A fiercely independent and consistently original trio, Split Lip Rayfield remains a beacon of fast, talented and aggressive bluegrass in their 17th year. Hailing from Wichita, Kansas, Split Lip plays acoustic instruments (banjo, mandolin, guitar, bass) with a propensity toward punk and metal stylings. Early on, the group's gimmick was Jeff Eaton's homemade one-string bass, named Stitchgiver, built from the gastank of a 1978 Mercury Grand Marquis and a piece of hickory and strung with one piece of Weedwhacker line. Since the passing of founding member Kirk Rundstrom in 2007, the band continues to play as a tribute to his tireless spirit and determination. Oh, and for those curious about the origin of the band’s name, Split Lip Rayfield was inspired by a real person of that name who lived in Eaton's hometown of Gumbo, Missouri.
