With his hands on his prized violin, Kyle Dillingham has earned a number of accolades and reached many musical milestones throughout his life.
While still in high school, Dillingham was featured twice on Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, having performed with legends Roy Clark and Hank Thompson. He later went on to receive his bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Performance from Oklahoma City University, and would take his music to 42 countries earning him the title of “Oklahoma’s Musical Ambassador.”
He has performed for the King of Malaysia, the Princess of Thailand, Beijing Central Conservatory (broadcast on Chinese national television) and Singapore’s National Day Celebration, among several other government leaders nationally and abroad. A credit to his uniqueness, Dillingham made Grand Ole Opry history as the first artist to enter and exit the stage on a skateboard — and not just on any skateboard, but a Dolly Parton one.
One of the more recent milestones of Dillingham’s was his 2023 album, Homa, which is an homage to his beloved home state of Oklahoma. The title track of his latest album, “Homa,” was a top ten finalist in the Best Country/Bluegrass category of the 17th Annual International Acoustic Music Awards.
Throughout the album, Dillingham’s virtuoso violin work creates a fantastic and fluid experience for listeners. The accompanying bluegrass and country instrumentation such as an acoustic guitar, percussion, and piano among others add depth and flair, creating an expansive sound.
The track “Freedom Bells” hits from the get go with a beautifully orchestrated final stanza of The National Anthem, melting into a cinematic instrumental with strong opening vocals and ample violin before a full-on hoedown. The messages that circulate in the album are mainly based on what home is and how those experiences shaped Dillingham.
A sense of community is felt in “To Hold You,” as it highlights the importance of those around you, especially in an era of isolation and division these days. “Bottom Line” shares a similar sentiment with its uplifting message of keeping going and togetherness. The expression is to highlight the most important aspect of something and in the song, that important thing is to enjoy life.
With its sentimental lyrics, “I Choose to Live” encapsulates many of the emotions that the album covers lyrically. The songwriting of the track plays with the building of the instrumentals to align its lyrics with the emotions of the instruments, again showcasing the sheer brilliance and depth of Dillingham’s violin work.
The love and joy that Homa portrays is a reflection of both the caring and appreciation Dillingham has to his home, and also a showcase of his mind-blowing violin talent.
Dillingham — also the winner of the 2009 Oklahoma Governor’s Art Award — is deeply engaged in his community, and that shows in both his music and his numerous performances over the years. Along with his band Horseshoe Road, he plays at local festivals, church events, and more within the Oklahoma City area. For someone who has been all over and toured in different countries, his deep dedication for his Okie home is felt throughout every project he does.
Featured photo by Alan Messer
