Ronnie Kole’s love affair with the piano began when he was a boy. It has taken him all over the world, performing for five U.S. presidents, at Carnegie Hall and in more than 500 cities worldwide. Kole’s music evokes many memories of his popular New Orleans club, Kole’s Corner. The renowned entertainer calls St. Tammany Parish home, and will perform later this year at a benefit concert supporting St. Scholastica Academy’s music and drama departments. The concert, originally scheduled for last October, was postponed because of Hurricane Katrina.

Didn’t you record a CD during last year’s SSA benefit?

Yes! The auditorium at the Greater Covington Center had good acoustics, and that’s all we needed. I was performing at the request of my granddaughter Kathryn, an SSA student. A real coup was when they asked if it would be okay for the choir to sing in the foyer during the intermission. That’s when I said to myself, “I used a choir when I performed “Amazing Grace” at the Papal Mass for Pope John Paul II.” Soooo, I decided to use the choir on “Amazing Grace.” To say that they were great would be a real understatement.
 
Tell us about your benefit concerts following Hurricane Katrina.

I held [several] concerts. One in Hamilton, Ohio, one in Mobile, Alabama and another in Rock Springs, Wyoming. We raised over $50,000 for the local Red Cross organization and the Salvation Army.

Did you evacuate for the storm?

My wife Gardener and I were in Mobile when the storm was approaching. I couldn’t go home, because if I even hear a window break, I’m crazy enough to try to save a computer or a piano or something! So, we went to Georgia where I had a friend who is a surgeon remove a skin cancer for me. Luckily, it was not melanoma. My friend had a wine cellar and plays piano, too, so we made the best of it!

Do you enjoy performing on river barge cruises along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers?

Absolutely. I played on 15 cruises last year, and have many scheduled this year. I do two solo shows a week. It keeps my fingers nimbled up. There are only about 100 people on each cruise, so you get to know everyone’s name. I love it. I would go 52 weeks out of the year, if I could.

You’re involved in so many civic organizations. You’ve chaired the state and the parish tourist commissions, the Sugar Bowl Committee, the French Quarter Festival. You’re a charter member of Jazz Fest and the current vice president of the World Trade Center … I could go on and on!

I’m most proud to be associated with the Easter Seal Society of Louisiana because they help anyone with any kind of disability. The good Lord gave me a talent, and I’m able to use it for good. I’m grateful that my name recognition can somehow raise money for good causes.

Even after recording 28 albums, you’re still on the go—including a European tour this summer. How do you do it?

Well, I couldn’t pull this off if it were really a job. It’s not, because I truly enjoy it. And I only go if my wife comes along. If she couldn’t go with me, I wouldn’t do it.