NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY

NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS

 

 

DID YOU KNOW THEY ARE NATIVE AMERICAN ?

NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS LAUNCHES NEW WEB PAGE IN HONOR OF
NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY

In observance of Native American Heritage Day on Friday, November 27, 2009, and as part of National Native American Month as proclaimed by the President of the United States each year, the Native American Music Awards & Association has published a photo gallery entitled, "Did You Know They Are Native American ?" on their website to raise awareness of the contributions made by leading figures of Native American descent in the music, entertainment, and sports industries. Featured individuals range from performers Tina Turner and The Jacksons to NY Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain and actor James Earl Jones among others.

Originally a featured segment which debuted at the First Native American Music Awards in 1998, "Did You Know?" highlights nationally recognized  and critically acclaimed musicians, actors and athletes with confirmed or reported Native American heritage.  Tribal enrollment status is not included.

The Native American Music Awards continues to be an extraordinary and unprecedented celebration of today's best contemporary and traditional musical performances and recordings by artists with Native American heritage.  The Eleventh Annual Native American Music Awards was recently held at the Seneca Niagara Hotel & Casino in Niagara Falls, NY.  

As the largest single resource for Native American music initiatives in the world, the Native American Music Awards continues to remain "devoted to bringing indigenous music to the world's consciousness" NY Times. 

To view the full photo gallery of musicians, athletes and actors, please visit the "DID YOU KNOW?" page at www.nativeamericanmusicawards.com

 
Giving Thanks and Sending our Best wishes to all this Thanksgiving Weekend.

511 Avenue of the Americas #371 New York  NY 10011
Ph 212.228.8300  Fx 646.688.6883

Camille Harp

Hello my friends!  I enjoyed the weekend off last week but no rest for the weary...time to get back to work!!  :)

This Friday night after Thanksgiving, I will be playing with some friends of mine in Ardmore at Two Frogs.  Aaron and Josh Vaughan have invited me to open for them and I am so excited to get to play with them!  It's been a long time!  Show is at 9pm.

Saturday night, I return to my favorite little joint in Bricktown, JJ's Alley!  It seems I've been quite the regular there lately! ;)  Come join me in the cozy little spot for a night of song, spirits and socializing!  Live music starts daily at 6:30pm for happy hour.  I go on at 10pm for happiest hour!

Hope everyone has a happy and tasty Thanksgiving!  Safe travels!

Thankfully,
Camille

Joel Melton

Purchase securely here:

Tonight in New Braunfels Sorry for the late notice, but we have a couple of last minute gigs to let you know about.   Tonight, Tuesday November 24th Oma Gruene's Secret Biergarten @ 7:00 P.M. . It is an invitation dinner only, but all you have to say is you are with Joel Melton and they will let you in.   1263 Gruene Road New Braunfels, TX 78130 (830) 237-5746 www.omagruene.com/bier.html     Saturday, November 28th Joel will be back at the White Wolf Trading Post by The Regency Suspension Bridge 14 miles NW of San Saba Texas on FM500 Playing all day and evening with Alton and Sue Waston come on out.     My thanks to everyone that made it to the Woodie Guthrie festival show at the Blue Door.  It was sure a great time.

Purchase securely here:

Susan Herndon

Greetings. 

 

And, a Happy Holidays to You!

 

Playing at the new Calistoga tomorrow night, Friday, 20 November, at the Jenks Riverwalk Crossing-- Come Out Come Out Wherever You Are! 

 

And here are our dates for the upcoming weeks,

 

(Pretty sure about everything... except for, maybe just a few dates that might be tentative... but then, all things in life, you know, may be tentative too, that is, until they really happen...

So... call and make your reservations for French Hen in Tulsa, Oklahoma, if that's your heart's desire, and still waiting to get the confirmation on the brand new, great music hall, the Blue Onion in Norman, Oklahoma.)

 

Hope to see you, and wishing you all the best most wonderful things!

 

xxooo

 

~Susan  

 

(for dates without blurbage, scroll down...) 

 *******************************************************************************************

Calistoga.   (300 River Walk Terrace Suite 280 74037 Jenks, OK.)  Friday, 20 November & 18 December, 8 pm.   Brand New 'joint' brought to you by the owners of Ciao on Brookside.  Delicious food, great drinks, it's beautiful, to boot.  Come out, bring your friends and family, we'll celebrate this holiday season... or come alone and get away from too much togetherness.

 

Big Fish.  (414 South Main, Grapevine, Texas.)  Saturday, 21 November, 5 December, & Wednesday, 16 December, 7 pm.  Turning into my home away from home, thanks to family and friends there-- you know who you are :-)  Hope to see you this time around. 

