Oklahoma Swing
Some bands are born out of necessity and some come from heritage ...
OKLAHOMA SWING
Oklahoma Swing draws a straight line from the historic sound of Bob Wills to the future of bluegrass and swing . Their sound is honed , learned and taught , and Oklahoma Swing is a living embodiment of the heritage .
Guitarist Joe Settlemires , began playing in his early teens by gigging the OKC Stockyards and at the age of 19 landed with Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys where he became known as the “ Youngest Texas Playboy .” John Blair is the lead vocalist and plays fiddle . John became a Wills historian and author . He is also the younger brother of OIBF legend and Oklahoma Music Hall of Famer Jim Paul Blair . John grew up back stage with his mother at the Grand Ole Opry , Playboy Reunion shows and learning from his musical heroes and mentors .
On the steel guitar , Bobby Baker brings 50 years of experience with ties to the Texas Playboys and the New Cimarron Boys . Baker has also been honored with multiple awards from Western Swing societies from California and the Northwest to five nominations from The Academy of Western Artists for Western Swing Instrumentalist of the Year . Lefty bassist , Richard Sharp shares his vocals with the group . Sharp grew up listening to everything from traditional bluegrass of Bill Monroe to contemporaries like the Beatles .
Steve Short has played the drums since shortly after his inception ; including three years with Reba McIntyre . Short shifted gears to become a sound engineer , producing multiple Byron Berline albums and becoming a successful session drummer in the state of Oklahoma . Berline ’ s 20-year band mate , Greg Burgess brings the pedigree of learning fiddle from Famous Amos Hendrick , Ace Sewell and Merel Davis , all while drawing style and inspiration from Keith Coleman . Burgess has won the Oklahoma State Fiddle Championships multiple times .
A latecomer to Western Swing and fiddle is Bo Posey . Posey didn ’ t began playing until later in life when his wife banned him to the barn until he could stroke a solid bow and sing a graceful tune ; now days Posey is welcome to play in the house whenever he wants and has been induced to multiple Western Swing Hall of Fames . Henry Byron Burgess is by far the youngest member of the band and an Oklahoma native . Son of Greg Burgess , Henry Burgess witnessed Byron Berline recovering his mandolin from the fire that destroyed the Double Stop Fiddle Shop and turned his focus to playing mandolin . It wasn ’ t long before Henry began soaking up the teachings of band mates , Byron , and his father , all guiding him to Oklahoma Swing .
IBF
ENJOY THE 2024 FESTIVAL !
OKLAHOMA ’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2024 / 13