Biography

Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers are a high octane Americana roots and rockabilly act that encompasses NW alt country, Texas honky-tonk, Bakersfield twang, Memphis rockabilly, Western swing, and rock 'n' roll. Skip the big hats, pyrotechnics and choreography; it's all honest, original music, influenced by band members' heroes like Buck Owens, Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams, Los Lobos, Stray Cats, and more.

The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter Ruby Dee accompanied by Jorge Harada on electric guitar, and a variety of talented musicians on drums and bass with whom we play around the world.

Ruby grew up exploring the no-longer-wild foothills of Northern California and driving the long straight roads around Big Spring, Texas; that dichotomy informs her singing and songwriting for The Snakehandlers. So does her time escaping to South America, driving a truck, working Alaskan fishing boats, settling down in Seattle.

Known for its high-energy shows, the band has made a name for itself across the Pacific Northwest as a group that delivers and performs to capacity crowds in local clubs, numerous rodeos, county fairs, and large festivals such as Folklife 2004-2007 and Bumbershoot 2005. The band was voted Best Unsigned Band in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer People's Picks 2005 and voted Best Signed Band in 2006.

Demand for a five-song EP CD, FIVE FOR THE ROAD released in 2003, led to the band's 2nd CD, the full-length NORTH OF BAKERSFIELD, recorded with producer Conrad Uno, and released under the Dionysus Records banner. Singles from the CD earn weekly spins in the United States, Europe, and Australia.

The band's 3rd CD- MILES FROM HOME- is out this June on Dionysus again, with great pre-release reviews already coming in.

"Their sophomore full length, with producer Conrad Uno back on board, mines country and rock's past glories with swagger and skill" - No Depression #75 (May-June 2008) and Rumblefish.com calls MILES FROM HOME “good old rock ’n’ roll tunage for that classic western lifestyle with a little boogie in it to boot.”

"Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers make a sweet honky-tonk country racket that's perfect for long road trips, lazy afternoons and jumpin' and jivin' at the corner bar," said NWsource.com. "If you like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Buck Owens, X or any combination thereof, you'll immediately recognize the band as kindred souls. If you don't like those great artists, guess what? You may end up dancing to The Snakehandlers anyway, despite yourself. The band's that good".

The following year, NWSource.com said "When this rock-solid Americana outfit won "Favorite local band or artist" last year, we believe we may have underestimated the band a bit. Judging from the fervent anticipation that the band's Conrad Uno-produced debut album NORTH OF BAKERSFIELD is generating, Ruby Dee and the Snakehandlers may soon leap from the corner bar to the national stage".

You want roots music? With Ruby Dee And The Snakehandlers, you'll get genuine Americana music, roots, rockabilly and country. Wanna know more about the band? Explore the site at www.rubydeemusic.com and see for yourself. You will not be disappointed.