Rita
Hosking was raised in
the mountains of eastern Shasta County, Northern California,
where she internalized dusty woodsheds, the scent of springwater,
forest fires and the troubles of rural economies. Her musical
experience began as a child at church, and under the wings of
an old time jug band made up of seasoned mountain characters.
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.
On an old Gibson guitar
her friends bought for her, she began composing songs at age
20. Still writing and now performing with her band "Cousin
Jack," Rita’s bluegrass-tinged, soulful songs convey
mountain life in the West with a voice that evokes the power
of people and place.
“Her voice has that
lonely, experienced voice of the mountain people, though her
mountains were in Northern California.”
--Brenda
Hough for the California Bluegrass Association
"What I appreciate
about Rita's music is that she has the innate ability to take
the listener back to a simpler and better time in American music.” --Michael
Leahy, a.k.a. “Cornelius” of the KDVS “Cool
As Folk” show
"Rita Hosking is an
up and coming songbird with a style of her own, combining the
best of Gillian Welch, Hazel Dickens and Iris DeMent with a
delivery that calls for an encore every time." --Dennis Brunnenmeyer, host of KVMR’s
“Nevada City Limits“
“From the first time
I heard Rita sing, her voice gripped me and did not let go;
a voice whose beauty speaks from a deep place of honest and
raw and powerful emotion. Rita’s messages are immediate
yet patient and her quiet conviction most strong.” --Joe Craven,
multi-instrumentalist and solo recording artist
"Rita Hosking is the best bluegrass songbird in Northern California," --Eric Rice, host of the 20+year old Countyline Bluegrass Show on KVMR.
"Rita Hosking has one of those perfectly imperfect voices necessary to do folk music right," --Adrienne van der Valk for the Eugene Weekly, 06/06.
Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack -- Trio
Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack -- Quartet
Sean
Feder backs Rita on banjo,
vocals, bass, and occasionally guitar. Since the 1980's he has
performed and recorded with many world, folk, and jazz groups.
In addition to organic agriculture certification and Cousin
Jack, Sean is currently performing with the Joe Craven Do-it-Yourselfers,
the Irish band Driving with Fergus, and the Mad Cow String Band.
Bill
Dakin provides bass, vocals
and guitar. His longtime passion for bluegrass, old-time and
country music is evident in his sensitive and soulful style--recruited
by many fine performers and festivarians throughout California.
An energy conservation engineer by day, Bill also makes time
for Cousin Jack and the Putah Creek Muckrakers.
Andy Lentz -- Fiddlin’ since he was six. Andy’s strength, versatility, and imagination lend themselves to Cousin Jack as well as many other bands from the Mad Cow String Band to the U.C. Davis Baroque Ensemble. We're very happy to welcome him as our fourth cuzzin.
Additonal instrumentalists are sometimes added
to Cousin Jack—past shows have included folks like Joe Craven
on mandolin and fiddle, Bill Edwards on lead guitar and mandolin,
and Florie Brown on fiddle.
Rita
Hosking was raised in
the mountains of eastern Shasta County, Northern California,
where she internalized dusty woodsheds, the scent of springwater,
forest fires and the troubles of rural economies. Her musical
experience began as a child at church, and under the wings of
an old time jug band made up of seasoned mountain characters.
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.
Sean
Feder backs Rita on banjo,
vocals, bass, and occasionally guitar. Since the 1980's he has
performed and recorded with many world, folk, and jazz groups.
In addition to organic agriculture certification and Cousin
Jack, Sean is currently performing with the Joe Craven Do-it-Yourselfers,
the Irish band Driving with Fergus, and the Mad Cow String Band.
Bill
Dakin provides bass, vocals
and guitar. His longtime passion for bluegrass, old-time and
country music is evident in his sensitive and soulful style--recruited
by many fine performers and festivarians throughout California.
An energy conservation engineer by day, Bill also makes time
for Cousin Jack and the Putah Creek Muckrakers.
Andy Lentz -- Fiddlin’ since he was six. Andy’s strength, versatility, and imagination lend themselves to Cousin Jack as well as many other bands from the Mad Cow String Band to the U.C. Davis Baroque Ensemble. We're very happy to welcome him as our fourth cuzzin.