Biography

Formed in 2013, Rock Hearts brings together five seasoned musicians from Southern New England who love to sing and pick bluegrass, old country tunes, and seek out tunes from other genres to “bluegrass-ify.” Named an Official 2021 IBMA Showcase Band, the band is enjoying national radio and Chart activity. They are a sought-after band for major festivals. They are 615 Hideaway record label artists and work closely with label owner, Sammy Passamano, in Nashville, TN. Their first independent project, Starry Southern Nights, put them on the national radar. A year later they signed with Sammy Passamano and released their first 615 Hideaway Records label single from their new project, Wanderlust, which continues to receive outstanding fanfare and radio attention. Their 3rd project and second with the 615, Unfinished Bridges, is by far their best work yet.

Since its release on October 4th, Unfinished Bridges has experienced tremendous success with the full album and several singles debuting in the Top 10 on national charts, including (5) #1 positions.

Here’s what some folks are saying:

“Rock Hearts’ Unfinished Bridges deserves a large audience and copious praise.” Colin Jordan

“It’s one of the most satisfying recent bluegrass releases and should rank high on any fan of the genre’s must-hear list.” Mark Dreury

Rock Hearts has shared the stage with some of the top bands in the industry including, Del McCoury, Dale Ann Bradley, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Jonathan Edwards, Danny Paisley, The Gibson Brothers, Dan Tyminski, the Seldom Scene, Larry Sparks, and many more. The band consists of founding member and banjo player, Joe Deetz, lead man and guitar/vocals, *Alex MacLeod, the newest Kentucky Mandolin endorsed artist, *Billy Thibodeau, bassist, Rick Brodsky, and fiddler/2023 IBMA Mentor of the Year nominee, *Austin Scelzo.

*Alex MacLeod is one of ten songwriters selected for the 2024 IBMA WOB Songwriter Showcase.

*Austin Scelzo is nominated for the 2024 IBMA Momentum Awards: Industry Involvement; nominated for 2023 IBMA WOB Momentum Mentor of the Year; IBMA Leadership 2024

*Billy Thibodeau was recently inducted into the Maine Country Music Hall of Fame and named as a Saga Music Instruments Mandolin Artist (KM1500); IBMA Leadership 2017