David Alan Ramont was born in Illinois one muggy, august Tuesday with a song stuck in his head. The doctors couldn’t get it out. (He was also left-handed but they couldn’t fix that either). He grew into a little kid. His hobbies included ruminating and kicking stuff down the street. Then he growed up more, or at least he got taller…

He started playing guitar early on- perhaps to get that damn song out of his head- and whacked away in various rock bands through high school. Not long after that he started teaching guitar and bass at a little music school outside of Chicago, where he taught hundreds of people “Stairway To Heaven” and what an Aeolian minor scale was for. He began writing lots of songs and playing gigs around the Chicago area –solo, full band, and everything in between- and doing anything to help pay the bills, including plenty of ditch digging and paint scraping.

After releasing his first CD “Toaster Reflection” he moved to Austin, TX for a time and soaked up the thriving indy music scene –playing open mics, songwriter showcases, and driving a bakery truck. His songs began receiving some airplay. The Austin Chronicle said “The world could always use another quality singer-songwriter with meaty lyrics, gritty vocals and a tight back-up band.”

Dave returned North with a tad more twang (and a helluva hangover) and recorded the rootsy, slightly darker “Scofflaws”. The Illinois Entertainer said “…unlike many simplistic roots-revivalists, Ramont isn’t afraid to mix things up…gorgeously unexpected accordions and cellos pop up on this wonderfully produced CD.” He continued playing gigs. And teaching. And digging ditches.

In 2000 he released “Scrawny” and began receiving more widespread airplay in the US (mostly on public and college radio) and Europe. Richard Milne of WXRT in Chicago called it “a delicious collection of distinctly American music.” Once again, the bass, drums & guitar (acoustic and electric) core was surrounded by accordion, cello, piano, Dobro, mandolin, dulcimer, crowbar, lap steel, horns, etc. He toured more extensively- Midwest, East, South, Southeast- and became, well, sleepier…

Back in the Chicago regions he co-founded the swillbilly, swamp-grass band Dick Smith with some musical pals. They recorded 3 CDs and developed a hardcore little following, playing around Chicago and the Midwest. Dave then stepped away from music for a few years or so to deal with…reality. But a feller never stops thinking about new songs, nope –even if he wants to…

And now it’s autumn 2009, and Ramont is back with a big ass double CD “Taw” (recession be damned!) because all them songs were taking up too much precious brain space. And once again he’s surrounded by some great players from around the Chicago area and Los Angeles too. Call it Americana, roots-pop, folk-slop, whatever- Dave aims to spread these songs around like a thin layer of grease on a cast iron skillet. And when no one’s looking he’ll likely kick something down the street…