Article and Photos by: Jolene Roderick
CORNELIUS, NC — In the wake of their latest single, “The Price I Pay,” Darin and Brooke Aldridge, the highly acclaimed Bluegrass and Americana duo, delivered a memorable performance at The Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius, NC, on Friday night. The newly opened venue in January witnessed a stellar lineup including Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Billy Gee, Samantha Snyder, Daniel Norton, and Lynn Williams, treating the audience to an unforgettable night of bluegrass.
Hailing from North Carolina, the duo has consistently secured top positions on various music charts and garnered attention on prominent platforms such as Billboard, SiriusXM, Bluegrass Today, and more. Their extensive television appearances and over 50 performances at the Grand Ole Opry underscore their influence in the industry.
Darin and Brooke, known for their down-to-earth connection with audiences, maintained a relaxed and engaging atmosphere throughout the evening. Between songs, they engaged in friendly banter, offering a refreshing and uncommon intimacy in live music performances.
Opening the show, Carolina Ridgeline set the stage with “Nellie Kane” and “Lonesome Pine” before moving into a spirited rendition of “Listen to the Music,” setting the tone for the bluegrass extravaganza that followed, infusing the air with infectious energy.
This dynamic opening act not only showcased Carolina Ridgeline’s musical prowess but also set the tone for the bluegrass extravaganza that followed, infusing the air with infectious energy. The lively performance had the crowd dancing and singing along, creating an electric synergy between the artists and the audience.
The first set featured crowd favorites like “Grand Ole Circle,” “Tennessee Flat Top Box,” “Emmylou,” and “Old Fashioned,” creating an atmosphere of joy and excitement. A highlight of the evening was the announcement of banjo player Daniel Norton’s debut with the band, eliciting enthusiastic applause from the audience.
The music continued to captivate in the second set, with the duo showcasing “Get Up John” as a duet without the full band. At that point, they surprised super fan Eddie Hare by inviting him to join the stage as they sang “Jordan” on backup vocals. Rounding out the set with the ever popular Patsy Montana’s “Cowboy Sweetheart,” the crowd was delighted as Brooke broke out the yodeling.
The night concluded with a standing ovation and calls for an encore, prompting the band to return for a final performance including their sweet single, “Once in a While.” The enthusiastic response from the Cornelius, NC audience made it clear that Darin and Brooke Aldridge are always welcome back.