Bartley, RHS grad, to perform in Ritzville Friday

Garrett Lee Bartley is scheduled to perform at the Wooden Nickel on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m. Bartley, a 1998 Ritzville High School graduate, is an up-and-coming singer in the Spokane area.

Bartley got a band together about eight months ago, and then in May, Bartley opened for country music singer Brett Eldredge, at the Knitting Factory Concert House in Spokane.

Currently, Bartley is working in the Amplified Wax Recording Studio to produce his first, self-titled, album. He performs on a regular basis at Spokane area venues, usually on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

“The music is more of a fusion between country and rock; the album isn’t all country, but it isn’t all rock either. Some of the songs have a really old feel to it. We brought in a steel guitar and fiddle player to give the songs the country feel,” said Bartley.

Since graduating from Ritzville, Bartley focused on becoming an artist and raising a family. Bartley is the father of five children, four girls and one boy, and hopes to bring his wife and one of his daughters to his performance on Friday.

“Most of the time we perform in bars and the kids can’t come, but I’m trying to get them passionate about music. I’ve bought them instruments but I don’t want to push them too much, I don’t want them to rebel. I want them to learn, but not be pushed away,” said Bartley.

Bartley has performed at the Wooden Nickel before and looks forward to returning to Ritzville to play in his hometown, and also to eat “Penny’s delicious food” before his performance.