Children’s music artist Patch the Pirate is a character created by Christian singer, songwriter, musician, and performer Ron Hamilton. Born in Indiana on November 9, 1950, he was encouraged as a child to study music and learn a myriad of musical instruments. In 1973, he graduated from Bob Jones University with a BA in Church Music. In 1978, it was discovered that he had cancer in his left eye, and he underwent surgery to have the eye removed. Ron Hamilton began wearing an eye patch and, during his evangelical services, children would ask if he was a pirate. This inspired him to create the persona of Patch the Pirate and transform his musical career. Although he had previously recorded contemporary Christian music under his own name, he shifted his focus to religious children’s music and became a sensation. Initially, his music was written to be performed in church, but he soon created themed albums that featured songs and skits, adding new characters along the way. His albums include Sing Along with Patch the Pirate (1981), Patch the Pirate Goes to Space (1982), Patch the Pirate Goes West (1983), The Calliope Caper (1988), Peanut Butter Christmas (1991), The Tumbleweed Opera (2001), and a series of Patch Praises albums. He also recorded several albums under his own name including Rejoice in the Lord (1981), Cherish the Moment (1991), and Wash Me Now (2002). On top of his recording career, Ron Hamilton is the vice-president of family business Majesty Music and director of Majesty MusiColleges. In 2017, Ron Hamilton was diagnosed with early-onset dementia but vowed to continue taking his message to people all around the world. In 2018, Patch the Pirate’s first animated film, Operation Arctic: Viking Invasion, was released.
