Steve and Ruth's CD "Dancin Cross the Strings"
featured on Fiona Ritchie's "Thistle & Shamrock"
NPR podcast. Listen to a portion
and visit Thislepod
Steve and Ruth - featured artists in the Dulcimer Players News (read article)
Their CD "Dancin' Cross the Strings"
reviewed in Dulcimer Players News (read review)
Steve and Ruth have been playing music together for over 30 years. From their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, they have performed their Celtic Appalachian music extensively in the U.S. from North Carolina to Hawaii. They have also been cultural music representatives of the Appalachian region touring abroad in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Canada.
Ruth plays the hammered and Appalachian mountain dulcimers with Steve supporting on fingerstyle acoustic guitar, clawhammer banjo, and vocals. Steve and Ruth are two-time recipients of a North Carolina Arts Council grant
A native North Carolinian, Ruth began playing music at a very young age and enjoys the adaptability of the hammered dulcimer to many types of music, from traditional fiddle tunes and Appalachian songs, to Celtic and classical melodies. After playing many different musical instruments through the years, she found the hammered dulcimer to be a “fit” to her personality and a wonderful tool of self-expression. Ruth, who studied music at the University of Illinois, composes music especially for the hammered dulcimer and her compositions have been featured on NPR's All Songs Considered and in Dulcimer Players News magazine. Neal Walters of Dulcimer Players News says "Ruth's hammered dulcimer playing is mature, confident and very sensitive to the nuances of the music, allowing each tune to breathe."
She teaches hammered dulcimer workshops (click here) at festivals throughout the country.
Ruth also enjoys playing Appalachian mountain dulcimer and is accomplished in traditional
Applachian fiber arts, including weaving and spinning.
Steve, an ASCAP award-winning song-writer, worked along with Ruth throughout the 1970s and 1980s in the music industry in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. Since 1997 he has also been teaching audio production/recording at Appalachian State University. Steve has a Master’s degree in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University with a major emphasis in Appalachian music and folklife, and is the recipient of the Cratis Williams Fellowship in Appalachian Studies. In the 1990s, Steve created, produced, wrote and hosted the weekly multi-state syndicated radio program, “The Appalachian Way,” about the music and folklife in Appalachia. He also teaches festival workshops (click here) on guitar, clawhammer banjo, recording, copyrights & publishing, live sound reinforcement,
and performing techniques.
Steve and Ruth's 2005 CD release"An Appalachian Aire" (click here) is ranked
in the 40 top selling Celtic Folk CDs on CD Baby - the world's largest seller of independent music CDs online and in retail outlets. It gained national attention and significant airplay during 2006, most notably being chosen by XM satellite radio as “The Best Music This Week on XM.” Songs from their CD are being heard daily on Direct TV music channels and on major airlines coast-to-coast. The title song, written by Ruth, was featured on NPR’s on-line show “All Songs Considered.” This CD reflects their Scots-Irish heritage, Ruth's classical music training and Steve's mountain folk roots.
Steve and Ruth's 2007 CD “Dancin Cross the Strings”(click here)features much more of their original music as well as traditional Celtic and Appalachian tunes. NPR and XM satellite radio, as well as, Celtic Radio, Highlander radio, and Celtic Moon online Celtic music streaming sites are all featuring and programming their music. It was featured in Dulcimer Players News. They are currently performing music from these first two CDs in their live concert presentation Celtic Music: The Appalachian Way(click here), featuring Steve and Ruth's special blend of Celtic Appalachian music.
Steve and Ruth's brand new CD "An Appalachian Winter"(click here)is now available. The peaceful beauty of an Appalachian winter is captured here with gentle instrumental music featuring hammered dulcimer and guitar along with flute, pennywhistle, Celtic harp and percussion in a special collection of songs for the Christmas season. Look for their CD release concert, November 21, at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. (click here for info)
For rates and booking information call 828-297-1918
or email us atinfo@steveandruth.com
Steve and Ruth have been playing music together for over 30 years. From their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, they have performed their Celtic Appalachian music extensively in the U.S. from North Carolina to Hawaii. They have also been cultural music representatives of the Appalachian region touring abroad in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Canada. 
A native North Carolinian, Ruth began playing music at a very young age and enjoys the adaptability of the hammered dulcimer to many types of music, from traditional fiddle tunes and Appalachian songs, to Celtic and classical melodies. After playing many different musical instruments through the years, she found the hammered dulcimer to be a “fit” to her personality and a wonderful tool of self-expression. Ruth, who studied music at the University of Illinois, composes music especially for the hammered dulcimer and her compositions have been featured on NPR's All Songs Considered and in Dulcimer Players News magazine. Neal Walters of Dulcimer Players News says "Ruth's hammered dulcimer playing is mature, confident and very sensitive to the nuances of the music, allowing each tune to breathe." 
