Eclectic Local Artist Is A Photographer, Writer, Singer And Songwriter

While he may be best known in the St. Peters area for his photography, Ron Edwards has worn many hats throughout his life-teacher, photographer, writer, poet and singer.

As a photographer, his pictures have been seen in galleries throughout St. Charles County, such as Framemations  in St. Charles and also at the St. Peters Cultural Arts Centre.

Edwards said some of his pictures were recently sold to Surrey Place skilled nursing facility in Chesterfield. He also donates a lot of work to area cancer centers, cancer research auctions and hospitals.

Edwards said he got his start in photography when he entered and won a contest in high school. He won with a picture he took of his dog, using a camera his neighbors gave him.

After that he got involved in a lot of extracurricular activities and clubs where he could use his new-found photography skills.

“My principal at the time got me involved in the camera club, and I was also on the yearbook staff, taking pictures,” Edwards added.

The shutterbug discovered he had a knack for writing in adulthood and has written a book of poetry called Reaching Out. In addition to writing poetry, Edwards also writes and performs music.

Edwards said he started singing and songwriting when he taught elementary school physical education, which was a job he had for almost 45 years. The multi-faceted artist has taught in Kansas City, with the Parkway School District in St. Louis and Eastern Illinois University.  Edwards said the inspiration for a lot of his songs came from the over-the-top Halloween costumes he created and wore at school when he was an elementary teacher.

He said his style is influenced by folk music, but he says his performances are all in good fun.

“Some of the songs are silly, I have fun with it,” Edwards said of his music.

The years of writing and playing songs for his students led the songster to some pretty interesting places. Over the years, Edwards has reached quite a few achievements as a singer.

He received an honorable mention in the late 1980s when he entered a Billboard contest for his song "Rainbows, Clover, and The Pot of Gold,” which he wrote for one of his students.  

 Also, his song “What’s Your Omentum” was featured on Oprah a few years ago.

“I wrote the song and sent it to Dr. Oz, who thought it was hilarious,” Edwards said.

After hearing the song, Dr. Oz sent it to Oprah, and Edwards got to perform his tune for the talk show queen and the doctor in May of 2007. The Oprah appearance was not the first TV show the singer/songwriter has performed on. Edwards also sang on the late-night show Regis Philbin’s Saturday Night in St. Louis in the 1970s.

Edwards said he has also performed his music in lounges throughout the St. Louis area as well as at a few weddings and bar mitzvahs.

For more information about Ron Edwards, visit his website.