The Pumpkin Festival in Cordell is set to feature an exciting performance by The Talk of the Town Orchestra, led by former Cordell resident Mike Darrah. This Oklahoma City-based band, known for its lively blend of hits of today, yesterday, anytime, and big band sounds, will bring its vibrant energy to the fall festival on Saturday, October 12, creating an atmosphere of celebration and fun for the community, enjoyable for all ages.
Darrah, who grew up in Cordell, has fond memories of his hometown and is excited to return with his band. “My great-grandfather was one of the earlier settlers of Washita County. I lived in Cordell from grade school through the ninth grade, and it was the best time,” he shared. Darrah enjoys visiting often and catching up with familiar faces around town he’s been friends with since grade school, like Phil Kliewer.
Darrah’s journey to becoming the director of The Talk of the Town band started right here in Cordell, where his love for music was nurtured from a young age. He shared that his former band director at Cordell, Jim McPherson, had a significant influence on his musical journey, and he fondly remembers his time under McPherson’s guidance. Although Darrah always loved playing the trumpet, he set it aside for about 43 years before picking it back up 20 years ago—and hasn’t put it down since.
“The Talk of The Town Band was put together by a group of OU professors who wanted to keep the big band sounds alive. It just turned into this band. My wife [Teri] and I took it over in 2019; since then, we’ve upgraded the band. We play all genres of music. My wife is the brains of the operation!”
Now based in Oklahoma City, Darrah has led The Talk of the Town to become one of the most enjoyable sounds in the Metro with 20 band members. “In our band, for example, we have seven high school band directors and one professor of music; I’ve got a very good group of players who are accomplished musicians,” he shared.
Their performances are known for being high-energy and fun, often encouraging audience participation. Darrah shared, “We play at dances for a lot of dancers, and most of the dancers like to go back to the 30’s and 40’s era, particularly Glenn Miller. It’s just an evolution and trying to keep up with the correct music genre, so we add stuff like Miley Cyrus’ song Flowers. We play at weddings, funerals, galas, fundraising events, and Weatherford’s July 4th festivities. We get around!”
The Pumpkin Festival’s lineup will feature The Talk of the Town in a special performance that Darrah hopes will resonate with people of all ages. “First and foremost, at the Pumpkin Festival, they can expect sounds that they recognize, good high-intensity sound for all ages to enjoy. Anywhere from Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, we have two incredible singers,” he said. “I can tell you October 12 will become one of the most memorable places I’ve ever played for sure.”
The Pumpkin Festival is a beloved event in Cordell, and having Darrah return with his band adds an extra layer of excitement to this year’s festivities. “It’s an incredible feeling [to play at the Pumpkin Festival in Cordell].,” Darrah added. “I’m really excited to be able to come back and play at the place where I first started. That’s the amazing thing.”
In addition to performing at the Pumpkin Festival, The Talk of the Town will be playing this Friday, October 4, at the Stride Bank Center in Enid for the Air Force Community Ball, presented by Vance Air Force Base, in celebration of the 77th Air Force Birthday.
Make sure to catch The Talk of the Town at this year’s Pumpkin Festival at 4:00 p.m. in Pocket Park across from the Washita Theatre. This night of music promises to be both nostalgic and exhilarating.