GUARANTEED TO MAKE OIBF STOMP AND HOLLER
HEADLINERS 2 0 2 5 O I B F P R O G R A M OKLAHOMA’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
The Fretliners
GUARANTEED TO MAKE OIBF STOMP AND HOLLER
by JOE MACK
I
t’ s one thing to have heard Oklahoma native Sam Parks grow up shredding the mandolin right before our very eyes, but to witness the success he and his bandmates in the Lyons, Colorado-based quartet The Fretliners have earned in a relatively short amount of time is flabbergasting.
Parks and guitarist Tom Knowlton, and bassist Taylor Shuck are a genuine and powerful bluegrass quartet recognized for their songwriting and undeniable chemistry. The band started with a chance meeting in 2022.
“ Our Bass player, Taylor Shuck, has a project called, Shuck Wagon, where he books a gig and then finds who is available and looking for work the week of the gig. He hired us all 4 in the spring of 2022 for a gig in Fort Collins,” Sam Parks, said.
Just a year later, in 2023, they won both band competitions at Telluride Bluegrass and Rockygrass Festivals— a monumental feat that had only been accomplished on no more than two occasions.
“ It’ s safe to say I grew up attending OIBF. I came to the first one, and every year after that until somewhere around 2011 or 2012. I’ ve had to miss some years on and off due to other gigging obligations,” Parks said.
“ One of my favorite memories with Byron Beline was around 2002, when he came down to the campground and popped into what we call the‘ Harmony Tent’ which is an army green canvas pickin’ tent. He bopped in with his big smile and his fiddle. I was about 16 years old, and I’ ll never forget the excitement that ensued from everyone who was already in there pickin’. He got his fiddle out and played a few fiddle tunes with us late in the evening. His smile never went away. He had a glowing presence
that I’ ll never forget,” Parks added. The Fretliners will again deliver two distinctive sets in Guthrie.“ We’ re not a cover band. We have a completely unique sound due to the originality of our music. Our vocal phrasing, harmonies, riffs and arrangements are all parts of the compositions that we get to decide on as we craft a song. We often play sets of completely original music. I think that’ s what really sets us apart and has attributed to our success,” Parks said.
Knowlton’ s vocal sets the tone with a high holler, giving way to Parks to solo and soar.
Great songs, excellent musicianship, and not much need for special effects; The Fretliners keep it simple and beautiful, and make it look easy.
It’ s also fun to get to play with your friends and heroes like Sam Bush, Leftover Salmon, and recently a banjo player by the name Bela Fleck who joined The Fretliners on the main stage at Rockygrass.
“ We recently had Sam Bush sit in with us at the Boulder Theater. That was quite the highlight for me! After all, I’ m named after him! So, to have finally shared the stage with him was really special for me. We’ ve had some sit-ins recently.
Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show hopped up on stage with his harmonica at the Station Inn in Nashville. Kyle Tuttle of Golden Highway has sat in quite a few times. Corey Walker of East Nash Grass. It’ s been really fun,” Parks said.
“ We have lots of new material ready to record and we can’ t wait for that. We’ re just solidifying all the details with how to do it. Labels, studio, timing, etc."
IBF
OKLAHOMA’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2025 / 5