Darin and Brooke Aldridge features this rising duo of beautiful young newlyweds singing and playing a rich combination of bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, and country duets at festivals, in churches, and on recordings.  Their rich harmonies, supported by a first rate band, showcase two fine individual voices with a superb blend.  Bluegrass Unlimited described their Gospel recording I’ll Go With You by saying that they “set a new standard of excellence in bluegrass gospel.”

Their self-titled release on Crossroads Music was produced by Nashville vertran Jerry Salley and features both secular and gospel bluegrass music. 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.

Darin Aldridge first played music in public when he was six years old.  Beginning with piano and drums and adding band instruments while in school, he soon gravitated towards stringed instruments.  Learning to play banjo in order to join his first band, Straight and Narrow, he was encouraged to switch to mandolin when he showed an aptitude for it while teaching someone else to play.  Since then, teaching has been one of his consistent activities. He now teaches in his studio as well as at the Gaston County School of the Arts in Gastonia, NC, near his home in Cherryville.  He also played with a local group called Carolina Crossfire, where he first played with Eddie Biggerstaff.  He joined his next band, Acoustic Syndicate, which played a range of jazz, blues, and folk rock, touring up and down the east coast. After work with several other bands, Darin joined the Country Gentlemen and 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. Darin recorded three projects with The Country Gentlemen; the first, Crying in the Chapel, received a IBMA nomination for gospel event of the year. The last project, Songs of the American Spirit, won the SPBGMA 2005 best bluegrass album of the year.  Soon after Waller’s death, a group of Country Gentlemen alumni formed The Circuit Riders which performed together from 2005-2009 and recorded the album Let The Ride Begin.

Darin has also filled in on stage with Blue Highway, Mike Snider and Blueridge, to name a few.  He’s produced his own solo CD for Pinecastle Records (Call It A Day) and been nominated for the SPBGMA mandolin player of the year award four times. He’s a very 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 on the mountains of Avery County, NC just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Her voice carries the lilt of the mountains along with the sophisticated sounds of a singer with experience way beyond her 25 years. Despite winning many competitions, Brooke never really knew how much she loved to sing until she reached the age of a teenager. Success in countless competitions led her to venture out beyond home, and in 2004 she competed in the regionals of the Nashville Star competition in Columbus, Georgia, where she finished third in a talented group of more than one hundred hopefuls. In 2007, Brooke recorded her very first CD, I’ll Go With You, on Pinecastle Records.

Projecting the innocence of her mountain origins and the deep faith that forms  her core, Brooke’s powerful voice and personal commitment shine through with every note.  She has a degree in Early Childhood Education from Appalachian State University in Boone, NC and currently teaches pre-school while maintaining a strenuous touring schedule. At the core of her music lies belief—belief in her faith, her life partner, and the force of her own voice. Everyone who hears her sing is astounded at her sure tone and remarkable strength.

Chris Bryant is from Ronda in eastern Wilkes County N.C. He has played banjo with various local bands for the last thirty five years. Chris was 1979 N.C. State Champion banjo player, Chris has toured with The Country Gentlemen and also recorded with Darin on his Call It A Day CD. Chris has worked with Arthur Smith of Dueling Banjos fame, doing commercial radio as well as recording one album with Smith & Joe Maphis on the CMH label. Chris currently works with Sammy Shelor and AcuTab fabricating the Shelor fingerpicks as well as custom banjo parts, accessories & supplies to other nationally known instrument builders in the Nashville area.

Eddie Biggerstaff is from Cleveland County and now living in Waco N.C. Eddie grew up singing in church with his father and grandfather in a quartet and knew early on he had a gift of singing. He went on to becoming involved in many regional bands such as Brushy Creek and Carolina Crossfire. Eddie has spent the last seven years with the band Blueridge, touring the U.S. and Canada. Eddie has been up for Bass playing of the year twice by SPBGMA in Nashville T.N., and in 2006, the recording Getting Ready was nominated by the IBMA for Gospel recording of the year. Eddie’s resume also includes Rambler’s Choice, Larry Rice, and working with the great mandolin player Herschel Sizemore. He was asked to play bass at the Roanoke Bluegrass Weekend concert, which features most of the elite in bluegrass music today. Eddie is a seasoned professional who adds energy and a distinctive edge to the band.

Perry Woodie brings many years of playing to the quintet. Perry lives in Linville Falls N.C. He is no stranger to Bluegrass and Gospel music, he has spent many years with bands such as The Narrow Way Quartet and Damascus Road where he has recorded five projects singing and playing Dobro and Banjo. In 1999, Perry was called to go with the band Standing Tall. He traveled all over the eastern U.S. and recorded one project, titled God Works Wonders. In 2001, Perry took a gig with a band a little closer home in the mountains of N.C., called The Linville Ridge Band. If it is telling stories or jokes or just keeping everyone on and off stage smiling,Perry brings a wonderful presence to the band.