DELIVERS CLASSIC COWBOY SOUND IN GUTHRIE by JOE MACK
PERFORMERS
2 0 2 4 O I B F P R O G R A M OKLAHOMA ’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Darin & Brooke Aldridge
Darin and Brooke Aldridge are excited . And why not ? With two new band members , a new record label , and five original songs on their latest album , the bluegrass and Americana duo are back with This Life We ’ re Livin ,’ their ninth recorded project together , and first release on Billy Blue Records . It celebrates the space the husband-and-wife team now occupies - the top of bluegrass music .
Armed with the talents of the proverbial triple-threat of uniquely distinctive singing , commanding instrumental skills , and accomplished songwriting , Darin and Brooke continue to ascend to new heights in the industry while maintaining their easy-going , down-to-earth connection with audiences everywhere .
Brooke is a four-time consecutive winner for Female Vocalist of the Year for the International Bluegrass Music Association ( IBMA ). She was nominated for a fifth time in 2021 . Once a six-year member of The Country Gentlemen with the late Charlie
Waller , Darin is a former IBMA Mentor of the Year and a truly gifted singer and multiinstrumentalist .
Their long-held dream to one day play the Grand Ole Opry came true on July 4 , 2017 , and since then , they have graced the Opry stage more than 35 times .
Their rise became especially meteoric when they joined forces in 2016 with John Cowan , who plays bass for The Doobie Brothers and is a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame as co-founder of New Grass Revival . This collaboration has led to performance opportunities with artists ranging from bluesman Keb Mo ’ to stints with Country Music Hall of Famers Vince Gill and Jimmy Fortune ( The Statler Brothers ). Says Cowan , “ When someone asks me what I love most about Brooke and Darin , my response is – everything ! Brooke ’ s angelic singing , Darin ’ s rock-solid baritone tucked up under her wings , their musicianship . But mostly , it ’ s their commitment to their beliefs that renders them to be gra-
cious , concerned , and helpful to all they encounter . My music and interior life have been so tremendously enriched by the gift of their friendship .”
IBF
Cowboy Jim Garling
DELIVERS CLASSIC COWBOY SOUND IN GUTHRIE by JOE MACK
OIBF has it all – thrilling main stage performances , intimate acoustic performances at the Cottonwood Creek Campground Stage , all sorts of sweet and savory food and beverage vendors , commemorative festival merchandise , and cowboys . Lots of cowboys . Cowgirls , too , but we ’ re talking cowboys here – specifically , Cowboy Jim Garling .
A torch bearer for Western Swing music , country life and the cowboy way , Garling is as much a storyteller as he is a songwriter . He blends the sounds of all the great country and Western artists that have inspired him into a sound and setlist that are all his own , which have transpired into four different studio albums . This Oklahoma treasure is an in-demand performer and an OIBF regular , specifically around lunch time . When you hear that sweet , swaying Western Swing sound and your stomach screaming at you , head towards the main stage for a meal and some hot Cowboy Jim music .
For more information and to ride with this cowboy , visit www . cowboyjimgarling . com .
IBF
8 / OKLAHOMA ’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2024