Ronnie Milsap

I first became aware of Ronnie Milsap in 1981, after a Honolulu based radio station with the call letters KDEO played the song Smoky Mountain Rain. I'd grown up loving country music, as the beat of the music appealed to me, but had never heard of Ronnie Milsap. I'd heard artists such as Glen Campbell and others on assorted radio stations growing up in the small town of Bentonville, VA during the 1970's.
By the time the music of Ronnie Milsap made an impact on my life, it couldn't have arrived at a better time.

My relationship with both of my parents at the time wasn't either a healthy or solid one. I rebelled against my mom in many ways that it actually embarrasses me that I was really that disrespectful towards her all those many years. My Family had moved to the big island of Hawaii in 1979 from Virginia, where we had lived for about 10 years. My parents and grandmother visited the Hawaiian islands a year earlier and fell in love with the tropical state.



Meanwhile I experienced an assortment of growing pains, ranging from what love is, to expressing what you're feeling without making a fool out of yourself. I didn't allow many things to bother me when it came to dealing with personal issues dealing with me or any other family member. I had this so-called cool persona I used whenever things got heated or a family expressed themselves in a heated fashion. What I didn't realize at the time, was how that stuff bothered me years later with no family member around to complain towards. I turned to following sports and listening to the radio as outlets for dealing with my growing pains. I followed major league baseball, NFL, NBA, the three major sports all sports junkies followed. I was at an age where I started having different feelings towards women within my age group, my personal appearance, etc.

My father had never taken the time to guide me through these formative years as a father needed to do. My own insecurity about my own personal appearance bothered me to no end, as other students or those with larger builds started bothering me for no reason. I started looking for ways to increase my strength without having to use weights, were it possible to achieve. I came a comic book ad of legendary body builder Charles Atlas, and sent away for additional information on his exercise course. A relative was aware of my plight with wanting to increase my overall strength and loaned me the money to purchase the course. The name of the exercise program was Dynamic Tension. An important bit of information I didn't realize at the time of doing the assorted exercises, was making sure I used the proper exercising techniques Charles Atlas showed. Years later I'd become aware of that fact, had I known that specific thing at that moment in time, I would've achieved my goal.

After returning home from California at the end of summer in 1983, I was a complete mess emotionally and all around. I'd hoped to complete my final year of high school in California, however, that proved to be impossible with how things were at the time with the families connected in this matter. I primarily returned home to Hawaii, hoping to finish high school and get the heck out of dodge quick. During my senior year in high school, I'd seriously thought about taking my own life, but didn't know how to go about it. I recorded a brand new Ronnie song called Stranger in my House during the time I was in Front Royal, and decided to listen to the tape I recorded it on.

Despite feeling sorry for myself and sulking, the song stirred something within me to pay attention. I had other albums by Ronnie and decided to listen seeing what else I'd learn as far as making improvements in my life were concerned. Many of Ronnie's songs focused on the good things life has to offer, despite any setbacks you encounter, don't ever give up. Gradually I applied those lessons to myself, making more efforts to do chores without being asked, etc. These were baby steps at least heading in the right direction. I struggled mightily during my senior year academically speaking and never found out why. Part of it was my fault as I often put my foot in my mouth when I found out the classes I selected were easier then I originally thought. Instead of going with the flow, I somehow managed to graduate with my class in June 1984. There had been serious talk about me repeating my senior year again, to which I said no, as I had enough.

Two years later I'd end up joining the U.S. Navy, I'd attend my first ever Ronnie Milsap concert in 1987 at Hampton Roads, Va with two co-workers. That concert forever changed me in ways I can't describe, yet there were additional changes I needed to make within my life. I'd serve a four year period in the Navy being stationed in both Norfolk and Alameda Naval Stations, each aboard a aircraft carrier. I had no interest in re-enlisting with the U.S. Navy as I had reached burned out status and knew it was time to move on. I had never managed money well as I should have through that period, or at any other period since leaving the service. From 1988 until I got honorably discharged from the Navy I had lived in San Jose, with relatives before moving back to Santa Rosa in September 1990.

I read Ronnie's autobiography when it appeared on book shelves in 1990, and I was stunned learning about the obstacles he'd overcome to where's he's now. How a mother could really believe their sightless child was a curse from God is simply unbelievable. Ronnie, according to all accounts, has never had any ill feelings towards his biological Mom, however, I'm certain he's never forgotten the pain she caused early in his life. Ronnie was fortunate enough to have other loving family members raise him, especially his grandmother who saw the musical talent in her grandchild. It's no wonder Ronnie's as beloved today as fans show their appreciation for the country music legend where ever he performs.

In August of 1993 I returned to Hawaii to help my family build a house for my sister and make improvements on other existing units. It was during this period that I repaired my relationship with my Mom, something that was way over due. My mom & I had some misunderstandings that we cleared up, it also showed me why it was so important having a healthy relationship with your parents. Since leaving high school in 1984, I'd never experienced a serious relationship with a woman. The previous woman I'd been out with was Rhonda Lake, a bus driver's daughter I met in 1976 en-route to school.

