Singer/songwriter Rachel Zylstra
Rachel's new disc, Most of It Is True, has just been released

Photo by Jonathan Thrasher

Musician and artist Rick Beerhorst
Rick's new CD is Seamless Life and his art is getting noticed in NYC

Photo by Rick Beerhorst

Singer/songwriter Ralston Bowles
When it comes to the world of acoustic music, Ralston Bowles is no stranger. His debut release, Carwreck Conversations, earned three awards at local radio station WYCE's 2004 West Michigan Jammie Awards: Local CD of the Year, Best Local Folk CD, and Best New Local Artist.

But Ralston has been at music-making for much longer than 2004. His songs have captured the attention of many musicians; his tune, "Fragile," has been covered by national folk artists Peter Mulvey and Caroline Aiken and recorded by Rachael Davis (Boston Music Award winner) on her Live from Bremen disc. Paste magazine included a Ralston cut on one of its famous new-music discs.

A 1976 graduate from Calvin, Ralston serves as the creative services director for Citadel Broadcasting in downtown Grand Rapids which includes radio stations WLAV, WKLQ and WTNR. He also serves as a mentor to a number of the up-and-coming singer/songwriters in the West Michigan area.