They met in 1975, played their first show together in a band named Amaryllis at Grand Rapids' Festival of the Arts in 1976, and they've never looked back. Ruth and Max Bloomquist, who live in Norton Shores, south of Muskegon, have since become veritable folk music legends in Michigan, captivating audiences with their songs, their harmonies and their folk-infused charm. Ruth has earned her share of singing and songwriting awards over the years, often hailed by critics and publications across the country for her terrific alto vocals – a voice rightly compared to the likes of Anne Murray and Kathy Mattea. The couple's most recent album, “Turn Back a Page,” soared to No. 5 on the Folk Radio Airplay Chart in 2010, thanks to “tender, beautifully performed acoustic music with a traditional flair,” as I put it in my review at the time. They often perform as the Ruth and Max Bloomquist Band, with Ruth on guitar, Max on bass, Dan Seabolt on fiddle and John “Sky” King on guitar. On Wednesday, Ruth and Dan stopped by the studios of News Talk 1340 AM (WJRW) for my “Local Spins Live” segment to talk about their music and perform a song, “Daddy Was an Old Man,” on the air, a song written by Ruth about a friend's father. You can view a video below of that acoustic performance here at “Sound Check” (with an intro as the duo warmed up in the Green Room prior to the show). You can also check out the band when it performs as part of the Winter Wheat fundraiser for Wheatland Music Festival on Saturday at The Intersection, 133 Grandville Ave. SW, in Grand Rapids. The day-long show, which kicks off at 1 p.m., will feature more than a dozen folk acts on two stages. The Bloomquists will perform at 4 p.m. in the front lounge, between sets by Bruce and Becca Ling of Hawks & Owls and An Dro. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 students in advance at The Intersection or online at wheatlandmusic.org; $20 at the door the day of the all-ages show. For more information and links to music samples, visit the Bloomquists' official website or check out their reverbnation.com site.       ” - John Sinkevics

Grand Rapids (MI) Press

"Ruth and Max are so damn good and such wonderful people." Eric Janetsky, Trustee and Talent Coordinator, Nor'easter Music & Art Festival

Turn Back A Page  -   "One thing you can count on from Ruth & Max Bloomquist is consistently high-quality musical performance.  They do not disappoint in their latest release "Turn Back A Page".  Real songs with real emotions, great instrumental work, superb harmonies and one of the best female vocalists in the business (Ruth, of course!).  This CD is pure listening pleasure." - Al Kniola, Host, The Back Porch, 88.1 WVPE Public Radio.” - Al Kniola

— Via email

This week's A-List CDMonday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon on High Plains Morning with John BlackFans of so-called “Roots Music” and contemporary Folk are going to love this CD!  It comes to us from a duo who've been making a name for themselves all over NPR and in coffee houses around the world.  Maybe you've heard of them.  The album is called Turn Back a Page from the husband & wife music-making team of Ruth & Max Bloomquist... excitement shines through on this collection of a dozen wonderful songs.  The songs tell stories that are sure to resonate...” - John Black

High Plains Morning

RUTH BLOOMQUIST-ONE DAY AIN'T ENOUGH-Ruby Records 906. Ruth Bloomquistis a prolific composer and musician and pastwinner of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contestheld annually at MerleFest. This latest releaseemphasizes her songwriting prowess, the two exceptions being Scott Wiseman's "RememberMe (When The Candle Lights Are Gleaming") and"He Don't Like To Talk About It," penned byJennifer Kimball and Claire Lynch. The other 11 selections are Ruth Bloomquist originalsperformed in a contemporary style. She is joinedby husband, Max, and numerous musicians onperformances that include "Weary Heart Of Stone," "Love Goes Round," "Left By The Side OfThe Road," and "Put Down That Beer And Dance"(inspired by the Louvin Brothers). "One Day Ain'tEnough" is contemporary bluegrass at its finestand illustrates just why Ruth Bloomquist is asignificant creative force in bluegrass music.  ”

— Bluegrass Unlimited

Thank you SO much for an incredible performance tonight! We had some great comments from our viewers, and of course it was a joy to watch viewers singing and dancing along to the songs!  …it was my pleasure to work with you guys. I hope we can do it again in the future! ” - Mallory Metzger, Marketing and Program Coordinator Hackley Public Library
“All For Love’s Sake...a minor acoustic masterpiece...Ruth Bloomquist is a multi-talented acoustic artist with an exceptional ability to traverse boundaries separating various musical categories.””

— Bluegrass Unlimited