Strength sideshow & hand-bent steel hearts
Steel horseshoes become hearts by hand
Rick StrongBack / Appalachian Circus StrongThem
Rick StrongBack, also advertised as Appalachian Circus StrongMx, offers themed strength performances for private shows and larger events. The repertoire includes steel bending, card tearing and circus-hammer routines. A signature feat turns horseshoes into hearts; separately commissioned hearts can be painted in requested colors with optional displays.
Current location note / listed area: Franklin, North Carolina · event travel by arrangement
Wedding candidate requiring inquiry. Agree on the exact feats, audience boundaries, clear stage, overhead clearance and venue approval; these are performer demonstrations, not guest challenges. Keepsake commissions are separate from show bookings unless agreed. Confirm lead time and shipping directly.
Public-source research · 2026-10-30 · Not vendor-confirmed or independently vetted.
Original research sources
- https://www.rickstrongback.com/
- https://www.rickstrongback.com/about-5-1
- https://www.rickstrongback.com/hearts
- https://www.gigsalad.com/the_appalachian_circus_strongmx_franklin
Documented state connections
Geographic evidence is retained historical research, not current service availability.
- North Carolina · based
Owned booking page centers travel on Franklin, NC; the matching provider profile lists Franklin. Owned pages link the StrongBack/StrongMx/StrongThem identities and Rick Tarleton copyright to the same operator.