Haymakers is a Wichita-based, acoustic Americana string band. The band’s origins run back to 2005, when Dustin Arbuckle (Lead Vocals/Harmonica) and Tom Page (Guitar/Vocals) first began performing together as a duo. Eventually Arbuckle and Page wanted to expand their sound, and in 2012 they recruited Dr. Mark Foley (Upright Bass/Vocals) and Ted Farha (Mandolin/Vocals) to form Haymakers. Dennis Hardin (Multi-Instrumentalist/Vocals) joined the group in 2016 to form the current 5 piece lineup. Over the years Haymakers have cultivated a loyal fanbase and developed a reputation for lively performances that blend original and traditional songs performed in their own unique style.

Arbuckle is a veteran of the blues and roots music scene. In addition to his work with Haymakers, he has toured extensively around North America, Europe, and Australia as part of blues/roots-rock acts Moreland & Arbuckle (2000 – 2017) and Dustin Arbuckle & The Damnations (2017 – present), releasing 10 albums and sharing stages with acts such as Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, Johnny Lang, George Thorogood, and Los Lobos.

Page grew up in the Kansas folk music community. From 1999 – 2005 he toured the U.S. as part of the folk duo, Grandpa’s .38, and since worked steadily around the Midwest with a number of projects. Page is also heavily involved in civil rights activism for the blind community and is currently the president of the Kansas chapter of National Federation of the Blind.

Dr. Foley is principal bassist with the Wichita Symphony and Professor/Director of Jazz Studies at Wichita State University. In addition to his jazz and classical work, he has gigged and recorded with a wide variety of bands throughout his career. When Foley’s many university and symphony responsibilities keep him from being able to perform with Haymakers, the bass is manned by Caleb Drummond, a graduate of the prestigious jazz performance program at Wichita’s Friends University. Drummond is a veteran of several touring acts, varying in style from indie rock and jazz to blues and folk music.

Rounding out the group is the mandolin section of Farha and Hardin, both mainstays of the Wichita music community. Farha has strong bluegrass roots, but has also performed classical music in the Riverside Mandolin Quartet, while Hardin is can play anything with strings and has been a part of many of Wichita’s favorite acoustic music groups over the last 30 plus years.

Since releasing their debut, self-titled album in 2017, Haymakers have toured heavily around the Midwest and beyond, playing everywhere from festivals and concert series to rowdy bars and intimate living room shows. A Haymakers show is a joyride down the highways of American music that you don’t want to miss!

Haymakers perform a wide variety of American roots music that includes folk, bluegrass, country, blues, western swing, and more, all uniquely influenced by our experience as Kansans. We are able to tailor our performances to suit any setting or crowd size, from large, lively concerts to small, quiet listening rooms. Though the band usually tours as a 4 or 5 piece lineup, we can break down to trio or even duo if a smaller group is more appropriate for the event.

• $750 – $1500 for a single day performance, depending on mileage, sound requirements, and other performance details (show length, number of sets). If the travel time to the performance location is long enough to require an overnight stay, we will require lodging or a hotel buyout. Fees outside of the usual range may be negotiated under some circumstances. Contact us to discuss.
• $250 for each additional educational performance or workshop.

We can provide a short (30 – 60 min) additional performance at a nursing home or senior center on the same day as the main performance at no additional charge.

At educational performances we share the history of the songs and musical styles we play while focusing on songs which have a strong connection to the history of Kansas and the Great Plains. We are also happy to host instrumental instruction workshops.