Ruth Acuff
Ruth Acuff | |
|---|---|
 Acuff performing at Fortune Fest, August 2018 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Columbia, Missouri, U.S. |
| Origin | United States |
| Genres | Folk, indie, harp, psychedelic rock |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Harp, guitar, voice, theremin |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | The Nation of Love |
| Website | ruthacuff |
Ruth Acuff is an American singer-songwriter, harpist, and rock musician.
Early life
[edit]Ruth was born in Columbia, Missouri. She has performed at venues in Missouri and nationally on tour. She is paternally related to country music singer Roy Acuff.[1]
Career
[edit]Ruth performs in the following bands as the lead singer and performer:[2]
- Ruth Acuff: A self-named "indie-folk" group that includes her on harp and lead vocals, husband Jeff Mueller on upright bass, and sister Mary Leibovich on a single drum or doing vocals with a full drummer.
- The Royal Furs: A psychedelic rock band where Ruth is the lead singer and performs with a theremin. Other members include Noel Feldman on drums, Joshua Wright on bass guitar, and Mike Marshall on lead guitar.
In addition, she is a backup singer and guitarist on a Missouri-based Pink Floyd tribute band called Interstellar Overdrive, and tours and collaborates with pianist Merry Ellen Kirk.
Ruth Acuff (Harp group)
[edit]Ruth began performing with a lever harp in 2010, going to a Lyon & Healey pedal harp in 2014. She has nicknamed the harp "Haru." She performs original work and does both acoustic and electric performances.
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Acuff and Jeff Mueller at Cafe Berlin, Columbia, Missouri May 2018 -
Acuff, Jeff Mueller, and Mary Leibovich at Cafe Berlin, Columbia, Missouri, May 2018 -
Acuff full band at Folk Fest, January 2018
The Royal Furs
[edit]The Royal Furs perform primarily original psychedelic rock music, as well as a few cover versions of popular psychedelic 60's era songs. She sings and plays theremin for this band.
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The Royal Furs current lineup -
The Royal Furs at Rose Music Hall, Columbia Missouri, December 2018 -
Joshua Wright and Ruth Acuff, The Royal Furs at Rose Music Hall, Columbia, Missouri, April 2017
Former Bands
[edit]From 2008 to 2010 Her and Jeff Mueller performed in a folk band called Rutherford.
Musical style
[edit]Her 2013 album, This is the Dream, performed as harpist, was classified as "Indie-folk" with "echoes of Americana...as well as traces of an earthier form of chamber music."[3] The Royal Furs has been described as "...pure 1990s Alternative Nation."[4]
Personal life
[edit]She is married to bass player and luthier Jeff Mueller from Mexico, Missouri. She now resides in New York City.
Discography
[edit]Ruth Acuff
[edit]- Paisley (CD) – Independent – 2011
- Tree (CD) – Independent – 2012
- This is the Dream (CD) – The Nation of Love – 2013
- To the Moon (CD) – The Nation of Love – 2014
- We Do (Single) – The Nation of Love – 2016
- Peace (Single) – The Nation of Love – 2018
The Royal Furs
[edit]- Can't Catch Me (EP) – 2016
- Fever Dream (CD) – 2016
References
[edit]- ^ Painter, Chad (January 22, 2009), "The Acuff legend lives on from Roy to Baby Ruth", Columbia Missourian, archived from the original on June 15, 2013, retrieved April 10, 2013
- ^ Spinella, Sten. "Ruth Acuff is your everyday rock star". Vox Magazine.
- ^ Danielson, Aarik (February 17, 2013), "Acuff draws the celestial and the common into conversation on latest CD", The Columbia Tribune, retrieved April 10, 2013
- ^ Danielson, Aarik (June 17, 2016), "Single review: The Royal Furs, 'Can't Catch Me'", The Columbia Tribune, retrieved March 31, 2019
External links
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