The Story of Ruby Pines

Leo designed my first CD cover

Ruby Pines is my stage name. It all started out as a silly thing that I didn’t even know would really come to be, but it did.

I began working at the Ozark Folk Center as the front desk receptionist at the Administration Building. After about a week of working there, the music director had several performers cancel for the Cowboy Gathering Weekend, which is somewhat of a big deal. Grady Spann, the General Manager of the park, says, “Well, Rachel can yodel” (Evidently, I had sung a line of “High on a Hill was the Lonely Goatherd” from the Sound of Music when the movie was mentioned). Next thing I know, Carl (the music director) and I are putting together an act for the shows that weekend. I learned some Patsy Montana songs, one of which has become my signature: “Cowboy Sweetheart”. It seemed to be a big hit, so they kept asking me to sing more. I would sing out on the Craft Grounds with the musicians nearly every day on my lunch break, and I sang a couple times each month on the evening show.

It’s new to me, being in the spotlight. I don’t dislike it, but it definitely isn’t a completely comfortable and natural place for me to be. I’ve always loved singing, but I never really thought anyone else would have that much interest in listening to me sing. But for some reason, people seem to enjoy it, and that makes me happy. I do have a lot of fun out there with those musicians. They are a very fun, talented group of guys, those “Old Saps”.