Rita Hosking

Rita Hosking is a Davis, California based composer and musician. She plays Americana and bluegrass styles of music with both standards and original songs. [ [http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/rita_hosking_and_cousin_jack/local/Band?oid=288062 Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack] ] Since the release of "Are You Ready?", she has been performing at festivals and concerts around the country. These performances have included locations in the midwest such as Saginaw, Michigan's White Crow Conservatory of Music, and at the 17th Annual “Midsummer in the Northwoods” Bluegrass Festival in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. [ [http://www.mlive.com/saginawnews/entertainment/index.ssf/2008/08/on_stage_rita_hosking_white.html Rita Hosking brings mountain music, California style, to Saginaw's White Crow] by Janet I. Martineau, The Saginaw News] [ [http://www.onemorebluegrassshow.com/press.htm onemorebluegrassshow.com Press Release II] ] In addition to performances throughout California at concerts, festivals, and other venues. [ [http://www.ritahosking.com/Schedule.php ritahosking.com] ] [ [http://www.napavalleyregister.com/articles/2008/05/28/arts/doc483ccce3003cb396119897.txt Willie Nelson to make a Labor Day stop in Napa] ]

"Hosking's music isn't like the polished, over-produced music found in pop culture. Hers is a minimalist sound that reflects a simpler time and place: a little country town, rather than a big city." [ [http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DVEB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1106562C5F3184F8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0FCEDEB95BD4D563 Channeling simpler times - Folksinger records her own life and upbringing in old-style ballads by Landon Christensen] ]

Influences and inspirations

Hosking grew up in the rural area of Shasta County, California. Her father worked the night shift at a sawmill as part of the area's logging industry. Her great grandfather, from Cornwall, England, was an underground gold miner in the region. And her grandmother's family had headed there in a covered wagon on the Oregon Trail, from Virginia.

Hosking says old-time music was strong in her mountain area, as well as country. She grew up hearing neighbors play their simple instruments by ear, as a group called the Mountaineers. And the school cook took several girls from the school, taught them songs and they performed as the Farmerettes -- Hosking included, playing washboard and singing her first solo.

"I'm no expert on the Appalachians at all, but I figure there are similarities -- the economy and some traditions, logging and mining. So, as a songwriter, you focus on that. You take the human struggle to survive, particularly in a beautiful place they love, and you've pinned down a lot of artistic inspiration." [ [http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/saginawnews/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/1217654410164730.xml&coll=9 California singer understands folk roots] ]

Recognition and awards

Rita was the "2007 Emerging Artist Winner" at the Bluegrassin' In The Foothills festival in Plymouth, California. [ [http://www.landspromotions.com/plymouthbands.htm Our Featured Bands] ]

On the evening of September 6, 2008, Rita was chosen as the winner of the "Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest" at the Sisters Folk Festival in Sisters, Oregon. [ [http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org sisters folk festival home page] ]

Backup Band

Rita is supported by a small back up group named Cousin Jack that includes:
* Bill Dakin - bass, guitar, vocals
* Sean Feder - banjo, bass, percussion, vocals
* Andy Lenz - fiddle [ [http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/rita_hosking_and_cousin_jack/local/Band?oid=288062 Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack] ] [ [http://www.ritahosking.com/About.php ritahosking.com] ]

Discography

* "Silver Stream" (2007) self released.::"Loaded with verve, spirit and out of the box energy, you don’t have to be a hardcore bluegrass fan to play this often and loud. A top shelf recording all the way." [ [http://www.midwestrecord.com/2008/02/04/020408 RITA HOSKING/Silver Stream] Volume 31/Number 96, February 4, 2008, MIDWEST RECORD, CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher]
*"Are You Ready?" (2005) self released. [ [http://www.cbaontheweb.org/reviews_read2.asp?messageID=601&curPage=1&search Are You Ready? Rita Hosking, Reviewed by: B Hough] ] [ [http://www.theshywriter.com/Country/Bluegrass/RITA_HOSKING_Are_You_Ready.html theshywriter] ]

In addition she has provided vocals for other recordings such as the Loose Acoustic Trio's album "Sorrow Be Gone". [ [http://www.krugermagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1657&Itemid=54 The Loose Acoustic Trio] ]

Notes and References

External links

* [http://www.ritahosking.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/ritahosking Myspace page]