Now with opening act Nora Joy!

Ron Sexsmith is a three time, Juno award winning singer songwriter from St Catharines Ontario. Born in 1964, Ron was drawn to music from an early age by the melodic songs of the era, which he heard on the radio and by his Mom’s record collection. His earliest musical heroes were Buddy Holly and Elton John. He always loved to sing and started playing guitar at age 14. Although he tried to write songs throughout his teens, it wasn’t until he was 21, when he had his first child, that he truly became a songwriter. Ron eventually moved his young family to Toronto in 1987 to further pursue a career in music. He worked as a courier by day, while performing in the clubs by night. He formed the band ‘Ron Sexsmith and The Uncool’ and started gaining attention from music label executives, though all passed on signing him.

In 1991, he released his first full length album on cassette called “Grand Opera Lane”. The album was rejected by the Canadian music industry, although it found its way to Los Angeles where Ron ultimately signed his first music publishing deal with Interscope Records followed by a recording contract.

With producer Mitchell Froom, Sexsmith released his self-titled label debut album in 1995. The melancholic tone and sparse acoustic arrangements of the album were met with disapproval from Interscope. However an enthusiastic endorsement from Elvis Costello drew media attention and the album was declared a critical success. In his Sept 7, 1995 review for Rolling Stone, Bud Scoppa wrote: “He just may be the most fluent balladeer to come along since Tim Hardin or Harry Nilsson.”

Sexsmith’s songwriting style evolved into a unique and timeless blend of classic pop, contemporary folk, and roots-rock idioms. He has built a steadfast reputation with critics and with some of his own songwriting hero’s (Elton John, Ray Davies, John Prine, Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Cohen and Paul McCartney) for his characteristically honest, sensitive, and enduring approach to the songwriting craft.

Ron has released albums on a consistent basis since 1995 and has recorded with noted producers Mitchell Froom, Daniel Lanois, Steve Earle, Jim Scott, Don Kerr, Brad Jones, Bob Rock, and Martin Terefe. His extensive song and album catalog has garnered Sexsmith a substantive cult following and an international touring career. His early years of touring included opening for established artists such as, John Hiatt, Elvis Costello, Sarah McLaughlin, Squeeze, Aimee Mann, Coldplay, Nick Lowe, John Prine, Lucinda Williams and many others. His songs as well, have been covered by the likes of Rod Stewart, Nick Lowe, Emmy Lou Harris, Feist, Michael Buble, and Stevie Nicks to name a few. In the past few decades as a headlining artist, Ron has performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, such as Massey Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Carnegie Hall, and The London Palladium.

In 2017, Ron penned his first novel ‘Deer Life, A Fairy Tale’ published worldwide by Dundurn Press Limited. He has written a ‘yet to be released’ complete musical score to accompany the tale, for his vision to bring the story to the stage as musical theatre or adapt to film.

Ron will be making his theatrical composer debut in 2025 with the internationally renowned Stratford Festival production of ‘As You Like It’ in Stratford, Ontario, Canada.

He currently lives in Perth County, Ontario with his wife, his piano, and his vinyl record collection and continues to be inspired to write, record and perform live worldwide.

About Nora Joy:

Nora Joy is a 16-year old singer-songwriter from Stratford, Ontario. She began crafting songs at the age of eleven with authentic perspectives and catchy melodies. her unadorned and honest music has been making an impact with one of her earliest songs ‘Tell Me Why’, being featured for the anti bully campaign at her middle years school in 2021.

Nora Joy was selected as an Ontario Youth Discoveries Competition winner in 2024 and was awarded the opportunity to perform at the Owen Sound Summerfolk Festival. Her solo acoustic performance was noted in the press as one of the key highlights of the festival.

She was personally invited by Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith to perform and share the stage with him at his celebrated and sold out ‘Sexsmith At Sixty’ concert in August 2024. Shortly thereafter, she travelled to the prestigious Eastcote Studios in London UK to sing backing vocals on Sexsmith’s 2025 album, Hangover Terrace.

Nora Joy is currently working on her debut full length studio album. She continues to perform live, while also penning new tunes to add to her ever evolving song catalog.

Tickets go on sale to Stockey Members on Friday July 4th at 11am and to the general public on Friday July 11th at 11am.

Ticket prices:

Orchestra Pit (Rows AA to FF): $62.95 + HST

Orchestra (Rows A to J): $57.95 + HST

Mezzanine: $47.95 + HST

Balcony: $42.95 + HST

BUY TICKETS ONLINE HERE

Tickets can also be purchased during our business hours by calling our Box Office at 705-746-4466 extension 405 or visiting us at 2 Bay Street, Parry Sound.