OIBF 2008 11 Nov 2008 This had to be the best year for weather ever! WE were blessed to have such nice warm weather - a little windy on Sat, but over all just beautiful. I've heard many folks say this was our best festival to date. Once again we had a good variety of artists from all over the planet. Our first Irish group David Munnelly & his fine band got everyone's toes tapping with their traditional Irish sound. Red Wine, from Italy showed us that Bluegrass music can be played from their country. It shows just how this music has spread and I know Bill Monroe would be proud.
We had a few new groups this year - The Gibson Brothers first appearance didn't disapoint anyone. THese guys are a delight to work with and everyone really enjoyed them.
Frenchie Burke, first time performer, got the attention of the audience right away. Frenchie is a great performer and knows how to get a crowed involved. The Bron Berline Band had a great time backing him up on his Cajun tunes and older country songs.
Claire Lynch's Band was as good as ever. Great players and her singing seems to be everyone's favorite.
California Reunion is always a crowd favorite. Dan Crary, Steve Spurgin, John Moore, John Hickman and myself always have a good time getting together.
Mason Williams was gracious enough to come and perform with the Byron Berline Band. His humor is appreciated especially his "them Poems" and other songs he has penned. His hit Classical Gas made everyone say "Oh Yes, I remember that". Thanks again Mason.
John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band did a great job performing as a single. I've known John a long time and he had a good time as did the audience.
Edgar Cruz was another 1st time performer here at OIBF. Edgar always entertains and plays great as he does all over the state of Ok & the around the world.
Speaking of Oklahoma I think we have some of the finest bluegrass groups anywhere from the Red Dirt Rangers, High Ground, Cedar Ridge, Brigade, Neverly Hillbillies and Jim Garling who sang some Cowboy songs for us.
The auction was a big success thanks to all the merchandisers and bidders. The scholarships we give to the youth was evident this year. The Hunts and Rockin Acoustic Circus who were booked on the festival and these kids were outstanding. Several of the scholarship winners were on hand to perform a tune or two on the main stage.
The Children's tent had several young people from around the area schools - much fun was had by all.
The Campground seems to get bigger every year and the Campground stage is a big hit. It's great to see all the Jammers out in the Campground having a good time.
I want to thank all the Volunteers, including the OIBF board members & many folks who give their time to make this festival work. Hope to see you next year the 1st weekend of Oct.
2008 OIBF Photos04 Oct 2008 Don has photos from Thur & Fri online - you can view them here !
2007 Photos28 Oct 2007 Don Shorock has already posted his photos for OIBF 2006. To view the photos Click Here He also added some videos this year. Thank you Don!
2007 SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION07 Apr 2007 The 2007 Scholarship application deadline is May 1st, 2007. For application and additional information click on the Scholarship Link
OIBF 200627 Oct 2006 What a wonderfully perfect weekend for our 10th Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival! The weather was the best we’ve seen in all our past years, and the lineup of talent and attending crowds were superb. If you missed us this year, I am truly sorry for you.
Beginning on Thursday with mostly our Oklahoma talent, we had a great day of excellent music. It is wonderful the talent we have right here in Oklahoma. Thanks to High Ground, Cedar Ridge, Neverly Hillbillies, Common Tyme, Brigade and III Generation for their continued interest and support of the festival.
Friday was a super day ending with a “swinging” evening. John Jorgenson and his band were unbelievable, and they were followed by an amazing set from Asleep at the Wheel. You could feel the excitement and joy the audience had.
I felt the variety of music we had this year was really very good: Scottish fiddling with Alisdair Frasier and Natalie Hass on cello, Canadian April Verch’s energetic fiddling and dancing, Blue Railroad Train’s French bluegrass, and of course the ever-popular Kruger Brothers from Switzerland.
All of my California friends --- Dan Crary, John Moore and Steve Spurgin --- were here again and everyone seemed to enjoy our reunion set.
