PERFORMERS 2 0 2 5 O I B F P R O G R A M OKLAHOMA’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
Rick Faris Band
CARRYING BLUEGRASS FORWARD WITH SOUL AND CRAFT
OKLAHOMA SWING by GEOFFREY COLE
Bluegrass may be entering its ninth decade, but artists like Rick Faris are keeping it fresh, vital, and deeply rooted. A standout singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Rick’ s journey began at age seven playing in his family’ s band, the Faris Family. Touring with his parents and three brothers, Rick gained early and invaluable experience. His father, Bob Faris— who once played alongside Reba McEntire on the Grand Ole Opry stage— helped shape Rick’ s natural gift for music and performance.
Rick rose to prominence as lead singer and guitarist for the Grammy-nominated band Special Consensus, joining in 2009
and recording five albums with them. The group has garnered numerous IBMA Awards, including the 2018 Instrumental Recorded Performance and Album of the Year. Though Rick now leads his own band, he continues to tour with Special Consensus on occasion.
Known for his crystal-clear tenor, powerful lead vocals, and striking guitar work, Rick brings emotional nuance and technical mastery to every song. His follow-up album The Next Mountain featured the standout single“ Deep River,” which held steady in the top five charts for over a year. In 2021, Rick was named IBMA’ s New Artist of the Year; in 2024, he was honored as Songwriter of the Year— his eighth IBMA award to date.
Based in Topeka, Kansas, Rick is also a respected luthier, crafting and repairing instruments— including those he tours with himself. His latest band includes his brother JimBob Faris on bass, mandolin prodigy Henry Burgess, and third-generation picker Gibson Davis.
With a new album, Life’ s Parade, that just arrived July 11, 2025, Rick Faris continues to shape the future of bluegrass— honoring tradition while pushing the genre into new, heartfelt territory. IBF
OKLAHOMA’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2025 / 13