Buzzworthy Gathering Celebrates the Distinct Music and Outlaw Culture that Defines the Red Dirt Region
Written by Matt Corirossi
Legendary country artist Johnny Paycheck was once quoted as, “To me, an outlaw is a man that did things his own way, whether you liked him or not. I did things my own way.” This defiant expression acknowledges the truth that the concepts of individuality and popularity are frequently in opposition. Often, people focus on being likeable and included in every situation. The idea behind this concentration is that mixing with others will provide a desired advantage. However, there is a major fallacy in this line of thinking. It is practically impossible to receive a consensus on what everyone in a collective prefers. What one person responds to; another will avoid. More importantly, there will be people who will not respond to anything. The constant cycle of fixating on another leads to the individual losing themselves in the process. The person replaces their own distinct thoughts and behaviors with an observation of others. This results in ineffective results as it is impossible to please everyone. Instead of this option, the better plan is for the individual to be themselves in every circumstance. Society is drawn to people with a clear vision and a dedicated execution. The more unique a person is, the greater the attention gained, and the more likely others will react positively. The stronger the reaction, the bigger the advantage that an individual will gain in a wide variety of pursuits.
The Born & Raised Music Festival (BRMF) has dared to be different and forge a distinguishing spirit since its inception. To state that the festival has an outlaw ethos surrounding its presence would be an understatement as being bold and different is included in the event’s purpose. The BRMF describes its mission on its Facebook page as, “a weekend of music and camping for the outlaw in all of us.” This defined declaration was initiated as a reaction to the lineups created for competing large-scale events in the region and its detachment to the prevalent culture of those concert goers. The festivals that were being organized and funded near the Red River, a body of water that forms the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma, were being dominated by major Nashville-based acts with a country pop sound. The emphasis was on universal mass appeal over any attempt to reflect the local audience’s listening preferences. In addition, there was not a strong attempt to form a shared community experience while attending the festival. Regularly, concert attendees would have to figure out their overnight plans if they sought to watch the entire festival.
This status changed when live concert production company Pryor Creek Music Festival established the BRMF in 2021. The three-day four-stage festival showcases the best artists releasing music in the outlaw country, Americana, Red Dirt, Southern rock, and folk genres. Not included in the three-day total is the bonus kick-off barbecue the day before for the weekend. The artists selected aligns with the personal playlists of their listener base. The event has taken the stress out of securing accommodations during the festival by providing lodging options within the ticket packages. Concert spectators can purchase an overnight tent or RV camping. By setting up housing before the sets begin, an essence of cohesiveness is present throughout the festival. Dave Geincke, Founder & Vice President, General Manager of Pryor Creek Music Festivals summarized the festival’s atmosphere to publication MusicRow as, “There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being born and raised on the red dirt in this part of the country, and that’s exactly what our festival celebrates – the roots, the heritage, and the music that define us. So we invite you to come on over, kick up your boots and show the world what it means to be an outlaw at Born & Raised Music Festival.” To make the gathering official, the fourth annual edition of the BRMF was announced for September 13th to 15th at the Rockin Red Dirt Ranch in Pryor, Oklahoma.
The BRMF is a crucial outlet supporting the modern Red Dirt Music scene. Red Dirt Music’s origins can be traced to a single location, the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma. In 1979, a new sound was emerging from a run-down two-story farmhouse. This structure was a 149-acre property called “The Farm” and rented by Oklahoma State University (OSU) students John Carpenter and Danny Pierce. This dwelling became the headquarters for musicians, artists, and free spirits who participated in jam sessions and parties. The performers took their influences and created a new sound that reflected the life and culture of Stillwater. Among the sonic footprint is elements of the country, bluegrass, rock, and honky tonk genres.
