Oklahoma’s International BlueGrass Festival #25 by Jill Hunt

PHOTO by GABRIEL SAWYER

Oklahoma’s International BlueGrass Festival #25

by JILL HUNT

Guthrie, Okla.- Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper is one of four groups headlining Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival this upcoming October in Guthrie. The festival celebrates its 25th Anniversary this Fall with over 20 bands playing throughout the three-day event. OIBF has been bringing great bluegrass, traditional, western swing, Americana and other music to Guthrie since 1997.

Joining the starting line-up are Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen, The Kruger Brothers and The Grascals. All four groups will take turns closing out the Byron Berline Stage during the evening performances scheduled for October 6, 7 and 8.

“We’ve been able to secure top notch bluegrass musicians again this year. We’re very fortunate to have artists like Michael Cleveland and Frank Solivan, who will not disappoint,” Kenny Parks, OIBF board member, said.

Cleveland began fiddling at age 4 and quickly progressed. He was invited to play with the legendary bluegrass artist Bill Monroe at the ripe old age of 9. He played the Grand Ole Opry as a guest of Alison Kraus and was picked for the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Bluegrass Youth Allstars before he was 14. He has performed with Vince Gill, Tim O’Brien and The Kruger Brothers to name a few. He has been awarded Fiddle Player of the Year 12 times by IBMA and won a Grammy in 2020.

Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen’s last two albums have both received a Grammy nomination for Best Bluegrass Album. They have been named Instrumental Group of the Year twice by IBMA and have earned other nominations including Male Vocalist of the Year, Mandolin Player of the Year and Banjo Player of the Year.

The Kruger Brothers are returning to OIBF representing the international flavor the festival is based on. Jens and Uwe Kruger were born and raised in Europe. Both were influenced at a young age by their musical family. CBS Records signed them when Jens was just 17. The duo was joined by Joel Landsberg in 1995 and they’ve been playing together since. They moved to America in

MICHAEL CLEVELAND and FLAMEKEEPER FRANK SOLIVAN and DIRTY KITCHEN

2002 and are based in Wilkesboro, NC.

The Grascals rounds out the headliners. Their unique sound has earned them three Grammy nominations and two Entertainer of the Year awards from IBMA. They have appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and been featured on the Grand Ole Opry over 200 times. In addition, they performed twice for President George W. Bush and at President Obama’s inaugural ball.

While the headliners are sure to please music lovers, an additional 19 groups with impressive stats of their own will bring Cottonwood Creek Flats to life. This was the dream of the late Byron Berline who was the brainchild of the festival. Berline was a three-time national fiddle champion and the president of OIBF until his death in 2021. A complete listing of artists is available at oibf.com.

“Byron started this festival as a way to expand the bluegrass music genre. He wanted to inspire and help young musicians. We always keep that top-of-mind. It’s inspiring to see young talent budding. Just take a walk through the campground and you’ll hear pickers from all walks of life, all ages, all playing music together,” Parks said.

Festival goers can participate on stage during Jim Paul Blair’s Random Band Jam as well as performing on the Cottonwood Creek Stage in the campground. The Cottonwood Creek Stage gives amateurs the opportunity to perform before a live audience throughout the festival by signing up for a slot on the open mic stage.

Youth band and instrument contests are held on stage in the Youth Tent on Saturday. Contestants can sign up Saturday morning with cash prizes for the winners. Both band and instrument contestants must be 18 years of age and younger.

Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival provides music scholarships for young musicians. The scholarship program awards nearly $10,000 each year to a number of students who demonstrate budding talent on acoustic stringed instruments. For more information or to apply for a scholarship, go to oibf.com.

As with any outdoor music event, attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. Camping is available within easy walking distance to the festival stage. The campground has 300 electric and water hook ups for RVs and plenty of room for tent camping. Specific camping locations within the grounds are first come, first serve. The campground opens at noon on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Tickets are available online at oibf.com or may be purchased at the gate. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult. OIBF is a non-profit organization and is possible with the assistance of the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.