Ruth Wyand BIO I am a guitarist and songwriter who also sings. I was born in Atlantic City NJ (yes NJ - “The Garden State” it’s not all refineries, the turnpike and Bon Jovi there are beaches, pine barrens and two guys named Darrell). I grew up in a part of town called Venice Park. It was a small clamming and fishing community until the 70’s. The epidemic called “white flight” hit and within two years my neighborhood completely changed from a nice little whitey community to 95% black. Which as a kid I couldn’t understand why all my friends suddenly moved away. This stupid scheme by realtors and developers turned out to be the best thing for me in my musical growth. My new next door neighbor was from Durham NC. I’d sit in my driveway and listen to his stereo. He played old records of blues, R&B and Gospel songs – Ray Charles, Mahalia Jackson, Billie Holiday, Elmore James and the Supremes. The first song I learned was Dust My Broom, I was 11 years old. I picked up that famous riff and was hooked on blues forever. When I was 15 my first gig was in a biker bar with a drummer, a bass player and a front man. We were doing Allman Bros, ZZ Top and Lynyrd Skynyrd songs. I found out I could sing when the (diva) front man was late one night and the owner of the club threaten to dock our pay if we didn't start playing. So I opened my mouth and sang - we fired the front man. That was my first introduction to the music business. I made $34.00 and the guys made $33.00. It was a big financial victory for us. I also learned a valuable lesson - there's always someone ready to step into your spotlight, so don't be late for a gig. The second lesson was - you won't get fired you if you own the PA. I think I was better at the music business then than I am now. I ventured in and out of hundreds of bands of all shapes and styles but never lost my love for the blues . I finally gave up trying to make it as a pop star and went back to what really makes me tick. The guitar by itself and a good story. I took 10 years off from being a full time "bar band girl" to being a stage hand. I realized the real show wasn't on stage but back stage. I'd like to write a book one day about the things that go on during a magic show, a Janet Jackson concert or a production show with Show Girls and pasties that fall off. While I was working a "real" job with a "real" pay check I also took up playing more acoustic guitar and writing songs. I listened to Etta Baker, Doc Watson, Rev Gary Davis, Pat Donohue and Bonnie Raitt. I entered a few guitar competitions (if you ever heard the term "scared straight" you'll know how it feel to compete at Winfield). If you’re a serious acoustic guitar player you should go to Winfield - just to listen if anything. You'll go home and either give up the guitar forever or practice. I practiced and ended up taking home 1st prize at the Gamble Rogers Guitar Competition. Of course it's no Winfield but I was the first woman to win and it meant a lot to get a little recognition as a serious player. My playing has taken me to a lot of great places in the US, England and New Zealand, Kuwait. I still do my share of local clubs (the pay is a little better then $34.00 but not much) and teach but my real love is playing acoustic venues, house concerts, story telling and writing songs. Thanks for taking the time to read this, Ruth Wyand sandbilly@earthlink.net For live concert footage visit http://youtube.com/watch?v=8ybxH0J2oyo or http://youtube.com/watch?v=qFbwcwtBkYM&feature=related Visit my myspace for updated BS I mean blogs http://www.myspace.com/ruthwyand Or another choice is my oh so important EPK (electronic press kit) http://www.sonicbids.com/RuthWyand2