Bloomington's Hank Ruff hits all the right notes, this week at Switchyard Park

This up-and-coming country music writer and performer from Bloomington remembers his favorite college class, and it had little to do with music. It was American political controversies taught by professor Jacek Dalecki at Indiana University. So he took another of Dalecki's classes.

Hank Ruff, 23, a recent IU graduate, it would seem, is well rounded, educated and ready to share more of his music.

His recent single "On a Good Night" raced to No. 5 on iTunes. Named, in part, after Hank Williams Sr. (and also after a family member), Ruff has played country music since he was 11. Blending modern country with traditional, he is racking up social media views.

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You can catch his rousingly energetic style Aug. 26 on the main stage at Switchyard Park in Bloomington as part of the city's Performing Arts Series.

Many of Ruff's songs depict lost love and regret, shown in his lyrics "I knew I was playin' with fire, lovin' you" from his song "Long May the Fire Burn." In another love-gone song, "Hellbender," he sings "Pour me another one and let me tell you how she done me wrong."

“Hellbender” is Ruff's latest single and reached No. 1 on iTunes' all-genre chart.

Not surprisingly, then, Ruff is joining big-name performers soon in the brand new music festival All IN, Sept. 3-4 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

"One of the lovely women in charge of booking (All IN's) acts reached out about me being one of the more local acts that they would like to be a part of it," he said in a text message. Flattered, to begin with, he then saw the lineup, including Hall & Oats, John Fogerty and Cage the Elephant. Not bad for a "local southern Indiana kid who loves country music with a passion."

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Ruff thinks people who know him from his school days are probably flummoxed by his deep-voiced performances of today.

"Especially anyone who knew me in middle school and all the way through high school, where my voice was just about as high as the girls' in my Sounds of South choir class (at Bloomington High School South)."

At Switchyard on Aug. 26 he'll sing all of his original songs released thus far, as well as some 1990s country covers and a few newer covers. "Maybe even throw in a little John Mellencamp to show some Indiana pride."

Social media keeps Ruff motivated, as fans enthuse about his songs on Facebook and Instagram.

"As long as there are a few people who really appreciate it, it helps to keep me going," he said.

But Ruff's parents knew from the beginning that their son had talent — and that one indefinably crucial asset: drive.

"Andy (Ruff, Hank's father) and I have just stood back and watched Hank. It's all Hank's doing," said Hank's mother, Kim Gray.

The couple realized Hank was capable, and that, paired with Andy's playing country music at home, indoctrinated Hank.

Coincidentally, one of Hank's favorite country performers, superstar Ricky Skaggs, will be performing on Aug. 26 nearby in Brown County. Skaggs and Ruff, for one thing, both love the mandolin.

"We went to a Ricky Skaggs concert," Gray said, "and Hank got us seats right in front of the stage."

If you go

WHAT: Performing Arts Series presents Hank Ruff

WHEN: 6-8:30 p.m. Aug. 26 with Anneliese and Ali opening

WHERE: Switchyard Park's main stage, 1601 S. Rogers St.

TICKETS: Free

MORE: Find more information about Hank Ruff at https://hankruff.com/.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Hank Ruff performs his country music at Switchyard Park