Musician Ron Artis II is a multi-instrumentalist and touring artist who has played with some of the greats on stage including Mick Fleetwood, Booker T Jones, Jack Johnson and more. This holiday season, he returned home to Hawaii, where he grew up in Haleiwa as part of a musical family, to help bring instruments to kids who lost theirs in the devastating Maui fires four months ago.
Good Morning America and GMA3 profiled this heartwarming event in the segment, highlighting the spirit of ‘mele’ and speaking with Ron Artis II, who teamed up with Ben Dudley, CEO of Free Guitars 4 Kids who donated over 200 instruments to the island. This past weekend, Artis II helped organize multiple events and performances, meet and greets, tutorials and personal giveaways to kids. The two national television segments also highlighted the spirit of ‘mele’ and the power of music on Hawaii.
Ron Artis II told GMA, “We want to give you something to help with your journey and help keep music in your life.” His song “No Weight” was highlighted in the segment, performed with his daughter Ida Marie Artis and performed throughout the weekend, an anthem of healing and giving back.
Yesterday, Ron also gave away the last instruments to local kids during the Maui Classic Basketball Tournament during halftime at both games, performing “No Weight.”
About Ron Artis II
Ron Artis II is an award winning multi-instrumentalist (guitar, ukulele, vocals, and more) hailing from Haleiwa, HI – he lived there from age of 4 to 24. He has performed and collaborated with Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Jack Johnson, Jake Shimabukuro, Booker T Jones, Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce) and G Love among others. Artis II hails from a musical family – one of 10 siblings all of whom are musical – they had a family band called the Artis Family Band. His father Ron was a Motown session musician who played with Michael Jackson and his brother Thunderstorm Artis is a musician in his own right. Artis II currently makes a living as a touring musician, living just outside Nashville. He tours with his wife Julia and their five musically-inclined children. He has released seven studio albums, 60+ songs and toured around the world.
