Ann and Will Rowland w/ Ruth and Max Bloomquist

Ann and Will Rowland have been described as “folk music with punch”. No surprise. Will paid his musical dues playing in Rock and Country Bands throughout Michigan, while Ann could be heard playing for audiences across the north in coffeehouses and at open mics. An unlikely combination, but what happens when the two collide is a well-choreographed dance of two styles.

Ann plays guitar and lap dulcimer, but her first instrument is her voice.  Will is as at home with a mandolin in his hands as he is with a guitar. Either one, he plays with the kind of energy that clearly shows that his whole heart is into the music.

Ruth and Max Bloomquist have been making music together since they met in 1975 and discovered a common love for practically any music that features acoustic instruments and lyrics that touch the heart. Contemporary folk, bluegrass, traditional country, the country and folk rock so popular at the time – Ruth and Max were excited by it all.

Ruth was playing solo gigs at the time, singing her favorite folk tunes and a few originals accompanying herself on guitar, and had already played an extended tour with a former duet partner. Max loved to play guitar and sing, too, and soon was showing up at Ruth’s gigs, first as a spectator and, not much later, begging to play along. That same year the couple met another talented guitarist and singer, Steve Reeths, and the band Amaryllis was born.  

They've released three CDs supported by Max and a host of their beloved musical friends. The two have recently devoted themselves to making music full time. In 2003, Ruth was a winner of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest held annually at Merlefest, arguably the nation’s leading festival of acoustic and Americana music. Previously, she had showcased as a songwriter at the IBMA’s annual World Of Bluegrass convention and business conference. In 2006 the couple played an official showcase at the Midwest Regional Conference of the Folk Alliance (FARM) and Ruth was named among December’s top 5 vocalists by Singer Universe Magazine.