Incredibly gifted fiddlers are not simply born, are they? When blessed with a God-given talent and musical purpose, they are. Internationally renowned fiddler Kyle Dillingham possesses such a talent. In a performance like no other, he and his band, Horseshoe Road, bring their fun and energetic music to the stage of the Freeland Center for the first time on the 1st of October.
As a fifth-generation Okie both born and raised in Enid, Kyle’s Oklahoma roots played an impactful role in his becoming the esteemed musician he is today. In 1893, his great-greatgrandfather became a homesteader of the Cherokee Strip Land Run prior to statehood. The farm stayed in the family, and as a child, he spent ample time helping his grandfather bring in the wheat harvest and sharing a love of Bob Wills’ music.
At the young age of nine, Kyle spotted a violin at a yard sale, instantly sparking his interest due to his enjoyment of traditional and country music and the time spent with his grandpa. After purchasing it, he discovered he could play a little without training, and the family set upon securing a teacher for him. Not only did he learn quickly but he found success as well, meeting and playing with Roy Clark and Hank Thompson and appearing as a featured performer at the Grand Ole Opry twice while still in high school. He even toured in Bali upon completion of his junior year.
Kyle described performing at the Opry as a surreal, pivotal moment, saying “It was a very special gift and rare opportunity that clearly showed me God’s favor and direction in my life to serve Him and bring glory to Him through music.” He describes himself as an energetic, eclectic musician, gifted with the ability of many instruments: violin and fiddle, guitar, piano, and his voice. He and the band believe “music is a unique, very powerful tool, that can positively change people’s lives”, and they consider it an act of godly worship and audience investment to share its joy with them.
Kyle was not simply granted an amazing talent, but he also worked diligently to hone his gift. Following high school, he studied and earned a degree in instrumental music performance at Oklahoma City University, which he describes as having opened the doors to performing internationally. During that time, he claims to have wasted far too much time and energy in pursuit of the perfect technological instrument and tools. Since then, he has learned that, like people, instruments sometimes deemed broken beyond repair possess incredible value as they are. Now, he says, “Give me a violin with strings and a bow with a full head of hair. These are the tools, and the gift is inside. Music is joy.” Truly, it is a remedy for loneliness, pain, sadness, and despair. It is shared encouragement and healing joy for those confined to hospitals on their birthdays to those relegated to senior facilities for years alone after loved ones have passed or busied themselves.
To date, Kyle has performed for world leaders in more than forty countries, sharing his joy. Audiences enjoy the natural energy and humor of his and the band’s performances as members have been caught switching instruments, riding skateboards, and jumping around the stage while playing songs like “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” on occasion. Audiences of one in intimate settings like hospital rooms or while waitressing at the Waffle House on a desolate overnight shift have been brought to tears as he played his violin for them. Their music is emotional, meaningful, and full of fun.
His talent and music certainly have come full circle. In 2019, he returned to the Grand Ole Opry as a performing artist. One year later, he officially became known as more than “Oklahoma’s Musical Ambassador” when the Oklahoma Hall of Fame formally honored him as an Ambassador of Goodwill for Oklahoma, joining the likes of Reba McEntire and Kristin Chenoweth and saying “It's been a blessing to represent my state and country worldwide. We all represent more than ourselves.”
Having been in Bristow only once previously when he suffered a vehicular malfunction, he chuckled that “a Bristow wrecker saved my life.' This October, Kyle and Horseshoe Road hope to share their joy with the community for an upbeat, exciting night of country, bluegrass, and traditional music. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. on the first night of October at the Freeland.
For more information about Kyle and the band, visit Dillingham at www.kyledillingham.us or check out the Freeland Center’s Facebook page. Tickets may be purchased at www.etix.com or by calling the Freeland Box Office at (918) 637-3540.