Rupert Wates with Bernie Drury & Friends
Rupert Wates is a transplanted Englishman who writes, sings, and plays witty wordy and quirky songs on unlikely subjects. A writer who makes you think. Rupert was born in London, UK, and has been based in the US since 2007. He has won over 50 songwriting and performing awards. He was voted ‘Artist Of The Year’ by the Listening Room Network in both 2013 and 2016. Many 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 10 solo albums, and he averages 120 live shows a year, in the US, in Canada and in Europe. Colorado Central Magazine describes his songs as “sublime folk hymns’” while Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange adds “this is one gifted s.o.b…if you’re not hip to this guy you’re missing out”.
Music became a big part of Bernie Drury‘s life in 1976 when he spent nearly a year busking through France and Italy playing at outdoor cafes, the Paris metro, night clubs and colleges. Bernie’s songwriting spans several genres from the blues, to country, rock and some jazz influenced tunes but regardless of the style, the story is the most important thing. Today Bernie is a proud member of Skylands Songwriters Guild in Morris County, NJ and co-host “The Song Writer’s Gig” podcast. His first EP “Tools of a Songwriter” was released in July 2018