BLUE HIGHWAY

Celebrating 16 years of making music together, Blue Highway is one of the most esteemed and influential groups in contemporary bluegrass. The band first took first the stage on December 31, 1994. Nine exceptional albums and countless live performances later, the same five artists are still earning stellar reviews, Grammy nominations and major awards.

What’s their secret? An unwavering commitment to the ensemble — the “democracy of the band.”

Individually, Jason Burleson (banjo, guitar, mandolin), Rob Ickes (Dobro), Shawn Lane (mandolin, fiddle, vocals), Tim Stafford (guitar, vocals) and Wayne Taylor (bass, vocals) are all master singers, songwriters and musicians. Together, in Stafford's words, they are “a democracy in the best sense of the word” — five gifted artists selflessly merging their talents into a seamlessly brilliant group sound. The result: a band that moves from strength to strength, more mature and impressive with each new album.

FIVE GIFTED WRITERS
Rob and Jason turn out the heart-pounding instrumentals, while Shawn, Tim and Wayne give Blue Highway a depth of songwriting talent unprecedented in sixty years of bluegrass bands.

Their latest release “Some Day: Fifteenth Anniversary Collection” (Rounder Records, 2010) features the best of their Rounder recordings, plus one cut from Rob Ickes’ solo album and three new selections. One can sense how the group evolved together over the years, continually pushing and inspiring each other.

“Through the Window of a Train” (2008) is compelling, relevant bluegrass at its best. It builds on the time-honored elements of bluegrass to create a sound that is unique, personal and modern.

COUNTLESS KUDOS
Blue Highway has garnered two Grammy nominations (2004, 2005) and a Dove Award for Best Bluegrass Album (2004). Over the years, the band has also topped the Bluegrass Unlimited radio charts many times and received numerous awards from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass in America (SPBGMA), both individually and as a group.
Refusing to coast on past glories, Blue Highway continues to push its music to new levels. Artfully balanced between tradition and innovation, the group remains at the forefront of contemporary bluegrass music.


ROCKIN’ ACOUSTIC CIRCUS

Drawing inspiration from musical heroes and various music genres, Rockin’ Acoustic Circus has developed a sound of their own that’s turning heads in the bluegrass world. It’s a unique acoustic fusion that pushes the boundaries of typical stringed instruments and allows each artist to express his creativity.

The six-piece ensemble, five teens and one musical veteran, are wowing crowds and critics alike. They are quickly morphing from a well-received regional favorite into a group with nationally recognized aspirations. To the average listener, the teens could be mistaken for musicians in their prime.

"This band is open to all styles of music, and they are hardworking,” says veteran musician Rick Morton, guitarist and band leader. Morton once had a career fighting four-alarm fires but now, as “ringmaster” of RAC, he’s fanning the flames of a hot, up-and-coming band. “We really don’t talk much about where it all might lead. If we play on a level that’s consistent, exciting and fun, then where we play and when we play and how far we’ll go will take care of itself.”

EXPERIENCE VS YOUTHFUL CREATIVITY
An outstanding instrumentalist (fiddle, guitar and mandolin), Rick has already had a remarkable musical career. He won a national talent contest with Ronnie Dunn just before Dunn hit the big time with partner Kix Brooks. He’s also worked with Ricky Skaggs, George Strait and Kathy Mattea. And in 1994 he recorded and played fiddle with The Tractors on their debut CD, which was Grammy-nominated and sold more than three million copies.

The rest of this young band may not have Rick’s experience, but all of them have spent much of their young lives playing music. Defining the groove with his “Dawg-inspired” mandolin chops, Sterling Abernathy is an accomplished player with a couple of contest championships under his belt. He’s an Iron Chef of the eight-string.

Eric Dysart’s impressive list of fiddling honors includes Semi-finalist in the Nashville-based Grand Masters Fiddle Championship. He’s a fiddle virtuoso, with his left hand as smooth and unyielding as his bow hand. Voted “best hair in the band” and playing banjo for only about four years, Carson Clemishire has licks to spare and rolls to be reckoned with. Plus he’s already earned a first-place contest finish.

Emma Hardin, an accomplished classical musician, is entering new musical territory as RAC’s “bluegrass cellist”. Her brother, Zac Hardin, also classically trained, wows the crowd on the bass. Watching Zac play is like watching a man wrestle a bear. But that bear is not going to win. Young Zac can really plunk the stain off that bull-fiddle.

A UNIQUE SOUND
Rockin’ Acoustic Circus caught the attention of Oklahoma bluegrass legend Byron Berline, three-time national fiddle champion and director of the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival. Berline is impressed by the RAC’s originality. “They step out and do traditional music their own way,” he says. “They're not copycats. And you see copycats all the time in bluegrass. They bring their own style and feel to the music.”

Now these powerhouse teens and their musical mentor have merged into one impressive band. They write original music with their unique style. And their acoustical fused sound, influenced by bluegrass, jazz, classical, swing, blues and even some rock-n-roll, makes an incredible listening experience. “I’m really focused, and they’re really focused,” observes Morton. “Right now it’s about the music, about taking our opportunities to go play, play well, and have fun.”