Rupert Wates was born in London, UK, and has been based in the US since 2007.
He signed a publishing deal with Eaton Music (London) in 1994 and has been a full time songwriter ever since.
He has won over 50 songwriting and performing awards. In 2018 he performed as a Finalist in the Kerrville New Folk Song Contest, and an Emerging Artist at Falconridge Folk Festival. He was voted ‘Artist Of The Year’ by the Listening Room Network in both 2013 and 2016. More than 25 of his songs have been covered by other artists, including two full length tribute albums to his material recorded by independent artists in Nashville and Los Angeles.
He has released 10 solo albums, tracks from which have been played on radio worldwide. He averages 120 live shows a year, in every state in the US, in Canada and in Europe.
Colorado Central Magazine describes his songs as ‘sublime folk hymns’, while Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange adds ‘this is one gifted s.o.b…if you’re not hip to this guy you’re missing out’.