Biography
A bluegrass supergroup whose founding players all trace their shared history to the Lonesome River Band, Band of Ruhks surfaced during the middle of the 2010s, bringing together rich vocal harmonies and long-standing musical rapport. Ronnie Bowman on bass, Don Rigsby on mandolin, and Kenny Smith on guitar first appeared under the Rounder imprint as the Rambling Rooks before adopting their present name and issuing the self-titled follow-up album in 2015. Banjoist Brian Fesler entered the lineup ahead of the 2019 release Authentic.
During the 1990s the three musicians had already performed side by side in the highly regarded edition of the Lonesome River Band. Their paths diverged after 2001, allowing each to build an independent career across bluegrass and country circles. Close to ten years afterward, a reunion concert by the Lonesome River Band revived their wish to collaborate once more. A few additional years passed before they formed the Rambling Rooks in 2013 and cut a debut album for Rounder Records. While still pursuing separate projects, the trio had coalesced into a cohesive bluegrass ensemble and reconvened to record a second album, now under the Band of Ruhks moniker. Issued by 101 Ranch Records in 2015, that collection included several fresh compositions by Bowman along with a guest appearance by Ralph Stanley. Once Fesler joined on banjo, the expanded quartet moved to Rebel Records and delivered Authentic, their first project in the new configuration.
During the 1990s the three musicians had already performed side by side in the highly regarded edition of the Lonesome River Band. Their paths diverged after 2001, allowing each to build an independent career across bluegrass and country circles. Close to ten years afterward, a reunion concert by the Lonesome River Band revived their wish to collaborate once more. A few additional years passed before they formed the Rambling Rooks in 2013 and cut a debut album for Rounder Records. While still pursuing separate projects, the trio had coalesced into a cohesive bluegrass ensemble and reconvened to record a second album, now under the Band of Ruhks moniker. Issued by 101 Ranch Records in 2015, that collection included several fresh compositions by Bowman along with a guest appearance by Ralph Stanley. Once Fesler joined on banjo, the expanded quartet moved to Rebel Records and delivered Authentic, their first project in the new configuration.
Albums
Singles