Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronnie Gross Jr
Hi Ronnie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in New York on Long Island where I studied theater and music all throughout high school. I eventually attended Wagner College for Musical Theater Performance in 2011. After flunking out, I attended Suffolk County Community College for a semester before moving to Orlando for the Disney College Program. I stayed in Florida for 7 years, before moving back home in 2018, finished school, got my AA in Music at SCCC, then moved back in December of 2020. After floating around from job to job, and playing a couple of gigs around town, I eventualy quit my job to pursue music full time in June of 2021.
Since then, I’ve developed a small following in Clermont, Winter Garden, and Orlando, playing in places like Tin Roof, House of Blues, Disney Springs, and Sea World. I play frequently with local band Soundscaper, as well as any other friend who is up to play a show. Our impromptu feel gives the audience the chance to participate in our shows, while showcasing our skills as working musicians who aren’t afraid to try anything – even on stage in front of people.
I’ve also been heavily involved in Orlando’s vibrant theater community. In the last 2 years, I have done 5 professional productions, 2 short films, and countless other projects. Theater has been an incredible outlet for me to stretch myself as an artist, tell stories that I would like to tell, and to simply have fun with some incredible artists.
In June, I released an EP, Emotional Boy, and performed a sold out show at The Green Room at Tin Roof to celebrate the release. Now, I continue to write music, collaborating with local artists, and trying to get my music heard by a wider audience.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Trying to work a conventional 9-5 job does not necessarily go hand in hand with performing music, even part time. Local artist, Layla Brisbois gave me great advice: “Dont give yourself a safety net, If you have a back up plan, you don’t believe in yourself, and you’re setting yourself up for failure.” There will always be work. If it doesn’t work out, you can pick yourself up and find something else, if you need to, but until then, you owe it to yourself to take a chance on yourself.
Since then, I’ve taken many chances on myself, investing a lot of time and money into my music and myself. It has been a lot of fun, but sometimes, fun doesn’t pay the bills. Sometimes, you need to take gigs you didn’t see yourself taking, like walking around, going door to door in Margaritaville to sing Christmas Carols, or children’s birthday parties, or any mom’s idea that starts with, “Wouldn’t it be fun IF…”
Sometimes, you play to empty bars. Sometimes, you play at a jam packed bar and no one is listening. Outdoor gigs get canceled in the rain. When you are youre own boss, you need to pay for broken equipment, health insurance, car maintenance, etc, When you are a solo musician, you are all alone on stage. You don’t have co workers, the only socail interaction is with some people at a bar who you don’t know. It gets lonely.
I play anywhere form 4-7 days a week. That doesn’t give me a lot of energy for other things, like socializing, or writing new music. There is a balance that I am still trying to figure out so I can support myself financially, as well as feeding my soul.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
On paper, I am a Musician/Actor.
Musically, I love taking songs and turning them on their head to create something new and original. Some of my favorite songs to cover are by female presenting artists. I love covering ABBA, Cher, Chappell Roan, Britney Spears, the list goes on. My Mount Rushmore of artists are Dave Grohl, Jack Black, “Weird Al” Yankovic, and Jimmy Buffett. I love story telling and melting faces. There is a lot of both in my own music.
Theatrically, I love to play characters that are kooky, weird, and loud. Show stealers, if you will. I’ve been fortunate enought o play some really incredible characters while living in Orlando. My first professional role was Dewey Finn in School of Rock at Theater South Playhouse in Dr. Phillips. That was a dream role at the top of my list, so walking off the street to audition and getting it after my first audition in Orlando felt like I was meant to be there. I’ve played Uncle Fester in The Addams Family with New Generation Theatrical in an abandoned shoe store at the Fashion Square Mall, I spent last Christmas wearing a prosthetic nose and a neon blue suit as Ukariah in Grinchmas at Universal Studios, I wore a Giant Inflatable Crab balloon and danced in the streets at Leu Gardens for Halloween, I’ve done the Fringe Festival, short films, improv comedy, I’ve done a lot!
I get to spend my life performing and creating in different spaces with all sorts of wonderful and interesting people. I often feel like I’m not deserving of being around these talented individuals, but after reflecting on what I’ve done in the last three years, I think I offer something unique to the Orlando experience. I get to get up on stage in front of locals, tourists, and industry regulars and have fun. Not many people can say they do that for a living. It’s not glamourous, but I’m glad I spent my 20’s and the beginning of my 30’s doing this, instead of sitting behind a desk.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Ultimate Guitar Tabs is my best friend. Any/every guitarist needs this if they don’t use it already.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ronniegrossjr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronniegrossjr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@RonGrossOfficial
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/37kNMoB9Fbckvwmqq0Q40g?si=r1RvPsN-RnaeLDGT663pPQ
Image Credits
All Photos:
Taken by Kayla Mraz (@kaylajeanmraz)
Tin Roof Orlando – Green Room
Ronnie Gross Jr’s Album Release Show, 6.27.24
