Des Moines Arts Festival Announces Iowa Music Artists Bo Ramsey and William Elliott Whitmore as Headliners for the Roots Stage
3/15/2019
Bo Ramsey to perform Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m.; William Elliott Whitmore to play Saturda, June 29 at 8 p.m.
Bo Ramsey and William Elliott Whitmore will take the Roots Stage at the 2019 Des Moines Arts Festival®presented by Nationwide June 28th and 29th, respectively.
Friday, June 28 at 8 p.m. on the Roots Stage: Bo Ramsey
Bo Ramsey is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and recording producer. He made his debut in Williamsburg, IA in 1973 with the Mother Blues Band and rose to prominence as a soloist when he opened for Lucinda Williams on her 1994 tour, where he appeared on “The Late Show” with David Letterman, “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno, and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” He has also worked with such artists as Greg Brown, Kevin Gordon, Pieta Brown, Charlie Parr.
The list of Ramsey’s accolades is long, including Grammy-award winning guitar player, two-time Grammy-nominated producer, Iowa Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Iowa Blues Hall of Famer. His newest album, “Wildwood Calling,” is an album for the ages, with a sound for anyone with an interest in hearing the past, the present and the future all rolled into one.
Saturday, June 29 at 8 p.m. on the Roots Stage: William Elliot Whitmore
William Elliott Whitmore is a singer-songwriter/banjoist/guitarist/drum-stompin’ solo act from Lee County, Iowa. He has released six full-length albums that seamlessly meld country, blues, folk, and punk styles spanning from 2003’s Hymns for the Hopeless (Southern Records) to 2015’s Radium Death (ANTI-). His songs are haunting, rustic, powerful, and real as they are byproducts of living his entire life on the family farm, being involved in the hardcore-punk scene in the local community, and touring across the country.
He’s toured with such diverse acts as Frank Turner, Trampled By Turtles, Clutch, and Chris Cornell, to name a few. He’s also appeared on some of the biggest stages around the world including Stagecoach Fest, Byron Bluesfest (Australia) and End of the Road Fest (UK).
Stay tuned for more announcements from the Des Moines Arts Festival. Remember, admission to the Festival and all live music and entertainment shows are free to attend!