For an exciting evening of traditional bluegrass and Western swing music, join three time national fiddle champion Byron Berline and his band; Billy Perry, Thomas Trapp, Greg Burgess, Richard Sharp and Steve Short.
Berline's early career included playing fiddle with bluegrass legends such as Bill Monroe, Dillard and Clark and Country Gazette. After moving to Los Angeles in 1969, he soon became one of the most popular fiddlers in the music business. His long list of performing and recording credits includes The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, The Band, The Byrds, Elton John, Alabama, Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Rod Stewart, John Denver, Earl Scruggs, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette, Mason Williams, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and Vince Gill. He also has extensive television and movie sound track credits and has appeared in STAR TREK, BLAZE, BACK TO THE FUTURE III, and BASIC INSTINCT.
Berline has recorded seven solo albums including his highly acclaimed "FIDDLE & A SONG" with guest performances from Vince Gill, Mason Williams, Earl Scruggs and Bill Monroe. In 1996 the album was nominated for two Grammy awards, 'Best Album of the Year' and ' Best Song of the Year'.
In 1995 Byron returned to his home state of Oklahoma where he opened a Fiddle Shop in the town of Guthrie, for the purpose of "visiting, trading and jamming" with folks who enjoy their music. As a natural progression a band was formed to entertain regularly in the Music Hall above the Fiddle Shop. The Byron Berline Band found themselves in great demand around the state, as well as surrounding states, and have extended their music through Europe. Byron's band buddies include:
BANJO: Regarded as Oklahoma’s master of the banjo, Billy Perry has been instrumental in the music scene of this state since the age of 13 when he was performing at Springlake Amusement Park in OKC. Subsequent bands are the Bluegrass ReVue with his brother Mike, Billy and Bobby Clark, and Vince Gill, Mountain Smoke, Crossfire, and The Renegades, often fronting for national and internationally renowned groups. In addition to his banjo, Billy can often be seen playing his dobro and singing lead vocals.
GUITAR: Thomas Trapp grew up in the NE Oklahoma town of Tahlequah, his childhood was full of all things outdoors, and, since his dad and grandfather are bluegrass style guitarists, MUSIC! Thomas went to festivals and contests with them, and by a natural progression, found himself with a guitar in his hands as well. By the age of 15 he was fully immersed in flatpicking and spent countless hours playing along with old records and tapes. A few of his biggest influences were Mark O’Connor, Tony Rice, David Grier, Dan Crary and Byron Berline. In 2008 Thomas won the Oklahoma State Flatpicking Contest, as his dad had done some years earlier. Thomas graduated from NE St.University with a degree in Business Administration and currently live in Stillwater, Ok with fiancé Kim, and our beautiful daughter, Josephine. Thomas feels blessed to be a part of so much local Oklahoma music and its iconic Red Dirt style. Many of our local Okla. Artists have helped provide him with an opportunity to hone his skills and share his craft, and now playing with Byron Berline makes a complete full circle in music for Thomas. He learned from him and now he plays for him, and for that he feels grateful beyond measure.
FIDDLE/GUITAR: Greg Burgess has been playing g guitar and fiddle for over 30 years. Starting as a child, Greg had a lot of support and instruction from family and friends. Over the years, associations with fiddlers like Clark Forshee, Amos Hedrick, Ace Sewell, Russell O'Neal, Herman Johnson, Dick Barrett, Orville Burns, Merle David and, of course, Byron Berline, helped form Greg's fiddling style. Greg has won the Oklahoma state Fiddle Championship numerous times, and has been ranked in the top 10 at a number of national level fiddle contests. Greg has recorded and/or shared the stage with a number of musical greats including Hank Thompson, Leon Raush, Jody Miller, Mel Tillis, Moe Bandy, Billy Walker, Wanda Jackson, Becky Hobbs, Red Stegall, Suzy Bogguss, Asleep at the Wheel and many others. Greg has also been included in the Folk Life section of the Oklahoma History Center. Greg lives in Guthrie, OK and considers it a privilege and an honor to play twin fiddles and guitar with Byron Berline and his band.
BASS: Richard Sharp is at home on the left-handed upright and electric bass. Richard has stayed busy with more recording sessions than can be listed. He grew up listening to all kinds of music from Hank Williams to Bill Monroe and The Beatles, and has toured with Oklahoma's own Harlow Wilcox, recording on his Grammy nominated album Groovy Grubworm. He has shared the stage with Hank Thompson, Texas Playboys, Chris Hillman, Vince Gill, Alan Munde, John Anderson, Boxcar Willie, Wanda Jackson, Colin Raye, Les Gilliam as well as entertaining Oklahoma Governors George Nigh and Frank Keating. Richard's showmanship and vocal contributions to the band bring a nice variety.
DRUMS: Steve Short began playing drums with his parents' family band at a very early age. Since those early days he has recorded and played with every big name imaginable, including three years with Reba McIntyre. Steve is an accomplished recording and sound engineer, and produces the Byron Berline Band's album projects. He is undoubtedly the most popular recording drummer in the area.