The Mike + Ruthy Band Prep Bright As You Can

The Mike + Ruthy Band Bringing “Finely Crafted” (The Bluegrass Situation) New Album On Road, Opening Run For Kate Pierson (B-52’s)

Bright As You Can Out June 2^nd On Humble Abode Music/Thirty Tigers, Hear Title Track At The Bluegrass Situation 

The Mike + Ruthy Band are getting ready to release new album Bright As You Can on June 2^nd via Humble Abode Music/Thirty Tigers, and they have expanded the tour in support of the album, including a run of dates opening for and acting as backing band for Kate Pierson of the B-52’s. One of those shows with Pierson will be an Earth Day celebration this coming Sunday, April 19^th in New York City’s Union Square. In addition to their own dates and the newly announced dates with Pierson, The Mike + Ruthy Band will join the likes of The Black Keys, Robert Plant and Alabama Shakes at Mountain Jam, and they’ll be part of a line-up that includes Neko Case, Ani DiFranco and The Lone Bellow at the Clearwater Festival.

The Bluegrass Situation premiered the title track from the new album, saying “on their upcoming Bright As You Can LP, the duo rumbles and tumbles their way through 14 finely crafted tunes that roam effortlessly through the whole span that is Americana, from alt-country to folk to bluegrass. There’s even an echo or two of R&B going on in the set.” The single “Bright As You Can” is available at all digital retailers today.

A manifesto of sorts for the album, the title track speaks of lessons gleaned from lovers, children, travel and different generations, while an insistent beat and screeching fiddle propel the song forward. It’s a summation and celebration about all that is worth appreciating as we move through life. The album features plenty of Ungar and Merenda’s friends, family and neighbors, including Amy Helm, Aoife O’Donovan, Kristin Andreassen, Marco Benevento, beloved Woodstock, NY pianist Professor Louie, and Ungar’s father, GRAMMY-winning fiddler and composer Jay Ungar (mom is country singer Lyn Hardy).

The Mike + Ruthy Band – Spring/Summer 2015 Tour Dates

April 19 – Union Square, New York, NY (Earth Day show opening for Kate Pierson)

May 1 – Liberty Park Amphitheater – Clarksville, TN

May 2 – Greer Family Fest – Greer, SC

May 2 – Matilda’s Music Under the Pines – Alpharetta, GA

May 3 – The Plant – Pittsboro, NC

June 3 – Club Passim –  Cambridge, MA

June 4 – Parlor Room – Northampton, MA

June 5 – Mountain Jam – Hunter, NY

June 11 – The Listening Room at The Lark – Hastings, NE (duo)

June 12 & 13 – Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival – McCook, NE (duo)

June 20 – Clearwater Festival-  Croton on Hudson

June 27 – Bearsville Theatre –  Woodstock, NY (CD Release Bonanza w/ special guests)

July 8 – Festival on the Green – Middlebury, VT

July 15 – Music City Roots – Nashville, TN

July 17 – Variety Playhouse – Atlanta, GA (opening for Kate Pierson)

July 18 – Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA (opening for Kate Pierson)

July 19 – City Winery – Nashville, TN (opening for Kate Pierson)

July 21 – City Winery – Chicago, IL (opening for Kate Pierson)

July 23 – Stone Mountain Arts Center – Brownfield, ME

July 24 & 25 – Ossippee Music Festival – Hiriam, ME

August 21-23 – The Summer Hoot – Olivebridge, NY