For Immediate Release
January 5, 2010

PETE RAGUSA TAKES WING FROM THE NIGHTHAWKS

Pete Ragusa, musician, songwriter, and producer, announced today that he is leaving The Nighthawks.

“After thirty-five years of putting my body and soul into The Nighthawks, it’s time to take the opportunity to move on,” said Ragusa, the band’s longtime drummer, “and work on the projects and make the records I’ve always wanted to make but haven’t had time to do.”

Ragusa added that he looks forward to such new endeavors as producing other artists as well as continuing to perform as a sideman in the Washington, D.C. area “with friends I’ve always admired as musicians.”

In saying goodbye to his fans as a Nighthawk, Ragusa emphasized his gratitude for the opportunities “to sit in Muddy Waters’s living room as well as to play with him,” and “to share the stage with such legends as B.B. King, Hubert Sumlin, Pinetop Perkins, and Buddy Guy,” along with many others including Gregg Allman.  Ragusa also co-wrote and performed several Nighthawks songs featured on the award-winning HBO TV series “The Wire.”

Ragusa extended particular thanks to Hugh Southard, president of the Blue Mountain Talent Agency, “for allowing me to travel around the world through his hard work over the past decades.” In closing, Ragusa said, “Finally, thanks to my musical brother, Mark Wenner, for the partnership we’ve enjoyed all these years…. And before Mark, to my parents for buying me that first snare drum.”

Contact: Shelby Sadler

Phone: (301) 468-6784