THE MIGHTY OAKS BAND
Austin Curcuruto (drums, percussion)
Austin Curcuruto has accomplished a lot in Nashville during the last decade. In 2010, he was named runner up for ‘Up and Coming Drummer’ by Modern Drummer readers. Since that time, he’s established a solid and steady career in Music City.
Austin joined the “Mighty” Oaks Band in 2017. He’s previously toured the world with other Nashville artists, including Krystal Keith (performing on her father, Toby Keith’s tour), Bart Walker, Craig Campbell, and southern rocker Bo Bice, to name a few. As a live drummer, he’s performed at the NFL Half-time show, Austin City Limits, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Although much of his time is spent on the road, Austin also maintains a busy schedule at home in Nashville, recording, and most recently performing on and co-producing Nicole Frechette’s iTunes ‘New & Noteworthy’ featured album. He also performed on NBC’s recording of A Very Merry Christmas and recently worked with Sennheiser and Grammy winning producer Dave Thoener on an initiative for Sennheiser’s Recording Academy.
Austin proudly endorses Evans drumheads, Pearl, and Promark.
Ron Fairchild (keyboards)
Born in 1958 and raised in Music City, Ron has an “Oak Ridge” heritage. His father, Tommy, played piano for The Oak Ridge Boys from 1957 until 1972! Ron has a 20+ year personal history with the group. With his knack for playing any instrument you can put in front of him and an uncanny technical mind, Ron has literally built his musical career piece by piece. He engineered the digital keyboard system he plays on stage and has built his own recording studio—one which is often used when the Oaks’ record. When not on the road or overseeing his studio, Ron enjoys sailing, learning to fly airplanes, and playing with his HAM radio and computers. He also loves watching hockey games.
Darin Favorite (lead guitar)
Darin is a Grammy nominated guitar player, Nashville-based producer and session musician, and touring musician. He has played and shared the stage with Bob Dylan, Little Richard, Elvis Costello, Robert Plant, Shania Twain, Johnny Cash, Pam Tillis, Tracy Lawrence, Big and Rich, Patty Loveless, 3 Doors Down, Charlie Daniels, Reba McEntire and John Stowell just to name a few. Growing up at the Grand Ole Opry, Darin has music legendary in his lineage; his grandparents were Grand Ole Opry stars, and his dad was an accomplished songwriter and publisher who wrote/co-wrote over 20 Top 40 hits, for the likes of Johnny Cash and Ella Fitzgerald just to name a few. He joined the “Mighty” Oaks Band in 2021.
Scotty Simpson (bass guitar)
Scotty Simpson was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He began playing guitar at age eleven and within a few years had formed a band with his older brother, Steve. It quickly became apparent there was a problem; everyone wanted to play lead so there was no bass player. Scotty decided to give bass a shot, and the love affair began. He spent every waking hour sitting in front of the stereo, moving a record needle back again and again, until he learned every lick on every album he had. By the time he was fourteen he was playing in clubs. Luckily, his brother, who was ten years older, made for the perfect guardian, so Scotty’s parents allowed him to do so. A week after he got out of high school he took off on the road with a traveling club band—and never stopped. He moved to Nashville in 1996 and within a few months landed gigs with Tanya Tucker, Pam Tillis, and finally settled in with Travis Tritt for about thirteen years. Scotty says he’s thrilled to be facing new musical challenges and to work with legends like the Oaks.
Rex Wiseman (fiddle, pedal steel, mandolin, guitar)
Rex Wiseman joined The Oaks Band in 2006. Born and raised in Birdseye, Indiana, Rex grew up in a musical family. His father, four brothers, and sister were “back porch” pickers, playing mostly for their own enjoyment. Rex, who was the youngest, learned to play the mandolin at age five. Eventually he taught himself to play fiddle, guitar, pedal steel, electric bass, dobro, banjo, and mandolin. At the ripe old age of 11, Rex became a “professional,” earning money by playing in a local country band with his brother. When he was 16, he put together his own band. Then in 1980, he moved to Nashville to work with Little David Wilkins. He subsequently worked with John Conlee, Bill Anderson, Rhonda Vincent, Billy Yates, Phillip Claypool, and Clay Walker. Rex’s early dream was for a solo record deal. His timing was less than perfect, however, because contemporary country was in vogue in the early eighties, and he played and sang traditional style. He finally gave up on solo aspirations in May 1985, two months before Randy Travis became an “overnight” sensation! Timing is everything! Rex has persevered through the turns his life has taken. Losing his mom at an early age, he learned the value of family and the importance of every moment. He has two daughters, Mary Jo and Kady, as well as three granddaughters. Rex, his wife Kim, and daughter Kady live in the Nashville area. In addition to music, another one of Rex’s lifelong passions has been horses and horse training.