These days, so many of the Ronstadt family members actively perform and sometimes tour. In the fall of 2022, they held a family gala that packed the Fox Theatre in Tucson with 1200 seats full! Two of those featured family members are Linda’s nephews Petie and Michael G. Ronstadt, who travel and perform as Ronstadt Brothers. They toured with their late father and Linda’s brother, Michael J. Ronstadt, as Ronstadt Generations. That group was an outstanding five-piece band featuring saxophone, upright bass, cello, guitars, banjo, drums and tons of family harmonies.
In the 1990’s, Michael J. Ronstadt closed up shop at the Ronstadt Pump Company to spend more time with his kids. He ended up recording two childrens’ albums featuring all the music he was paid $100 a week to play at Cragin Elementary School. It wasn’t much, but between that and performing on the weekends with his trio, the Ronstadt Cousins, he made things work.
Each night as kids, Petie and Michael would be sung to sleep by their dad. We are featuring the song “Wynken, Blynken & Nod,” a setting of the famous poem by Eugene Field. We think you’ll enjoy this as you imagine being a young person falling asleep and dreaming of the stars. You hopefully will find a future digital release of this song from his 2nd kids album “Younger Generation,” but until then, enjoy hearing it on the Nathans & Roncast.