ARTIST BIO Ruth King is one with her guitar as she blends soul-felt rhythm with gentle melody rich and crowned with ease by her one-of-a-kind and undeniably seasoned voice. Sometimes smooth and jazzy, sometimes downright bluesy, but always infused with emotion. As a performing artist Ruth King shows a wide range of genuine humanity from her playful, tonguein-cheek songs of romantic debacles to the breathless joys and sorrows life can bring. Her songs are sensitive and uplifting, heartbreaking and encouraging. Her inspiration comes from a well deep within, flowing unrestrained to her audience. Edgy and percussive vocals with transparent and earthy lyrics, phrasing and delivery make Ruth King a musical performing artist you will not want to miss. Gifted with a guitar and an amplifier at the age of 9, she taught herself to pick and strum. She sang her way out of the projects to a Scholarship and then sang and played her way through auditions at Florida State University before heading out on her own. Her upward spiral, etched symbolically on her hand, is marked by hundreds of original songs, innumerable performances, four CD’s, regular appearances at the House of Blues, and the creation of the popular Ruth King Band. King has headlined for various music legends including the Little River Band, Dave Mason, the Rippingtons and Kenny Rankin. Performing national music festivals and on the college and blues music circuits Ruth is a veteran of the stage making her living as a musical performing artist for thirty-plus years. On the multinational scene, her music, published through her BMI, Inc. music publishing company, has hit the international charts and reached numerous countries including Switzerland, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Holland, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Taiwan, China and the USA.
DISCOGRAPHY
Contact/Booking Ruth King Music, Inc. Mt. Dora, Florida 407-493-7397 ruth@ruthkingblues.com www.ruthkingblues.com
UPCOMING EVENTS 10/25/2012
House of Blues:Downtown Disney – FrontPorch Stage
Solo
10/26/2012
Als Landing
Band
10/31/2012
House of Blues Kitchen, Downtown Disney
Band
11/23/2012
Als Landing
Solo
12/1/2012
Olivia’s Coffeehouse
Solo
12/21/2012
Als Landing
Solo
SOME PAST PERFORMANCES BAND MUSIC VIDEOS Desperate Days (4.10)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_VWPy4SdFU
Until Now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ef6gKQ5u59M
(4:02)
A Life Well Lived
(3:27)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhY3Oe7JXvs
Safe In Love (3:20)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCf_lko1oRg
Stare At The Ceiling (4:25)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgj4aKtwTss
CONCERTS National Woman’s Music Festival
Iowa Woman’s Music Festival
Winter Park Art Festival
Central Florida Zoo, Sanford
WLOQ’s Sunset Serenade
Gusman Auditorium, Miami
The Lyric Theatre, Stuart
DeLand Art Festival
Dreher Park Zoo, West Palm Beach
The Fringe Festival, Orlando
Martin County Art Festival, Stuart
SOME PAST PERFORMANCES SHOWCASES
HEADLINERS
University of North Carolina
The Little River Band Of Blues, Orlando
House
Ira Sullivan - Downtown Orlando Dave Mason Key West
Fayetteville, Arkansas
The Rippingtons Of Blues, Orlando
House
Dave Mason Key West
Penn State, Pennsylvania
Kenny Rankin Auditorium, Miami
Gusman
NIGHTCLUBS House Of Blues, Orlando
Blind Pig Pub, DeLand
Harper’s Tavern – Winter Park
Peacock Room, Orlando
Flagler Tavern, New Smyrna Beach
The Mercado – Orlando
AKA Lounge, Orlando
Fitzgerald’s, Key West
Adobe Gilas at The Pointe - Orlando
Universal Studios
SeaWorld
University of Texas of the Permian Basin - TX
Temple University – PA
Florida State University – FL
Seton College – NJ
University at Annville - PA
Florida International University – FL
Bradley University – IL
University of Central Florida – FL
Florida Atlantic University – FL
Lebanon Valley College, PA
Valencia Community College – FL
Stetson University – FL
Centenary College of Louisiana – LA
Rollins College – FL
Polk Community College – FL
THEME PARKS Downtown Disney Disney Wide World of Sports
COLLEGE CIRCUIT
Broward University - FL
PRESS INTERVIEWS/REVIEWS Artist spotlight by Jessica Pirani, The Sanford Herald
“Ruth King is a blues singer who recently wrote two songs for Celery Soup’s upcoming production of “Made – Not Bought.” She was born in Virginia in 1959 to a white mother and a …” via Artist spotlight: Blues singer Ruth King
Interview, Christine Giordano, Orlando Magazine
“For Orlando singer-songwriter Ruth King, 50, hitting the big time means connecting with her audience through songs from the soul.”
