Rupert Wates in Concert at Arts Nest
Rupert Wates
Saturday November 29, 2025 from 7-9pm
Doors open 6pm
Rupert Wates was born in London, UK, and has been based in the US since 2007. He signed a publishing deal with Eaton Music (London) in 1994 and has been a full time songwriter ever since. He has won over 50 songwriting and performing awards. In 2018 he performed as a Finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Song Contest, and an Emerging Artist at Falconridge Folk Festival. He was voted ‘Artist Of The Year’ by the Listening Room Network in both 2013 and 2016. More than 30 of his songs have been covered by other artists, including two full length tribute albums to his material recorded by independent artists in Nashville and Los Angeles.
He has released 12 solo albums, tracks from which have been played on radio worldwide. He averages 120 live shows a year, in every state in the US, in Canada and in Europe.
The Critics say:
'PURE CLASS' (http://musicriot.co.uk/album/lamentations-rupert-wates/)
'TIMELESS' (https://www.planetcountry.it/rupert-wates-lamentations/)
'FLAWLESS' (https://www.facebook.com/spiritofprogressiverock/)
'AN ABSOLUTE PLEASURE' (John Barlass, 'At The Barrier')
‘BRILLIANT MUSICIANSHIP’ (Bob Leslie, Celtic Music Radio www.celticmusicradio.net)
‘An incomparable, timeless folk gem’ (Cis Van Looy, Written In Music)
“Terrific hooks, deep lyrics, awesome voice and nearly astonishing fingerpicking chops – the real deal” (Monterey County Weekly CA)
"Lyrically, these songs combine the economy of a Woody Guthrie ballad with the intricacies of contemporary singer-songwriter Richard Thompson" (Jim Abbott, Orlando Sentinel, May 21, 2013)
"This is one gifted s.o.b...If you're not hip to this guy you're missing a lot" (F.A.M.E)
Songs, Stories and Sleighbells - A Holiday Concert - Sunday Dec 14, 2025
Songs, Stories and Sleighbells - A Holiday Concert - Sunday Dec 14, 2025 at 2pm
Tickets $30 - Buy Now on My River Tickets
Featuring Craig Bickhardt, Jesse Terry, Halley Neal, and Sam Robbins.
Four highly acclaimed, award winning singer-songwriters team up and take the stage for an evening of festive & heartwarming holiday music!
Craig Bickhardt’s songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, BB King, Martina McBride and about 125 others. He has written or co-written nine (9) top ten hits including four (4) #1s. “Precious Child – The Story of Christmas,” Craig’s collaboration with Thom Schuyler (Songwriter Hall of Fame), is considered a classic, must-have holiday album.
Jesse Terry is a Grand Prize winner of The John Lennon songwriting contest and the CMT/NSAI Song Contest. He plays over 125 shows annually from Bonnaroo to the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the 30A Songwriters Festival to AmericanaFest. Jesse’s Holiday CD, “Peace–A Christmas Collection,” his children’s book, “If I Were The Moon,” and his arrangements of timeless holiday songs, have people coming back for more every holiday season!
Halley Neal is an award winning folk singer and songwriter whose live shows center on themes of positivity and peace. The formerly-Nashville-currently-Boston-area-based artist has gained national recognition from touring across the country to listening rooms and folk music venues and from her performances at festivals, notably the Kerrville Folk Fest, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Her live shows are remembered for her effortless vocals and honest lyrics.
Sam Robbins is a Nashville-based singer songwriter, in the vein of classic writers like James Taylor and Jackson Browne, with an upbeat side. He's the 2021 Kerrville Folk Fest New Folk winner and he was the first to sing a Jim Croce song on The Voice. Sam and Halley’s collaborative holiday album, “You and Me on Christmas Eve,” was released in December or last year and quickly drew accolades from reviewers and fans alike.
All are Welcome to join us and get into the Holiday spirit!