Ronny Cox: Of moon shots and banjos

By Jon Chattman

For me, Ronny Cox will always be known as the guy on the receiving end of a moon shot by Ed Flanders on the acclaimed NBC ’80s drama “St. Elsewhere.”

For many others though, the actor is known for his standout performances in countless film and television shows ranging from “Deliverance” to “Beverly Hills Cop,” to most recently, a guest spot on “Desperate Housewives.”

But, there’s more to Cox than three decades of wonderful performances on the big and small screens. The actor is also an accomplished musician, and will headline a free family concert next weekend. It’s in Edgerton Park (from 1 — 4 p.m.) on Saturday, Sept. 14, as part of the Connecticut Folk Festival and Green Expo (formerly The New Haven Folk Festival).

Cox will perform “Songs, Stories and Out and Out Lies” with his band that day. In an interview last week, the actor explained how he’s had music in his bones since he was a kid. In fact, he played in a rock band in high school and cut records at Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, N.M. (he was at the recording session when Buddy Holly recorded “Peggy Sue”).

To read more of my story in today’s Danbury News Times, click here.