The Kaylin Cripps band will take the stage at 5:30 p.m on July 4th. The band includes Kaylin - vocals and acoustic guitar; Lukas Wigington - lead guitar and vocals; Jonathan Langley - drums; Trey O'dell - bass guitar; and Johnathon Paape - guitar and keys.
Cripps was born to be on stage. 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.
She placed in the top three 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, Cripps 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 television stations and has also been a guest on numerous radio stations in northwest Arkansas. She 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, keeping in the same tradition, opened for Joe Diffie at the Benton County Fair in 2013. Other bill credits include Chase Rice 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 Fayetteville.
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 Freedom Festival 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 joining the Opry full-time in 2013. Back for its third season in 2014, Kaylin was a featured vocalist of the Ozark Opry. She brings excitement and energy to the stage, showing a stage presence that evidences years of experience, despite her youth.
Cripps leads her 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 co-written several songs and hoped to finish enough original material for a full length album.
General News on 07/01/2015