Red Dirt Music's best and brightest left it all on the stage at the annual Medicine Stone music festival held over the weekend at Diamondhead Resort in Tahlequah, Okla. Despite blistering afternoon temperatures, the performers delivered high-energy sets. Below, photographer Tim Castleman shares photos and highlights from the memorable weekend.
American Aquarium, Photo: Tim Castleman
"These guys made it impossible for Lucero to follow them. Seriously, they sucked the energy out of the crowd and had them singing along all night long. BJ is a great frontman, full of action and rage, and frankly, when he sings I swear he's screaming the demons away. Just an amazing band, completely retooled and they have a crazy tour schedule coming up on top of them already working on a new album."
Charley Crockett, Photo: Tim Castleman
"Put on the smallest stage in the middle of the day with no shade, Charley Crockett performed like only he could: high energy, a little fancy footwork, and music that everyone loved."
Flatland Calvary, Photo: Tim Castleman
"It's hard to believe these guys only have one album out and some of their members are still in college. Their duet with Kaitlin Butts was a huge hit, and the crowd knew most of their songs by heart. Their lead guitar player Reid Dillon and bass player Jonathan Saenz brought up the energy, and their fiddle player Laura Jane rounded out the front lines."
Kaitlin Butts, Photo: Tim Castleman
"The opener in a night of amazing bands, Butt got the crowd excited. The folks knew her songs, loved her voice and the funny stories she shared between songs. One of the standout female performances from Medicine Stone for sure."
Red Shahan, Photo: Tim Castleman
Cody Canada, Photo: Tim Castleman
"This was the first time to play in a while for Cody Canada, but he's still got it. From the Departed tunes to old Ragweed classics, the crowd loved the performance."
Shane Smith and The Saints, Photo: Tim Castleman
"These guys are amazingly consistent every time I see them. Great songs, energy, and a very tight stage show full of energy and crowd interaction."
Randy Rogers Band, Photo: Tim Castleman
ShinyRibs, Photo: Tim Castleman
"Don't let the looks or the age fool you, these guys put on such a great show there was talk backstage that the night's headlining act was more than a little upset having to follow them. After seeing them live, I can see why. They were fun and energetic and frontman Kevin Russell is one for the ages. These guys were showing up bands half their age on stage."
Suzzane Santo, Photo: Tim Castleman
"Suzanne Santo, a solo artist now, has a voice that will make you want to smack your momma. Her recordings do not do her voice justice in terms of power, and by the end of her set she had people coming in from the campgrounds to hear her. She's a rising star."
Turnpike Troubadours, Photo: Tim Castleman
"These guys had to follow American Aquarium and Lucero, and they just killed it. High energy, good interaction with the crowd and amazing song selection."
Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Photo: Tim Castleman
Click here to view more of Castleman's work.
