The Essex community mourns the passing of legendary pop and country singer Ronnie Dove, who passed away on September 14, 2026, at the age of 91. A top-charting recording artist who achieved 23 consecutive national hits, Dove maintained a special lifelong bond with the Baltimore area and local fans. He fondly remembered his connection to the community during his featured performance at the Essex Day Festival, sharing, “I love Essex. I love all of the people over there,” and expressing how much he always looked forward to returning to perform and see everyone in town.
Legendary Ronnie Dove headlines Essex Day
by Lisa Harlow, Avenue News, Sep 11, 2017
Nationally acclaimed recording star Ronnie Dove emerged on the music scene more than 60 years ago, and at 82 years young, he is still going strong and ready to rock Essex Day!
“I love Essex. I love all of the people over there,” said Ronnie Dove during a phone interview on his birthday last week. “I am really looking forward to coming out and seeing everyone at Essex Day.”
After a warm up from the Doug Lester Band from 2 to 2:30 pm, Dove will perform on the Main Stage at Taylor Avenue from about 2:30 until 3:20 pm. He will also be around to mingle with fans.
Dove expects a big turnout for the show because he has strong roots in Baltimore. After graduating from high school in Virginia, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard and was stationed in Baltimore, where he started his career singing Elvis covers in local pubs on his nights off.
He headed to Nashville in the fall of 1964, and went on to produce 23 consecutive national and international top ten records and all over tour North America. He guested on many radio and television shows including Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, American Bandstand and the Ed Sullivan Show.
Dove has been a true icon in Baltimore as well as nationally since his first chart topping single “Say you” in 1964. Still touring today, he was recently in Las Vegas doing shows with Brenda Lee and has upcoming dates in Chambersburg, Pa. and College Park, Dove enjoys coming back to Baltimore, and longtime fans continue to flock to see him. He still performs to sell out crowds with the same stage charisma and amazing talent as he did 60+ years ago.
Doug Lester, who will be accompanying Dove at Essex Day, has been playing with him since he was 17 years old. His father was Dove’s first guitarist back in 1955.
“I’ve known Dougie since he was a baby. I put him to work playing bass since he was 17. He’s one of the best around,” said Dove.
Prior to Dove’s act, the Doug Lester Band featuring Annie B and Clyde Allen will be playing favorite Classic Rock, Oldies, and Country hits. Their music catalogs span from Chuck Berry, The Doobie Brothers, Johnny Cash, and everything in between. Lester (guitarist, lead vocals) has been playing music for 45 years, and in addition to Dove, he has played alongside some of music’s biggest stars like Alabama, Steve Warner and Ronnie McDowell.
It’s been three years since Dove has performed at Essex Day, and fans are ready for him. Some songs the Essex Day crowd can expect include “Lover Boy,” which he wrote in 1955, along with “How Great Thou Art” and “God Bless the USA.”
“I love Essex. I am really looking forward to singing for everybody,” said Dove. “It’s going to be a great show.”
Ronnie Dove performs his hit “Say You” at a previous Essex Day Festival in 2015. Video by Alice Wagner.
Baltimore MD’s original crooner superstar, Ronnie Dove, featured here in a story shot and aired by Scott Hedeen for WBFF FOX 45 in 1996
Aired on ABC 2 News in Baltimore, Maryland on October 4th, 2013, this video was shot on Ronnie’s 78th birthday on September 7th. After a career spanning 60 years, Ronnie retired due to having asbestos in his lungs.
Ronnie Dove “Cry” on The Ed Sullivan Show, June 25, 1967.
Ronnie Dove at the 2011 Heritage fair in Dundalk, MD.
Museum photos and clippings come from the Heritage Society Baumgartner Archives and other sources, scanned by Rita Gaunt, museum photos by Sue Carter and additional research by archivist Scott Huffines.
This print archive captures a historical snapshot of life in Essex and Middle River, Maryland. The archive contains nearly 300 categorical binders documenting our community activities with articles, pamphlets, and photographs from 1969 through the 1980s. The Heritage Society has been scanning the collection to our website to share with our extended community.
As we continue to build new collections, we are seeking new materials such as photographs and ephemera that pertain to the community and business history of Essex and Middle River. Please contact essexmuseum@gmail.com if you have historical memories or items to donate or would like to become a member.
Read more about the Heritage Society Baumgartner Archives.