Youth Tent 2024 YOUTH TENT BANDS
Walk inside the Youth Tent at OIBF and you will find a buzz of activity . Families sit on hay bales in front of the stage as musicians play lively tunes and children create . Beverly Ray , Youth Tent organizer , curates a range of arts and crafts in which children can engage their problem solving capabilities to design their own rubber band instrument , learn how to weave , fashion a percussion shaker , and more , all under the white-top tent .
Bluegrass is not only for the ears and the Youth Tent proves just that ; as youngins explore the visual aspects of timely traditions , they are immersed in high quality music and high quality creative learning . Henry Jordan , 3 , was able to practice his hand-eye coordination to make a god ’ s eye , while his little brother , George , danced like a wild man to the Cynthia Ridge band .
The tent is not only for littles . It provides a space for generations to create and experience together . “ I like getting to listen to music while I go make stuff with my mom ,” Mazi Davis said as she listened to her dad play the dobro for the band Steelwind .
Families are encouraged to participate together , whether it be listening to music , dancing or creating . “ I got to weave a potholder for my grandma !,” an excited Jack said while tapping his toes to the strum of Pearlgrace & Co .’ s rendition of Wheel Hoss .
The Youth Tent is truly a magical place for children to get to experience live music in a captivating environment . You can visit the Youth Tent by going behind the church and across the basketball court . All activities are free upon entry to the festival .
IBF
GRAYSTONE BLUEGRASS REVIVAL
Graystone Bluegrass Revival is an Oklahoma bluegrass band , known for its hard-driving music and close harmonies . Graystone combines years of unique musical experiences and presents powerful Bluegrass Gospel music . The band performs original songs and traditional bluegrass standards . Roger Epps plays banjo and sings lead & harmony vocals and resides in Tuttle Oklahoma . Jerry Wickersham picks guitar and sings lead vocals and is from Newcastle , Oklahoma . Nathan Sanders performs on mandolin and vocals and is from Oklahoma City , Oklahoma . Danny Watters plays the upright bass and sings lead & harmony . He also emcees and entertains the audiences with humorous stories . He is from Bridge Creek , Oklahoma .
CYNTHIA RIDGE
Cynthia Ridge is a band composed of five brothers and sisters from the Cheng family . The young family band started out performing pretend concerts to anyone that would listen . Before long , they were entertaining true enthusiastic audiences . Brandon plays guitar and sings . Megon is featured on fiddle , and vocals . Kailon adds mandolin and vocals to the group while Ryon is on bass , guitar and vocals . Cameron plays mandolin and sings . Waiting to join the band are younger siblings Addyson , Gracelon , and Baby Jaxon . Cynthia Ridge is named after their Grandma , “ Cynthia ,” who was among the family ’ s greatest fans .
HORN FAMILY BLUEGRASS
The Horn Family is from Crescent , Oklahoma and has been playing as a band since 2004 . The band consists of Shawn Horn ( guitar ) and Gloria Horn ( bass ) along with their daughters Kaitlyn Means ( mandolin ) and Kylee Jones ( fiddle ), and Kylee ’ s husband Matthew Jones ( banjo ).
BLUEGRASS EXPRESS
Bluegrass Express has a distinct musical form with elements of the traditional bluegrass sound . The band features two banjo players , Gary Wilson and David King . Bob Burch is on guitar while Janis Wilson keeps the band in tempo on bass . Mandolin player Tim King and his daughters , Breanna and Caitlin King , who play fiddle and guitar complete the group .
OKLAHOMA ’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2024 / 29