Darin and Brooke Aldridge

Big things are in store for one of the fastest rising groups in Bluegrass, Darin and Brooke Aldridge. This rising duo of young newlyweds sings and plays a rich combination of bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and country duets. Their rich harmonies are supported by a first rate band, with Chris Bryant, Eddie Biggerstaff, and Perry Woodie.

Darin Aldridge started playing music in public at six years old. He began with piano and drums, adding band instruments in his school years, before discovering his aptitude towards stringed instruments. He learned to play banjo in otder to join his first band, Straight and Narrow, but was encouraged to switch to mandolin after showing abilities on that instrument while teaching someone else to play. 

Since then, teaching has been one of his consistent activities. He now teaches in his studio in Cherryville, NC, and the Gaston County School of the Arts in Gastonia. He first played with Eddie Biggerstaff in a local group called Carolina Crossfire. The next band he joined, Acoustic Syndicate, played a range of jazz, blues, and folk rock, touring across the east coast. After work with several other bands, Darin joined the Country Gentlemen. He toured with them for seven years, until Charlie Waller’s sad passing in 2004. The Country Gentlemen were asked to be part of the 2005 Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. After Waller's passing, he joined a group of Country Gentlemen alumni who formed The Circuit Riders; they performed together from 2005-2009. Darin has been nominated for the SPBGMA mandolin player of the year award four times. He is a talented studio musician and a songwriter who contributes original material for the band and recordings.  This broad experience has prepared him with the range of excellence needed to front a group ready to break out as a major force in bluegrass and gospel music.

Brooke Justice Aldridge grew up in the mountains of Avery County, NC, a few miles away from the Blue Ridge Parkway. Her voice carries the lilt of the mountains, and has the maturity of a singer with experience far beyond her 25 years. Despite winning many competitions, Brooke never really knew how much she loved to sing until her teen years. After success in countless competitions, she ventured out to compete in the regionals of the Nashville Star competition in Columbus, Georgia, where she finished third out of more than one hundred hopefuls. Brooke's deep faith and powerful voice shine through with every note she sings.

In 2010, they released their first project on Crossroads' Mountain Home Music label. The self-titled project was co-produced by Jerry Salley and was mastered by Van Atkins at Crossroads. Darin comments on the new release, “Brooke and I are very excited about working with the folks at Mountain Home, who we feel are a perfect match for us. We are especially thrilled with the new CD. The songs we chose reflect our diverse influences but we render them in our own unique style.  We want this album to appeal to traditional listeners but also cross over into other markets for folks in search of a fresh new sound.”

Audiences in every venue have been stunned by the conviction, commitment, and depth of their performances.  Presenting songs of faith in God and love of each other, their communication with their audiences and each other is extraordinary.