An Acoustic Firestorm: Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley Announce Hiatus, Ushering in a New Chapter
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
After a decade of creating an “acoustic firestorm” that has earned them a GRAMMY® Award and widespread critical acclaim, the acclaimed duo of Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley are set to take a hiatus from their musical partnership at the close of 2025. The announcement marks the end of a remarkable chapter built on world-class musicianship and a seamless creative chemistry that has redefined the possibilities of acoustic music. While the news signals a change for the dynamic pair, it also opens the door to exciting new endeavors for each artist, with a full slate of tour dates planned throughout 2025 to give fans one last chance to witness their collaborative magic.
The partnership of Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley has been nothing short of extraordinary. On one side stands Rob Ickes, a true titan of the resophonic guitar, whose record-breaking fifteen IBMA Resophonic Guitar Player of the Year awards and role as a co-founder of the supergroup Blue Highway have cemented his legacy. On the other is Trey Hensley, the 2023 IBMA Guitar Player of the Year, who has been hailed as “Nashville’s hottest young player” for his prodigy-level talent. Their first recording together, Before The Sun Goes Down (2014), earned a GRAMMY® Award nomination, immediately putting the music world on notice. They followed this with three critically lauded albums—The Country Blues (2016), World Full of Blues (2019), and Living In A Song (2023)—each a testament to their deep musical conversation and shared love for roots music. This year, their collaborative journey reached its zenith with a GRAMMY® win for their contributions to The Taj Mahal Sextet’s Swingin’ Live At The Church In Tulsa.
The decision to embark on separate paths comes as a natural progression for two artists at different stages of their careers. As Rob Ickes prepares to “pull back a little bit in terms of touring” to focus on his celebrated session work and touring with other artists, Trey Hensley is poised to step into the spotlight with a renewed focus on his burgeoning solo career. As Hensley aptly put it, “this isn’t the end, but a new chapter.” He plans to release new music soon and will launch an extensive solo tour beginning in 2026. The shift allows both musicians to explore new creative avenues while maintaining a lifelong bond forged over a decade of shared stages and success.
The legacy of their collaboration is a powerful one, recognized by everyone from the late Merle Haggard to Eric Clapton, who invited them to perform at his prestigious Crossroads Guitar Festival. Publications like NPR and Rolling Stone have praised them as “two musical phenoms” and “bluegrass aces,” and their collaborations with legends like Dolly Parton, Taj Mahal, and Vince Gill speak to the immense respect they command. Their ten-year run was a masterclass in acoustic virtuosity and mutual respect, and as they prepare to fulfill their remaining tour dates, fans can expect a series of performances that will celebrate a partnership that was, in every sense of the word, a true “acoustic firestorm.” While their duo will be missed, the promise of new music from both Rob and Trey ensures that their story is far from over.
Photo credit: Jeff Fasano