String Theory is a high energy string and vocal band from Athens, Georgia. Drawing influences from old time, bluegrass, traditional folk and even cowboy and swing music, we play to please. Four-part vocal harmonies and clean, fast instrumentals let us play clubs, concerts, contradances in the Georgia/Carolina region.
In alphabetical order, we are
Dick Daniels (make that Dr. Richard F. Daniels, professor at the Warnell School of Forestry, UGA) is an incredible musician who has at one time or another played with virtually every bluegrass and old time band in this town and several others. He has the uncanny ability take his bass onto a stage with virtually anyone, anytime, and intuitively pick up their music - making them sound ten times better. He has been an integral part of String Theory since he came he came to Athens in the late 1990s. On All Wound Up he is playing mandolin, bass and singing, although he also could just as easily have been playing guitar.
Ben Jordan was born with the music already installed. Not yet twenty, he plays electric and acoustic guitar, electric and upright bass, bluegrass banjo and drums with the skill, ability, and musicality of many much more experienced than he. He brings drive, energy and rock solid rhythm to String Theory’s music. In his other life, he is an aspiring glass artist.
Tommy Jordan (Dr. Thomas R. Jordan, associate director of the Center for the Remote Sensing and Mapping Science at the University of Georgia) is a former music major, waiter, and rock musician, turned scientist and folk musician. Since moving to Athens in 1976, he has been an active part of the Athens music scene and is proud of it. Tommy is known as a keeper of songs and can, more or less instantly, recall the chords and melody of an amazing library of folk, rock, and old time tunes. A founding member and often front man for String Theory, Tommy plays guitar, old time banjo, and octave mandolin and sings on All Wound Up.
Antoon Speters brings many years of professional musical experience to String Theory, of which he was a founding member as the mandolin player in 1992 and then officially rejoined the band on banjo a few years ago. He also plays with the North Georgia Bluegrass Band and two Irish bands, Green Flag and Short Road Home. Though Antoon seemingly can pick up and play anything with strings, on All Wound Up he confines himself to banjo and singing. Antoon is an accomplished painter with an art degree from UGA.
Susan Staley wears many musical hats, including being one of the three Solstice Sisters, a popular vocal group based in Athens. The newest member of String Theory, she plays a strong rhythm guitar, drums on the beat box and sings her heart out on lead and harmony vocals. Susan is active in the local folk music scene, organizing a monthly folk music concert called the Hoot for the Athens Folk Music and Dance Society. By trade, Susan is a stained glass artist, making treasure boxes and jewelry that she sells through her business, Glass Treasures.
Dale Wechsler is a recovering classical violinist who saw the light and learned old-time and Irish fiddle. She plays with a pulse that makes the audience want to get up and move. Dale finds time after her day job with the University System Board of Regents to play in several local bands in addition to String Theory, including the Garnet River Gals and Short Road Home. She and her husband, Todd Lister, own Veribest Farms, an organic produce and flower business.
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