Country outfit Ruthie & the Wranglers first made its mark in a big way on the band's home turf in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., region before venturing out to win fans in a wider arena via recordings, beginning with the band's 1997 debut, Wrangler City. Life's Savings followed a year later, and Live at Chick Hall's Surf Club appeared on music-store shelves in 2000. The band earned no less than a solid dozen awards from WAMA, the Washington Area Music Association. The association dubbed the band Best Country Group, an honor that was conferred for four consecutive years beginning in 1997. Wrangler City walked off with awards for both Best Country Album and Best Debut Recording in 1997. Two years later, the band's Life's Savings album snagged awards for Album of the Year and Best Country Album, while "What Mama Don't Know" took home Song of the Year, and the band walked off with the award for Artist of the Year. In 2000, the band's third album, Live at Chick Hall's Surf Club, won in the category of Best Country-Roots/Rock Recording. Over the years, leader Ruthie Logsdon also picked up half a dozen awards from WAMA. The association named her Best Female Country Vocalist in 1998, an honor she earned again in 2000 and 2001. Also in 2000 and 2001, Logsdon took home honors in the category of Best Female Roots/Rock Vocalist. WAMA also dubbed Logsdon Songwriter of the Year in 2000.