Ryanhood, Tuscon-based acoustic duo, at the me&thee on October 4

The me&thee welcomes Tucson-based duo Ryanhood to its stage Friday, October 4. at 8 p.m. Compared to Simon and Garfunkel because of their brilliant harmonies, Ryanhood entertain audiences with friendly and funny stage banter and exceptional instrumentation as well. Meghan Cary opens the show. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the me&thee is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford Street.

Named Best Group/Duo in the 2014 International Acoustic Music Awards, Ryanhood (Ryan Green and Cameron Hood) got their first break more than a decade ago as street-performers at Boston’s Quincy Market. Spotted there by a college booking agent, they were thrust into the college touring scene, where Campus Activities Magazine would name them one of the most requested acts by college buyers all across the country. They've since gone on to perform more than 1000 shows in 45 U.S. states over the past decade and have shared stages with Jason Mraz, Matt Nathanson, Train, and many more.

Cameron Hood's rich and folky lead vocals, Ryan Green's explosive guitar and mandolin riffs, and their airtight vocal harmonies prompted the Arizona Daily Star to call them “a match made in radio heaven.” And their star is still on the rise. They were recently named the Discovery of the Year by noted radio DJ John Platt at WFUV in New York City and Most Wanted Artist at 2018 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. They were also a featured act at Australia’s National Folk Festival in April 2018. Ryanhood’s sixth and newest album, Yearbook, is led by their signature two-part vocal harmonies, decorated with flares of guitar, ukulele, and mandolin, and centers on songs about being young, growing old, and making peace with the passing of time. They currently reside in their hometown of Tucson, AZ, where they have won more than a dozen Tucson Music Awards including Best Folk Band and Best Rock Band.

Meghan Cary didn’t mean to be a musician. When her fiancé unexpectedly died, she picked up his guitar, figured out how to play it, and wrote her debut, earning her Billboard Magazine’s Critics Choice for Best Newcomer. “I wrote my grief into song, and sang my way out of the abyss. I keep making music to help others connect with their own stories and find their joy,” she says. Known for her unabashed willingness to connect with her audience, Cary brings listeners to their feet and at times to tears with high-energy tunes, masterful storytelling, and deeply personal lyrics that resonate universally. After pushing pause on performing to raise two children, Cary launched back onto the scene at Philly Folk Fest and was awarded an Emerging Artist Showcase at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. Cary’s smoky voice, emotional singing, and vulnerable writing garner favorable comparisons to Melissa Etheridge, Shawn Colvin, and even Bruce Springsteen.

Tickets for Ryanhood and Meghan Cary are $20 in advance and $23 at the door. Student tickets are $10. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person at the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery in Marblehead. As at all me & thee events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus.

The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic listening rooms in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.

Next concert: October 11: Texas Troubadours: Texas-based singer-songwriter Terry Klein, Chuck Hawthorne and Libby Koch.