Darin and Brooke Aldridge’s new CD was expected right after the first of the year. It came in ahead of deadline. I have it on good authority that CrossRoads music just released it.
If you love good music don’t miss these kids. Don’t just take old Doc’s word for it; ask the Nashville crowd. They are in the business and want to find all the best new music. When I was in Nashville I went to Darin and Brooke’s IBMA Showcase. Eddie Stubbs was impressed enough to put them on a live feed to WSM (Grand Ole Opry) radio. I figure he knows a little about it.
I invited my Lit agent to that event because I wanted him to see first hand what all the fuss was about. When he first got involved with me, he knew nothing about this kind of music. He found their vocals and instrumentation spectacular, and took in every one of their shows. When a newcomer stays up to catch the last one at 2:30 in the morning it has to be good. While new to our music, he’s been in the talent search business a long time. He took notes of who was who all day. At the last session, he turned to me and said, “Doc, I notice all the movers and shakers are still here.” He was right.
While their music is based in a traditional style it is also new and different. They sound a bit like the Everlys or the Louvins except one voice is female and one is male. You’ll feel like you’ve never heard anything quite like them and yet feel you’ve heard them all your life.
They now have a booking agent, Andrea Roberts Agency out of Nashville, and have begun to secure gigs on the national circuit for 2010. North Carolina will always be home though, so I want to tell you about their upcoming show. Remember; you heard it here first. (okay, maybe 2nd; they have released the date on their website.)
The CD release party and North Carolina debut for the project will be at the Don Gibson theatre in Shelby, N.C. on Friday night January 22, 2010. Shelby is the home of Don Gibson. It is also the home of Earl Scruggs. The Gibson Theatre is brand new, but has all the earmarks of a potential historic venue.
I believe this will prove to be a historic show. After all, Earl Scruggs and Don Gibson are both Shelby natives. Darin grew up right down the road from Shelby in Cherryville, and Brooke is also a North Carolina native from Avery County. One would have to interpret that the folks from Shelby not only recognize the beauty of traditional based music, but also the value of booking homegrown talent when they break into the national scene. It’s no surprise to regional music insiders the Gibson theater was the chosen venue.
Still, I must tell you there are some folks who contend bluegrass based bands, regardless of how talented, will never have a mass commercial appeal. A lot rides on this show, not so much for Darin and Brooke, but for the North Carolina music scene. The people who love good music and also want to see it (and play) at bigger venues will want this to be a big success. Darin and Brooke are already booked up and down the east coast. The only question that remains is whether the folks in their back yard will understand what is about to happen and get out to support it. My bet is they will. One thing is certain. If we don’t, we’ll have no basis for complaint if the regional powers that be who book music acts decide later they won’t take a chance on our kind of music.
If you know this music I don’t have to convince you to go. If you don’t, give it a try. You will not regret it. This is not your father’s bluegrass. (although I love that t00) If you’re like me and love music but have grown weary of the canned ‘music’ that is put out nowadays with no other mission than to turn a profit, try this instead.
When the Dillards were an unknown Ozarks band (before you knew them as the Darling family on the Andy Griffith show) they decided to test the water and book a show at an area college. It was a big success, and gave them the confidence to strike out for California. I hope we will treat the Aldridges the same way. We need to support our own. If we do, when they get to California they won’t forget us, and they are headed that way.
I am certain they would want you to know 25% of proceeds for this show will go to local area ministries. For the Aldridges, like most bluegrass bands, the gospel is a big part of what they do. These folks don’t just sing the gospel, they do their best to live it.
Here’s how to get a ticket to the show or order their CD. The easiest way right now is to go their website. The link is here: www.darinandbrookealdridge.com. Tickets will also be available at Shelby Music Center. I’m certain they will announce other locations in the near future.
Harvey County is small town America, one of those places where the City Hall is in the back of the Dairy Queen. Even though small in numbers, we have our music ear to the ground in a big way. We hear what’s coming, and want to be a part of it. I’ll have a few tickets at my office. If I’ve ever visited your blog or e-mailed you then you’ll have my personal e-mail. Contact me if you can’t get a hold of a ticket. Johnny’s Jewelry and Pawn will have ’em too. Harvey County might not be big enough to host a show like this, but we’re progressive enough to see where this is headed.
I’ll see you there. Look for the gray-haired guy. Where there is good music in North Carolina Dr. Tommy Bibey is very likely a face somewhere in the crowd, ’cause no one loves it more.
Dr. B
Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 