(STILLWATER, Oklahoma - Jan. 31, 2017) Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café returns to Stillwater for its sixth year on April 26, 2017. This storied Red Dirt music festival will bring more songwriters than ever before to celebrate the influence of the Godfather of Red Dirt music, Bob Childers. Along with the hosts, Mike Hosty and Kaitlin Butts, the 2017 Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café (BCGC) lineup includes Mike McClure, Paul Benjaman, Read Southall, Monica Taylor, Sam Valliere, and previous hosts Chad Sullins, Bryon White, Gabe Marshall, Red Dirt Rangers’ John Cooper, Brad Piccolo, and Ben Han.
Additional musicians will be invited through an open call presented by BCGC and the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) To apply, musicians must be registered with the Oklahoma Music Guide, OF+MO’s online database of Oklahoma musicians and music businesses. Entries will be accepted through OF+MO January 31 – February 10, 2017 and may be submitted here.
Tickets that allow access to all venues start at $20 and will go on sale January 31 at Gypsy Cafe Tickets. A limited number of Reserved Seating tickets are available. Tickets are nonrefundable as the show is rain or shine.
All proceeds will go toward the Red Dirt Relief Fund, a non-profit organization that provides a safety net of critical assistance to Oklahoma musicians. The Red Dirt Relief Fund took over management of the festival in the fall of 2013 after Red Bull hosted the event in spring of 2011 and 2012. In 2016, the festival raised $22,000 for Oklahoma musicians in need, funding the organization’s $21,950 in grants given last year. Since the Red Dirt Relief Fund was founded in 2012, it’s provided over $58,000 to musicians in need.
A spirit of mentorship, musical discovery, and honoring Bob Childers have become hallmarks of this festival that draws Oklahoma musicians from around the state. Notable moments from last year’s fest include Stoney LaRue singing “Oklahoma Breakdown” with Mike Hosty, who originally wrote the song, and a finale set led by Cody Canada, Mike McClure, Randy Crouch, and Craig Skinner.
The festival format remains the same. Small songwriter groupings will play 45-minute sets across three venues: Eskimo Joe’s, George’s Stables and Stonewall Tavern. The evening will culminate with an all-musician finale on the main stage.
For more information visit Red Dirt Relief Fund - Gypsy Cafe, Red Dirt Relief Fund on Facebook, or follow @reddirtrelief on Twitter.
For media or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Katie Dale at reddirtrelieffund@gmail.com
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