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 Steve and Ruth have been playing music together for over 30 years. Through the years, they have performed together in concert venues and resorts around the world, and spent many years touring Asia and the Pacific Rim. They moved to the High Country of North Carolina in 1990 where they have become popular providers of music for a variety of venues and events throughout the South.
Combining their individual musical influences, Steve and Ruth play a blend of traditional Appalachian, Celtic, Baroque, and original music, including both vocal and instrumental selections. With so many years of experience, they have developed a widely varied repertoire and specialize in designing just the right music for any size event or venue, including festivals, concerts, corporate events, wedding events, and more.
Their first CD release An Appalachian Aire 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 National Public Radio’s on-line show “All Songs Considered.” In selections ranging from Carolan to Bach, the music chosen for the CD reflects their Scots-Irish heritage, Ruth's classical music training and Steve's mountain folk roots.
(click here for CD information)
Steve and Ruth's latest 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 both CDs in their live concert presentation Celtic Music: The Appalachian Way , featuring Steve and Ruth's special blend of Celtic Appalachian music.
For rates and booking information call 828-297-1918
or email us at info@steveandruth.com
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 Steve, an ASCAP award-winning song-writer, was raised in the Appalachian region playing mountain folk music from an early age. He has worked in the music industry in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. In 1990, Steve returned to the mountains and received a Master's degree in Appalachian Studies from Appalachian State University with a focus on the region's mountain music and folklife. He is the recipient of the Cratis Williams Fellowship in Appalachian Studies and produced, wrote and hosted the multi-state syndicated radio program, The Appalachian Way, about the mountain region's music and folklife. Steve brings his acoustic fingerstyle guitar, clawhammer banjo, unique vocals, and entertaining narratives to the listener in a light, friendly manner. Over 35 years of experience in the entertainment business in a wide array of venues around the nation and the world gives Steve the ability to adapt quickly and specifically tailor each performance for each individual audience.
 A native North Carolinian,
Ruth's artistic interests took a fresh direction into Appalachian music after moving to the northwest mountains of North Carolina.
Ruth began playing music at a very young age and is a classically trained pianist who 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 composes music especially for the hammerd 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 at festivals
throughout the country. Ruth also enjoys playing Appalachian mountain dulcimer and is
accomplished in traditional Applachian fiber arts, including weaving and spinning.
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