For a relatively complete schedule of shows visit  http://www.myspace.com/aaronorourkedulcimer
Happenings as of 8/4/07
        The next few weeks will be spent doing only fun and exciting things...like putting out a cd with two of my second most favorite people in the world Mike Snelling and Micky Abraham.  Woohoo! This recording could probably be best described as progressive old-time fiddle tunes with arrangements drawing from a broad range of influences such as jazz, latin, classical, bluegrass, and ofcourse the occassional jingle that is the result of watching too many commercials and exposing one’s self to a severe level of subliminal advertising.  Yup, I’d say that sums it all up in a nut shell.
        New dates added:
    October 5 & 6: Picker’s Paradise festival in Cairo, Ga.  This is a great festival that continues to get better every year.  Everyone who loves straight up bluegrass should come to this festival.  However, if you don’t like bluegrass but you like southern BBQ you should still come.
    November 9,10, & 11: The Florida Folk Festival in White Springs, FL.  This is one of the biggest and longest running folk festivals in the country and it really captures folk music as a music of the folks that love to play and share music.  By folk music what’s meant in this case is gospel, blues, singer-songwriter, bluegrass, old-time, jazz, celtic, latin, and more.
Happenings as of 11/14/07
        Back from the Florida Folk Festival with two new cds under my belt and still on a music high from a great weekend yet I find myself coughing up junk from my lungs...
        The Florida Folk Festival was amazing this year.  It got rescheduled from May due to forest fires but November proved to be the perfect time in Florida to host an outdoor music festival.  I was lucky enough this year to be invited along with the Trio to be a featured performer along with the Tony Rice Unit, Sam Pacetti, Gabe Valla, and a host of other great acts.  It also happened to be a cd release party both for the new Aaron O’Rourke Trio cd as well as a new solo cd of mine which is really a compilation or early recordings that I’ve been too busy/lazy to put out.
        I’ve been spending time with my good friend David Beede collaborating on a new dulcimer design that will hopefully bring ergonomics and playability to a whole different level as far as the mountain dulcimer goes.  The latest prototype is amazing and is by the far one of the most comfortable instruments to sit and play I’ve had the pleasure to experience.  You can find his homepage under my links.  Also check out his new Eede Beede dulcimer model.
        Dulcimer players, don’t forget the dulcimer retreat in Stephen Foster State Park has been rescheduled to January.  This year is bound to be one of the best so far with a line up that includes Steve Eulberg, Karen Mueller, Bing Futch, Joel Paul, Mary Cox, Susan Boyer Haley, David Beede, and more.
Happenings as of 2/16/08
        Is it at all ironic that I have an exceptionally great time playing shows when I’m very sick.  I think so.  And that was the case this weekend in Gainesville at the Thomas Center.  The Aaron O’Rourke Trio shared the bill with incredible singer/fingerstyle guitar player Sam Pacetti.  Thanks to everyone who came out and to Civic Media for putting it together.  For the people who got there after all the seats were filled we’ll make it happen again soon so don’t give up hope on us!
        For various reasons and circumstances I WILL NOT be teaching the Advanced class at Swannanoa Dulcimer Week.  I apologize to anyone who made early plans of attending that class.  However, with a lineup of instructors that includes Steve Seifert, Terry Lewis, and Steve Eulberg there is no doubt that this will be a great experience for all attendees.
        Coming Up!
    March 2nd:
        American Legion Hall with David Grier.  This show is being put on by Tallahassee luthier Ken Miller who will have some instruments on display at the show.  Ken makes incredible guitars, mandolins, and ukes that sound just as beautiful as they look.  The trio will be playing a short set before David takes the stage.
 
    March 27th-30th:
        Springfest!  This festival is great mix of roots and new acoustic music.  Headlining this year will be the David Grisman Quintet.  For anyone who’s never been to this event this is not something you want to miss.  Everyone who goes once always comes back.