Cripps to sing at Gentry Freedom Fest
GENTRY— Kaylin Cripps and her band will take the stage at 2 p.m. in Gentry City Park on July 4 to entertain those coming out to the annual event to celebrate America’s independence.
Joining Kaylin will be Lukas Wigington, lead guitar; Johnathon Paape, guitar; Jonathan Langley, drums; Evan O’Dell, bass guitar; and David Jackson, keys.
“This will be the first gig we have all played together since 2016,” said Cripps. “I am completing my master’s degree at NSU right now and we haven’t been playing. This is the only gig we have planned with the full band.”
Cripps said that she and Lukas Wigington do play some acoustic gigs from time to time.
Kaylin “was born to be on stage,” according to her bio which is posted online. “Beginning at age 3, Kaylin was singing the National Anthem at sporting events, singing in church and entertaining or competing wherever she could find a microphone and a crowd. Before graduating from high school in 2012, she had competed in local, state and national talent competitions.
“Kaylin placed in the Top 3 in the Arkansas/ Oklahoma State Fair Talent Competition in 2011 and 2012 and won the vocal solo division of the Arkansas State Fair Talent Competition in 2011. Also in 2011, Kaylin was selected as the Greater Southwest Regional winner and a Top 22 Finalist in the United States out of 20,000-plus entries in the Voice of McDonald’s competition. She has been featured on local news stations and has also been a guest on numerous radio stations in Northwest Arkansas. Kaylin continues to perform the National Anthem at various Arkansas Razorbacks sporting events, professional rodeos and other venues.
“In 2012, the Kaylin Cripps Band opened the show for country music recording artist Keith Anderson at the Benton County Fair and kept in the same tradition opening for Joe Diffie at the Benton County Fair in 2013. Other bill credits include Chase Rice, Jordan Rager, Chris Lane and appearances with local favorite Jason Strode. While country music is Kaylin’s first love, she easily crosses over to sing rock and gospel with her own country flavor. She is a lead vocalist with the praise band at Brand New Church in Farmington.
“In 2013, Kaylin performed shows all over the area, including a benefit show for the tornado victims in Moore, Okla., the Gentry 4th of July Freedomfest, and the Abbott Nutrition Razorfest on the main stage at the University of Arkansas. In 2012, Kaylin made guest vocalist appearances with the Ozark Country Music Opry singing classic country music and joined the Opry full time in 2013. In 2014, Kaylin returned as a vocalist at the Ozark Country Music Opry, as well as playing a number of gigs with her own band. Kaylin brings excitement and energy to the stage, showing a stage presence that evidences years of experience, despite her youth.
“Kaylin Cripps leads the band with powerhouse vocals, and lead guitarist Lukas Wigington shares the stage singing a mixture of country and rock with some rocking harmony. Kaylin and Lukas have cowritten several songs”
Kaylin and Lukas performed at the Hiwasse store and restaurant last fall.