Songwriters Workshop featuring BLAKE PARKS & MICHAEL HENNEBERRY
T
he 2025 Songwriters Workshop will feature Michael Henneberry and Blake Parks, members of the favored bluegrass outfit, Steelwind. This year marks 16 years of playing music and writing songs together with Henneberry on guitar and Parks on fiddle. From pickin’ in the campground to performing on the main stage, these two have been involved with OIBF for many years.
Their unique sound originated on a front porch in Stillwater, OK after Henneberry randomly messaged Parks looking for a bluegrass jam. Once they bonded over music and their tight harmonies, they soon started co-writing songs. Over the years, their bluegrass inspired songs have
been performed for countless fans and even while opening for Darrel Scott, Tony Rice, The SteelDrivers, and Asleep at the Wheel to name a few. Their first album, The Sound of a Train, was released in 2010, just one year after starting their musical friendship. A few years later they unleashed their second album, F5, with their title track about how relationships can be tornados. In 2019, the Steelwind originals continued with their third album, Blue, which portrays and evokes a full range of emotions. The dynamic songwriting duo has written more tunes they plan on recording for a fourth album.
Henneberry grew up in Stillwater, OK and currently resides there with his wife,
Jacy, and children, Grace and Miles. Parks grew up in Duncan, OK and now resides in Oklahoma City with his wife Chelsea and daughter Phoebe. Family now fuels their inspiration and they still stay active playing shows and working on their original songs.“ Growing up an Okie I’ ve been lucky to have many musical influences such as Byron Berline. I love creating music in Oklahoma that is also bringing kind of a fresh sound to the Bluegrass genre,” Parks said. Come to the workshop, learn about their approach and be inspired to write your own song. The songwriters workshop is held Saturday October 11th from noon to 1:00 p. m. at the Cottonwood Creek Campground Stage. IBF
22 / OKLAHOMA’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2025