Ron Block

Ron Block is a banjo player, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter best known for his years with Alison Krauss and Union Station, which he joined in October 1991 and where he has played guitar, banjo, vocals and songwriting for over 26 years.

His path began in southern California. His father, Chuck Block, owner of Hogan's House of Music, bought him his first guitar in 1975. After seeing Lester Flatt on television in 1976, Ron asked for a banjo and received his first one, a Harmony, that Christmas. By 1980 he was working in his father's music store and playing banjo and guitar, singing harmony, in a local band. In the mid-1980s he studied at South Plains College and started the band Weary Hearts, which recorded for Flying Fish Records before he moved on to other groups, including New Wine and the Lynn Morris Band.

With Union Station he recorded So Long So Wrong, which won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album, and played banjo on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. His site lists 14 Grammy awards, six IBMA awards, a CMA Award for Single of the Year, and a Dove Award for Bluegrass Song of the Year. He has also played on records by Brad Paisley, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Kate Rusby, Jerry Douglas, Sierra Hull and many others.

As a solo artist he has released the gospel albums Faraway Land and DoorWay, and the bluegrass folk album Walking Song. His site also offers banjo and guitar workshops and lessons.