A local man recently began touring with Ozzy Osbourne — or something to that effect.

In December, area drummer Ron Schroeder joined Aultimate Ozzy, the self-proclaimed world’s greatest Ozzy Osbourne tribute show.

The Minneapolis-based cover band has played stages as far away as El Salvador in its more than 15-year history, and Schroeder’s got plans to visit at least seven states with the group before October.

“It’s a really fun band,” he said. “The crowds love it. Some people think we’re the real thing. They don’t believe Mikaul when he tells them he’s not Ozzy.”

Aultimate Ozzy is composed of Schroeder, lead singer Mikaul Ault, guitarist Lyle Maurico and bass player Kris Schaeffer.

Lead singer Ault, Schroeder said, is not only the spitting image of Osbourne but has the voice, mumbling and mannerisms down to an art.

Schroeder joined the group after opening for them with another band twice last year.

“They were great,” he said. “And, I thought it’d be a great chance to see the country for me.”

Schroeder, originally of Illinois, starting playing music at the age of 11. First it was guitar, but by 19 he gave that up for the drums.

“I’m self-taught,” he said. “I’ve never had a music lesson in my life.”

Though he’d prefer to play original music, Schroeder said, cover or tribute bands are the only way to try to make a living of it.

Although Aultimate Ozzy is known only as a cover band at the moment, the guys are also working on some original songs. A new CD as well as a live DVD may be for sale in the future.

Schroeder is happy to travel with the band but said he wishes he could play in or around Austin too, lamenting that there is little support for that.

He owned his own music club and bar in Albert Lea, The Rocket Club, for a few months last year until his Aultimate Ozzy schedule made it too difficult to continue running the business.

Aultimate Ozzy has also been rumored to have a regular Vegas show in its future. There’s no official word on what that could mean for Austin-transplant Schroeder.

Schroeder has four children, 8-year-old twins (a boy and a girl), a 17-year-old son and a 22-year-old son — all of whom are also musically inclined.

The three sons play instruments, the youngest of who is currently teaching himself the drums on his very own drum set. His daughter, Darion, likes to sing and if the 8-year-old’s studded leather jacket is any indication, she could become a rock n’ roll fan too.

Like the real Osbourne family, the Aultimate Ozzy band is scheduled to appear on a reality show soon.

The group was recently filmed by Paisano Publications during a concert in Columbus, Ohio for a show to air on a yet to be determined network, Schroeder said.

The band also claims to be endorsed somewhat by the Osbournes. Their Web site quotes Ozzy himself saying, “…has my blessing.”

Ozzy Osbourne guitarist Zakk Wylde, is quoted too. “Thanks for paying tribute to the old man.”

For more information, go to www.aultimateozzy.com.