard REM, Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, and better late than never, The Smiths. Which is when I decided to learn to play guitar." Soon after learning his first chords, he started writing songs and lyrics. Leading us to now, where lately he is listening to more classical and jazz composers and more local artists. " I've still have so much to learn about expressing myself through music, but I feel best when I am writing and performing. It's become a quite an obsession. Cato plans to record a solo project sometime in 2010-11. He has been playing local open mics to work out material. Ronnie has been hosting a mostly acoustic singer-songwriter showcase at the Red Victorian Hotel in San Francisco. Through hard work and organization the showcase is going on a successful 5th year. Currently I am in the process of completing my first solo release titled Wide Eyed Views, due out late fall - Early winter. Go here to check out a rough mix of a track Traveller's Lament from the album. Currently I am in the process of completing my first solo release titled Wide Eyed Views, due out this fall.

Education - BM in Composition,CSUEB Minor in Clarinet Performance- 4 years as a Instrumental Music Teacher in the Hayward School District- 4 years Private Clarinet Instruction. He has studied with composers Rafael Hernandez and Dr. Frank Larocca. He has played in various ensembles under the tutelage of Prof. Timothy Smith, Prof. Dave Eshelman, Dr. Wesley Broadnax, Dr. Johannes Wahlman, and Dr. Buddy James. He has studied clarinet with Prof. William Wohlmacher and Prof. Diane Maltester. Ronnie... has performed and been featured with various music ensembles, including Living Space, and has played with the Fremont Starstruck Theater performances in the Bay Area. He is an accomplished composer, singer/songwriter, musician, music promoter, sound engineer, and teacher. Last Year in 2009, his concert band piece Casus Belli was premiered in Carnegie Hall in New York. He has taught at various schools throughout the Bay Area since 2006 in music and serves as the current Orchestra director at Mt. Eden High School.

Ronnie Cato	Sounds	Sights	Latest Projects	Store	Links	Lyrics
	As far as the "sound" he is hoping to create? "I am hoping to do something a bit more raw and refined than anything I have done in the past. Ultimately, I want to play music that hopefully makes you feel better than worse, when it's all said and done." Back to basics is where I am headed", says Cato. For 10 years he was the main songwriter and singer for the local Indie Pop/Rock outfit, Living Space (listen here). They managed to record three self- released albums and played on and off at local venues and even received label Major Label interest from RCA records. Over the years, through the different configurations of the band, one thing remained constant. Ronnie was opening himself up to write and listen to different music while searching for his own voice. He received an "Honorable Mention in the Billboard's songwriting contest in 2000. "I owe my songwriting to the interesting collection of music that I was exposed to", says Cato. I had many fun times playing music with the band, but now I think I want to settle into my own skin, take the things I have learned and create something personal. Having grown up listening to pop, rock, jazz, classical, and R&B music of his parents generation He became infatuated with searching out new music for inspiration whether it was (early 50's and 60's doo wop, Motown, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding. Sam Cooke, Paul Simon, Marvin Gaye, The Beatles, Stevie Wonder etc. I was always struck with how people's voices can make you feel a certain way. After all the human voice is an amazing instrument." Recently He has been dwelving into Gillian Welch, david Gray, Grizzly Bear and others. "He began his formal training playing in Elementary School playing clarinet and taking piano lessons. He continued throughout his teens. As a teenager in the 80's, Cato's music exposure included records from British as well as American artists (Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, Prince, etc). "I really didn't get into guitars until the 90's. That's when I heard REM, Nirvana, Jeff Buckley, and better late than never, The Smiths. Which is when I decided to learn to play guitar." Soon after learning his first chords, he started writing songs and lyrics. Leading us to now, where lately he is listening to more classical and jazz composers and more local artists. " I've still have so much to learn about expressing myself through music, but I feel best when I am writing and performing. It's become a quite an obsession. Cato plans to record a solo project sometime in 2010-11. He has been playing local open mics to work out material. Ronnie has been hosting a mostly acoustic singer-songwriter showcase at the Red Victorian Hotel in San Francisco. Through hard work and organization the showcase is going on a successful 5th year. Currently I am in the process of completing my first solo release titled Wide Eyed Views, due out late fall - Early winter. Go here to check out a rough mix of a track Traveller's Lament from the album. Currently I am in the process of completing my first solo release titled Wide Eyed Views, due out this fall. Education - BM in Composition,CSUEB Minor in Clarinet Performance- 4 years as a Instrumental Music Teacher in the Hayward School District- 4 years Private Clarinet Instruction. He has studied with composers Rafael Hernandez and Dr. Frank Larocca. He has played in various ensembles under the tutelage of Prof. Timothy Smith, Prof. Dave Eshelman, Dr. Wesley Broadnax, Dr. Johannes Wahlman, and Dr. Buddy James. He has studied clarinet with Prof. William Wohlmacher and Prof. Diane Maltester. Ronnie... has performed and been featured with various music ensembles, including Living Space, and has played with the Fremont Starstruck Theater performances in the Bay Area. He is an accomplished composer, singer/songwriter, musician, music promoter, sound engineer, and teacher. Last Year in 2009, his concert band piece Casus Belli was premiered in Carnegie Hall in New York. He has taught at various schools throughout the Bay Area since 2006 in music and serves as the current Orchestra director at Mt. Eden High School.