Ronald Bruce Shaw

Portsmouth- Ronald Bruce Shaw, of the musical duo "The Shaw Brothers", passed away peacefully on Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, with his loved ones by his side. He was 77.

Son to John H Shaw and Barbara S Shaw, Ron was born in West Stewartstown, NH on February 1, 1941. Ron spent his childhood in the beautiful N Conway, loving the outdoors; an avid skier at Mt. Cranmore, under the tutelage of Hannes Schneider. Ron and twin brother Rick’s singing began early with their father teaching them to harmonize and play the ukulele. A major joy of their childhood were summers spent as campers/counselors at their beloved Camp Huckins in W. Ossipee, NH. Their love of NH and the White Mountains would later become a recurring theme in the songs they wrote and sang.

Graduating Kennett High School in Conway in 1959, the brothers then went on to UNH where together with friends they began performing at fraternity parties (including their own Sigma Beta), as well as off-campus clubs and establishments.  Known as the Windjammers, the Tradewinds, and finally The Brandywine Singers, the group received top honors at the first National Inter-Collegiate Music Competition in 1962, providing courage to put their studies on hold, and take their act on the road.  They performed at 350+ colleges, night clubs, and state fairs throughout the USA and Canada- even touring with the Johnny Mathis Show, appearing on the TV show “Hootenany”, and releasing their first album.

The Brandywine Singers disbanded in 1966 when Rick was drafted to Vietnam, and Ron went on for a two-year stint with The Pozo-Seco Singers. Returning to NH, Ron taught music in the Oyster River School District, as well as venturing out briefly as a solo gig, opening for Janis Joplin at UNH.

With Rick’s return in 1968, the brothers became the duo, “The Shaw Brothers". Apart from joining "The Hillside Singers" in 1971 to record, "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" (known as the Coca-Cola song), “The Shaw Brothers” went on to record multiple albums, beginning with "Follow Me" with RCA in 1975. They Milt Okun, Hal Brown, Tom Paxton, VanDyke Parks, Don McLean, Jay Leno, John Denver, Don Williams, Susan Taylor ("Pie"), Bob Hope, Tommy Makem, Liam Clancy and the Clancy Brothers, Dave Guard, and many more. Given the honor of performing on American Bandstand, The Tonight Show, ABC Wide World of Entertainment, among others,  “The Shaw Brothers” were also named “New Hampshire’s Musical Ambassadors to the world” by then NH Governor Hugh J. Gallen, and their song “New Hampshire Naturally” recognized as a state song in 1983.

Despite performing worldwide, one of their favorite venues was Portsmouth’s own Prescott Park, where they drew some of the biggest crowds, helping to raise revenue for the park’s Summer Concert Series.

Ron remained in the Seacoast area. An avid reader and lover of books, he never stopped learning. His mind was keen, curiosity boundless, and his wit was quick. Despite living most of his life on stage, Ron was a private man with a soft spoken word and demeanor. He was the best of friends, kind and loyal brother, loving father and grandpa, and devoted companion. Music Is Magic, and together with his brother Rick, Ron Shaw knew how to create that magic on stage for the audiences who loved and admired them. He lived his life doing what he loved and loving what he did- Teaching the World to Sing.

Ron leaves his beloved family: brother Richard R Shaw, daughter Jessica Shaw, grandchildren Keegan and Emma Landry, and his longtime companion and dearest friend Sallie Macintosh. He also leaves Jessica’s mother, Pamela H Shaw, cousins, and a treasure trove of friends.

SERVICES: A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. For donations in Ron’s memory, the Music is Magic fund has been created at The Edgewood Centre to provide ongoing support for their wonderful music programs:   www.edgewoodcentre.com. Please make checks payable to:  The Edgewood Centre Recreation Fund. Please note on the check: For Music is Magic. Mail to:  The Edgewood Centre, 928 South Street, Portsmouth, NH 03801, Att. Activities Director. Alternatively, tax deductible donations may be sent to The Music and Memory Program which comes under the egis of The New Hampshire Long Term Care Foundation. Checks should be made payable to:   Long Term Care Foundation - Music and Memory. Please note on the check: Memory of Ron Shaw. Mail to:  Long Term Care Foundation - Music and Memory, 5 Sheep Davis Road, Pembroke, NH 03275.  https://ltcf.nhhca.org/donate-to-music-memory-program/.

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