I'm the live bait in the window on Main...

 

Artz Rib House.  (2330 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas.)  Monday, 23 November, 8:30 pm.  First time here, a showcase in the middle of the regularly performing artist.  Supposed to have great BBQ... just wondering, do they have any barbequed wheat gluten?  

Crescent Moon.  (440 Rayford Road, # 115, Spring, Texas.)  Tuesday, 24 November, 7:30 pm.   North of Houston, East of the Woodlands.  And it doesn't matter if there's a full moon or a half moon or a quarter moon, we'll still be there.  Had a great time last month-- in spite of tornado warnings, too!

 

Grape Ranch.  (6 miles south of I-40 and Okemah, OK.)  Sunday, 13 December, 1 pm.  Not the Apple Ranch, not the Cherry Ranch, not the Whole Wheat Ranch-- the Grape Ranch!  Which means, there's wine.  It's their Singer-Songwriter series, so there might be some whine, too. 

 

Good Day Tulsa.  (Channel 8/Tulsa.)  Tuesday, 1 December, 9 am.   It's Mayfest time again!  Okay, well, in about 6 months it is.  But now's the time to apply for it.  Will be playing a few tunes.  And Heather Pingry, Executive Director of Mayfest, will be there to talk about Tulsa's great award winning international festival.

 

Crow Creek Tavern.  (3534 South Peoria Ave, Tulsa.)  Tuesday, 1, 15, & 29 December, 8:30 pm.   We are having a great time for this, our Songwriter Night/Musician Jam.  So many great songs, great songwriters, and fantastic musicians from in and around Tulsa.  Thanks to all for coming out to share your songs, and to all who are coming out to share in listening!  MwaahH!  (that's a cyber-kiss, in case you don't know)  You come, too!  And bring your instrument! 

 

Blue Onion.  (24th Ave SW just south of Lindsey, Norman, OK.)  Friday, 4 December.

New old Place in Norman!  New old Music Venue!  New and old Tunes!     This is still just a bit tentative, but we've got our fingers crossed, and we're hoping that our friend, Travis, who's endeavour this is, will give us the go ahead.  In which case, it will be with my band, the CherryPickers.  And with special guest, Tom Skinner.

 

Price Tower.  (510 South Dewey Ave, Bartlesville, OK.)  Friday, 11 December, 7 pm.

One of my very favorite places to play.  We've been having a great time here, in the Copper Bar at the top of Frank Lloyd Wright's only skyscraper, in the heart of downtown B-ville.  With all of my Bartian friends (did ya know, that's what a Bartlesvillian is called???)

 

French Hen.  (7143 South Yale Ave, Tulsa.) Saturday, 19 & 26 December, 7 pm.  Okay, another one of my very favorite places to play, to eat, and to drink, and to visit with good friends.  The most gracious of people, the Clark's and wonderful chef, Richard Clark, welcome me here on Saturday nights, when I'm in town.  You come, too!

 

***************************************************************************** 

Friday, 20 November:  Calistoga/Jenks, Oklahoma

Saturday, 21 November:  Big Fish/Grapevine, Texas

Monday, 23 November:  Artz Rib House/Austin, Texas

Tuesday, 24 November:  Crescent Moon/Spring, Texas

Saturday, 28 November:  private party

Sunday, 29 November:  Grape Ranch/Okemah, Oklahoma

Tuesday, 1 December:  Good Day Tulsa/Channel 8/Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tuesday, 1 December:  Crow Creek Tavern/Tulsa, Oklahoma

Friday, 4 December:  Blue Onion/w/ the CherryPickers/Norman,Oklahoma

Saturday, 5 December:  Big Fish/Grapevine, Texas

Friday, 11 December:  Price Tower/Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Saturday, 12 December:  private party/with my band, the CherryPickers

Sunday, 13 December:  Grape Ranch/Okemah, Oklahoma

Tuesday, 15 December:  Crow Creek Tavern/Tulsa, Oklahoma

Wednesday, 16 December:  Big Fish/Grapevine, Texas

Friday, 18 December:  Calistoga/Jenks, Oklahoma

Saturday, 26 December:  French Hen/Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tuesday, 29 December:  Crow Creek Tavern/Tulsa, Oklahoma

Saturday, 9 January:  Barker House Concerts/Austin, Texas

Nick Gibson wants everyone in Stilly to come out to Dirty's tonight after the game! We'll start around 10pm and play until the

--
==================================================================
This mobile text message is brought to you by AT&T

Nick Gibson

Nick Gibson is playing at Dirty's FULL BAND after the game tomorrow in Stilly! Come out and party with us after the game!

