Aaron O’Rourke is one of these special musicians who, I believe, is in the process of re-shaping folk music forever. Just watch him perform once, and you will know why the prestigious title of, “Florida’s Dulcimer Champion,” is where Aaron’s music just begins. In the hands of Aaron O’Rourke, the mountain dulcimer, essentially a three stringed instrument of folk obscurity, becomes a musical melting pot of traditions and innovations.
In a very short time, Aaron has made his dulcimer mark performing and teaching. He quickly became one of the headlining names at many dulcimer festivals including the Suwannee Dulcimer Retreat, Augusta Heristage Center (Davis and Elkins College), Western Carolina University’s Dulcimer Week, and Unicoi Dulcimer Fest.
To many dulcimer players, he is the one to bring the dulcimer out of the “dark ages” of folk obscurity, and into the fast-paced world of bluegrass pyrotechnics. To others, Aaron’s performances always reveal a tasteful, well-composed musician, not a dulcimer side show.
Logically, Aaron moved beyond dulcimer festivals to become one of the founding members of Acoustic Uprising, a contemporary new-grass band made up of other young virtuosic players. Around the same time, Aaron became a member of the Panhandle String Band, a regionally renowned unit known for their complex instrumental arrangements. Appearances at major “folk/rock” festivals like Magnolia Fest and Down on the Farm, have given Aaron a large and diverse audience.
-Mickey Abraham
Aaron O'Rourke is quite possibly the coolest guy in the world. Women swoon when he walks by and leaves behind the essence of pure suaveness that is very much a part of Aaron. When he is not enjoying a fine day on his private beach outside of his multi-million dollar mansion, you can usually find Aaron at the gym lifting weights of at least 300 lbs or more (one arm). So how could this king of cool possibly be any more smooth you might ask? He also just happens to be an ok dulcimer player.
-Unicoi Dulcimer Festival (Faculty Bio)