Place Description: Steeped in both ancient traditions and modernist indie-folk, Ruth Acuff’s music is trained and ethereal, unique and enchanting. Ruth blends Americana and chamber music to create exquisite breeze-borne ballads with a sound that simultaneously evokes earthy and celestial atmospheres. Her lyrics rest on the mind with the careful balance of a questioning poet. Ruth plays a 46-string concert pedal harp, with which she has released multiple original recordings and toured the US coast-to-coast. She has shared the stage with the likes of Willie Watson, Dan Domenech from Rock of Ages, Morgan James from Motown, and Capathia Jenkins from Newsies. She has studied with world-renowned harpist Maria Duhova-Trevor, as well as writing and releasing her original songs with harp, voice, and other embellishments. When performing live, she is often joined by Jeff Mueller on upright bass. Ruth was voted Best Female Vocalist 2009 and Best Instrumentalist 2017 in her hometown, Columbia, Missouri. She is a Missouri Arts Council approved touring performer, and a member of the American Harp Society. Ruth also performs as a backup singer for the Pink Floyd Tribute band Interstellar Overdrive, and is the frontwoman for the psychedelic rock band The Royal Furs.

Place Description: Richie is an introspective and old soul, dynamic vocalist, emotionally driven songwriter, and multifaceted instrumentalist transitioning proficiently amidst piano, guitar, drums and the occasional bout of harmonica. As a performer, he brings an undeniable energy and authentic sound to both his solo shows and his adventures fusing with fellow musicians in the Richie Kihlken Band. Striving to make his unyielding passion for music be his lifelong career, he continues to devote his time to making and performing his music and constantly evolving as an artist. Richie leads the band with his timeless voice, groovy piano riffs, and charismatic personality. The group blends blues, jazz, and funk to create modern soul music that brings people to the dance floor.

Place Description: The band focuses on, but is not limited to, music from 1895-1930. We play ragtime, early blues and jazz, standards, and originals. Includes historic “firsts,” music by women & African-American composers, many Missouri artists. By combining older music with often a more modern take, we keep the history, yet bring the music alive in a way that makes it relevant for modern audiences. We play many familiar tunes but also introduce our audiences to rarely heard music of the era. Members of the band are available for educational concerts, either remote or in person. around themes such as Missouri Composers, Women Composers, African American Composers, Early Blues, Hits of the Era, etc, which will combine performance with short takes on music history.