About Me
Are some people destined to be just a littledifferent, just a little better at "it" than the average joe? Just born to bewhat so many wish they were, just meant to be what too many profess to be invain? Take Josiah Ruff, for example. Born in Seattle, WA, November 15, 1980,a.k.a. "The Rock & Roll City", he debuted with his first solo vocal performanceat the Fresno Westside Church, at the age of 8 yrs. old. Piano lessons followedstarting a year later, he eventually got around to voice lessons at the ripe oldage of 14. Although he was raised primarily in the Joaquin Valley area ofCalifornia- Hanford to be precise, he was also sprinkled with some Southwesternseasoning when he lived in Texas for a four year stint. Add in the classicGospel influences of such legends as Andrae Crouch, The Winans, Take 6, andChris Willis, along with other contemporary R&B artists such as Mariah Carey andBrian McKnight, and the formula for a born musician seems to brew a littlestronger. Stir in a vocal performance major at Oakwood College, stompinggrounds of several of the above artists, and the aroma of success is undeniable.Did we mention the self-taught sax player and now novice guitarist is also asongwriter/producer who has performed across the globe from London, England toHarlem, New York at the World Famous Apollo Theatre, to the House of Blues inLos Angeles, CA? No? Then we probably didn't mention that he has opened forartists as notable as Ricky Dillard, Dorinda Clark Cole, and Cindy Alexander, orthat he has worked on projects for powerhouses like Yolanda Adams, and anAmerican Idol finalist. We'll just keep that a secret...But it will be hard to keep the wraps on Josiah's new release, tentativelytitled, "Draw Me Nearer". With a powerfully relevant message, reminding peopleof the love that God has for them, regardless of their imperfections, it hitshome to so many, at a time when the search for meaning and acceptance is morepopular than ever. Songs such as "Love Came Down", "I Am Here", "Let Me Be" and"Everything" express a personal testimony of a believer in the greatest storyever told. Encouragement, comfort, and true fulfillment in the love and joy ofChrist are prevalent themes throughout the project, a strong mixture of balladsand uptempo cuts. Josiah claims that even the most "fun" song on the album isan uptempo record called " All I Wanna Do", is still yet another opportunity totestify to the goodness of the Lord, born out a challenge by his fiance' towrite "one uptempo song in a major key". With so much to sample, from the zesty collage of musical flavors thisself-written, and self-produced project provides, why deprive yourself of atangy mouthful? The pedigree seems to tell the story, but maybe, thats just thebeginning. Josiah hopes that it truly is just that- a start to launch a long,and successful career. Better get those refills while you can!
