Los Angeles, CA based iconic rock drummer Ron Whitaker has been appointed ‘Chief Musical Diplomat’ for the Naga-American Council by the Honorary President of Nagalim, Grace Collins, a press release by Lorraine Boothby, Chief Communication Liaison, Naga-American Council said on Monday.
With a career spanning over 40 years, Whitaker has received more than 20 music awards and was inducted into the California Music Hall of Fame (CMHF) in 2023. Serving as the President and CEO of Hope for the Homeless Los Angeles Humanitarian Project, he has been honored with over 50 awards, including the prestigious Humanitarian of the Year Hollywood Celebrity Star in 2015.
Whitaker, awarded “Drummer of the Year” for the entire United States in 2007, is set to receive the 2024 California Music Hall of Fame Lifetime Humanitarian Award this April for his contributions to supporting humanitarian projects.
Known for playing with members of legendary bands such as Guns N’ Roses, Paul McCartney and Wings, Albert Lee, Rod Stewart, The Runaways with Cherrie Currie, and The Knack, among others, Whitaker has also produced over 60 concerts.
Commenting on Whitaker’s appointment, Collins remarked, “I’ve known Ron since 2008, and every conversation led with ‘How can we help the homeless and veterans?’ He is not only a musician but, more importantly, is charitable-minded and is perfect to be one of our Board Ambassadors.” Whitaker, who created a free dental clinic in Los Angeles for veterans and the impoverished, will be recognized for his contributions. Collins expressed gratitude for Whitaker’s celebrity stature and proven success in building projects for the less privileged.
In his role as Musical Diplomat, Whitaker will leverage his extensive network of musicians to organize benefit concerts in support of the Naga-American Council’s mission to address the political struggle of Nagalim against India’s occupation since August 14, 1947.
Inspired by the US Department of State Global Music Diplomacy Initiative, Collins established the Musical Diplomat position tailored to fit the goals of the Naga-American Council, a non-profit she founded over 23 years ago.
The role of the Musical Diplomat, Collins stated, is to “Stimulate awareness of the 75-year-old conflict with India and Burma and encourage both nations to finally implement a peaceful co-existence agreement as separate nations.”
She further went on to say, “Music is a new form of ‘Multi-Track Diplomacy’ and I believe he will be an effective catalyst to facilitate peace, education, funding and cultural exchange for the Naga plight.”
Stating why he is especially honored to be NAC’s first Musical Diplomat, Whitaker said, “There are many types of oppression in the world, and there are even countries where you don’t have freedom to play music. I was excited to learn that the Nagas follow American music from Christian hymns, to Country, Rap and Rock. I look forward to thinking of fun ways we can jam!”
