Tom Pevear
ROOTS REVIVALIST WITH A FINGER ON THE PULSE OF TRADITION by GEOFFREY COLE
Tom Pevear is a Tulsa-based guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose music reaches deep into the well of American roots. Originally from Boston, he brings a reverent but fresh approach to blues, folk, gospel, and early country. To Pevear, these aren’ t just old songs— they’ re living, breathing things. Passed from musician to musician, each version leaves a fingerprint, and Pevear continues that lineage with his own voice and vision.
Released in September 2023, Pevear’ s debut EP is a six-song collection of some of his most beloved live staples. Each track pays homage to the many versions that came before while offering something distinctly his.“ I’ m always listening to music,” Pevear says.“ And when I hear a song I might want to learn, it’ s like the hair on my neck stands up. I have to grab my guitar and work it out. I’ ll listen to every version I can find, add my own influence, and just see where I end up.”
Pevear’ s performances pull from a wide spectrum of American music history. His sets often include reinterpretations of songs by Ray Charles, Mose Allison, Rev. Gary Davis, and The Delmore Brothers, among others.
A familiar face on Tulsa’ s music scene, Pevear plays over 150 shows a year, including residencies at local institutions like The Colony and Mercury Lounge. He’ s opened for acts such as John Fullbright, Matt Tedder, and Kind Hearted Strangers, and toured through venues from Fort Worth’ s Magnolia Motor Lounge to Denver’ s Larimer Lounge.
Whether he’ s fingerpicking an old gospel tune or delivering an original with quiet intensity, Tom Pevear plays with heart, history, and a deep respect for the music’ s journey— always adding his own chapter to the story.
IBF
Barry " Bones " Patton
Barry“ Bones” Patton is not just celebrating 28 incredible years of playing the bones at this year’ s festival; he’ s honoring a lifelong love affair that began in the tender days of his childhood. Growing up in the quaint town of
Winfield, KS, Barry was just five years old when fate intervened. It was at a Kansas Bluegrass festival in the 1960s that he first encountered the captivating sound of the bones, emanating from the masterful hands of Cecil Hiatt— the Grandmaster of the Bones herself. Alongside legends like Lue and Byron Berline, Cecil ignited a fire in Barry’ s heart that would burn ever brighter through the decades.
During a different festival, grandpa Lue inadvertently slammed young Barry’ s fingers into a car door. Overcome with remorse, his grandfather handed him his first set of oak bones, along with a heartfelt lesson, hoping to mend the pain of his damaged digits. Little did he realize, this moment would ignite a passion in Barry that would lead him on an incredible journey of playing bones on the international stage for years to come.
As one of the few two-fisted bone rattlers, Barry has passionately shared his extraordinary talents across the globe, dazzling audiences with his bone-playing skills that blend unfathomable speed with razor-sharp precision. His remarkable abilities were showcased on the HBO series Deadwood, where he had the privilege of performing with the Byron Berline Band. Additionally, he graced a 10-city International Tour and had the honor of being the opening act for some of Amy Grant’ s performances in Texas.
As a festival regular, Barry has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with countless performers over the years. Fans light up with joy whenever Barry takes the spotlight, whether it’ s for his own electrifying performance or when he joins in on another act. The heartbeat of his talents lingers in the air, resonating with the audience long after he steps off stage. IBF
OKLAHOMA’ S INTERNATIONAL BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2025 / 9