Oklahoma Bluegrass Festival

Oklahoma Bluegrass Festival


(Guthrie) Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival has announced that Sam Bush will be headlining the 11th annual three-day festival Oct. 4, 5 and 6.

Bush, the legendary mandolin prodigy from Kentucky, has spent the last 35 years spearheading a New-Bluegrass super sound so-named NewGrass. The free-flowing groovy spawn of Bill Monroe’s Americana roots music moved from the picking parlors to the main stage when, in 1971, Bush formed the group New Grass Revival with, among others, John Cowan, Bela Fleck and Pat Flynn.

All the while Bush has continued to share the stage and studio as a contributing instrumentalist with world class musicians such as Garth Brooks, Ricky Skaggs, Doc Watson and Suzy Boggus. The renown of Sam Bush on the music scene stems from the tremendous skill and mind bending speed with which he lays out chops on his Gibson F-5 mandolin.

Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival, set in a pecan grove on the Cottonwood Creek, is within walking distance of historic downtown Guthrie, Oklahoma. The festival has been dubbed “The Best Bluegrass Festival in Oklahoma” by Oklahoma Living Magazine as well as “The Best Kept Secret in Oklahoma” by Travel Magazine. The American Motor-Coach Association named OIBF one of the “Top Events in North America.”

By continuing each year to showcase some of the finest pickers from Oklahoma, the nation and around the world, OIBF has enjoyed comfortable growth each year since 1997. Past performers include Willie Nelson, Emmie Lou Harris, Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs and Tommy Emmanuel.

As a 501(c )(3) non-profit organization, the primary goal of Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival is to support music scholarships and provide for musical education opportunities for youths .

“We are very proud of the impact our mission statement has made on Oklahoma,” said festival volunteer Kenny Parks. “Through the festival, we have been able to preserve and promote bluegrass music as well as ensure the future of the art by teaching it to our children.”

Festival proceeds, including a charity instrument auction, typically raise between $5,000 and $10,000 for youth music scholarships to fund bluegrass music classes, camps, or lessons.

Included in the 2007 performance line-up at Oklahoma’s International Bluegrass Festival are The John Jorgenson Quintet, Kenny and Amanda Smith, The Kruger Brothers of Switzerland, Beppe Gambetta of Italy, The Red Dirt Rangers and Hot Strings.

For a complete list of festival performers, ticket or camping information, and driving directions visit www.OIBF.com.