Ruth & Max Bloomquist
Muskegon, Michigan, United States | SELF
Music
Press
“What a wonderful surprise was the Ruth Bloomquist concert! We've known for some time that Ruth delivers her engaging, well crafted songs with an absolutely beautiful voice, and that her husband Max makes the music fully three dimensional with his tasteful bass lines, but we were unprepared for how much her music has grown with the addition of the fiddle and guitar work of Daniel Seabolt and John King. Dan's fiddle sweetens the arrangements and John's lead guitar provides a sense of completeness... The "stealth" string bender gizmo on John's guitar may seem like a "gimmick" but in truth it (and his skill in deploying it) is like having a fifth bandsman on stage... In this configuration, Ruth delivers the best of a fine drumless folk/country sound. This band has a growing devoted following here in the Midwest, but the music I heard and the performance I saw are of a caliber that deserves to be seen on the best national stages!”
Phil Doolittle, Paint Creek Comfy Concerts
- Phil Doolittle, Paint Creek Comfy Concerts
"From the moment Ruth Bloomquist began to sing, I was hooked. Her rich, buttery-smooth voice is warm, melodic and flexible. Her songs range in subject matter from poignant love ballads to her pride in being a "Michigan Girl". I guarantee you're going to fall in love with this extraordinary performer!
Maggie Ferguson, Live! From The Living Room Concert Series
- Maggie Ferguson, Live! From the Living Room
Many thanks for sending us a copy of "One Day Ain't Enough," your best collection of songs to date. Your lyrics are always thoughtful and well crafted; and married to memorable melodies. I was especially smitten with "Just Like the Wind," "Weary Heart of Stone" and the killer title track. You definitely have a great gift and I, for one, am glad your channeling it into the bluegrass context. I'll be doing my best to continue spreading the word in Nashville and in our other syndicated outlets.
Thanks again for the enchanting tunes.
Dave Higgs
Nashville Public Radio
Bluegrass Breakdown - Dave Higgs, Nashville Public Radio
Ruth Bloomquist, One Day Ain’t Enough
Ruby Records 906, ruthbloomquist.com, Playing time: 46:36
Ruth Bloomquist’s third CD features 11 self-compositions
along with two cover tunes. Based in the Great Lakes area,
Ruth, and her husband Max, are assisted on the project by a
group of studio musicians who definitely push the bluegrass
envelope with interesting arrangements that are both fresh and
tasteful. Although not as traditional as some would like, most
bluegrass fans will enjoy this music.
“In Your Hear,” is a sad, but appealing, song about the ef-
fects of a love gone bad. “He’s Not You,” another love song
with great vocals, utilizes a “b-bender” guitar, which gives the
song a very unique sound. The music takes a light-hearted turn
with “Put Down That Beer and Dance,” which, loosely translat-
ed, means to quit whining and start living. Ruth gives the cover tune, “Remember Me (When the Candle Lights are Gleaming)”
a delightful change of pace by transforming it into a swing ar-
rangement with a flowing fiddle and walking bass.
Ruth’s lead vocals, along with the harmony accompaniment
of Max and Theresa Smith, is sure to please any bluegrass fan.
One Day Ain’t Enough should prove to be successful for this
talented group. More adventuresome bluegrass fans will defi-
nitely enjoy the CD and many traditionalists will also find Ruth’s
tasteful use of drums, pedal steel, and the b-bender guitar to be
acceptable. JP
- Bluegrass Now Magazine
“It is rare when I get a CD that I can play most of the tunes on the show.....truly a
wonderful collection of songs.... a fine songwriter... - KPFK, Los Angeles, CA
“It is rare when I get a CD that I can play most of the tunes on the show.....truly a
wonderful collection of songs.... a fine songwriter... - KPFK, Los Angeles, CA
“ALL FOR LOVE’S SAKE .... a minor acoustic masterpiece ...Ruth Bloomquist is a multi-talented acoustic artist with an exceptional ability to traverse boundaries separating various musical categories.” - Bluegrass Unlimited
“ALL FOR LOVE’S SAKE .... a minor acoustic masterpiece ...Ruth Bloomquist is a multi-talented acoustic artist with an exceptional ability to traverse boundaries separating various musical categories.” - Bluegrass Unlimited
“Almost 800 people attended the concert, which included a performance by the brilliant singing duo of Max and Ruth Bloomquist.” ..... - The Muskegon Chronicle
“Almost 800 people attended the concert, which included a performance by the brilliant singing duo of Max and Ruth Bloomquist.” ..... - The Muskegon Chronicle
“Clearly among the most popular acts on the program that evening and it’s easy to see why. Her skills as a singer and performer speak for themselves, and the musical accompaniment by Max provided the perfect backdrop for her stunning vocals”........
Mike VanBuren, President of Great Lakes Acoustic Music Assoc.
- Great Lakes Acoustic Music Assoc.
“Clearly among the most popular acts on the program that evening and it’s easy to see why. Her skills as a singer and performer speak for themselves, and the musical accompaniment by Max provided the perfect backdrop for her stunning vocals”........
Mike VanBuren, President of Great Lakes Acoustic Music Assoc.
- Great Lakes Acoustic Music Assoc.
Turn Back A Page - "One thing you can count on from Ruth & Max Bloomquist is consistently high-quality musical performance. They do not disappoint in their latest release "Turn Back A Page". Real songs with real emotions, great instrumental work, superb harmonies and one of the best female vocalists in the business (Ruth, of course!). This CD is pure listening pleasure." - Al Kniola, Host, The Back Porch, 88.1 WVPE Public Radio.
