Ron Pope

Pope was raised in Marietta, Georgia.{{cite web|last=Mosely|first=Davia|title=Star Quality: Rocker Comes Home to Georgia on National Tour|url=http://mdjonline.com/view/full_story/12535162/article-Star-quality--Rocker-comes-home-to-Georgia-on-national-tour}} He attended East Cobb Middle School and Joseph Wheeler High School.{{cite web|last=Harrison|first=Shane|title=Live Music Picks|url=http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-scene/2011/03/24/live-music-picks-march-25-31/|publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218065231/http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-music-scene/2011/03/24/live-music-picks-march-25-31/|archivedate=December 18, 2011}} He began playing the guitar at an early age.

After high school, he attended Rutgers University for two years to play baseball.{{cite web|last=Ingram|first=Bruce|title=Internet Rock Star Ron Pope Hits the Road|url=http://barrington.suntimes.com/entertainment/8621285-421/internet-rock-star-ron-pope-hits-the-road.html}} After a career-ending injury, he transferred to New York University in 2003 to pursue his interest in music. After joining a songwriting circle with fellow students, he met friends and future bandmates, Zach Berkman and Paul Hammer. In 2007, he co–wrote the internet hit "A Drop in the Ocean" with Zach Berkman {{cite web|title=Virtually Famous: Ron Pope|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/music/virtually-famous-ron-pope-9065349.html.}}

From there, they created The District with Chris Kienel, Will Frish and Mike Clifford. Following success as a college band, they toured for two years and recorded three albums: The District, The District Does Christmas, and Last Call. In December 2010, The District reunited to record "Wellfleet"{{cite web|title=Announcing Wellfleet From The District|url=http://pcm-music.com/2011/01/announcing-wellfleet-from-the-district/|publisher=Pop Culture Madness}}

In March 2008, Pope performed on MTV's TRL as a featured up-and-coming artist.{{cite web|last=Crandall|first=Sarah|title=Keeping The Faith: Ron Pope Relies on Fan Loyalty to Promote Music|url=http://www.encorepub.com/welcome/?p=4648|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730024504/http://www.encorepub.com/welcome/?p=4648|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 30, 2012|publisher=Encore Online}} Independently, he wrote, produced, and released four full-length albums: Daylight (2008), The Bedroom Demos (2009), Goodbye, Goodnight (2009) and Hello, Love (2010).

In May 2009, Pope signed a year-long recording contract with record label Universal Republic,{{cite web|title=Ron Pope Translates Online Success Into Major Label Deal|url=http://www.universalrepublic.com/community/artist/news_entry.aspx?mid=380657&mjid=7893}} with whom he released two singles, "A Drop in the Ocean" and "I Believe". "A Drop in the Ocean" was later certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for combined sales and streaming equivalent of over 1 million{{cite web |title=Ron Pope's RIAA certifications |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=RON+POPE&ti=A+DROP+IN+THE+OCEAN&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section |website=RIAA|access-date=14 July 2023}} Since leaving the label, he has produced and released his music independently via his own label, Brooklyn Basement Records.

Ron founded the record label, Brooklyn Basement Records, alongside his wife, Blair Clark.{{cite web|title=Brooklyn Basement Expands with Management Division|date=22 October 2021 |url=https://musicrow.com/2021/10/brooklyn-basement-records-expands-with-new-management-division/}}

Pope's first release since moving to Nashville was "Work" which Rolling Stone lauded as "a stew of musical ideas and stories sourced from many different points in time, but firmly held together by Pope’s consistent songwriting voice."{{cite web|title=Blue-Collar Hero Ron Pope on DIY Songwriting, New Album 'Work'|date=22 August 2017 |publisher=Rolling Stone| url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/blue-collar-hero-ron-pope-on-diy-songwriting-new-album-work-195022/}}

On March 6, 2017, he took part in a benefit concert celebrating the music of Aretha Franklin at Carnegie Hall.{{cite web|title=Aretha Franklin Tribute|url=https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2017/03/06/THE-MUSIC-OF-ARETHA-FRANKLIN-0800PM}}

He has had two songs placed on FOX's So You Think You Can Dance{{cite web|last=Sciarretto|first=Amy|title=Ron Pope to Release "Whatever it Takes" on April 12th|work=ARTISTdirect |url=http://www.artistdirect.com/entertainment-news/article/ron-pope-to-release-whatever-it-takes-on-april-12th/8718746|publisher=Artist Direct}} in both Canada and the US. He was featured in the season three premiere of The Vampire Diaries on The CW. "A Drop in the Ocean" was performed on the UK television show Made in Chelsea by the British reality star Caggie Dunlop, and also in the fourth season of 90210. He also guest starred as himself in season 3 episode 17 of Nashville.

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• {{official website|http://ronpopemusic.com/}}
• {{Instagram |https://www.instagram.com/ronpopemusic}}

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Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:American rock songwriters

Category:American male singer-songwriters

Category:American male pop singers

Category:American rock singers

Category:21st-century American singer-songwriters

Category:21st-century American male singers

Category:Singer-songwriters from Georgia (U.S. state)