New Faces and New Home Base for Rockin’ Acoustic Circus

Rockin’ Acoustic Circus – New Faces, New Home, Exciting Direction • 

Rockin’ Acoustic Circus announces they’re “setting up shop” in Nashville with some new faces and their “doors open for business.”

“With hearts in traditional music and heads in the 21st century, this progressive acoustic group is pointing toward an exciting direction for music. “

Sharing their passion with impressive musical prowess and boundary pushing style, they strongly anticipate the appeal to an even wider audience, presenting a new vibe of original work, and enjoying a rare friendship and musical bond identified in this unique chemistry of individuals.

The band started as a collection of Oklahoma teens, beginning with a childhood connection between two members, Sterling Abernathy and Eric Dysart, who shared the same music teacher. The pairing of mandolin guru, Abernathy with the skills of fiddle champ, Dysart, was the nucleus of the original ensemble. Abernathy, now 18 and youngest in the band, is a superior mandolinist offering eye raising leads, solid rhythm, and some of the most tasteful fills the instrument is capable of producing. Dysart, 19 with vocal capability beyond his years, and equally adept on fiddle – possesses a much envied technical skill, having studied both classical violin and old-time fiddle.

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Rockin Acoustic Circus from alexandrajordan on Vimeo.

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“With a recent move from Oklahoma, Abernathy and Dysart are joining their new family – and calling Nashville home.”

Bringing the low down in the bass department, Adam Chaffins, originally from Louisa, KY – holds a music degree from Morehead State University and is a well respected artist within the Nashville neighborhood. With commanding vocals and credible writing skill, he is a great asset to the RAC style. He’s recorded and played with several well-known artists, including Southern Ground (the Zac Brown owned label) recording artist – Levi Lowrey.

With the retirement of former guitar player, Rick Morton (AKA: old guy, friend, & teacher to Abernathy/Dysart), the multi-talented Dillon Hodges adds to the mix with instantly recognizable vocals and superior songwriting skills – also equally masterful on both guitar and claw hammer banjo. Hodges – 21, has already won three national guitar titles including the National Flat Pick Guitar Championship in Winfield, KS. He’s toured with Missy Raines and written and recorded with Tim May.

Last in this parade of superior musicians, but certainly not least is the charming, five-string fiddler extraordinaire, Rachel Baiman. Baiman, currently a senior at Vanderbilt University, grew up on old-time and bluegrass music. Making a heavy mark on the Midwest contest scene, she won the Illinois State Fiddle Championship at 16 and brings her strong instrumental abilities, along with compelling vocals and sweet harmony to the ‘Circus’ big top.

Fiddle legend Byron Berline maintains the thing that impresses him most about the group is they strive for originality -“they aren’t copycats; they step out and do music their own way.” In 2012, the band anticipates “their own way” will look like the release of a new album complete with an impressive repertoire of compelling originals, dynamic arrangements and a sound all its own. Their music influenced by the likes of old-time, folk, and chamber inspired bluegrass – makes for an incredible listening experience.

“With an upcoming Nashville appearance at Music City Roots, on Dec 7th, the band will present their new look and future sound – live from the Loveless Barn. The performance will also be available for viewing by LiveStream from the MCR website – 7:00 PM/CST. Join them live or by web to check out what the “buzz” is all about.”