Darrell Webb was unable to debut his new band at IBMA this year, though he was on hand performing with Mashville Brigade and filling in with Audie Blaylock & Redline.

You’ll have a chance to hear them this weekend though, live on The Wheeling Jamboree Saturday night (10/17). The long-running show airs from Wheeling, WV on Saturday nights and can be heard – and seen – online.

Darrell is a West Virginia boy, and is understandably stoked about getting to play the show.

“I’m very excited about playing the Jamboree this weekend. This is our first time performing here, and I know that a lot of big country music legends have played on this stage.”

The broadcast starts at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday night (EDT), but the featured artists generally don’t go on until 8:00 p.m. It can be heard on a number of radio affiliates in West Virginia and the Ohio Valley, via live audio streaming, and even with a live video stream.

The Darrell Web Band features Matt Leadbetter on resonator guitar, Owen Piatt on banjo, Asa Gravely on guitar and Webb on mandolin and lead vocals.

Darrell Webb and his wife Amanda are celebrating the birth of their second daughter, Marabelle Ruby Webb, born today (9/24).

I spoke to Darrell this afternoon from the hospital, and he was understandably excited. I didn’t get any of the vital stats (weight, length, etc) but he did mention that she is named after his Grandmother, who was known as Mary Belle.

Mom and baby are both doing fine. Congratulations to all the Webbs – Darrell, Amanda, Marabelle and big sister Norah!

Darrell said that he will barely have time to savor the moment, as he is filling in on mandolin with Audie Blaylock & Redline this weekend, and has a full week booked at IBMA subbing with Audie, Alecia Nugent and doing shows with Mashville Brigade.

He also mentioned that he has more than half of the tracks finished for his next CD with The Darrell Webb Band. He has Asa Gravely on guitar, Owen Piatt on banjo, Jeremy Arrowood on bass, Matt Leadbetter on resophonic guitar, and Darrel on mandolin.

They are represented by the Church Agency, run by DC-area banjo picker Kevin Church.

Darrell Webb has left Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper and announced that he is forming his own group. His last show with Michael was on June 21, and Darrell has most of his new band already in place.

Matt Leadbetter will be on resonator guitar, Owen Piatt on banjo and Jeremy Aarwood on bass. Darrell tells us that he will either play mandolin or guitar himself, depending on who he chooses to complete the group.

He tells us that after stints with Lonesome River Band, JD Crowe & The New South, Wildfire, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage and Flamekeeper, the time is right for him to lead his own band.

“I’m going to do my own thing from here on out. I’ve waited long enough, and I’m really going to work hard and do my best to try make it happen on my own.

You don’t ever know until you try.”

Flamekeeper has not yet chosen a replacement for Darrell, and has Jeff White playing guitar on an interim basis until a new hire comes on board. Webb leaves with nothing but respect for Michael and all the guys in Flamekeeper.

“I wish the band the best of luck but right now I have a lot of goals I want to accomplish. My fans can look forward to seeing The Darrell Webb Band out and about soon. I am excited about the new things that are in store for me right now.”

Darrell’s web site is being updated now, and new information should be available there in a few weeks. In the meantime, he is eager to communicate with anyone about his new endeavor, and can be reached by email at mandocaster2005@hotmail.com.

His energies right now are dedicated to his first effort at festival promotion with Coalfest 2009 (July 17-19) in Pilgrims Knob, VA, where he serves as co-director.

This past Friday (12/26) was Darrell Webb’s first show with Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper – and it was on The Grand Ole Opry!

Their publicist, Kimberly Williams, was on hand and got a couple of photos of the band, as well as a bit of backstage video. She tells us that the guys whipped the crowd up with their versions of Goodbye Ole Pal and The Old Brown County Barn.

They also had a chance to snap a picture with Opry announcer and bluegrass legend Eddie Stubbs backstage during their post-Christmas Opry visit.

Current band members include Michael Cleveland on fiddle, Jesse Brock on mandolin, Jessie Baker on banjo, Marshall Wilborn on bass and Darrell Webb on guitar.

Here’s Flamekeeper backstage warming up…