Welcome to Bomar and Ritter

OUR STORY
SHOW DATES
ABOUT BOB
ABOUT MARY
PHOTOS

We were guests recently on the Music Of America Podcast with Tom Pollard.
CLICK HERE to tune in.

Thanks for visiting our website. We invite you to click around to get to know our story and listen to our music. We would love to have you attend one of our upcoming live performances. To see if there is a performance scheduled near you just click on the "SHOW DATES" tab above. -

Thanks! Mary & Bob

Mary Bomar (Charlottesville, Virginia) and Bob Ritter (Indianapolis, Indiana) met in Nashville, Tennessee and for nearly 35 years have been performing their brand of contemporary folk /folk rock music. They are proficient performers, drawing on diverse influences such as Joni Mitchell, Dan Fogelberg, Bonnie Raitt, Bob Seger, Ray Charles, Neil Young, The Beatles and the Eagles (to name a few!), and are known for their tight harmony, intricate guitar arrangements and lighthearted stage manner. As one fan reviewed... “Stories are woven of smooth emotion and easy recall... Their music flows like a summer stream...”.

Veterans of the stage, they have performed at: the nationally known Bluebird Café in Nashville, Tennessee; Kentucky Homefront Radio Show, Kentucky Music Weekend and The Crescent Hill Art and Music Festival, WHAS 11 Television’s Great Day Live in Louisville, Kentucky; the (former) Ohio River Valley Folk Festival in Madison, Indiana; the Metamora Old Time Music Festival in Metamora, Indiana; The Hedgehog Music Showcase in Arcadia, Indiana; the historic Pixy Theatre in Edinburgh, Indiana, and a wide variety of other venues throughout the South, East and Midwest.

Their debut CD release, The First Step, is an acoustic based group of thought-provoking songs, which has had broad appeal to audiences of all ages. Their long awaited second CD, Take The Road, was released in June 2013 and carries a little more of a folk-rock edge. Their third release, entitled Kaleyedoscope, is a diverse, 23 song, dual CD collection, released in the Summer of 2020.

They have opened shows for or have shared billing/performed with country music star Billy Dean, Grammy Award winning songwriter Don Henry, former Statler Brother and Country Music Hall of Famer, Jimmy Fortune, acclaimed folk artist Kate Campbell, bluegrass legends Eddie and Martha Adcock, Grand Ole Opry performer Jim Smoak, Grammy Award winning gospel group, The Blackwoods, Louisville’s legendary Monarchs, The Louisville Crashers, and Nashville's alt-folk artists SHEL.

They are honored to have been named an Endorsed Band of The Fogelberg Foundation of Peoria, taking part in many events celebrating the life and musical legacy of the late singer/songwriter Dan Fogelberg. Go to www.fogelberg.rocks for more info.

Mary and Bob now live rural southeast Indiana on land once owned by Bob’s great-great grandfather. From this inspiring location they continue to write and record their own material, and travel throughout the country to perform in an expanding number of venues to an ever-growing group of faithful fans.

2024 SCHEDULE
Here are the dates we have scheduled this year....

The bulk of our schedule has been set but there will still be dates added throughout the year. Check back often...

We hope to see you at one of our shows!

All times listed are Eastern Time unless noted...

Saturday, January 13
Talon Winery 4-7pm
400 Gordon Lane
Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065
www.talonwine.com

Friday, February 9
Sugar Creek Winery 7-10pm
1111 West Main Street #165
Carmel, Indiana 46032
www.sugarcreekwinery.com

Saturday, February 10
Monkey Hollow Winery 3-6pm
11534 East County Road 1740 North
St. Meinrad, Indiana 47577
www.monkeyhollowwinery.com

Friday, February 23
The Seymour Brewing Company 6-9pm
753 West 2nd Street
Seymour, Indiana 47274
www.thebrooklynpizzacompany.com

Saturday, February 24
Spencer Farm Winery 7-9pm
7015 East 161st Street
Noblesville, Indiana 46062
www.spencerfarmwinery.com

Saturday, March 16
Private Event

Saturday, March 23
Eastwood Farm & Winery 1-4pm
2531 Scottsville Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Sunday, March 24
Southwest Mountains Vineyards 1-5pm
5185 Stony Point Pass
Keswick, Virginia 22947
www.smvwines.com

Friday, March 29
Cedar Creek Winery
3820 Leonard Road
Martinsville, Indiana 46151
www.drinkatthecreek.com

Saturday, March 30
The Seymour Brewing Company 6-9pm
753 West 2nd Street
Seymour, Indiana 47274
www.thebrooklynpizzacompany.com

