Point Richmond Acoustic presents award winning Americana Songwriter Rita Hosking and her band, Cousin Jack, with special guest Bobby Joe Valentine
Ongoing music series continues to present award winning California songwriters.
(Point Richmond – January 24, 2011) Award-winningAmericana singer/songwriter Rita Hosking comes to Point Richmond Acoustic on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 8 pm. Rita will be accompanied by her illustrious string band, Cousin Jack – Sean Feder on Dobro and banjo, Andy Lentz on fiddle, and Bill Dakin on upright bass. The concert is held at the historic First Methodist Church of Point Richmond, 201 Martina Avenue. Tickets are $15. Special guest Bobby Joe Valentine opens the show.
A native of Shasta County, Hosking’s songs reflect the other California – that of mountains, forests, small towns and kitchen tables, springs, loss, miners, mountains, culture clash, trailers, stray dogs, loggers, hope, forest fires. Her delivery is, to put it simply, intense. Hosking comes by her mountain-music sensibility with true authenticity, with original songs deeply rooted in her family's frontier experience. A descendant of Cornish miners who sang in the mines, Rita grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice. Her voice, called a "soulful howl from the mountains" is calling attention all around the world with her fifth CD, “Burn.”
Hosking is a favorite on the Folk festival scene, having appeared at the Strawberry Folk Festival, Kate Wolf Festival and elsewhere throughout North America. Rita's songs have been lauded for story and sense of place, and her performances praised for her ability to move audiences. Honors include winner of Best Country Album in the 2010 Independent Music Awards, winner of the 2008 Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest at the Sisters Folk Festival and finalist in the 2009 Telluride Troubadour Contest. "There’s a grit to her songs and sinewy toughness to her voice that weave their own spell,” says Q Magazine.
Fitting for February, our special guest is Bobby Joe Valentine. Another home-grown talent (from Petaluma) Valentine has recently released his first CD, A Place to Belong. Warm and inviting, filled with depth and hope, Bobby's songs display both innocence and maturity which captivates audiences young and old alike. He has appeared on several radio and TV shows including live performances at ABC and NBC morning shows. The winner of several awards, most recently Songwriter of the Year at West Coast Songwriter's Association for his song "Fly.” Armed with just a ukulele and a guitar, Bobby Joe Valentine shoots straight to the heart. 
The concert series is sponsored by Point Richmond Music and the First Methodist Church. The Church itself is intimate and an acoustic marvel. The 100-year-old church is an octagonal wooden prism that appears to be built by nautical carpenters. “It’s like listening to music inside a guitar.” Kaplan explains, “Our program is completely non-religious and people of all faiths or no faith are welcome. It’s a friendly no-pressure environment, and even if it’s been a few decades since you have set foot in a church no one is going to bite you…but they might offer you a cookie or cup of coffee. It’s all about the music here!”
Come see two award winning singer songwriters, up close and personal, at Point Richmond Acoustic, February 10, at 8 pm.
Visit www.folkunlimited.com for more infomation on the concert series and www.ritahosking.com and www.bobbyjoevalentine.com for information on the performers.