Bill Thibodeau

2025 RIBA Hall of Fame inductee

Bill Thibodeau boasts an undeniable bluegrass pedigree. He brings his high tenor and lead vocals, along with his fastidious mandolin and splendiferous guitar playing to The 615 Hideaway Records Recording band Rock Hearts. A multi-instrumentalist, Bill started playing mandolin at the age of five and had his first paid performance at the age of eight at Colby College in Waterville Maine, performing with his dad and brother. Bill continued to perform throughout high school. After a four-year stint in the U.S. Air Force, he played with several New England bands including Bluegrass Supply Company, Kennebec Valley Boys, Stan Tyminski & Blue Diamond, and currently with the Rock Hearts.

Rock Hearts recorded three albums and two have been released on The 615 Hideaway Record Label. The first one, self-produced, “Starry Southern Nights” was released in October 2020 and received many accolades. Four songs made the Bluegrass Today charts. This attention produced an invitation to perform at the annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) World of Bluegrass event in 2021. There, the band met Sammy Passamano III of The 615 Hideaway Record Label. They signed with him in July 2022 and released their first album “Wanderlust” and recently released “Unfinished Bridges.” They have two cuts in rotation on Sirius XM’s Bluegrass Junction station.  Bill has played on over 25 recordings.

A member of the IBMA Leadership class of 2017, Bill currently teaches music and works at Rick’s Music in Cumberland, RI. A Cumberland resident, Bill continues to teach at various music camps and festivals throughout the northeast.  Bill is one of the founders of the Rhode Island Bluegrass Alliance (RIBA) and is still on the board of directors.