For a reason that to this today I'm unable to explain with clarity, I experienced a 20 year drought from 1983 until 2003, without ever experiencing a serious relationship with a woman. I failed miserably in each attempt I made to go out with someone, as it'd, gotten so bad at point that once again I'd considered ending my life. I couldn't figure out or see what I'd been doing incorrectly, however, as time would show, there were many factors to this mystery. As a source of refuge, playing music by Ronnie Milsap seemed to comfort me during these moments, but left as many questions along side all the answers being sought out.

In 1997 I once again returned to California, thinking I was prepared to handle life's responsibilities in a mature manner, and brother was I proved wrong. An achilles heal of mine was credit card usage, I'd end up nearly maxing out the credit limit on my cards. This occurred several more times and on the final time in 2003, I promised my family I'd never put myself in such a position ever again. The years had passed on by and I'd become amongst the last remaining single guys with no girlfriend with everyone wondering why. The end of 2003 proved to be an important time in my life, as my best friend Joe introduced me to a woman who eventually became my wife.

Meeting Heidi in late 2003 seemed different then any other experience I'd encountered in my life up to that point. During the year 2004, Heidi & I gradually got to know each other, and before the year concluded cupid's arrow had struck both of us. Heidi & I met in person in January 2005 at the San Diego airport, a moment in time we won't ever forget. We got married in July 2006 on what proved being the hottest day of the year at Joe's house with family and friends in attendance. What a difference you've made in my life was played as Heidi & I danced together for the first time as husband and wife.

Once we arrived at Harrah's Rincon, each sister wondered why we were at a casino, knowing that none of us gambled. Just moments later Ronnie started warming up on stage performing sound checks. I asked my sisters who that sounded like, as none of them seemed able to guess at first, but after seeing the advertisement on the casino board the look of surprise on their faces was absolutely priceless.

Of all his concerts I've attended through the years, the concert I attended with my sisters in 2006 has remained the highlight performance of them all. That concert performance has remained an enduring memory, because it meant so much to my 4 sisters.


I'd promised my 4 sisters that when visiting San Diego around the time Ronnie Milsap was performing in concert, that I'd take them to see him live in concert. On July 29th that promise was delivered upon as Heidi & I, along with her sister, and my sisters saw Ronnie deliver another masterful performance. We drove all the way from Oceanside to Valley Center where Harrah's was located without letting my sisters know what the heck was going on. Harrah's Rincon was the venue Ronnie made his appearance in an outdoor concert along side Lee Ann Womack. A footnote to Lee Ann's performance, shortly after Lee Ann started her own show, it clearly showed she had no connection with the audience as Ronnie had. Concert goers suddenly got up and walked away from Lee Ann's show in large masses, marking the first time I'd ever seen that happen. It was my sisters first time seeing Ronnie in a live concert setting.


2011 CMA Hall of Fame Inductees announced on March 1st, glaringly omitted Ronnie's name. The following paragraphs are my own personal response to how this made me feel.

This country music legend, blessed with exceptional musical talent, has performed live in front of dignitaries and most importantly his loyal fans. His track record of 40#1 country hits, including a recent number one gospel hit with "Up to Zion" in 2010, more then speaks for itself of this man's country music legacy. Ronnie overcame the rejection by his own mother to embark on an incredible musical journey, proving not only to himself, but, to countless millions around the world, that a blind performer with his musical talent could survive.

Ronnie has apparently become country music's Rodney Dangerfield, as he gets no respect from the CMA Hall of Fame voters each year. Is the CMA Hall of Fame waiting to award him this honor posthumously, it'd be the king of disrespect towards a country artist, who's

shown the entire country music world and other musical genres, that despite being blind, he achieved success many thought couldn't be done. A singer able to over come the rejection of his own mother, thus never holding any ill feelings towards her, deserves induction into the CMA Hall of Fame.

Ronnie has always stood for something, as that was never more apparent, on September 24, 2009, Milsap and a group of Tennessee fire-fighters and volunteers picketed the office of Capitol Records because the company banned the record from radio and iTunes 4 weeks after being released. Ronnie marched with the group of 50 people to the front steps of the office, then sang the new single from atop of a vintage fire-truck. Ronnie said: "We came here to raise awareness about this worthy cause." "What record label wouldn't want to be part of raising money for this much needed fund that helps fire-fighters and police officers who desperately need it." Is the CMA Hall of Fame frowning upon any artist standing up for something each singer strongly believes in, thus with holding any possible induction into the Hall of Fame for a long duration as possible. Ronnie and his fellow protesters followed the letter of the law during their protest against Capitol Records, as other singers can't always say the same thing.

Ronnie, over the duration of his distinguished career, has avoided any major scandal that possibly could've ruined the success he's enjoyed. I'd put Ronnie in the same class as George Strait, for being a true class act in country music today. Artists such as these two won't be seen again in country music, as we their loyal fans have been blessed by seeing their live concert performances around the United States. Let's hope the CMA Hall of Fame Voters get their heads out of the clouds by bestowing a long over due induction to Ronnie Milsap before it's too late.