Singer’s wheelchair can’t hold her back

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, June 15, 2006

Anne Bostwick doesn’t let the irony escape her.

She was lifting her mother, who was in a wheelchair, when it happened.

A disc in Bostwick’s spine ruptured. In most cases, a disc will rupture out. In this rare instance, the disc ruptured in, into her spinal chord. Bostwick woke up in a hospital in 1996 paralyzed from the hips down.

“I went through all those same kinds of stages when someone dies – anger, denial – and then for a period of three years I just felt sorry for myself,” Bostwick said. “But I have a loving family and wonderful friends and lots of support and I chose life and here I am today.”

That choice placed Bostwick and her wheelchair in the spotlight, performing as one of the singers for Raven Blue, a Latin-inspired rock band.

Bostwick, who uses her wheelchair full-time, will appear with Raven Blue on Saturday at the Edmonds Arts Festival. The band features high-energy, upbeat rock, blues and rhythm and blues.

And that’s why they were chosen to perform at Edmonds, said Melanie Kelsey, stage entertainment director for the festival.

“We were listening to this group and asking, ‘Is this the kind of band that will keep people entertained and bring people in?’” Kelsey said. “And they are very good.”

But Kelsey could also see that Bostwick’s stage presence could inspire others with disabilities.

That’s always in the back of Bostwick’s mind when she performs.

“I feel most alive when I’m on stage,” said Bostwick, 55. “I love the fact that I’m out there showing people that even if you are in a wheelchair, you can be a vital part of society. I try and be an example that we’re not all shut away and depressed.”

In addition to singing and playing tambourine, Bostwick writes or co-writes with lead vocalist Robbi Lungu most of the band’s original songs. Bostwick is married to Raven Blue bass player Eddie Fey. She said the band members are veterans of various cover bands.

Raven Blue has been together for three years, and Saturday will be its first appearance at the Edmonds festival.

Bostwick has played music since she was a kid. In perhaps another ironic twist, she focused on blues before her injury.

On stage, Bostwick said, she can be so into the music she can forget about the wheelchair. She credits lead singer Lungu with helping her maintain a dynamic stage presence.

“She’s bubbly and outgoing and she gives me so much confidence,” Bostwick said.

“When I’m on stage now, I’m much like a racer. I’m in the zone.”

Arts writer Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com.

Anne Bostwick performs with Raven Blue.