"We are proud to have friends like the SPPS because you can't play forward without listening backwards." - The Steel String Theory

Based out of Asheville, NC, Steel String Theory is quickly becoming recognized as one of the most innovative newgrass acts in the southeast, writing and performing original acoustic music, styled in traditional bluegrass, jazz, and classical music idioms.  The performance abilities of the members of Steel String Theory are complemented by traditional, high lonesome vocal arrangements with strong hooks and catchy lyrics. From heartbreak and whiskey drinkin' bluegrass numbers, to complex jazz and classical inspired pieces, SST performs honest, rustic, roots music for the soul.

Phillip Barker
Picture a grandmother's piano. A father's Paul Simon mix tapes. A sister's Sugarhill Gang and Thriller albums.  A mother's radio reader.  These are early musical influences and values Phil Barker holds dear. They are the diverse musical building blocks upon which Phil Barker stands upon today. And blocks he will neither forget nor fail to remember in his campaign for musical employment. Phil Barker's building blocks were first assembled in high school as he spear-headed the formation of the avant-garde (unrehearsed) rock troupe Slim Doolittle & the Roostafish, performing for hundreds a night (twice) and garnering rave reviews (yearbook). After a brief spiritual sabbatical (college) and a few paradigm shifts (heartaches), Barker kindled an appreciation for country and bluegrass music. A music unknowingly embedded in his musical foundation, the mortar for the building blocks. Joining with fellow born-again "grasser" (and former SD&R guitarist) Chuck Chamberlain, Barker formed the Prograss Duo (later SST with the advent of upright bass), forging an acoustic initiative of integrity, incrementation, and intention. Through these pursuits, Barker has had the esteemed privilege of (vicariously) sharing the stage with likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Dixie Chicks, Tony Rice, and Acoustic Syndicate among others.

Charlie Chamberlain
Picture a cold Christmas morning. The family is quietly exchanging gifts, and behind the crumbling sound of wrapping paper a five year old boy is singing, as loud as he possibly can. That's Charlie, a born performer, and fearless entertainer. At age ten he pleaded with his parents to buy him an electric guitar. Although they thought it to be a passing interest, they agreed. The boy had a new best friend: his very own Mexican made Stratocaster, and it was just the beginning. First came G N'R, then Nirvana, then Hendrix and the Grateful Dead. It wasn't until high school, while attending the Fine Arts Center, that Charlie heard the sounds of Wes Montgomery, Charlie Parker, Mike Stern and John Scofield. That was it. Charlie left the grunge bands behind (Co-exsistance and Tia Beavis) to start a jazz-based jam band called the Robert Latimore Trio, a four-piece affectionately named after the high school custodian. But high school was coming to an end and Charlie made an important decision. Charlie decided to study Jazz, Theory, and Composition at the University of North Texas. He has received private instruction from guitar wizards such as Steve Watson, Fred Hamilton, and John Stowell. Through college and beyond, Charlie has been in many bands carrying him through genres such as Reggae and world music, electronica, swing, big band, classical ensembles, bluegrass, and arriving at Steel String Theory. Currently living outside of Asheville, NC, Charlie spends his time writing originals and studying the music of his idols, including J.S. Bach, Bela Fleck, Django Rienhardt, Mike Marshall, and too many others to name. Now that the Strat has been put aside, in its place rests a 1951 Gibson arch-top. Now that the boy is a man, his best friend is still his guitar.

Steffans Hardin
Picture a three year old running around the house naked, playing a plastic banjo and singing "Rhinestone Cowboy" at the top of his little lungs. From birth until the year 1982, B.I. (Before Instruments), Steffans immersed himself in listening to music: Casey Kasem's Top 40 Countdown, Blondie, The Bee Gees, the soundtrack to Grease, the Eagles, beach music, and Motown. At nine years old. his parents started him in piano lessons, where he advanced quickly and excelled for a number of years thereafter, competing annually and attaining superior ratings in numerous national competitions. At age 13 he begged for his first guitar. His parents got him a bass--a Peavy Curve bass--and a Peavy 50 starter amp. Then he got a guitar, started learning it, and did the same. Then he got a set of drums, started learning them and did the same. It was about this time, thanks to his dad, that Steffans was first exposed to bluegrass music. For more than 22 years, his musical interests have flowed through modern/classic rock, bluegrass, jam bands, multiple forms of jazz, back to bluegrass, klezmer and Israeli folk, zydeco and Celtic, and back to bluegrass. In the last few years, Steffans has been a member of Moonshine Still; the interpretive klezmer band the Red Heifers; a mandolin led, fusion trio called Fattus Apparatus; the inspirational Jimmy Landry Band; and now Steel String Theory. Steffans feels most fortunate to have played alongside and on stage with some of his favorite musicians, including Peter Rowan and Howard Levy.

the future of the sounds of the past

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