Soul of Sydney Podcast: Ron Carroll Tribute Mix (Preacher House, Gospel & Soulful Vibes)
This week we dedicate a very special edition of the Soul of Sydney Podcast to the memory of Ron Carroll (Rest In Peace) – the legendary Chicago house producer, gospel singer, songwriter, and DJ who sadly passed away earlier this month.
The Voice of House
Ron Carroll was affectionately known as the “Voice of House,” and for good reason. His preacher-like vocals, uplifting presence, and deeply soulful productions shaped the sound of Chicago house, soulful house, and gospel house for over three decades.
Born and raised in Chicago, the birthplace of house music, Carroll began singing in church before finding his way onto the city’s underground dancefloors. That gospel upbringing never left his music – it gave him a spiritual quality that set him apart from other house vocalists and producers.
He went on to collaborate with many of the genre’s greats, including Louie Vega, Ron Trent, Hardsoul, E-Smoove, Axwell, and Superfunk, and he helped pen and perform some of the most enduring tracks in the soulful house canon. Songs like Lucky Star, Back Together, and The Sermon became instant anthems, each carrying messages of faith, love, and unity that lifted dancers around the world.
His Influence on Us
At Soul of Sydney, Ron Carroll’s music holds a particularly special place. His unique blend of Chicago house and gospel soul was the spark that first drew us into gospel house, a sound that remains at the core of what we do to this day.
We remember vividly when Ron Carroll came to Sydney more than 15 years ago and blessed us with a New Year’s Day live PA and DJ set at The Rocks – an unforgettable moment of pure energy and joy. That set showed us firsthand how Gospel House can uplift dancefloors in the most powerful and spiritual way.
The Tribute Mix – 3+ Hours of Ron Carroll’s Spirit in Sound
To celebrate his life and legacy, we’ve put together a 3+ hour tribute mix featuring Ron Carroll’s own recordings, remixes, bootlegs, and collaborations. This journey through his catalogue captures the many sides of his artistry – from uplifting gospel house and soulful grooves to jazzy cuts and his signature preacher-house style that made him such a force on the mic and in the booth.
This mix is our way of giving thanks to the joy and inspiration Ron Carroll gave to dancers and dreamers across the globe.
🙏 Rest in Peace, Ron Carroll. God bless him. He showed us how Gospel House can uplift dancefloors all those years ago, and his voice and spirit will live on forever in house music.
🎧 Listen to the 3-Hour Tribute Mix here:
