LOCAL musician Ron Hayward has dedicated his life to the smooth sounds of country music.
His success has seen him featured in an American magazine and a four-page profile in the Moore Country New Zealand Country Music Newspaper.
Ron was born in 1930, and his passion for country began to flourish in 1946 when he purchased his first wind-up gramophone in 1946.
The first recordings Ron purchased were 78rpm acetate records all country and all Australian. They were Slim Dusty 'Been A Fool Too Long', Buddy Williams 'Riding Down The Valley' and Shirley Thoms 'When It's Moonlight On The Trail'.
The three country music recordings were the foundation for Ron's extensive collection today.
His passion grew in April 1948, when he purchased his first guitar, this soon followed with music lessons from July.
Ron recalls his first public performance. "It was after a wedding dance in the Stratford Town Hall on June 4, 1949. I performed 'Travel by Train' and 'Where the Ballinger River Flows'." Ron said someone must have liked him because he got a booking for a family farewell in Douglas. Many bookings soon followed.
In 1950, Ron made his first radio broadcast with his music teacher Mrs Horn and other students from New Plymouth Radio 2YB. Ron performed 'My Little Old Log Cabin On The Plains'.
A very successful audition to be broadcast on Wanganui Radio 2XA followed.
Greater achievements followed when Ron won the Buddy Williams Talent Quest in Inglewood in 1951. This lead to his own 15 minute radio programme on nine radio stations, which included Wanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington, Napier, Hamilton, Rotorua and New Plymouth.
This exposure led to a hand-written letter from Margaret Kinnane of Te Kuiti asking for an autographed photo.
December that year Ron and his sister Fay travelled to Te Kuiti as a guest artist for Jack Riggir.
Wedding bells chimed on July 2, 1955, for Ron and Margaret and the couple have never looked back.
A few hours after his wedding Ron was singing into the microphone of a Wanganui radio station, standing on a chair he performed three cowboy songs. For the first 12 years of Ron's public performances he did a massive 423 appearances and broadcasts.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s Ron formed a band 'The Westernaires', with many other local musicians. The group played at one of the first national Country and Western Clubs.
In 1991, Ron released his first cassette tape entitled 'Ron Hayward My Early Years', which was made up of reel-to-reel demo recordings. The following year Ron released 'Springtime in Taranaki' and in 1994, 'Daddy and Home'.
The year 1999, was a true celebration for Ron as he was honoured by the Taranaki Country Music Club for 50 years of contribution to the industry. "That night I was lured along believing that I was to back fellow entertainer Allan Johnson at a Woman's Institute evening. I didn't immediately click when I entered the Ngaere Hall and saw Big Joe (Martin) and his band on stage. All of a sudden my friends and supporters filled the hall from their hiding spots."
Ron said he was filled with emotion and then pride as he was presented with a commemorative trophy, which he still treasures today.
In 2003, Ron's four cassette tapes were re-mastered onto CD and two new songs were added.
The Taranaki Country Music Club helped Ron and Margaret celebrate their golden wedding anniversary in 2005.
Ron and Margaret have three children Heather Joy, Eric William and Ian Mathew.
The couple currently enjoy the monthly Taranaki Country Music Club days. They both present items and Ron is a band member. From time to time Ron entertains at other Taranaki country music clubs, the odd social, and enjoys providing rest home entertainment.
Making good music for many years
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