Joe Deetz’s career on banjo spans over 40 years.  A New England Bluegrass Boy with Joe Val, Joey has also worked with Frank Wakefield, John Herald, Back Eddy and many others. He has recorded with John Herald, Will Scarlet, the Beach Boys and Carol King. Joey was also featured on the Sesame Street recording of The Garbage Man Blues. His passion for bluegrass is evident in his tasteful, yet driving banjo and harmony singing. He lives in Mendon, MA with his wife.

Alex MacLeod grew up in bluegrass. His father and mother, Sandy and Geri, exposed him to the music early on. While his dad Sandy played in the band, his mom clogged with the Ralph Case Cloggers in Maryland and Alex soaked it all in. A gifted songwriter, with a classic leading voice and rock-solid rhythm guitar, Alex has served as front man for several bands in the region including Northern Lights, Southern Rhode, Back Eddy, the Iron Skillet Band, and in 2024 filled in on guitar and vocals for Tony Trischka’s Earl Jam Tour.  His original, Wanderlust, resulted in Alex being one of ten songwriters invited to perform as part of the IBMA Songwriter Showcase in 2024.  Alex has also established himself as a sought-after emcee at some of the region’s biggest and best bluegrass festivals. He lives in Charlestown, RI with his wife and daughters.  He lives in Charlestown, RI with his wife and four daughters, Raechel, Maicey, Grace, and Piper.

Billy “BT” Thibodeau Billy “BT” Thibodeau boasts an undeniable bluegrass pedigree and he brings his high tenor and lead vocals, along with his fastidious mandolin playing and splendiferous guitar playing to Rock Hearts.  A multi-instrumentalist, Billy has been picking and singing bluegrass for several decades.  Cutting his teeth with his Dad, Sam Tidwell and Uncle Bob in the Kennebec Valley Boys, he would later lead his own band, The Bill Thibodeau Band.  He has also played with the Descendants of Bluegrass and Union River Band, just to name a couple. Billy currently teaches music and works at Rick’s Music in Cumberland, RI. He lives in Cumberland, RI with Deb, the love of his life.  *IBMA Bluegrass Leadership Class of 2017 *Saga Musical Instruments Kentucky Mandolin Endorser *2024 Maine Country Music Hall of Fame Inductee

Austin Scelzo was introduced to various fiddle traditions at Mark O'Connor's early Berklee String Camps, learning from powerhouse players like Billy Contreras, Jason Anick, Casey Dreissen, Jeremy Kittel, Andy Reiner, Bruce Molsky, Mark O'Connor, and Christian Howes. Austin's Bluegrass journey began with the Western CT based group the "Angry O'Haras", then later "On the Trail", with which he recorded fiddle and vocals. Austin is also an active bluegrass community advocate, teaching Wernick Method Jam classes, and launching the Connecticut Bluegrass Music Association. Austin was named to the IBMA Leadership Class of 2023, nominated for the 2023 IBMA Momentum Mentor of the Year, the 2024 & 2025 IBMA Industry Involvement Award (*Winner 2025) and was recognized in his home state of Connecticut as a CT Arts Hero.

Rick Brodsky is a multi-instrumentalist who has played within numerous musical genres over the past 35 years. Rick is a regular on the Connecticut/New York bluegrass scene and has played bass for numerous regional and national artists including Jonathan Edwards, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado, The Korey Brodsky Band, Stacy Phillips & His Bluegrass Characters, and Tony Trischka. Rick is also an alum of the IBMA Leadership Bluegrass class of 2025. With a great appreciation for the history of bluegrass, Rick is an enthusiastic collector of old bluegrass vinyl records. On tour, you can often find Alex and Rick scouring through the record stores everywhere they go. You can hear Rick’s bass playing on several of Ben Freed’s highly acclaimed banjo albums and Korey Brodsky’s 2015 album, in addition to all of Rock Hearts' recordings.