Review, Dennis Walking Jam Magazine
“Ruth King, the sensational R&B vocalist has now become the Ruth King Band….taking her already soulful and classy voice…producing an one-of-a-kind sound."
Review, P.J Gach Jam Magazine
“Ruth’s songs are easily identifiable…Let’s hope a major label snaps her up soon. She got too much talent to waste in one state.”
Review, Thom Duffy Orlando Sentinel
“The air conditioning….was on the fritz…but Ruth King made the stage hotter still. In a brief showcase performance with a three-piece band and backup singers, King proved she is a local vocalist to watch…The strength of her presence is undeniable, like that of a veteran raised on stage.”
Review, Ryan Kelly Lifeline Magazine
“Introducing Ruth King….The sound of a voice that cried out with sincerity resonated through the ears of everyone in range…The strong and sultry voice rang out clearly…It was invigorating to capture the sound waves of this performance and the intricate musical style with which it was presented…you have the awesome, entertaining talent of Ruth King.”
Article, Orlando Arts Magazine
Orlando Arts Magazine November/December 2009
Review, Parry Gettelman, Orlando Sentinel
“King has a lovely, warm voice with a slightly throaty edge….she infused the phrasing with her own emotions. her original material is exceptionally strong…her melodies are varied, and she has a knack for catchy but not over-stated hooklines.”
Review, Linda Rooks, Center Stage Magazine
“Ruth King is a beautiful, talented singer and songwriter….The richness of Ruth’s style reaches full throttle when she breaks into one of her original pieces like….’Desperate Days.’ “
Review, David J. Miles, Peter Scotts Gazette
“Ruth has true energy and style. Her voice is exciting…she performed with her guitar and reacted to the music….What a combination!”
Review, Laura Kelly The Stuart News
“It’s pretty hard to classify Ruth King’s self-penned blend of acoustical guitar, jazzy vocals and soul-and-funk tempo. How King developed her style of mixing and matching musical genres, though, is easily traced. She is the product of good musical genes – her mom and dad. By 4, she had performed onstage with her parents.”
Review, Scottie Campbell, The Watermark
“Although some compare her to Melissa Etheridge, it isn’t fair to compare her to anyone. Ruth King has formed her own style that starts with her soul and travels through her fingers to the strings of her guitar and finally erupts out of her voice. The result is truly magic. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her perform at the House of Blues where she literally stopped me in my tracks. A self-taught artist, the Orlando-based singer seems at home wherever she performs.”
Endorsement, Dorrie Swan, Cultural Affairs Committee – Winter Park Arts Festival – Chamber of Commerce
“Dear Ms. King…you played a key role in making the (Winter Park Arts) festival successful. The spirit and talent displayed were a wonderful contribution toward the tremendous success in this year’s festival.”
Endorsement, Christine Ivanov – University of Central Florida – Campus Life Board
“Thank you for a wonderful performance…It left people hanging on for more!! Quality and professionalism is one thing we’ve come to expect from a Ruth King show!”
Endorsement, Peter Rice, Asst. Mgr. – “Ruth is one of the most popular and positive entertainers we have…Many people call to Grand Cypress Hotel inquire when she is singing. She has a local following of her own.”
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Ruth King solo requirements: •
a state of the art sound system including two stage monitors with sound technician proficient in sound reinforcement;
•
a stage not less than 8 ft. by 10 ft. (8' X 10');
•
a lighting system (preferably with several light cans - white, red, and blue) with experienced stage lighting technician;
•
one (1) D.I. (direct box) with one (1) 1/4 inch input;
•
one (1) microphone (preferably Beta);
•
one (1) boom stand for microphone;
•
one (1) small table onstage;
•
one (1) off-stage table for CDs sales with staff person for selling CDs;
Ruth King Band requirements: •
For full band tech spec inquiries email ruth@ruthkingblues.com
Contact/Booking Ruth King Music, Inc. Mt. Dora, Florida 407-493-7397 ruth@ruthkingblues.com www.ruthkingblues.com
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