Ruthie Lamb is a powerhouse singer with some powerhouse people in her corner. Her talent, drive and songwriting abilities have afforded her numerous opportunities and one hell of a reputation. She has wowed people from clubs to crowded festivals (two thousand at Ride For Sight in Trenton, ON, alongside headliners The Road Hammers) and her rich mezzo-soprano and engaging stage presence have earned her comparisons to Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, and Patsy Cline.
The Toronto-based singer/songwriter is perhaps best known for her two songs “City Of Lost Souls†and “Prayer For A Dollar†which were produced by Michael Borkosky (illScarlett, Ryan Malcolm’s Low Level Flight) at Toronto’s The Back Room studios. They were mixed by Juno Award winner Vic Florencia (Esthero) and mastered by Joao Carvalho (Sam Roberts, Pilate). “I met Mike through Joao and Emmanuel Patterson (Live Nation). Mike arranged the songs and worked his magic and the result is two songs that I’m very proud of,†says Ruthie. “He captured the emotional intensity of each song and I am very grateful for his guidance and wisdom.†The two songs are in addition to the significant material Ruthie has amassed after collaborating with a host of notable musicians, including: Chris Chaney (Panic Channel, Jane’s Addiction), Juno Award winner Greg Kavanaugh (Wendy Lands, Ashley MacIssac), Dean Truitt (Steve Perry, Motley Crue), Jim Huff (I Mother Earth), Dale Harrison (Headstones), Lawrence Katz (The Mighty Mighty Bosstones) and Carvalho.
“City Of Lost Souls†is particularly emotional for Ruthie. On a flight to Los Angeles to meet with some songwriters she met through Guns N’ Roses producer Mike Clink, Ruthie was suddenly inspired to write the lyric and melody. “I began writing like crazy and when I was finished, I wrote 9/11 beside the title. It was only at that moment I realized the song was about 9/11. I got chills and realized that there may have been some kind of divine intervention happening.†She finished the song in L.A. with Truitt, a friend of Clink’s. “I met Mike Clink through John Alexander, who helped Alanis Morissette with her career. “John has been a believer and a friend since I met him at Canadian Music Week in 2005.†“Prayer For A Dollar†was inspired by a conversation she had with Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger at a Thornley concert in Toronto. “He told me about a friend of his father’s who won a lottery and managed to lose it all,†recounts Ruthie, who wrote the lyric after attending a Nickelback concert in her hometown of Hamilton, Ontario, and having a dream that evening that tied in with Kroeger’s story and her own upbringing. She finished the song with Toronto songwriter Patrick Dune. “I grew up in a hard working, blue collar family,†says Ruthie. “My father worked at Stelco and I remember how tough it was at times, especially when he went on strike against the company. It made me think how we all wish we could win a lottery, but we can't rely on money to solve our problems. Happiness lies in the pursuit of our destiny.â€
Ruthie's latest song, "Back in the Day" was inspired by her father and the cottage where she spent long memorable summers with her family. Reflecting on her experience and the warm joy of sharing a new generation of these memories with her two young boys, Ruthie’s emotions bring the song alive. Her voice transports the listener to his or her own moments of innocence and wonder. “My grandfather built the cottage; it was a very magical and beautiful place to spend my summers, having lots of fun by the campfire and the beach, and being surrounded by beautiful farmland. It's where I had my first kiss and met my first boyfriend." The song was co-written with Justin Abedin and Sarah McCully and produced by Justin Abedin (Jack Soul) at The Drive Shed. It was mixed and engineered by John "Beetle" Bailey (Tom Cochrane, Serena Ryder, Beverley Mahood).
Born and raised in Hamilton, Ruthie has been singing since she was a child, initially in choirs, both at church and into her teens at school. After completing a B.A. in Psychology at McMaster University, she received a scholarship from Theatre Ontario in Toronto, and moved to the big city. She has been honing her vocal skills for the past ten years with formal training and performing with a band. She is also studying guitar to enhance her songwriting and onstage performance. Many artists inspire Ruthie ranging from Johnny Cash to Keith Urban, Patsy Cline to Sheryl Crow, Elvis to The Beatles, Bon Jovi to Nickelback, and Led Zepplin to U2. She has channeled her influences and life experiences to create her own unique blend of country warmth with a rock ‘n roll edge. With her powerful voice, sweet persona, and engaging stage presence, Ruthie Lamb will warm your heart and rock your soul.
