Uncle Ron sings everybody’s music.
SAGINAW, MI — Ronald Johnson, or as some people call him « Uncle Ron, » walks the streets of Saginaw serenading those around him.
Johnson, a Saginaw native, makes you feel like you’re speaking to a great uncle or grandfather, and when he opens his mouth to sing you would think you were at a blues concert.
The robust singer recently walked passed the MLive-The Saginaw News office and captured the audience of a reporter and two photographers while Johnson smoked a cigarette and put on a tiny sidewalk concert
Johnson said he had the opportunity to « almost sing professionally, » and in the past, he was involved in several singing groups, but he stopped singing 20 years ago.
« I’m 47. I quit singing a long time ago. Turn it around….74, » Johnson said as he let out a blues-like howl. « I got tired of it. I just got tired of singing. »
When Johnson was determined to keep up his singing passion he said he rubbed elbows with people like L. J. Reynolds, a rhythm and blues and soul singer.
Johnson said he isn’t stuck on a specific genre of music and on any given day you can catch him singing what he describes as « everybody’s music. »
« What I usually do, I catch people coming out of bars and I put them in a good spirit, » Johnson said.
Back in the day, Johnson worked at High-Tech Steel Treating plant. But now, his day to day routine is more leisurely. He frequents the businesses of Old Town where he says he « part-time jives with the businesses. »
Johnson said being in the choir as a teenager at Saginaw High inspired him to perfect his craft. He said he was signing up for classes and he needed a few more for the semester. His counselor put him in choir and an agriculture class.
« I used to sing alto but I smoke cigarettes, » Johnson said. « Now I got that Louis Armstrong voice. Them cigarettes… they change things. »
Passersby and employees of the businesses near by stopped and listened to Johnson’s musical chops and joined him in smoking a cigarette.