Saturday, April 13
Talon Winery 4-7pm
400 Gordon Lane
Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065
www.talonwine.com

Thursday, April 18
Robin Run Village 7-8:30pm
5354 West 62nd Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46268
In The Community Room

Friday, April 26
Sugar Creek Winery 7-10pm
Bob Performing Solo
1111 West Main Street #165
Carmel, Indiana 46032
www.sugarcreekwinery.com

Saturday, April 27
The Seymour Brewing Company 6:30-9:30pm
753 West 2nd Street
Seymour, Indiana 47274
www.thebrooklynpizzacompany.com

Friday, May 3
Olde Schoolhouse Winery 6:30-9pm
152 Ohio Highway 726
Eaton, Ohio 45320
www.oshwinery.com

Saturday, May 4
Spencer Farm Winery 6:30-9:30pm
7015 East 161st Street
Noblesville, Indiana 46062
www.spencerfarmwinery.com

Sunday, May 12
Bier Brewery 4-6pm
Bob Performing Solo
5133 East 65th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
www.bierbrewery.com

Friday, May 31
Red Geranium Patio Jams 6-9pm CDT
@ The New Harmony Inn
520 North Street
New Harmony, Indiana 47631
www.newharmonyinn.com

Saturday, June 1
Monkey Hollow Winery 4-7pm CDT
11534 East County Road 1740 North
St. Meinrad, Indiana 47577
www.monkeyhollowwinery.com

Friday, June 7
Talon Winery 6-9pm
400 Gordon Lane
Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065
www.talonwine.com

Saturday, June 8
The Historic Edinburgh Pixy Theatre 7-9pm
111 South Walnut Street
Edinburgh, Indiana 46124
Tickets $10 At The Door
www.theedinburghpixy.com

Thursday, June 13
Eastwood Farm & Winery 5-8pm
2531 Scottsville Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Saturday, June 15
Albemarle Cider Works 2:30-4:30pm
2545 Rural Ridge Lane
North Garden, Virginia 22959
www.albemarleciderworks.com

Sunday, June 16
Southwest Mountains Vineyards 1-4pm
5185 Stony Point Pass
Keswick, Virginia 22947
www.smvwines.com

Friday, June 21
Buckeye Jake's 6:30-9:30pm
15 East Dayton Street (US Hwy 35)
West Alexandria, Ohio 45381
www.buckeyejakes.com

Saturday, June 22
Spencer Farm Winery 6:30-9:30pm
7015 East 161st Street
Noblesville, Indiana 46062
www.spencerfarmwinery.com

Friday, June 28
Sugar Creek Winery 7-10pm
1111 West Main Street #165
Carmel, Indiana 46032
www.sugarcreekwinery.com

Saturday, June 29
Blue Heron Winery 2-4pm CDT
5330 Blue Heron Lane
Cannelton, Indiana 47520
www.blueheronvines.com

Thursday, July 4
TBA

Sunday, July 7
Stream Cliff Farm & Winery 2-5pm
8225 South County Road 90 West
Commiskey, Indiana 47227
www.streamcliffarm.com

Saturday, July 13
The Cedar Coffee 6-8pm
550 S Washington Street
New Paris, Ohio 45347
www.thecedarcoffee.com

Saturday, July 20
Winzerwald Winery 12-3pm CDT
26300 North Indian Lake Road
Bristow, Indiana 47515
www.winzerwaldwinery.com

Friday, August 2
Eastwood Farm & Winery 5-8pm
2531 Scottsville Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Saturday, August 3
Southwest Mountains Vineyards 1-4pm
5185 Stony Point Pass
Keswick, Virginia 22947
www.smvwines.com

Friday, August 9
Dan Fogelberg Celebration
Details TBA

Friday, August 16
Red Geranium Patio Jams 7-10pm CDT
@ The New Harmony Inn
520 North Street
New Harmony, Indiana 47631
www.newharmonyinn.com

Saturday, August 17
Spencer Farm Winery 6:30-9:30pm
7015 East 161st Street
Noblesville, Indiana 46062
www.spencerfarmwinery.com

Friday, August 23
Buckeye Jake's 6:30-9:30pm
15 East Dayton Street (US Hwy 35)
West Alexandria, Ohio 45381
www.buckeyejakes.com

Saturday, August 24
At The Barn Winery 7-9pm
4152 North Dearborn Road
Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025
www.atthebarnwinery.com

Friday, August 30
Talon Winery 6-9pm
400 Gordon Lane
Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065
www.talonwine.com

Sunday, September 1
TBA

Thursday, September 5
Dale Fall Fest 5-6:30pm CDT
103 South Wallace Street
Dale, Indiana 47523
www.dalefallfest.com

