2025 November 22 - Saturday - 7:30 PM
Capitol Theater (Resurection Church)
123 Summers Street, Charleston WV

Richie Stearns and Rosie Newton grew up a 150 miles and few decades apart. While both were raised by professional cellists, Richie started playing banjo at 14 and Rosie began classical piano lessons at eight, eventually moving to classical viola as a teen. Both shared incredibly unique, musically-immersed childhoods.

Richie Stearns's family founded the iconic Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance (of which he is now President). Richie became a well-established singer and banjo player in the community and has performed around the world with bands like Bela Fleck, Pete Seeger, David Byrne, Billy Bragg & Wilco, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Joan Baez. In addition to releasing two solo albums, Richie was adding to his endless discography, which includes three Natalie Merchant records, multiple collaborations with Jim Lauderdale and Donna The Buffalo, and Carrie Rodriguez.

The two met at Saratoga Springs' Flurry festival and sparked a fated friendship and unique musical bond. 

At that time Rosie Newton was in her junior year of high school, playing fiddle and touring with folk rock band The Mammals. "He left an impression on me because he was wearing Converse" which she had never seen an adult do before. During Rosie’s freshman year at Ithaca College, the two finally began touring together regionally as part of the Evil City String Band, where they were joined by bass player Ben Gould, Steve Selin on fiddle (in addition to Rosie), and guitarist Paddy Burke. Eventually, they decided to pursue a more a duo project and in 2013, released Tractor Beam, a 12-track mix of originals and classics, including Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You” and “Say Darlin’ Say”, a traditional lullaby.

After three years of touring and writing, the duo returned to the studio to record their second full-length album, Nowhere in Time in 2017. The record finds itself at a junction of Americana, old-time, and folk, bringing a new sound to traditional music. Recorded with producer Alex Perialas at Pyramid Sound Studios, the album highlights the incredibly-refined skill of both musicians -- and while the majority of the album is a simple combination of fiddle, banjo, and captivating melodies, the duo manages to pack an incredibly full sound. “As we went through it, we realized that the magic lies within the duo. We have an intimacy of music and we feel the power of two people playing. That’s who we are,” said Rosie. 

“The air left the room when Richie and Rosie sang their first notes together...everyone had their breath taken away at once. ” — Jen Hughes, Bluegrass Today

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“There is ache and wisdom in Richie’s voice. That well is deep. Layer that with the strength and beauty in Rosie’s and you have a winning combination.”
— Jen Hughes, Bluegrass Today

Videos: richieandrosie.com/watch