Ross Ellis

Ross Ellis writes songs that feel like they come from Nashville, where folk and country meet in plainspoken stories. His track 'Barefoot Dancer' caught on early, with a melody that sticks and lyrics that don't overcomplicate things. He's put out albums like 'Wide Open' and 'The Great Divide', working with voices like Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris along the way.

He plays with a band that includes Ben Cunningham on bass and Matt Sprouse on mandolin and violin, keeping the arrangements lean and direct. Songs like 'Ghosts' and 'Home To Me' show how he handles quieter, more personal material without drifting into sentimentality.

In 2015, Ellis drew some criticism for backing an unpopular political candidate, but he didn't back away from it. He's kept making music on his own terms since, without much fuss about his place in any scene.