Welcome!
Photo by Riggy Rackin
The Rusty String Express celebrates string band traditions of the past while stretching into the unknown. Creating original music with unique and familiar flavors - The RSE is an exciting mash up of acoustic excitement, bubbling creativity, and excellent musicianship. Best of all are the original tunes coming out of this creative quartet. Aaron Balano on dobro, Alison Bailey Streich on violin, Greg Dunn on bass and Joe Ridout on guitar. These four magnetic musicians run the gamut with their playing, and all four are masterful wielders of their instruments. Their music ranges from sensitive and soulful interpretations, to wild and unexpected music you've never heard before.
Their repertoire is very original, with each member contributing unique compositions. Interspersed throughout their set are exciting versions of tunes the listener has heard before. They tip their collective hat to Thelonius Monk, Dave Brubeck, The Meters, Duke Ellington, Django Reinhart, Van Morrison, The Cramps....and, of course, a handful of ragtime, Irish, old time, bluegrass and American tunes. There's something for everyone!
"Lively, evocative, mood-altering... The Rusty String Express offers a symphonious journey certain to lift the soul."
"Suspenseful and sometimes haunting sounds......recall the moods of lost saloon-day eras now turned to dust."
- Floating Records
"Your music is so inventive, and we love your Celtic touch!" - a fan from Austin, Texas
"Thelonius Monk Meets Hee Haw"
- East Coast fan
"A special thanks to The Rusty String Express for laying down the tunes for our special night.
You guys are incredibly professional, proficient, personal and wonderful in every way!
So glad you could be a part of it with us. Would definitely hire you again and can't wait to catch a future show."
- Kevin and Ann Marie M.
"The Rusty String Express just played at our wedding and they were AMAZING!
What a wonderful and talented band, and, more importantly, a really lovely group of people.
We are thrilled with their performance and so were all of our guests. cannot say enough good things about these guys!!!"
- Mark M. & Adam B.
ABSOLUTELY THE PERFECT STRING BAND!!! From start to finish, the The Rusty String Express were JAMMING, accommodating, excellent communicators, and even learned a special song to make our day truly magical. It felt like having really good friends at our wedding performing and we were sincerely grateful for how they took care of us. They went above and beyond to help us out! We recommend this band for ANY occasion and will hire them again someday!
- Nick & Michele P.
A huge thank you for playing at my daughter’s wedding at Murrieta’s Well. It was wonderful to hear you playing when I arrived at the venue and the music provided during and after the ceremony. The selection of music you played was beyond our expectations. You played with much heart and soul. Many of our family and friends commented on how much they enjoyed listening to you.
Thank you again for making my daughter’s wedding an extra special day. I have and will recommend you in the future.
Again, thank you.
- Alice A. Wiley
Their repertoire is very original, with each member contributing unique compositions. Interspersed throughout their set are exciting versions of tunes the listener has heard before. They tip their collective hat to Thelonius Monk, Dave Brubeck, The Meters, Duke Ellington, Django Reinhart, Van Morrison, The Cramps....and, of course, a handful of ragtime, Irish, old time, bluegrass and American tunes. There's something for everyone!
"Lively, evocative, mood-altering... The Rusty String Express offers a symphonious journey certain to lift the soul."
"Suspenseful and sometimes haunting sounds......recall the moods of lost saloon-day eras now turned to dust."
- Floating Records
"Your music is so inventive, and we love your Celtic touch!" - a fan from Austin, Texas
"Thelonius Monk Meets Hee Haw"
- East Coast fan
"A special thanks to The Rusty String Express for laying down the tunes for our special night.
You guys are incredibly professional, proficient, personal and wonderful in every way!
So glad you could be a part of it with us. Would definitely hire you again and can't wait to catch a future show."
- Kevin and Ann Marie M.
"The Rusty String Express just played at our wedding and they were AMAZING!
What a wonderful and talented band, and, more importantly, a really lovely group of people.
We are thrilled with their performance and so were all of our guests. cannot say enough good things about these guys!!!"
- Mark M. & Adam B.
ABSOLUTELY THE PERFECT STRING BAND!!! From start to finish, the The Rusty String Express were JAMMING, accommodating, excellent communicators, and even learned a special song to make our day truly magical. It felt like having really good friends at our wedding performing and we were sincerely grateful for how they took care of us. They went above and beyond to help us out! We recommend this band for ANY occasion and will hire them again someday!
- Nick & Michele P.
A huge thank you for playing at my daughter’s wedding at Murrieta’s Well. It was wonderful to hear you playing when I arrived at the venue and the music provided during and after the ceremony. The selection of music you played was beyond our expectations. You played with much heart and soul. Many of our family and friends commented on how much they enjoyed listening to you.
Thank you again for making my daughter’s wedding an extra special day. I have and will recommend you in the future.
Again, thank you.
- Alice A. Wiley