Ruth Purves Smith Biography

A picture of Ruth at four, on Babe, a horse so big Ruth's little legs barely spanned her girth, foreshadows a life to come. Although she was born in the city of Calgary, her roots came from, and her passion would lead her to, the country. Her father'd been raised by farming folk near Lethbridge. That's where Babe was from.

At five, the trail led to Silver Creek Ranch. There Ruth found home, and "Ol' Jim Burton". Every weekend, the trek to the ranch meant he would be waiting with a horse ready to ride. Weekends turned into summers packing horses into the backwoods of Alberta. Meanwhile, her folks split, and she began the commutes to the prairies where her dad and step-mom set up shop, and built a woolen mill. With all this driving, Ruth knew what life on the road would be like, so, at ten, she got a guitar. She took her guitar on the road. She took her guitar to the woods.

At 20 years old, she came out of the woods, and got her first payin' gig at the St. Louis Hotel… with Frank James. Soon, Jimmy Kukko was to rescue her from this fate when they formed "Rodeo-a-GoGo" with her sister Esther, the Big "B" , and a number of other relegates. Years of playin' music went by. A stint with Kathy Cook and Joni Clark in "Roadside Turnout" led to a spot in the Calgary Folk Fest in 1993, but as always happens in all girl bands; Ruth retired to the country to raise babies. While at this, Ruth found out that she had to keep playing music.

When Esther came out her way to make a film with Fred J. Eaglesmith, Ruth accompanied them on set. Of hearing Fred's music, Ruth says," Something in me broke loose, and it was alright to write sings. A song is what it is, and that's okay." From there she went on to open a couple of shows for Fred, performing songs inspired by his work.

Around the rural routes of Central Alberta, Ruth has become a popular draw for audiences of all ages. Her simple, yet intriguing melodies capture the ear. Ruth can hold her own and play with the best of them.