Without an injection of fresh energy, any scene is endangered—at risk of death by stagnation. So, it is with great joy that we embrace new artists, especially those of the younger generation, like 15-year-old Decker Rumfelt.
We first saw Decker performing outside the Downtown Farmer’s Market at Art Walk in the spring of 2025, and since then, he’s played a couple other well-received gigs around Wichita Falls. This particular performance, however, was our real introduction to the artist Decker Rumfelt, a singer/songwriter performing his unique versions of cover songs from artists like Coldplay, Third Eye Blind and others.
As enjoyable as his covers are, it is our opinion that Rumfelt’s strong suit is his original music. It’s catchy, memorable, and seems effortlessly honest—a trait you notice right up front on his debut streaming single “Silly Fool.”
Decker Rumfelt has been writing his own songs for about 2 years, and his youthful voice calls to mind everything from young Wayne Newton, to indie songwriter Passenger, and Gary Lightbody of Snow Patrol. Although he has not yet recorded it, we were particularly taken by Rumfelt’s performance of his song “Bittersweet,” and we can’t wait to hear more from him on the streaming front.
When asked how he got started, Rumfelt said “I would say the moment that got me started was my father showing me music. My parents divorce hit me hard like it did every other kid,“ Decker said, “but music saved my life. My dad showed me his old cd’s in this 2002 Toyota and I just fell in love with it.”
As for his life as an instrumentalist, making his own music, Rumfelt told us “I begged for a guitar and my dad and his girlfriend finally said yes but it wasn’t fancy, it would hardly stay in tune, I’m pretty sure it was $40. After I got it though, I couldn’t put it down. I played it for hours upon hours every single day. I ended up learning a lot of Coldplay and saved up to get a nicer guitar. Music is my life! I would do music even if it meant I was homeless. It’s gotten me through every day, the good ones and the bad. It’s always there when I need it, I’m never gonna stop.”
This gig took place at XIM Clothing & Art (recently renamed from The Lab). Rumfelt’s father James was in attendance with his girlfriend, and they are clearly big fans of the younger Rumfelt. We’d give additional kudos to them for supporting Decker’s artistry, despite an occasional lyrical curse word which might make another parent balk. Decker is clearly the kind of artist who deserves unconditional support in light of his talent, and he appears to get it.
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