I thought Claire Lynch and the Rhonda Vincent bands were both top notch; and I want to thank everyone involved, from the Children’s Tent workers and entertainers to the scholarship winners, and especially all those who contributed to our auction. I know next year’s scholarship winners will be most grateful.
I hope you will be able to attend OIBF next year --- Oct. 4 – 6, 2007. Get your tickets early, as we promise another great festival
2006 Photos04 Oct 2006 Don Shorock has already posted his photos for OIBF 2006. To view the photos Click Here
REVIEW OF '05 --- PREVIEW OF '06 FROM BYRON 17 Nov 2005 I hope everyone had a good time at the festival this year; I know our performers had a good time. David Bromberg's set was cut short because of a thunderstorm, but overall we were very pleased with how smoothly things went. Suzy Bogguss was a big hit --- with her charm and talent you can't go wrong. I enjoyed playing triple fiddles with Bobby Hicks and Greg Burgess on Suzy's show. The fiddle workshop was a lot of fun with Fletcher Bright, Bobby Hicks, Billy Joe Foster, Greg Burgess, Jeff Wisor and me. Our International musicians were very well received, as usual. Over all we felt it was another successful festival. Thanks to all of you who volunteered and supported the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival.
OIBF #10 October 5 - 7, 2006 I am really looking forward to our tenth festival; but it is hard to believe this will be number 10! I think this will be a very special festival. More great artists and old acquaintances of mine will be on stage for us. If you can plan this far ahead, it is a good idea to get your Early Bird tickets --- you'll save a bunch. Go to Click and Print or send your payment to: P. O. Box 1585, Guthrie, Ok. 73044. This tenth one is going to be really special --- you won't want to miss it!
OIBF 2005 Photos 30 Sep 2005 Don Shorock has provided a way to see his photos already. Find them on our photos page.
OIBF Voted Best Bluegrass Festival06 Jan 2005 The readers of "Oklahom Living" has voted OIBF the best bluegrass Festival in Oklahoma.
Kenny Davis' Photos Now Online28 Dec 2004 More photos from the 2004 festival are now available. Click Here to view the photos.
Kenny Davis' Photos Now Online28 Dec 2004 More photos from the 2004 festival are now available. Click Here
Photos Online19 Oct 2004 Don Shorock's photos of the 2004 festival are now linked from the photo page. Thanks again Don!
Thanks for a Great 2004 Festival!10 Oct 2004 We want to thank everyone for making the 2004 Festival such a great time! We will have photo updates on the site shortly & look forward to seeing you all Sept. 29, 30 & Oct. 1, 2005.
Artist Change18 Mar 2004 Due to schedule confilicts New West will not be at the festival. Tommy Emmanuel will only be at the festival Thursday and Friday.
2004 Artists Announced09 Feb 2004 We have updated our Line up for 2004. The schedule will be updated shortly for the upcoming 2004 festival. Please take advantage of the Early Bird Ticket special that is good through April 15th.
More Photos from OIBF 200309 Dec 2003 Jim Dirden now has his photos online. click here to view photos
OIBF 2003 Photos Available19 Oct 2003 Thanks to Don Shorock we have some photos from OIBF 2003 already online. click here to view photos
OIBF.Com new site design12 Sep 2003 We have just launched our new site design. Please take a look around and make sure to register on our new message board located here
Bluegrass Volunteers Rule!11 Sep 2003 The 2002 Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival was a raving success, mostly because of the WONDERFUL volunteers. It was great. Everywhere one looked around the festival, a volunteer could be seen hard at work.
Volunteers were at the stage venues, food area, campground, selling and exchanging wristband tickets, driving entertainers from hotel to performing areas, giving information, moving, carrying, counting and keeping the Festival on track.
Without our terrific volunteers we could never put on this festival. Each of our volunteers deserve a big round of thanks for all the hard work they put in each year to make OIBF the success that it is. We would like to thank all the volunteers for all of there efforts in creating a great festival.
