Without The Smoke & Flash

Passion For Acoustic Music 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 Ruth's 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 Merlefest's Chris Austin Song Writing Competition with her joyful Gospel song, By The River. Ruth's songs have also been recognized by the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest, the Lake Superior Big Top Chautaqua, and Mike Pinder's 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... I'd like to sing that song with you. And the next night he did! 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 couple's recordings over the years. Dan's jazzy yet traditional fiddle and John's unusual b-bender guitar style add an exciting dynamic to Ruth's original songs and favorite classics that audiences love.