EPK

Band Bio & Photo

Appealing to traditional and progressive acoustic music fans alike, The Ruta Beggars combine bluegrass and early swing to create a timeless act filled with intricate vocal harmonies, fiery instrumentals, and plenty of fun. They have been praised for their creative yet tasteful arrangements and charming performances. Since 2018 they have brought the joy of their live show to audiences across the US and Canada from festival stages to storied folk listening rooms and as support for legacy acts Lyle Lovett and Ricky Skaggs. The Ruta Beggars are 2019 Thomas Point band competition winners, 2023 IBMA official showcasing artists, Freshgrass Foundation commissioned composers, Freshgrass Award finalists, and Skyline Records artists.

Best-of-friends since their inception, The Ruta Beggars met while studying in Berklee College of Music's American Roots Program. Now fronted by showman and songwriter Micah Nicol, the band is comprised of tasteful musicians: Quinn Eastburn, Arlea Forbes-Prater, Micah Phillipp, and Wylie Jessopp Robbins Thorne-Thomsen.

Music Downloads

Full-album streaming links by clicking on images

Google Drive download links by clicking on track/album titles

Member Bios

Micah Nicol | Guitar

Micah Nicol grew up with a mandolin in one hand and a banjo in the other playing bluegrass and classic country music with his father in the most popular (and only) group in the West-Central-Ohio Nursing-Home circuit: Harps n’ Strings. He now studies Music Production and Engineering as a piano player at Berklee College of Music and spends most of his musical life as a guitarist and singer for The Ruta Beggars, a traditional bluegrass and swing group based in Boston. Micah has a deep love for musical theater and content creation and lives parallel lives as a magician, uni-cyclist, and clown.

https://www.micahnicol.com/

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