FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 7/1/2011
Morgan Arts Council -- Berkeley Springs, WV
www.macicehouse.org

Press Contact only: Mary Hott -- 304-258-2300

COUNTRY SWING LAUNCHES SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- The Morgan Arts Council launches its 25th season of Summer Concerts in the Park on Saturday, July 9 with the rootsy, high-spirited, crowd-pleasing sound of Ruthie and the Wranglers.  The concert starts at 5:30pm in Berkeley Springs State Park. Rain location for this concert only is the nearby Star Theatre.

Ruthie and her guitar-slinging, finger picking Wranglers perform honky-tonk country music the way it was intended --lively, quirky, sad, and with more than a touch of rockabilly.  Their clever songwriting skills gain as much praise as their musical prowess with Billboard Magazine describing the songwriting as “...nothing short of brilliant.” 

Dubbed a twang queen of the highest order, Ruthie Logsdon leads the band, sings with a live-wire soprano voice and plays rhythm guitar and mandolin. Concert series emcee and performer, Matt Hahn, rates Ruthie “as one of the best country music songwriters in the nation….and a really smokin’ band.”

Besides Logsdon, the band boasts several gifted musicians and tunesmiths. Ruthie gives key songwriting credit to her bassist, Greg Hardin whose song Babe Ruth’s Piano was named 2004 Song of the Year by the Washington Area Music Awards (WAMA.) Lead guitarist, Andy Rutherford is another award-winner. Keyboardist Bill Starks and drummer Robbie Magruder complete the band adding depth to the rhythm and providing the voices for intricate five-part harmonies.

Based in Washington, DC, Ruthie and The Wranglers’ albums have consistently ranked high on Americana, folk and roots music radio charts around the world. The band recently released their sixth CD.

“We wanted to start this quarter of a century milestone season with a great band,” said Mary Hott, MAC’s Executive Director.  “With the Washington Post calling them kindred spirits with Loretta Lynn, Bill Kirchen, Asleep at the Wheel, and Delbert McClinton, Ruthie and the Wranglers seemed a perfect choice.”

This concert is funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and West Virginia Commission on the Arts as well as hotel/motel tax from the town and county.  Sound is provided this season by Stagecoach Productions.

For a full schedule and links to the music of the seven concert series, check online at www.macicehouse.org.