- Al Kniola, Host, The Back Porch, 88.1 WVPE Public Radio.
Turn Back A Page - "One thing you can count on from Ruth & Max Bloomquist is consistently high-quality musical performance. They do not disappoint in their latest release "Turn Back A Page". Real songs with real emotions, great instrumental work, superb harmonies and one of the best female vocalists in the business (Ruth, of course!). This CD is pure listening pleasure." - Al Kniola, Host, The Back Porch, 88.1 WVPE Public Radio.
- Al Kniola, Host, The Back Porch, 88.1 WVPE Public Radio.
"One Day Ain't Enough" is contemporary bluegrass at its finest
and illustrates just why Ruth Bloomquist is a significant creative force in bluegrass music.” - BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED Magazine April 2007
"One Day Ain't Enough" is contemporary bluegrass at its finest
and illustrates just why Ruth Bloomquist is a significant creative force in bluegrass music.” - BLUEGRASS UNLIMITED Magazine April 2007
--great musicianship, great songs, and Ruth's voice just melts over the crowd like butter on a biscuit...delicious! Let's do it again! - Terry Grannis, Zellie's Opry House
--great musicianship, great songs, and Ruth's voice just melts over the crowd like butter on a biscuit...delicious! Let's do it again! - Terry Grannis, Zellie's Opry House
Discography
Turn Back A Page
5 Months on the Folk Radio Chart reaching Number 5 in March 2010 with 3 songs in the Top 20. A video featuring Track #10, Michigan Girl, had had views on YouTube approaching 300,000. Songs have been featured on syndicated programs The Midnight Special, Folk Sampler, and Car Talk.
“Real songs with real emotions, great instrumental work, superb harmonies and one of the best female vocalists in the business (Ruth, of course!). This CD is pure listening pleasure." - Al Kniola, Host, The Back Porch, 88.1 WVPE Public Radio.
One Day Ain't Enough, Released in October 2006. Appeared on Folk Radio Airplay Chart April 2007. Songs have been featured on syndicated programs The Midnight Special and Folk Sampler
“One Day Ain’t Enough…As organic as it gets, the bluegrass based playing behind the heartfelt singer/songwriter vocals of Bloomquist make this one of the top adult alternative sets you will find. Tasty stuff that just doesn’t quit.”
Chris Spector Midwest Record
Jewel Of My Heart
11 original songs by Ruth Bloomquist
contains By The River winner of the Merlefest Chris Austin Songwriting Contest 2003
All For Love's Sake
11 original songs by Ruth Bloomquist
“All For Love’s Sake...a minor acoustic masterpiece...Ruth Bloomquist is a multi-talented acoustic artist with an exceptional ability to traverse boundaries separating various musical categories.”
Bluegrass Unlimited Feb. 2002
Without the Smoke and Flash
Live CD. The Ruth & Max Bloomquist Band featuring John King and Daniel Seabolt in performance. Features audience favorite cover songs such as Crazy and City of New Orleans as well as live versions of a few previously recorded originals by Ruth.
Photos
Bio
Ruth and Max Bloomquist
Ruth and Max Bloomquist's 2010 CD relase, Turn Back a Page, leaped to the Number 5 position on the Folk Radio Airplay Chart in March 2010 with three songs in the Top 20. It is included on both the Top Albums and Top Songs Lists for 2010 in Folk Radio. Songs from the CD have been featured on syndicated programs like The Folk Sampler, The Midnight Special, and Car Talk.
A Passion For Music for over 35 Years
Ruth and Max Bloomquist have been making music together since they met in 1975 and discovered their shared love not only for each other, but for music and songs made with acoustic instruments and featuring lyrics from the heart. Ruth and Max immersed themselves in folk, bluegrass, country, singer songwriters, and other acoustic music to create a sound and style all their own.
Award Winning Songwriter
From the beginning, Ruth was inspired to write songs from her own heart and experience. In 1997 Ruth and Max released Ruths first CD, Jewel Of My Heart, a collection of original songs that were popular with their audiences. Two more solo CDs followed to rave reviews. Meanwhile, in 2003, Ruth was a winner of Merlefests Chris Austin Song Writing Competition with her joyful Gospel song, By The River. Ruths songs have also been recognized by the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest, the Lake Superior Big Top Chautaqua, and Mike Pinders Songwars. Ruth has showcased her songs at the IBMA World of Bluegrass, and has assisted Bluegrass Songwriter Committee head Louisa Branscomb in bluegrass songwriter song circles.
Outstanding Vocalist
Ruth was named Outstanding Vocalist of the Month for December 2006 by Singer Universe Magazine. Her resonant alto has been compared to Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt, and Kathy Mattea. After hearing Ruth and Max perform the Scott Wiseman standard, Remember Me, Garrison Keillor told Ruth, You have a big voice... Id like to sing that song with you. And the next night he did!
Book Ruth and Max as a Duo or Quartet
Ruth and Max frequently appear accompanied by guitarist John Sky King and fiddler Dan Seabolt. Veterans of stage and studio, both have appeared on the couples recordings over the years. Dans jazzy yet traditional fiddle and Johns unusual b-bender guitar style add an exciting dynamic to Ruths original songs and favorite classics that audiences love.
Band Members
Links
