Hailing from the Colorado Front Range, Rusty 44 is overflowing with infectious energy and pure joy. They weave together bluegrass, blues, Americana, and anything else that strikes their fancy, creating a unique sonic tapestry. Their sound is further enriched by tight, church-bred harmonies and impressive displays of instrumental prowess. This diverse group thrives on collaboration, and their love for music is evident from the first note.
It’s clear these friends are having a blast sharing their music, and they’re sure to get you moving too!
Stacy Heikes sang in a trio with her sisters from the age of 8, and picked up the violin in junior high school. She played classical music in orchestras and string quartets for the first half of her life, then turned to the "dark" side -- bluegrass, and she ain't goin' back!
David Jense’s fiery flatpickinging is heavily influenced by Clarence White, Tony Rice, and Doc Watson. You will rarely see him play without his lucky tortoise shell pick. He cut his teeth in the Washington D.C. bluegrass community. His high-energy playing and strong vocals add a layer of depth and technical expertise. David received a guitar performance degree from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Mike Smith is a Colorado native who has always lived in the northern Front Range area. He began playing guitar in 4th grade, and got his first mandolin at age 18 when his 3 siblings pooled their money for a birthday gift. He played only for his own enjoyment until a neighbor suggested he share his talent at church. That's where he began to bump elbows with other musicians. He started playing outside of church with friends around 2010.
Derek Crane grew up in North Lake Tahoe and then spent his teen years in the central coast of California. Derek found the jazz community, where he was drawn to the double bass. Derek received his Bachelor of Physics degree at UC Santa Cruz. In his senior year he was able to blend his passions for music and the natural world to write his thesis on physical room acoustics. In 2018 Derek moved to Fort Collins seeking world-class rock climbing and a new music community.
Wes Tucker, banjo, is "just a boy from Oklahoma" whose life's journey has taken him many places. At age 19, he found a banjo left in a closet by an uncle and first learned to play. Wherever he went, the banjo went with him, and though most of the places he travelled had no real bluegrass scene, Wes continued to find people to pick with and kept his ear to Bluegrass CDs.