During the genre’s timespan, it has developed into more than a method of musical expression. Red Dirt Music ensures that the traditions of the city’s past remain relevant to today. The travel publication Visit Stillwater describes Red Dirt’s lasting influence as, “It is a way of life, a catalyst for storytelling, and a source of mentorship for musicians and songwriters who have influenced the Stillwater culture and captured the hearts of their loyal audiences, both young and old.”
At “The Farm”, leaders within the Red Dirt Music industry emerged. Bob Childers is known as the Godfather of Red Dirt Music and instrumental in the launch of the genre. His debut album I Ain’t No Jukebox and a body of work totaling 1,500 songs is widely seen as a template for future contributions. In addition, he was a prolific mentor to any young artist looking to get involved in the genre. Two additional important figures in the musical style are Tom Skinner, known as the Forefather of Red Dirt Music, and Jimmy LaFave. The first Red Dirt Music artist who achieved crossover success is Garth Brooks. Brooks was a routine performer at Willie’s Saloon on The Strip and remains in contact with OSU and Stillwater’s music community.
The storied legacy paved the path for Red Dirt Music reaching new ground in popularity today. The Strip, which is downtown Stillwater’s live music scene located on Washington Street, offers numerous venues for audiences to watch emerging and established Red Dirt Music singers nightly. The genre has spread south of the Red River, with Texas providing its specific twist. While numerous acts are contributing invaluably to the genre today, Zach Bryan, Koe Wetzel, Cody Johnson, Midland, Josh Meloy, Treaty Oak Revival, and Tyler Halverson are among those receiving the most traction.
The 2024 version of the BRMF includes current leaders in the Red Dirt genre alongside promising upstarts. This move is intentional as organizers view the festival’s three smaller stages as a springboard for bigger achievements. BRMF producer Chris Thomas detailed this process to News Channel 9 Oklahoma City as, “Zach Bryan started on that stage three years ago and now, he is playing stadiums. We had a kid from Tulsa named Corey Kent who started on that stage, last year he went to the second stage, and now he is out touring with Jason Aldean, so it’s really exciting to see how quickly some of these artists jump to the next level.”
To build excitement for the incoming BRMF, the entire artist lineup was announced on their social media pages. Country music fans, radio stations, and the music industry raved about the quality of the artists scheduled to perform during the event. Selected to headline the three days are Hank Williams Jr., Johnson, and Wetzel. The complete roster can be viewed below:
Born & Raised Music Festival. Photograph Credit: Born & Raised Music Festival’s Facebook Page
The upcoming edition of the BRMF includes a few changes. Chief among them is an organization change as Danny Wimmer Presents takes the lead. Danny Wimmer Presents is the largest independent live event producer in the United States. This acquisition was packaged with another Pryor-located festival, Rocklahoma. The regime change was seamless as Pryor Creek Musical Festivals is instrumental in all decisions moving forward. The second addition is the new College Town section of the BRMF campgrounds. This specific area pays tribute to the genre’s deep ties to OSU. Students are given the chance to purchase general admission festival passes at a reduced cost and enjoy the event among their fellow classmates. The BRMF encourages university participation as they are running a contest for the most active campus in attendance. A leaderboard will be posted on the festival’s website marking the total representatives that belonged to each school. The highest total wins a special prize package.
Multiple ticket packages are available now for purchase on the BRMF’s website including Reserved Seating Tickets, Weekend 3-Day General Admission, Single Day General Admission, Weekend 3-Day OK Corral Pit, Stables Cabana, Homestead, General Admission Camping, Glamping, and College Town.
Those interested in learning more about the BRMF can follow them online at bornandraisedfestival.com.
The BRMF has achieved stratospheric success by unabashedly paving its own lane in the festival landscape. When similar festivals highlight mainstream appeal and Nashville-based acts, the gathering focused on the local Red Dirt Music scene in Oklahoma and Texas and connecting with multiple generations of the genre’s fans. This effort has been rewarded by lofty enthusiasm from the genre’s biggest artists and wide demographics of fans that will guarantee prosperity for years to come.