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.
