River Run centre presents Deric Ruttan on Feb. 6, at 8pm.
The country singer-songwriter will be joined by opening act Hey Romeo.
Ruttan’s performance is part of his cross-Canada Sunshine tour for his new album of that name released Jan 13. Ruttan and his band are visiting 23 towns and cities from coast to coast, 6,700km on the tour bus. Sunshine is a follow-up to his 2008 release First Time in a Long Time.
It is Ruttan’s most personal album to date with a focus on the blue-collar anthems and story-driven ballads he has become known for. The album features 11 new songs.
Ruttan was raised just outside Bracebridge, on land where his great-grandfather made moonshine in the 1930s.
It was the perfect backdrop for someone who grew up listening to everything from CCR to Gordon Lightfoot to Johnny Cash. After touring with several country bar bands, Ruttan moved to Nashville, and signed a publishing deal with Sony-Atv Music publishing. Soon he had inked a recording contract with Disney’s Lyric Street Records, and teamed up with veteran songwriter and producer Steve Bogard to record his debut Deric Ruttan album in 2003.
The album yielded five Top 10 singles and was nominated for best album at the 2004 Canadian country Music Awards. Male vocalist and Rising Star nominations followed, as did appearances at the Grand Ol’ Opry, and a high-profile national tour. In 2009, Ruttan was nominated for male artist, record producer, songwriter, and best album at the Canadian Country Music Awards, where he closed the show.
Tickets are on sale now through the River Run centre box office, with prices ranging from $23 to $30. Tickets can be bought at www.riverrun.ca, by phone at 519-763-3000, or in person at the box office.