Josh Ritter performing at the Living Room, a club in New York City. PHOTOGRAPH FROM JOSH RITTER'S WEB SITE
			Singer-Songwriter Josh Ritter Returns with New Songs for Fans By Beth Posniak
			NOVEMBER 16, 2000--Like many recent Oberlin alums, Josh Ritter ’99 is on the move. But Ritter isn't out pounding the pavement for a job or climbing a ladder for organizational advancement; he's touring the country, recording an album of songs (his second), and learning the ins and outs of the music business. Recently, the singer-songwriter returned to Oberlin to celebrate the release of his newest album, Golden Age of Radio. "I started playing violin when I was six years old, but I really was struck by the music bug the first time I heard Johnny Cash sing," says Ritter. "I bought a guitar during my senior year of high school, and wrote my first song that night." Ritter made his Oberlin debut at a freshman talent competition, and began performing at local open-mic competitions. By the end of his sophomore year, Ritter was a regular at the Cat in the Cream Coffeehouse, performing for crowded audiences. "What Oberlin did for me was give me space to develop my songs. This place has such energy, and there’s a feeling that anyone can do great things. People supported me, and the experience I gained was phenomenal," says Ritter. During his junior year Ritter developed an individual major in narrative American folk music and folklore. He spent a semester in Scotland studying the roots of Appalachian ballads, returning to Oberlin with a repertoire of new songs and performing experience. In the spring of his senior year Ritter released his debut album, Josh Ritter. After graduating, Ritter began touring the West Coast. But with the release of his second album, Ritter returned to Oberlin and his fans. He appeared on WOBC to promote Golden Age and performed at the Cat in the Cream, playing a number of old favorites as well as tracks from his new CD. To aspiring singer-songwriters at Oberlin, Ritter has some serious advice. "The thing you should take advantage of at Oberlin is the free performing time," he says. "You should perform and perform and perform and learn about being on stage. Don’t take any experiences for granted. Go out and listen to music, especially music your friends are making, because it’s probably better than anything you’ll hear anywhere else." Ritter plans to travel widely to promote his new CD. Tomorrow he performs at Brown University, having given recent performances in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and New York City. In January he'll tour Ireland with an Irish band, the Frames. Ritter's extended tour schedules and CDs are available on his web site. But those who want to hear Ritter perform live can expect to see him back in Oberlin soon.
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