Skeleton Key

RINGO RECORDS is proud to present the debut of JAY RUFFIN. Born and raised in the Mississippi delta, Ruffin has received critical acclaim for his contributions on Nancy Apple's Outside the Lines and Should of Lied About That - staging him to step into the spotlight with SKELETON KEY. On this release, Ruffin's talents as a front man and songwriter are showcased, but don't toss this southern boy in the back of the truck with the current crop of singer/songwriters - this ain't folk music, and it ain't country either. Skeleton Key cracks open new horizons for Ruffin. Experimenting with tones, instruments and players, the result is as rocking as the Ramones, as thought-provoking as Steve Earle and as jangley as the Continental Drifters, without compromising Ruffin's own style or falling into pastiche. Having shared the stage together for 10 years, Ruffin co- produced Skeleton Key with the help of longtime friend, next door neighbor and label owner NANCY APPLE - who also contributed vocals. Recorded in Memphis at JT Studios, owned by former Neville Brother's Band keyboard player JONATHAN TREEBY. JT engineered and played organ, other guests of note include blues star REBA RUSSELL and Delta bassist BARRY BAYS (Mohead, Shawn Lane). Jay Ruffin has put together an all girl back up band to hit the highway with him in support of SKELETON KEY. Look for JAY RUFFIN and the LUV MUFFINS in the summer and fall of 2005.