Friday, September 6
Olde Schoolhouse Winery 6:30-9pm
152 Ohio Highway 726
Eaton, Ohio 45320
www.oshwinery.com

Friday, September 20
Ertel Cellars Winery 5:30-8:30pm
3794 East County Road 1100 North
Batesville, Indiana 47006
www.ertelcellarswinery.com

Saturday, September 21
Monkey Hollow Winery 4-7pm CDT
11534 East County Road 1740 North
St. Meinrad, Indiana 47577
www.monkeyhollowwinery.com

Friday, September 27
Eastwood Farm & Winery 5-8pm
2531 Scottsville Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Saturday, September 29
Albemarle Cider Works 2:30-4:30pm
2545 Rural Ridge Lane
North Garden, Virginia 22959
www.albemarleciderworks.com

Sunday, September 29
Southwest Mountains Vineyards 1-4pm
5185 Stony Point Pass
Keswick, Virginia 22947
www.smvwines.com

Friday, October 4
Huber's Orchard & Winery 2-6pm
19816 Huber Road
Borden, Indiana 47106
www.huberwinery.com

Saturday, October 12
Huber Orchard & Winery 2-6pm
19816 Huber Road
Borden, Indiana 47106
www.huberwinery.com

Saturday, October 19
Spencer Farm Winery 6:30-9:30pm
7015 East 161st Street
Noblesville, Indiana 46062
www.spencerfarmwinery.com

Saturday, November 9
Talon Winery 4-7pm
400 Gordon Lane
Shelbyville, Kentucky 40065
www.talonwine.com

Thursday, November 21
Eastwood Farm & Winery 5-8pm
2531 Scottsville Road
Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
www.eastwoodfarmandwinery.com

Saturday, November 23
Southwest Mountains Vineyards 1-4pm
5185 Stony Point Pass
Keswick, Virginia 22947
www.smvwines.com

Saturday, December 7
Monkey Hollow Winery 1-4pm CT
11534 East County Road 1740 North
St. Meinrad, Indiana 47577
www.monkeyhollowwinery.com

Bob was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His mom, Lydia, was a musician/music teacher and his dad, Bill, was a basketball coach, so music and sports have been a huge influence on his life since the beginning.

His mom tells of hearing Bob sing harmony to commercials and TV show theme songs at a very early age. Bob played football and ran track/cross country in school, but his primary sport was basketball and his passion for the game led him to play on winning teams through high school and college, including the 1978-79 Indiana State University team which made it to the NCAA Championship game, pitting legends Larry Bird and Michigan State’s Magic Johnson against each other for the title.

While Bob participated in sports, he also had a real passion for listening to music and singing along. At age 12 he got his first acoustic guitar, purchased by his mom with Top Value trading stamps.

After some lessons and a lot of practice, Bob explored and was influenced by different styles of music from the blues, rock and acoustic pop artists of the late 60’s and early 70’s. The gift of an electric guitar was like icing on the cake. “At that point, I was really into trying to play blues music from artists like Johnny and Edgar Winter and Jimi Hendrix, at first on that little acoustic. I received an electric for Christmas at one point, a Gibson Melody Maker, which made trying to play blues and rock songs easier. Later on, listening to artists like James Taylor, John Denver, Jim Croce and Loggins & Messina brought me back to the acoustic guitar."

"I was also trying to develop a singing style and those artists seemed to fit my vocal range and temperament.” During this time very few outside of Bob’s immediate family had any knowledge of “Bob the musician”. It wasn't until he sang Dan Fogelberg’s “Longer” at his younger sister Julie’s wedding that his musical talent became known. “My only public performance prior to that was singing James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” at a college dorm party which made me pretty nervous. At the wedding I was scared to death!” Scared as he was, singing at that wedding was a real confidence booster. His basketball days were over, and music became the main focus of his life.

Bob soon joined “Casino”, the band of former guitar teacher, great friend and mentor, Craig Blattner. “I thought if I could ever play as good as Craig, I would have really achieved something.” Being in the band was a great training ground for Bob. “We played all sorts of gigs and all styles of music, ranging from pop to disco to rock, and even a few cheesy ballads.”

While continuing to play in the band (and only playing electric guitar), Bob met singer/acoustic guitarist Bill Rumely while taking classes at IUPUI in Indianapolis. They teamed up for a handful of gigs, performing “unplugged” Led Zepplin, Bob Seger, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Fogelberg, Neil Young and the like. “It was a fun crazy time, playing for tips, with a set list of about 50 songs and 5-hour gigs."

