The Red Dirt Rangers are one of Oklahoma's most influential Americana and country-rock bands and are widely regarded as pioneers of the Red Dirt music movement. Formed in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1988, they helped define a sound that blends country, folk, rock, bluegrass, blues, and Western swing with a distinctly Oklahoma perspective.
The core members have remained together for decades:
Brad Piccolo – guitar and vocals
John Cooper – mandolin, percussion, and vocals
Ben Han – lead guitar and vocals
The Red Dirt Rangers grew out of "The Farm," a famous communal house in Stillwater where musicians gathered to write songs and jam together. Other artists associated with The Farm included Jimmy LaFave, Bob Childers, and Tom Skinner. Many consider this community to be the birthplace of modern Red Dirt music.
If you're exploring Oklahoma roots music, the Red Dirt Rangers are essential listening. They were instrumental in laying the foundation for later Red Dirt artists and helping establish Oklahoma as the home of the Red Dirt sound.