Darin and Brooke Aldridge at Fan Fest

This post is a contribution from Tom Bibey, one of our 2010 IBMA correspondents. You can see his profile here.

Fan Fest has more music than anyone can take in. I covered the Darin and Brooke Aldridge show for Bluegrass Today as my last assignment for the week.

The husband wife duo of Darin and Brooke, aptly dubbed “The Bluegrass Sweethearts” by Tom T. Hall, form the heart of the band. Earlier in the week I asked Mr. Hall what he found to be important in a new artist and he answered, “Identity.” Mr. Hall felt for an artist to be successful they must be unique; the kind of group that stands out as just a touch different.

In an era that sees more fine bands than ever, Darin and Brooke’s bluegrass-country-duet signature sound is unique and stands out as new, but still traditional. In addition, they have surrounded themselves with fine musicians who work hard to tweak the band’s delivery. For this group, it’s about the music and the overall band sound.

After the show all kinds of Nashville movers and shakers gathered around to shake and howdy. This is a band on the move and one that seems destined for an Emerging Artist of the Year nomination soon. (in 2010 they made it until the last round of five was selected) Young, energetic, talented, and motivated, their star has just begun to rise, and they see larger venues every year. A don’t miss band among the young emerging bluegrass artists.

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About the Author

John Lawless

John had served as primary author and editor for The Bluegrass Blog from its launch in 2006 until being folded into Bluegrass Today in September of 2011. He continues in that capacity here, managing a strong team of columnists and correspondents.