Rita plays in variable configurations--solo, duo, trio and quartet. The whole shabang, "Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack," includes Sean Feder on banjo/guitar/bass/vocals, Bill Dakin on bass/guitar/vocals, and Andy Lentz on fiddle. Other folks known to be occasional guest Cousin Jacks are Bill Edwards, Florie Brown, Larry Graff, Leif Karlstrom, Jan Peters, Jon O'Brien, Samantha Olson, and Joe Craven.
Influences
Well, Mom and Dad raised me in the mountains, and then they encouraged me to go to college where I met all these freaky people that made me want to play music.
I think the strongest influence for me is the old home-place, history and people. (At least that's what I feel when I'm playing.)
Musicians or types of music I can list are: The Mountaineers (old-time band from when/where I grew up), all sorts of country--Loretta Lynn, Emmylou, even Olivia Newton John's old country stuff, Bobby Gentry, the Man in Black, bluegrass, Hazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard, the Cornish Carol Choir/Grass Valley Singers, Rory Block, Buffy Saint-Marie, Stevie Nicks, Tim O'Brien, most of the folks listed on my friend Aamir's myspace page, Qur'anic recitation, Qawwali music, Gnawa music, Ralph Stanley, Janis Joplin, Northern Plains Indian music, Roscoe Holcomb, Carter Family, Pandit Jasraj, John Denver, Swapan Chaudhuri, Led Zepplin, Kate Wolf, Mary McCaslin, Gillian Welch, Aretha Franklin, Dave Carter, ..... Really, just about all the music that I've heard and enjoyed. That's so vast I can't comprehend trying to make a fair list. The spirit of music is grand and generous.
p.s. I currently really enjoy Martha Scanlan and Caroline Herring, check them out if you haven't yet.
Hi, I'm Rita. Thank you for stopping by! I hope you'll visit my website at www.ritahosking.com for more information and song samples, but in the meanwhile, here are a couple quotes, pictures, and videos from some kind folks:
"Rita Hosking has one of those perfectly imperfect voices necessary to do folk music right. An overtrained or flawless vibrato can ruin a good tune about broken lives or crossing over or prison wardens who are happiest when the jailhouse is full. But Hosking keeps it beautifully raw and real in the pitchy tradition of Emmylou Harris or Lucinda Williams. Musically, her bluegrass-tinged performances hearken back to the best of American music without mimicking the greats.
Close harmonies and strong backup provided by her band, Cousin Jack, round out a sound rooted firmly in traditional music but distinct to an artist with a particular lyrical love for the mountains and the lives they envelop." --Adrienne van der Valk for the Eugene Weekly
"Hosking's two biggest assists are her singular voice (a soulful howl from the mountains) and quality songwriting. Between tunes she talked a bit about her upbringing near Hatchet Mountain (Fall River area). She talked about the devastating Fountain Fire prior to playing her great bluegrass tune "Kitchen Table and Chairs." This combination of quality storytelling, genuine personality, super songs and that voice have put Hosking into the big leagues. After a full weekend of amazing performances, I woke up Tuesday morning with her tune "Are You Ready" playing in my head," Jim Dyar of Redding's D.A.T.E. Magazine, on Rita's performance at Spring Strawberry Music Festival, 2007.
Christmas is coming soon. Are you looking for a Christmas present and would like to help handicapped children? Than please request the list of donations in kind from HelpCharity, www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity , by sending me an e-mail at Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de . Many donations in kind are autographed.
If you don't have the chance to request the list of donations in kind, please add HelpCharity to your Top Friends!
Thanks for helping me to support handicapped children!
Christian
Founder of HelpCharity Editor & Journalist for Country Music Christian Lamitschka An der Pfingstweide 28 61118 Bad Vilbel Germany Phone: ++49 (0) 6101 544613 Mobil: ++49 (0) 171 6903352 E-Mail: Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de Internet: www.MySpace.com/HelpCharity Internet: www.MySpace.com/ChristianLamitschka
Rita, darling, welcome aboard, I love your songs. There's a real Emmylou/McGarrigles vibe going on there. Absoloutely beautiful! Hope to sse you when you come to the UK. Do check out the message I sent you too.
Ruby Jane and Mark O'Connor: Virtuosos of the American Fiddle: http://www.poptech.org/blog/mark_oconnor_and_ruby_jane_smith_virtuosos_of_american_fiddle
Ruby Jane Article in New York Times!! http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/26/who-do-these-guys-think-they-are/ AND Check out the new pictures and video! Let me know what you think! Ruby Jane
Thank you for your friend request. You're a gifted musician and I enjoyed listening to your music. California is such a beautiful state with so much to do and see. I truly enjoyed my vacation there, also I've only been there once. Take care & God bless.
The new True Margrit CD - The Juggler's Progress - is now available for pre-order, along with t-shirts and artwork, photo and drumheads, check it out here: http://bit.ly/7Cu8J
Next shows: October 28, Jazzbones in Tacoma, WA October 30, Mississippi Pizza in Portland, OR October 31, Nana's Irish Grill and Pub in Newport, OR November 1, Muddy's Hot Cup in Arcata, CA November 5, Molly Malone's in West Hollywood, CA November 5, Molly Malone's in West Hollywood, CA
Our tour wraps up with the big show at San Francisco's best rock club, Bottom of the Hill! For the complete show schedule, check here: http://bit.ly/1UgGqQ
It is a pleasure to have you as my new MySpace friend… I find your MySpace page, your talent and your enthusiasm for music pleason’ to many… I welcome you’re other MySpace friends to visit my MySpace page that I’ve dedicated to my admiration of many talented guitar playing musicians of many styles… Stop by check it out and leave a comment if you like… Thanks Ken…
Online Now!