It was at this time Bob was really developing his own writing, and Dan Fogelberg influenced and inspired him like no other. "Through him I found my musical direction. I still can’t believe he’s gone.” At the suggestion of a friend Bob later joined Brice Bowman and Peg Kunkel (Wright) to form “Acoustic Avenue”, performing tight 3-part harmony covers by artists such as Fogelberg, Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel and others. Bob’s own Fogelberg/ Young/ Taylor influenced compositions began to make their way into the set lists, with great audience response.

For years, Bob had been contemplating a move to Nashville, Tennessee, and in 1988 the time was right. After securing a job and settling in, he made his way to the singer/songwriter clubs for a taste of what Nashville was really all about. “It was intimidating and inspiring all at the same time. Hearing so many great musicians, singers and songs ultimately made me a better songwriter and musician.” (see Bomar & Ritter Bio)

Mary was born in Altavista, Virginia and, with her family, moved to Cismont, east of Charlottesville, when she was eight months old. Her dad, “Blue” ran a Gulf station and her mom, Joan, pumped gas and kept the books. When Mary was in the first grade, her Aunt Emmy came to visit and brought an autoharp. “I remember being totally drawn to and fascinated by that instrument. My aunt let me try it out and I was completely consumed. I got an Oscar-Schmidt for Christmas that year.”

Family gatherings, school programs and playing while singing with her sisters, Jeanne and Janet, are where Mary’s love for musical performance began. There were even dreams of being on Ted Mac’s Amateur Hour. “I loved watching programs like The Ed Sullivan Show and imagining myself on stage.”

In the eighth grade, Mary tried out for band and became a snare drummer, playing drums and percussion all through high school. It was also the year she teamed up with two classmates to compete in the school talent show. Ed Berry played left-handed, upside down guitar while Nancy Sheffield and Mary sang. Ed showed Mary some chords on the guitar, and you can guess what she got for Christmas that year! “It was so easy to sit for hours and teach myself chords and then songs."

"The years of playing autoharp, my love for all kinds of music, especially classical piano, singing and putting on shows with my sisters; my mom and her dad both playing piano, and my dad’s dad playing fiddle, all contributed to my musical ear, even if the technique wasn't quite fine-tuned. Sometimes I wish that I had played a band instrument where I had to learn the musical notes, but I would never trade what playing drums did for my rhythm.”

It was a friend who encouraged Mary’s first public performance at a Charlottesville restaurant, which invited musicians to “sing for your supper”. That’s exactly what she did, which led to more “play for food” gigs and eventually a successful audition with the popular local band, “Backstreet Mission”. Mary spent a couple years with the band, performing cover tunes by artists like The Eagles, Pure Prairie League, Gordon Lightfoot, Linda Ronstadt and others, with four- and five-part harmonies. “It was an amazing time and I learned how important rehearsal is for really tight, in tune harmonies. My sisters and I had the sibling harmony, but this was four or five completely different voices working together.”

Mary discovered Joni Mitchell when a neighbor loaned her the “Blue” album. That inspired her to begin writing her own songs. “I made the decision to leave the band and go solo because I wanted to perform originals. Eventually I joined up with Keith Winkler as a duo, then bass player Dave Pomeroy arrived on the scene, and our trio became known as “Watchtower”.” When Pomeroy moved to Europe, Mary did some more solo work, a short stint with “The Morgan White Band” and guitarist Aric Van Brocklin, and then moved to Nashville, Tennessee.

That move began a journey through the workings of the music business and the ups and downs of trying to make it in that world. A car wreck while visiting home in Virginia kept Mary away from Nashville for seven years. During that time, she healed, wrote and performed songs but decided to give music a rest for a while. Various work opportunities led her to live in New Jersey, Italy, California, Virginia, and eventually back to Nashville.

The return to Nashville was only a half-hearted return to the music business, but joining a church with an excellent music program, working as a personal rep for a classical pianist, having two songs recorded (“Living Water” and “Rockin’ Roly Poly”), getting involved with The Country Music Foundation’s “Words & Music” program, and meeting then marrying musician/singer/songwriter Bob Ritter opened a new musical world for Mary.
(see “Bomar & Ritter” Bio)

WEBSITE DESIGNER: MARK YORK

2024 SCHEDULE Here are the dates we have scheduled this year.... The bulk of our schedule has been set but there will still be dates added throughout the year. Check back often...

We hope to see you at one of our shows!

All times listed are Eastern Time unless noted...

2024 SCHEDULE
Here are the dates we have scheduled this year....

The bulk of our schedule has been set but there will still be dates added throughout the year. Check back often...