Continuing their Buffa’s Sunday residency,  Father Ron and Friends, the folk/Americana band based in New Orleans, will celebrate the winning of a Global Music Award for the title track to their new album Forever The Seasons on Louisiana Red Hot Records. Father Ron and friends are active in promoting justice in the community, from leading “Don’t Let The Fire Die” at an MLK Day Service to children’s singalongs for Little Box of Good News – Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana.

Retired Episcopal priest Father Ron Clingenpeel, WWOZ’s folk DJ, has toured the world evangelizing for the folk genre’s powers of peace and healing. Inspired by the life of Pete Seeger, The Seekers, Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and more, Father Ron and Friends lend their voices to Americana/folk with band members Robert Eustis on guitar; David Schwartz on keyboards; Barbara Smith-Davis on vocals; and Max Valentino on bass.  Originally from Nebraska, Father Ron served as priest at Chapel of the Holy Spirit across from Tulane University in New Orleans. His band’s journey started with a tribute to Pete Seeger a decade ago, and is still rolling in the folk/Americana renaissance.

Guest musicians Forever The Seasons include Jack Craft on cello and Gina Forsyth on fiddle, and the chorus includes Debbie Davis and Cole Williams. The album, produced by Andre Bohren and recorded at studios including Marigny Studio in New Orleans, is on the New Orleans Public Library’s Crescent City Sounds.

Father Ron and Friends will perform a MLK Day Jr. performance Jan. 20 at St. Luke’s in New Orleans and continue their Sunday residency at Buffa’s on Jan. 26, Feb. 23 and March 23, continuing through May.