Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronnie Coleman.
Ronnie has been a musician since age 4, spanning now into 29 years. He is a multi-instrumental & vocal prodigy from Houston, Texas. Ronnie is a master at Percussion, Drums, Piano, Keyboards, and The Organ who also plays the Bass. After completion of high school, he went on to attend Angelina College in, Lufkin, TX, with a full scholarship in Jazz and Symphonic Music. While attending Angelina, he worked as a session musician at Band Stand Music Recording Studio and performed an array of music genres regularly with various musical acts.
In 2002-2004 Ronnie played at the UNT Jazz Festival in, Addison, TX. In 2005 and 2006, he had the privilege of playing for DaMarion Lewis & Praise of Houston, TX at the Bobby Jones Gospel Industry Retreat in, Ft. Lauderdale, FL. In 2006 Ronnie was the drummer for the “Worship Experience Tour 2006″ consisting of ten cities throughout Texas. On November 27, 2008, Ronnie released his debut project “PREFACE” under his independently owned company Rico J Entertainment.
In 2008, Ronnie founded Houston’s #1 Multi-genre, Cross-cultural band, known as “MerlotMusic.” Merlot is blazing Houston 5-6 times a week at various entertainment venues, concerts, churches & events. You can visit any online retailer such as cdbaby.com and iTunes to purchase music from Ronnie’s catalog,“PREFACE”, “CHAPTER ONE: NO TURNING BACK” or the newest single “Brighter Day/f James Murphy”. Ronnie performs throughout the southeast United States as well as Nationally. Proudly, Ronnie is currently endorsed by Amedia Cymbals USA, Los Cabos Drumsticks, Empire In-Ear Monitors, and Casio Keyboards USA.
Education:
2002-HS Diploma, Diboll High School, Diboll, Texas
2002-2004-Angelina Jr. College, Real Estate Certified, Lufkin, TX
2006-2007-Texas Barber College, Class A Licensed Barber, Houston, TX
Ministries/Church Venues:
International House Of Praise-Katy
New Beginnings Ministries-Dickerson(Oct 09 to Sept 2010)
1st UME Church Westchase-Houston
Yale Street COGIC-Houston
Stand Christian Ministries, Houston
Family Life Christian, Houston
Christ Temple Apostolic- Houston
Perfecting Love Family Church-Houston
New Zion Baptist Church-Lufkin
Providence Baptist Church #1-Leggett
Southeast Community Church-Houston
Greater Northeast Antioch MBC-Houston
Endorsements:
Amedia Cymbals, Inc-Verona, NJ
Los Cabos Drumsticks Casio Keywords USA
Empire In-Ear Monitors
TV/Radio Stations –
90.1FM Houston 90.9FM Houston
91.3FM Houston 94.3 Lufkin, TX
Publications:
SmoothJazz.com-International
ICON Magazine-Houston, TX Downbeat Magazine
All That Jazz Magazine Online JAZZ INM.E.E
Global Entertainment Events & Venues
Samuel Boswell-Frankfurt, Germany
National Entertainment Events &Venues:
Bobby Jones Industry Artist Retreat 2004-Ft Lauderdale FL
Bobby Jones Industry Artist Retreat 2005-Hollywood FL
Dr Bobby Jones Dr Andre Crouch
Kim Burrell Joe Carmouche
Dean James Kyle Turner
Willie Sharpe Jason Marsalis of Marcus Roberts Trio
Larry Greer Shades of Blue Valencia Edner
Byron Reinhart Michael Lofton
Joey Oscar DaMarion Lewis
Cedric Kenebrew Lenora Jones
NAMM CONVENTION 2009-CURRENT
Roscoes Deli- Fullerton,Ca
Regional Entertainment Events &Venues
Conroe Jazz Festival-Headliner The Vortex, Beaumont
Conroe Music Festival 2009 The Logon Cafe, Beaumont
Market Street, The Woodlands Sugarland Town Square-Sugarland
Red Cat Jazz Café-Since 2008 Vincenzio’s Italian Restaurant & Grill-Sundays
Martell Lounge-Houston Posh Lounge- Houston
1st Street Café- Lufkin Lufkin Center Expo/Rodeo
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee Campaign 2008
This Is It Soul Food Kingdom Harvest Valentine’s Banquet 2010, Lufkin, TX
Phil and Dereks JAZZ LOUNGE The Cresent Lounge Killeen,Texas
Killeen Jazz Festival Katy Jazz in The Park Concert Series
Katy Contemporary Art Museum Jazz Festival
University/Educational Venues
Angelina College, Lufkin, TX University of Houston
Prairie View University Texas Southern University-Houston
University of North Texas-Jazz Festival
FOR ALL BOOKING CONTACT: bookronniecolemanjr@gmail.com
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’ve been homeless. I’ve lived without power. It hasn’t all been a bed of roses but I’m grateful for the blessings I have now.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Merlot’s Barbershop story. Tell us more about the business.
I’m a musician, artist, bandleader of #MerlotMusicHouston and barber owner of Merlot’s Barbershop. My music, that you can find on iTunes, is a mix of jazz, gospel, blues and soul. I’ve been a professional musician for almost 20yrs. I’ve been a licensed barber for 9 years and shop owner for 4. I’ve been proud to open debt free.
My shop, much like my music services a wide range and demographics of people. A thing that sets us apart is that we’re high quality with early opening and late closings 6 Days a week. Our clientele base literally reaches ever nationality from across the globe.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
No luck at all just faith and hardworking.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2715 Bissonnet Suite 203 Houston, Texas 77005
- Phone: 713.876.6802
- Email: merlotsbarbershop@gmail.com
- Instagram: @merlotsbshop
- Facebook: @merlotsbshop
- Twitter: @merlotsbshop
- Yelp: Merlot’s Barbershop
- Other: @merlotmusichouston
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
