March 28, 2024

Local teen to tour 
with pianist Lorie Line

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New Virginia resident Chase Hardin, soon to be 19, will be the youngest guitar player to ever perform with Minnesota pianist Lorie Line, often dubbed as America’s favorite female pianist.

Hardin is the son of Don and Donna Hardin, who own Miss Spenser’s Special Teas and Longview Farms Bed and Breakfast, located near the Medora corner. Hardin assists with sound at the tea room and is often seen pouring tea during special events.

Hardin will be touring with Line, and her Fabulous Five, as the rhythm and lead guitarist, in an 80-city tour beginning in May. Line has been performing for more than 20 years.

Auditions

Hardin, who is a fan of Line on Facebook. found out she was holding auditions for musicians through her fanpage. He applied for an audition.

“Three weeks later, I received a call from her staff inviting me to her recording studio for an audition,” he said.

About a week before the audition, Line sent Hardin three MP3s of her music. However, Hardin had to transcribe the music himself.

Hardin and his family had seen Line perform during her holiday tours, but he hadn’t officially met her until his audition.

Donna said Line told Hardin she hoped he’d join her on her tour and would teach him quite a bit.

Hardin will be joined by four other musicians in Line’s Fabulous Five – Jacob Johnson, bass; Peter Ostroushoko, fiddle and mandolin; Derek Bromme, trombone and euphonium and Kirk Johnson, drummer and trainer.

Several of the musicians have master’s degrees in their specific instruments and have played with other orchestras. Johnson traveled the world for years with Prince and the New Power Generation and Jazz artist Candy Dulfer as a drummer, dancer and choreographer.

“I think I will learn a lot from these great musicians and look forward to playing with other musicians that challenge each other, allowing us to achieve the next level musically,” said Hardin.

Musical background

Hardin began studying classical piano at the age of 5 under the instruction of piano teachers in Des Moines and Indianola, as well as a

Drake professor.

He competed in many Iowa Music Teacher Association piano competitions, receiving numerous awards. However, at the age of 15 Hardin found “his true love” – the guitar. He began studying under James Biehn, teacher/owner of the Iowa Music Lab, and Seth Hedquist, a professor at Simpson College.

It became “an addiction,” he said. He practiced three to four hours a day,

Hardin said there are many things he loves about playing the guitar.

“I really love the guitar because of the way it speaks to me,” he said. “I almost feel more comfortable with a guitar in my hands than without it.”

Playing helps him relieve stress, he said. He loves playing around with styles, as well as his tone and sound.

“You can go from playing a really awesome rock song, to playing really sweet and tender music,” he said.

His styles include, rock, blues, jazz, finger style and fusion jazz, which he is currently studying.

“I have influences like Joe Robinson, Lincoln Brewster and Tommy Emmanuel,” he said.

After his first year of studying guitar, he became the lead guitarist for a praise and worship band and has learned how to transcribe music and improvise on the spot. Three years later, he competed and became a finalist for the Guitar Center’s King of the Blues in Des Moines.

Hardin also plays in a sibling band called 30 Below, with his younger brother Zachary and older sister Spenser. His brother Grayson, 10, is currently under Hardin’s tutelage and hopes to become the band’s next bass guitarist.

College

When Hardin is not busy playing music he is currently attending Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny. He will be transferring to Simpson College, but plans to take the fall semester off to pursue the tour. Hardin is majoring in computer science.

Hardin said he has a small recording studio in his home and loves to play around with “techy” equipment and looks forward to learning more from Line’s sound and lighting team.

“My college education is really a backup plan for me,” he said. “ I would love to make music a career.”

Hardin’s rehearsals begin April 23. Line’s tour will begin a week after rehearsals. The group will be performing across the Midwest, as well as Oklahoma and Texas. Some weeks the group will perform as many as five or six days a week.

“Something I’ve always wanted to do,” he said.