Ronnie Lamarque grew up in Arabi, Louisiana, one of seven siblings and the son of a janitor, developing a sharp sense of determination that would define his entire life. As a teenager, Lamarque wanted to be a singer, performing as a solo artist and as a vocalist for a group called The Nobles, work that later earned him induction into a Louisiana music hall of fame. But the need to make a living pulled his talents toward the automotive sales industry instead, a shift that would ultimately define most of his adult life.
Lamarque has been in the car business since 1970, founding and serving as president of Lamarque Motor Company, which includes Lamarque Ford in New Orleans and Mercedes-Benz of Mobile in Alabama. His television commercials have run in the New Orleans market continuously since 1980, making him one of the most recognizable faces and voices in local media, including his trademark rendition of "Volare." Beyond the car business, Lamarque has found success as a horse racing owner, most notably with Risen Star, winner of the Preakness Stakes, the Belmont Stakes, and an Eclipse Award.
As he entered his seventies, Lamarque was finally able to step back from his automotive empire and refocus on his lifelong love of music. He formed the 21-piece Ronnie Lamarque Orchestra featuring Hot Rod Lincoln, delivering big band standards in the style of Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin, released an album, and made a run on the thirteenth season of America's Got Talent, advancing to the finalist level. The orchestra now performs regularly at New Orleans' major festivals, including French Quarter Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, giving Lamarque the stage he'd wanted since he was a teenager in Arabi.
