Ruth and Max Bloomquist are celebrating over 45 years of performing their style of acoustic Americana, with roots in folk, bluegrass, and traditional country music. They will perform Saturday, October 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Box Factory for the Arts, 1101 Broad St. in St. Joseph.
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 has become well known for her songwriting as well as her striking alto voice. At Merlefest in NC, considered one of the premier music festivals in the country, she won the 2003 songwriting competition with her gospel number, “By The River.” Her songs have also been recognized by the South Florida Folk Festival, the Great Lakes Songwriting Contest, and Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua, among others. The Bloomquist’s 2010 CD, “Turn Back a Page,” shot to number 5 on the Folk DJ Airplay Chart with four tracks in the Top 100. Ruth’s signature song, “Michigan Girl”, has garnered more than 400,000 YouTube views.
Ruth's resonant alto has been compared to Anne Murray, Linda Ronstadt, and Kathy Mattea. Her award-winning abilities as a songwriter and singer are accented by Max's harmony on upright bass. The West Michigan couple released their sixth CD, “On a Canvas Painted Blue,” in 2017. They have over 50 unreleased songs, some of which audiences can hear in concert.
John Sinkevics, former music critic for the Grand Rapids Press, called Ruth and Max Bloomquist “veritable folk music legends in Michigan, captivating audiences with their songs, their harmonies and their folk-infused charm.”
Reserve your seating for their October 5 concert at ticketstripe.com/
Find more information on upcoming events at boxfactoryforthearts.org, Facebook and Instagram.
