Ronny “Moondog” Esser: Keeping Pittsburgh Rockin’

Ron “Moondog” Esser has spent more than four decades helping shape Pittsburgh’s live music scene — as a musician, club owner, promoter, philanthropist and tireless champion of local artists.A Pittsburgh-area native and Point Park University graduate, Esser got his start in the music business managing the legendary Graffiti Showcase Lounge in Oakland before opening Moondog’s in Blawnox in 1989. What began as a small neighborhood club grew into one of Western Pennsylvania’s most enduring live music venues, hosting generations of local favorites along with nationally known artists including Joe Bonamassa and Keb’ Mo’.But Moondog’s impact reaches far beyond the stage. For more than 20 years, he helped lead the Pittsburgh Blues Festival, raising more than $2 million for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. His charitable work earned him national recognition from the Blues Foundation and the Volunteer Philanthropist of the Year award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Western Pennsylvania.In 2016, Esser and John Vento co-founded Band Together Pittsburgh, using the power of music to create performance opportunities, friendships and a sense of community for people on the autism spectrum.From discovering artists and keeping live music alive to using that music to help others, Ron “Moondog” Esser has become one of the most recognizable and influential figures in Pittsburgh’s music community.