Ron Pope

Ronald Michael Pope was born on July 23, 1983, in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Marietta, Georgia. He began playing guitar at a young age. Pope initially attended Rutgers University on a baseball scholarship. After a career-ending injury, he transferred to New York University in 2003 to concentrate on music. While at NYU, he joined a songwriting circle where he met Zach Berkman and Paul Hammer, who would become future bandmates. In 2007, Pope co-wrote “A Drop in the Ocean” with Zach Berkman. Following this, he formed the band The District with Chris Kienel, Will Frish, and Mike Clifford, releasing three albums: *The District*, *The District Does Christmas*, and *Last Call*. The band reunited in December 2010 to record “Wellfleet.”

Pope launched his solo career with the independent release of four full-length albums between 2008 and 2010: *Daylight* (2008), *The Bedroom Demos* (2009), *Goodbye, Goodnight* (2009), and *Hello, Love* (2010). In May 2009, he signed a year-long recording contract with Universal Republic, through which he released two singles, “A Drop in the Ocean” and “I Believe.” “A Drop in the Ocean” later achieved Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). After his Universal Republic contract, Pope transitioned to independent music release through his own label, Brooklyn Basement Records, which he co-founded with his wife, Blair Clark.

His career has included numerous television placements, with his songs featured on FOX’s *So You Think You Can Dance* in both Canada and the US, and *The Vampire Diaries* on The CW. “A Drop in the Ocean” was also used in the UK show *Made in Chelsea* and the fourth season of *90210*. Pope made a guest appearance as himself in season 3, episode 17 of *Nashville*. In 2017, he participated in a benefit concert celebrating Aretha Franklin’s music at Carnegie Hall. His album *Work* (2017) was praised by Rolling Stone for its songwriting. Pope continues to release new music, including his upcoming album, *American Man, American Music*, scheduled for 2025.