Photography of Ridge Banks | credit : www.ridgebanksmusic.com
In an age of algorithm-driven charts and ephemeral fame, there are still artists who chart a quieter, more enduring course. Ridge Banks, a Michigan-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter, is one such artist. This August, Banks steps beyond U.S. borders for the first time, bringing his deeply personal brand of Americana—self-styled as “Rugged Acoustic”—to UK audiences with the debut of the Cowboys and Foxes Tour.
Spanning eleven dates across England, the tour promises not just a collection of performances but a rare invitation into a musical ethos shaped by storytelling, sincerity, and soul. Accompanied by his accomplished backing band, The Wall of Sound, Banks will perform in venues ranging from community festivals to historic pubs, transforming each stage into an intimate extension of his craft.
Ridge Banks is not a product of overnight virality. Born and raised in Fenton, Michigan, his musical identity was shaped by the poetry of the American heartland and the melodic nuance of classic songwriters. Today, based in Nashville, Tennessee, he stands out not by chasing trends, but by mastering the fundamentals—acoustic guitar, narrative lyricism, and emotional authenticity.
His music pays tribute to influences like Jim Croce, Eric Clapton, and the Americana greats, while also bearing the introspective fingerprints of contemporary voices such as John Mayer and Ed Sheeran. The result is a sound both rooted and relevant—blues-inflected, folk-laced, and unmistakably his own.
Banks’ growing critical acclaim affirms what audiences have long sensed. He was named USA Artist of the Year at the 2024 Elite Music Awards, and was a finalist for Best Male Artist at the International Acoustic Music Awards, reinforcing his place as one of the genre’s most promising figures.
His latest single, “Blues Catcher” (January 2025), is a compelling example of his evolving vision. The track features collaborators from both the United States and the United Kingdom, setting the tone for this new international chapter. It’s a track that not only crosses borders but fuses traditions—an apt preview of what the upcoming tour intends to offer.
The “Cowboys and Foxes Tour” is more than a geographical journey—it’s a symbolic one. The name evokes a meeting of two cultural legacies: the rugged independence of the American cowboy and the wit and resilience of the British fox. It reflects the spirit of the tour: Americana music, reimagined in conversation with British audiences.
Each stop on the tour has been intentionally selected to create connection, not just spectacle. From The Greystones in Sheffield to The Metal Monocle in Leicester, Banks’ venues of choice reflect his ethos—spaces where storytelling thrives, and audiences engage with music at a human scale.
At the heart of Banks’ performance is an unwavering commitment to honesty. Whether backed by his band or in solo acoustic moments, his live shows have been praised for their emotional immediacy and technical finesse. His guitar work, particularly his intricate fingerpicking, is a masterclass in subtlety—reminiscent of a bygone era of craftsmanship, yet fully contemporary in impact.
With The Wall of Sound, the arrangements swell with texture, offering moments of soft introspection as well as rhythmic propulsion. This isn’t Americana as museum piece—it’s a living, breathing expression of a genre still discovering new terrain.
Ridge Banks arrives not with spectacle, but with sincerity—a rare trait in today’s musical climate. The Cowboys and Foxes Tour offers UK audiences their first opportunity to experience an artist who has long favored depth over hype, intention over imitation.
For those seeking music that resonates beyond the moment, this tour may be one of summer’s most quietly powerful offerings. In Ridge Banks, Americana finds a voice both familiar and new—a reminder that sometimes, the most unforgettable music begins with a story well told and a guitar well played.
Whether you're a longtime admirer of acoustic storytelling or simply curious about one of Nashville’s most compelling exports, Ridge Banks is a name you’ll want to remember. His debut UK tour is a milestone moment—and if you're lucky enough to catch it, you'll understand why his star continues to rise on both sides of the Atlantic.
🎸On the Road: Where to Catch Ridge Banks This August
From festival stages to intimate pub corners, Ridge Banks and The Wall of Sound are carving a musical trail across the UK. Here’s where the road leads:
➤ Heather – August 3, Heather Music Festival
➤ Leicester – August 5, Leicester General Hospital (Brain Surgery Unit)
➤ Loughborough – August 8, The Mini Monocle
➤ Leicester – August 9, The Metal Monocle
➤ Fleckney – August 10, Fleckney Festival
➤ Leicester – August 15, Baton Rouge @ Queens
➤ Sheffield – August 16, The Greystones
➤ Leicester – August 20, Stoneygate Congressional Church
➤ Sheffield – August 23, The White Lion
➤ Leicester – August 29, The Real Ale Classroom
➤ Hinckley – August 30, Live at Baton Rouge
The Cowboys and Foxes Tour is just the beginning. Ridge Banks' acclaimed new album Blues Catcher is available now, offering a soul-stirring blend of Americana storytelling, bluesy textures, and acoustic finesse. Whether you're a longtime fan or discovering him for the first time, this is the moment to tune in.
Stream the full song here: Blues Catcher – Ridge Banks on Spotify
For more information on Ridge Banks’s music, upcoming releases, and projects, Connect with him directly through his Official Website
Because some voices deserve to be heard live — and remembered long after the last note fades.
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