ODD PAGE Colby Free Press – Bluegrass Festival – Monday, July 11, 2011 – Page 5 Husband and wife to play sweet music here By Christina Beringer Carolina, are known as the “Sweethearts of in August of last year. Crying in the Chapel, which received a nomi- Colby Free Press Bluegrass.” Their style is a mix of secular and The second and most recent album from the nation for gospel event of the year from the [email protected] gospel material that range from country duets Aldridge couple is self-titled and expected for International Association; to toe-tapping up-tempo pieces. release by early August. It showcases songs and Songs of the American Spirit, which won New to Colby’s annual Pickin’ on the Plains Their first album, “I’ll Go With You,” about their faith in God and love for one an- best bluegrass album of the year in 2005 from festival is a young husband and wife duo who brought national attention to the couple. It other. the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass are quickly rising in the bluegrass and gospel reached number five on the top 10 bluegrass “We promise that there won’t be any kill- Music of America. arena. albums on the bluegrass and roots music ing, cheating or cussing in any of the songs,” Darin’s personal repertoire includes a solo Darin and Brooke Aldridge, from North charts and also topped the Sirius-XM playlist Darin joked. “We prefer to live on the sunny album, “Call It A Day,” and four nominations side of the street and sing songs about love for player of the year. He teaches and our faith.” music at Gaston County School of the Arts in The three featured artists on the new album Gastonia, N.C. Showing off the goods from Mountain Home Label by Crossroads Brooke also shares with students as a pre- Music include legend and hall school teacher. She earned a degree from Ap- of fame member Tom T. Hall and his wife Di- palachian State University in Boone, N.C., in xie. early childhood education. The Halls join the Aldridges in a song writ- She began singing in and winning contests ten by Hall that will “bring a smile to your as a teenager and competed in the Nashville face as you listen and allow yourself to think Star regional competition in 2004 where she about your own little world,” Brooke said. finished third out of more than a hundred. Darin has gravitated to music since he was Her first solo album was recorded with six years old when he began playing the piano Pinecastle Records in 2007. It showcases her and drums. He learned how to play the vocal talent with words of faith and personal when he joined his first band, Straight and commitment. Narrow, and then moved to the mandolin. Touring with the couple are Rachel Renee He has also performed jazz and folk rock Johnson from Bristol, Tenn., who plays with Acoustic Syndicate on the east coast, and ; banjo player, Chris Bryant, from Blue Highway, , Blueridge and Wilkes County, N.C.; and Dwayne Anderson, with County Gentlemen for seven years un- the group’s upright bassist who is currently til 2004. Darin was involved with three of the attending East State University. Country Gentlemen’s top albums, including New Kansas youth band to make festival debut

By Tomi Miller “The kids are doing great!” Johnson said. Colby Free Press “They are so dedicated; they want to learn,” [email protected] The Treblemakers meet at least once a week for a minimum of three hours’ practice. Dur- The Treblemakers, a youth band sponsored ing this time, the group learns new song ar- by the non-profit Kansas Bluegrass Associa- rangements and vocal harmony structure. Not tion, will be making its first appearance on the only do they work on the musical aspect of Pickin’ on the Plains stage at 6:45 p.m. Friday bluegrass, but they are also taught stage pres- ANDY HEINTZ/Colby Free Press and again at 2:50 p.m. Saturday. ence and other factors that will make them Pickin’ on the Plains draws some colorful characters from all around the country, The band members are just taking off in a successful band. This instruction is in ad- such as this concert-goer, who showed off his custom-carved instrument at the their careers. The group of youngsters became dition to weekly private lessons each band jam session before the 2010 show. a band in April of 2010 when the association’s member receives from their individual instru- board of directors decided to get the youth ment teachers. more involved with bluegrass. However, “They do anything I tell them,” Johnson don’t let their short amount of stage experi- said. “They are always to practice on time and ence fool you. The group is an up and coming we recently put in a seven-hour practice.” band that has made a lot of progress in a short The band members include 13-year-old Come join us at the Bluegrass Festival! amount of time. Ashton Burel, fiddle player from Derby; After the association held auditions, it ap- 12-year-old Dawson Tarrant, guitar player pointed Bill and Beverly Hammers to make from Conway Springs; 20-year-old Ben Guilt- See us for all your insurance needs: the final selection. After the auditions were ner, mandolin and fiddle player from Clear- over and the group was set, many hours of water; and 20-year-old Nick Johnson, banjo • Auto • Home • Life • Crop practice began. player from Cassoday. Every member of the After a few months, the Hammers realized band sings both lead and harmony vocals. • Health • Liability • Business • Bonds the group needed more experienced instruc- Johnson also plays bass and sings. tion. To keep growing, they needed to be The enthusiasm and talent of the band con- 990 S. Range • 462-6779 guided by a teacher who was more than fa- tinues to win fans over. The group has recent- Serving the community since 1924. miliar with bluegrass music. Mark Johnson, ly had the opportunity to play at the Wichita an El Dorado banjo player for the former River Festival on the main stage. They have Darvin Strutt, CIC Bennett Brothers band, was selected for the even opened for Driven, who are also playing task. Johnson started coaching the group in at Pickin’ on the Plains, and the Grascals, a Stanley Edmundson, LUTCF October. national act.