Rita knows how to take command of the room with just a strum of her instrument. She is vulnerable in her writing, sometimes hilarious and sometimes unashamed of the exposure into the darkest corners of her world, yet in those shared moments, she shines a light on hope.
Judy Allison Founder and Director of -Porch Fest
​
As a musician, I've observed and worked with Rita plenty of times and marveled at her creativity and attention to detail. Her own songs are entirely hers, not relying on pre-existing forms or chord changes. Instead she starts from scratch and weaves her narratives and original melodies through harmonic twists and turns, and the outcome is always both surprising and satisfying.
Jim Cavendar- Startlingly Fresh Records
​
​
​​
SHOWS
10-25/26-24' Black Pot Festival- Eunice, LA. (attending)
10-11-24' Rise Up Appalachia (disaster relief show) St. Stephens- Huntsville, Al. 6pm
9-18-24' St. Stephens Music Hall-Huntsville, Al. 8pm
8-25-24' Rice Vice-Nashville, TN. 4pm
5-4-24" Porch Fest-Huntsville, Al. 7pm
10-14-23' Frogtown House Show- Huntsville, Al. 7pm
10-13-23' B-Side- Louisville, KY. 8pm
10-12-23' Commonwealth Sanctuary- Dayton, KY. 6pm
Singer Songwriter
Rita has been writing and performing songs since 2005'. She had a long running house show series called "Rita's Speak Easy", hosting only independent musicians in the folk, old timey, and anti folk scene. She hosted bands like The Wiyos, Joe Jack Talcums project "The Low Budgets", Jason Webley, Tess and the Bon Ton Parade, Ian Thomas, Jenny Parrot, Louis Ledford, Two Man Gentleman Band, and more. Having made connections and close friendships with musicians she started writing her own songs with accordion, ukulele, banjo, and tenor guitar. She has toured from New York to New Orleans, Germany, and the PNW, also played the Chicago Folk Festival on invitation for five consecutive years. Having duos and solo acts as Majestika, Helen Keller's Ukulele, and co-writing the Posey Peepshow Burlesque, she now goes by her full name with a new album recorded this summer.
Not quite folk, not quite anti folk her songs are reminiscent of yesteryear with a strong element of story telling relating her experiences of living in the south. The happy lilt of the ukulele masks the sweet and sour of her lyrics. On second listen you will find songs about heartbreak, love, and the stories that help to better understand the sad, weird experience that is life in America's south.