Darin and Brooke Aldridge are excited. And why not? With two new band members, a new
record label, and five original songs on their latest album, the bluegrass and Americana duo are
back with This Life We’re Livin,’ their ninth recorded project together and first release on Billy
Blue Records. This Life We’re Livin’ celebrates the space the husband-and-wife team now
occupies – the top of bluegrass music.
Armed with the talents of the proverbial Triple Threat of uniquely distinctive singing,
commanding instrumental skills, and accomplished songwriting, Darin and Brooke continue to
ascend to new heights in the industry while maintaining their easy-going, down-to-earth
connection with audiences everywhere. Brooke, a former runner-up on TV’s Nashville Star, is a
four-time consecutive winner and reigning Female Vocalist of the Year for the International
Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). She is nominated for a fifth time in 2021. Once a six-year
member of The Country Gentlemen with the late Charlie Waller, Darin is a former IBMA Mentor
of the Year and a truly gifted singer and multi-instrumentalist. Together with their band – Billy
Gee on bass, Samantha Snyder on fiddle, and Jacob Metz on banjo and resonator guitar – Darin
and Brooke have been recognized with the IBMA’s nomination for 2021 Vocal Group of the
Year. They have had multiple nominations over the years from the IBMA, the Society for the
Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA), and the Inspirational Country Music
Association. They have enjoyed top spots on the Billboard, SiriusXM, Bluegrass Today, Bluegrass
Unlimited, Americana/Roots, and Gospel charts. Their music videos have been featured on
Country Music Television (CMT), CMT Edge, Great American Country (GAC), Bluegrass Ridge TV,
and The Bluegrass Situation. Their television appearances include PBS’ Mountain Stage, Songs
of the Mountain and Music City Roots; RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner, Country’s Family
Reunion, and The Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour; Great American Gospel, The Bluegrass
Road, and Blue Highways TV. Their long-held dream to one day play the Grand Ole Opry came
true on July 4, 2017, and since then, they have graced the Opry stage more than 30 times.
Their rise became especially meteoric when they joined forces in 2016 with John Cowan, who
plays bass for The Doobie Brothers and is a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame as co-
founder of New Grass Revival. This collaboration has led to performance opportunities with
artists ranging from bluesman Keb Mo’ to stints with Country Music Hall of Famers Vince Gill
and Jimmy Fortune (The Statler Brothers). Says Cowan, “When someone asks me what I love
most about Brooke and Darin, my response is – everything! Brooke’s angelic singing, Darin’s
rock-solid baritone tucked up under her wings, their musicianship. But mostly, it’s their
commitment to their beliefs that renders them to be gracious, concerned, and helpful to all
they encounter. My music and interior life have been so tremendously enriched by the gift of
their friendship.”
Darin and Brooke met in 2005 in their native North Carolina, and they bonded quickly over their
shared love of music. Before they married in 2008, they decided to cull their extensive
individual experience and create their own band. After many years of hard work, first in North
Carolina and now the far reaches of the United States and footprints in Ireland and Prague,
Darin and Brooke have developed a maturity in their music never more keenly heard than in
the songs of This Life We’re Livin’. Says Darin, “We wanted to showcase more original tunes on
this album and share another side of us that listeners haven’t heard before.” Original standouts
on the project include “Grand Ole Circle,” which celebrates their dreams of playing the Grand
Ole Opry; “Livin’ Mama’s Dream;” and “My Life’s Living Me,” a clear-eyed commentary on the
joys and challenges of their musical success. Other noteworthy numbers are “Old Fashioned,”
celebrating the kinder, gentler ways of the past, and “Blue Baby Now,” the first single from the
collection. Another highlight is “He’s Getting Me Ready,” a gospel rouser featuring Country
Music Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys. Oaks singer Duane Allen notes, “The first
time I saw Darin and Brooke was in the middle of the Caribbean on a cruise ship. As I watched
and listened, one word came to mind, ‘PURE.’ As they phrased their harmonies and bent their
notes together, it was smooth as watching a taffy pulling. I loved recording with them. Their
music is honest!!!” Joe Bonsall, the tenor singer for the Oaks, chimed in. “The Oak Ridge Boys
love Darin and Brooke and considered it a huge honor to actually record a song with them …
they represent class and and amazing musicianship and vocal talent … Brooke is one of the
premier pure voices in all of music, and quite frankly I just love them both.”
This Life We’re Livin’ is a warm, cohesive collection that, as Brooke observes, “takes you a little
further into the lives and story of Darin and Brooke. It paints the picture of where we started,
dreams we had, and a life and musical journey that we feel blessed to share together every
day.” It is that inviting, unaffected journey that draws listeners to the couple. It is the simple,
positive message reflected in the music and lives of Darin and Brooke Aldridge that keeps them
there.
Perhaps the key to their success lies in their mutual respect and admiration. The couple’s
willingness to work hard, embrace opportunities and meet challenges head-on is paying off.
Darin and Brooke are inspiring in their music, artistry, and commitment to continued evolution
and growth. In following the path of their dreams, Brooke once noted, “We want our music to
lift people up.” “It was an early goal of ours to put a positive message out there,” adds Darin,
“and we decided a long, long time ago that we were going to be us, no matter what.”
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