SMALL ponds
The music of singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith has won acclaim from critics and musicians like Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Lucinda Williams, Leslie Feist and Michael Bublé. Born in 1964, Ron formed his first band at age 14 in St. Catharines, Ontario. Initially, he performed covers on the folk circuit, but he soon decided to focus his attention on becoming a songwriter.
After moving to Toronto in 1986, Ron continued performing while working during the day as a courier, and in 1991 he released the album Grand Opera Lane, which was produced by Bob Wiseman, Blue Rodeo’s keyboard player at the time. The LP helped garner Ron’s first recording deal, with Interscope Records. A prolific songwriter, Ron released 14 albums between 1995 and 2017. He won Songwriter of the Year at the Juno Awards in 2002, and his album Long Player was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize in 2011.
When not touring, Ron and wife Colleen Hixenbough live in Stratford, Ontario. Currently, he is working on a musical based on his 2017 novel, Deer Life. Of the novel, Publishers Weekly wrote that it “has much the same effect as his music, conveying uncertainty with fearlessness and heart.”
“In every nowhere town there are somewhere dreams.” — Ron Sexsmith, “Love Shines”
Your name?
Ronald Eldon Sexsmith
Home (or adopted) town?
St. Catharines, Ontario
Population (if you know it)?
Not sure … 100,000 or so. (Editor’s note: When Ron was a child, the population was about 90,000. Currently it’s 130,000.)
Years in residence?
18 years
Where do you live now?
Stratford, Ontario
Local school attended?
St. Catharines Collegiate
Class of 19- - ?
1981
Local jobs you held?
St. Catharines Standard (newspaper).
Your pastimes there?
I had a childhood detective agency. Played soccer.
Favourite hangouts?
My friend Brett’s house.
Best French fries?
The ones in Port Dalhousie.
Favourite nature walk?
Burgoyne Woods.
Best date spot?
The carousel near the beach.
Favourite sports team?
Chicago Blackhawks.
Best swimming hole?
My grandparents’ pool.
Best place to get in trouble?
This old abandoned Domtar factory.
Favourite rink?
I don’t skate.
Nicest road for a hike/bike/drive?
Not sure … I walked everywhere.
Your town’s claim to fame (before you)?
It’s the hometown of Neil Peart from Rush.
Unofficial/suggested town slogan?
Um … “The Garden City,” I suppose.
What part of this place do you wish you could bring with you on the road?
My childhood.
Last time you were home?
Christmas.
Your local mentor, if any?
Rod Morrison, recording studio owner and friend.
How has this place contributed to your career?
It shaped my whole life. It’s where my dreams were born.
Why do/did you like living there? Or what do you like about this small town compared with other places you have lived?
It was just a nice place to grow up.
What else do you want people to know about this place?
It’s still there.
Last words?
I live in Stratford now, and after living in Toronto for 30 years, it’s nice to be back in a small town again.
Catherine MacLellan has become one of Canada’s favourite singer-songwriters, Catherine has also won several East Coast Music Awards, Canadian Folk Music Awards and Music PEI Awards without trading on her family name.
