Random Band Jam at the 2023 Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival – photo © Pamm Tucker
The second weekend of October arrived, and with it annual Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival. With an interview already scheduled with Jana Jae, and Bones Patton, I was hoping to bend Bette Berline, Sue Hickman, and others’ ears as well to cover my bluegrass fix for the rest of the year.
The line-up at this festival covered everything from bluegrass to western swing.
Normally, the festival can be a little wet, and has been known to be chilly, but this year the weather favored the attendees. I will admit a sweatshirt was worn before noon and again after dark, but all in all, the weather was perfect.
Cottonwood Flats is an ideal site for a festival, with a nice open field with a lot of grass, room to spread out, three areas to catch live performances, and live jamming in the campground. This is a really beautiful park. The three stages (Byron Berline Stage, Youth Tent, Cottonwood Creek Stage) are far enough apart for no distractions to bleed in from the others. I spent over an hour visiting with Bette and Becca Berline, and Sue Hickman, catching up on memories of the great Byron, and John Hickman.
A very important part of any festival to me is the food, and the restrooms. OIBF had the food covered, with most anything you might want. Porta potties were set up, or if you are up for a small walk over to the Youth Tent, there are indoor toilets and running water. But, of course, the music was my primary focal point.
Here is the line-up for each day:
Thursday:
- The Red Dirt Rangers
- Cowboy Jim Garling
- Bret Graham
- Bob Wiles & Cowboy Jones
- The Bonhams
- Trapp, Mullenax and Moore
- John Fulbright
- Random Band Jam (fan and artist favorite)
- The Red Dirt Rangers
- Cynthia Ridge
Friday:
- Cowboy Jim Garling
- Bret Graham
- Good Friends Bluegrass Band
- Matt Axton
- Szabadsag
- The Fretliners
- Jana Jae
- Oklahoma Swing
- John Moore, Rick Farris, & Stuart Duncan
- John Jorgenson Bluegrass
- Bluegrass Experience
- Russell Clan
- Pearl & Grace
Saturday:
- Midnight Hollow
- Beppe Gambetta
- Hunt Brothers Band
- Trapp, Mullenax & Moore
- The Fretliners
- John Moore, Rick Farris & Stuart Duncan
- The Travelin’ McCourys
The festival was well organized and ran smoothly throughout. With over 400 volunteers, there was someone to help you everywhere you turned. Over time we have seen changes to the format and the lineups, and this plays true to OIBF. If I were to give this event a rating in 2023, I would give it an 8.
If you haven’t been to Guthrie, OK in October, then you may want to make this one of your festival stops.
