Westhampton Beach - Folk-rock singer-songwriter Josh Ritter will perform at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center on Friday, June 3 at 8 p.m. in the Mollie Parnis Auditorium.

Ritter first found success in Ireland when he toured with songwriter Glen Hansard's band, The Frames, and later headlined his own shows. He's also headlined with artists such as Joan Baez, who later released her own version of Ritter's song "Wings" on her album "Dark Chords on a Big Guitar." Ritter's previous albums have all received rave reviews with Stephen King calling his fourth studio album, "The Animal Years," the best album of 2006 in his column for Entertainment Weekly.

With a distinct Americana style and narrative lyrics, Ritter's brand new album, "So Runs The World Away," is being widely heralded by critics and fans alike. PASTE Magazine named him one of the "100 Greatest Living Songwriters" alongside Dylan, Springsteen, and Neil Young and The New York Times adds Josh "Sets out to carry a world of ideas on a few chords, there is no limit to the depth and ambition of his songs." The track "Change of Time" from the new album also appeared in an episode of the NBC television series "Parenthood" and has quickly become a fan favorite.

Ritter is a man with plenty to say and "So Runs the World Away" is testament to his unwavering commitment to master the delivery of his word. Because of his knack for turning a phrase, it's not surprising that Ritter also has an interest in writing. He pulled the title, "So Runs The World Away," from a line in the third act of Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and has even penned his own novel, "Bright Passage," due to be released on June 28. The common ground between writing fiction and writing songs has enabled Ritter to produce a genuine work of literature, in addition to his acclaimed songwriting.

A unique talent with an adventurous, fresh, and freewheeling sound, Ritter is a lyricist of the finest order. In concert, he's clearly having fun and the audience will, too. See what the buzz is all about.

Opening for Ritter will be David Wax Museum.

For more information on this artist go to www.joshritter.com.

Tickets are $70, $55, $40, and can be purchased on line at www.whbpac.org, Box Office at 631-288-1500, or 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, (Wednesday through Sunday, 12 noon to 6 p.m. and later on show nights).