Darin and Brooke’s Benefit Concert is the ‘Talk of the Town’
By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network
CHERRYVILLE, NC (WNN) – Cherryville’s favorite bluegrass duo is pausing their album promotion to give back to the community. Darin and Brooke Aldridge will perform alongside Jimmy Fortune and Josh Daniel in a benefit concert for the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
The Aldridges have hosted this event many times in the past, but canceled their 2020 show due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit concert is back after a four-year hiatus.
Darin and Brooke Aldridge are bluegrass musicians from North Carolina. Darin grew up in Cherryville and Brooke is an Avery County native. The pair bonded over their love of music and religion.
“We met in church and a friend of hers invited me to come up and play with her band. First time I heard her sing I was blown away,” said Darin.
They instantly had a lot in common. Darin’s family hails from Avery County and the two nearly crossed paths several times before meeting.
“Our families would always see us at different times, of course until we finally got to meet up sometime, and they’d say, you need to meet Brooke or you need to meet [Darin],” said Brooke.
Darin and Brooke Aldridge took their similarities and turned them into music. Their music features a mix of several genres, including bluegrass, gospel and Americana.
Listeners can hear their influences in their music. For example, the classic bluegrass sound reflects their Appalachian heritage and the gospel elements honor their religion.
Darin and Brooke Aldridge’s most recent album, “Talk of the Town”, reflects these influences.
“We decided to really do that this time and not be bound down to one thing. Just be us,” said Brooke.
“Talk of the Town” came out on April 19, 2024. It features a mix of original songs and covers the couple resonates with. One song, “A Million Memories,” is particularly special to them.
“A Million Memories” was written by Vince Gill about a beloved mentor of his who passed away. Darin and Brooke Aldridge first heard the song when Gill performed it at the Grand Ole Opry. Shortly after, the couple started compiling songs for their album.
Gill sent the couple a few contending songs for the album, including ‘A Million Memories.”
“I called him up and I said, Man, did you mean to send me that, or was that a mistake? You know, cause it’s such a personal song for him,” Darin said, He said, “No, I think you’d sing that very good.”
The song spoke to Darin and Brooke Aldridge, who have also experienced loss within the industry. They agreed to record the song but extended an invitation to Gill to sing it with them as a tribute to his mentor. “A Million Memories (A Song for Byron) (feat. Vince Gill)” is the twelfth and final track on the album.
Darin and Brooke Aldridge are proud of this album. They have broken many career milestones since its debut. Specifically, it appeared at number one on the Billboard bluegrass charts. They also achieved two million streams on one of their singles.
“We’re always honored to be recognized for doing what we love,” said Darin.
The couple is sure to play some songs off their new album at the Benefit Concert. The event is scheduled for May 25, 2024, at the Woodmill Winery in Vale, N.C. It begins at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 9:00 p.m.
Tickets are $25 online in advance and $30 at the show. Kids under 12 can attend for free.
Darin is a proud Shriner, inspiring the charity behind this event. Shriners are a high classification of FreeMason. Both organizations are service-based fraternal organizations.
Shriners Hospitals for Children are hospitals that are funded by different Shriners chapters across the United States. These hospitals provide families with accessible and affordable medical care.
Over the several years Darin and Brooke hosted this event, they have raised at least $100,000 to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
“We’re looking to add to that this year,” said Darin with a smile.
The concert will feature good music and it benefits a good cause. Darin and Brooke Aldridge spoke highly of the musicians that will accompany them in this event.
Charlotte native Josh Daniel gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic by performing daily music livestreams. He is a solo artist known for his ability to play a variety of genres. He will perform first, with Darin and Brooke Aldridge following him.
Jimmy Fortune is a Country Music Hall of Fame artist. He sang with the Statler Brothers for over 20 years before he retired in the 2000s. He still makes music and collaborates with musicians from all over the country.
Fortune also has a personal connection to the cause. His son was diagnosed with spina bifida when Fortune was still a young father. A Shriner heard their story and extended a helping hand. Now he wants to repay the gratitude. Fortune will perform with Darin and Brooke Aldridge.
The future is bright for the Aldridges as they continue to pursue careers in the music industry. They have already met several career goals, like performing at the Grand Ole Opry numerous times. However, they see room for growth and plan to reach even greater heights.
“We get to play the Opry quite often, which we’re very grateful for and hope that that call always continues to come in and maybe get to be a member one day. But we would love to play Red Rocks Amphitheater and some of the bigger festivals out in California … Maybe winning a Grammy at some point,†listed Brooke, referencing their dreams.
Darin and Brooke Aldridge are touring with shows across the country. They also have dates scheduled in Canada for the Blueberry Music Festival.
As they advance in their careers, Darin and Brooke Aldridge stay true to their roots. Whether it is through their music or their charitable causes, they are authentically themselves. With unmoving conviction and a dedication to their art, they will continue to inspire their fans.
Interested in attending? Buy tickets for $25 dollars by clicking the link below!
Address for Woodmill Winery: 1350 Woodmill Winery Lane, Vale, NC
Bring blanket or chairs to sit on!
For more video news stories visit YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wisenewsnetwork
For more articles and news stories visit: https://wisenewsnetwork.com
Contact us at: [email protected]
Copyright 2024 Wise News Network. All rights reserved.