ENTERTAINMENT SPOTLIGHT: Stone & Tumble brings couple back to roots

Mar. 9—The musicians in Stone & Tumble have performed for many years, but over the past two, the duo formed the band and made their way to Tahlequah.

Darla and Randy Bodnar are the main musicians in the band, with drummer Freddy G. making an appearance every so often. Darla, a Hulbert native, said she and her husband lived in Phoenix, Arizona, for about 25 years before returning to Cherokee County. Darla is the lead singer, and she also plays the keyboard, guitar, mandolin, and more, while Randy is the lead guitar player and a singer for Stone & Tumble.

"We're typically a classic rock [band]," Darla said. "We kind of lean toward Fleetwood Mac, [John] Mellencamp, a little bit of blues thrown in there, and originals. And a little country, of course."

The Bodnars have only performed as Stone & Tumble since moving back to Oklahoma; they were a part of a band called Slightly Right in Arizona. Darla described performing on her home turf as great, and said she has wanted to come back to for years.

"I've wanted to move back for so long, and it's just home for me," Darla said. "We love it, and I think the music scene here is amazing. The people are so responsive to original songs, and it feels like we've been embraced."

Randy's musical journey is a bit unusual; he learned how to play guitar from a nun while attending Catholic school, and has been playing for almost 40 years. Darla's start came from her church and family, and she has since been making music for 25 years.

Darla said when listeners look back at Stone & Tumble's original songs, they can see the progression of the Bodnars' story.

"It really tells the story of our lives — and our relationship, as a matter of fact," Darla said. "It kind of goes from the dark and sad, then we get together, and you can just see the progression of the more happy tunes that are coming out of us now, and maybe that comes with age, too. It just tells the story of our life."

Since the duo has performed for so long, Darla said what keeps them performing is the fact that it's something they can do together.

"I think it's fun when a husband and wife can find a hobby they love to do together, and obviously, that's how we met, so it's just something that's our outlet," Darla said. "We're both professionals in the outside world. I'm a retired pharmacist and my husband is a civil engineer, and we really enjoy the people — the friends and the musicians — we've met along the years. We can do it a home, we can do it out in public. It's kind of like our date night."

What's next

Stone & Tumble will perform April 12 in Bentonville, Arkansas, at Vintage Market Days at 10 a.m. April 12 will also feature Stone & Tumble playing at The Branch at 8 p.m. Another performance will take place April 13 at The Branch from noon to 2 p.m.