FW: Update about this weekend

Hello friends,

I haven't emailed you all in a bit. I hope you are all doing well.

I wanted to let you know that our show this Saturday (November 21)
has been moved. Never fear, we are still opening for Micky & the
Motorcars and it is going to be even more bad ass at this new
location. So, "Where is it?," you ask.

The show is at new club called Little Darlings located at 1500 SE
59th in Oklahoma City, OK. It is where Covergirls used to be. JT is
very excited about the new place and I think we are going to have
lots and lots of fun! So, you should definately come join us!!

Here is what is up for the rest of the year:
December 4, The Deli (Norman, OK)
December 5, Lucky Maggies (Diamond, MO)
December 11, Momo's (Austin, TX)
December 19, JT's Cowtown -opening for Stoney Larue- (Shawnee, OK)

Thanks friends,
AH

Brandon Jackson

Opening for Micky & the Motorcars tonight at Eskimo Joe's in Stillwater. Free show. Showtime: 10pm

McSwain Theatre - Ada, OK

FEATURED EVENTS
	Blue Gap Boyz (Movie) Tuesday, November 17 7:00 pm The Holba’ Kana’li (Moving Pictures) series continues in a comic adventure of three brothers traveling from a small reservation to Phoenix, Arizona in an attempt to become the greatest band their town, Blue Gap, has ever known. www.hhprod.com All Tickets - $5.00 (includes tax) Tickets on Sale Now!
	Jae L Stilwell and Crossover Saturday, November 21 7:30 pm McSwain's long-time performer Jae L. Stilwell and the band Crossover perform a collection of songs. Additional performers include: Brennin Hunt, Donna Marie, Haley Miller, Brad Porton, Tim Reich, Kayla Rumells, Tara Scott and Teagan Tulley. Adult Tickets - $18.00 (includes tax) Senior Tickets - $17.00 (includes tax) Season Tickets - $216.00 (includes tax) Tickets on Sale Now! Season tickets on Sale Now Through November 21, 2009
	Jae L Stilwell and Crossover Christmas Show Saturday, December 5 7:30 pm Join us for a festive evening to kickoff the Holiday Season! Jae L. Stilwell and the band Crossover will sing an array of Christmas songs that will make this a merry evening for all! Special guest Santa will be on hand to take pictures with children before the show. Additional performers include: Santa, the Christmas Kids, Hayden Mathew, Kyle Cantrell, Lauren Lee and Liberty Road Click on the following link to learn more about Jae L. and the band members: Jae L. & Crossover http://www.mcswaintheatre.com/the-band/ Adult Tickets - $18.00 (includes tax) Senior Tickets - $17.00 (includes tax) Tickets on Sale Now!

Monty Harper....

Children's songwriter, performer & recording artist Monty Harper here, checking in with you for the month of November. Thank you for subscribing to MontyNews!

 

 

1. Born to Do Science - this Thursday!

 

Remember last year when I did the science cafe at hastings here in Stillwater? Well, I've been working on starting up a second season, and this year I'm partnering with the Stillwater Public Library!

 

It happens the third Thursday every month, starting this week! Each month I'll have a different scientist  to speak to kids about their research. It was a lot of fun last year and this year's program looks to be even better.

 

Here's the info about our first event:

 

"Cultivating Super Wheat"

 

We'll start with a brand new song. Then our guest geneticist, Cheryl Baker, and I will ask the question, what can you do when Russian wheat aphids attack your crops? We'll explore the process of creating "super wheat" that can resist the aphids' attack. There will be wheat and aphids on hand to examine.

The program is Thursday, Nov. 19, at 6:00 PM at the Stillwater Public Library. Children in 3rd-5th grade are invited, along with their parents. Please call ahead to RSVP: (405) 372 3633

Please pass this along to anyone you know who might be interested!

Thanks!

P.S.

Visit the blog for more information

 

2. Acrocanthosaurus Update!

 

On October 24 I performed at the Museum of the Red River in Idabel for their Fall Arts Fest. I presented a brand new song called "Acrocanthosaurus, My Oklahoma Dinosaur," in honor of the Acro cast displayed in the museum.

 

Well, they liked the new song so much, they booked me on the spot to return for "Acrofest" in March! I'll be performing March 6, 2010 at 10:30 and 1:30. 

 

You can check out the song lyric as well as info about the Acro in my songbook at this link:

Acrocanthosaurus Song

 

 

3. Grant for Small Oklahoma Schools

 

I'm participating in a pilot program for the Oklahoma Arts Council called "Performing Arts Corps."

 

This will allow small schools to receive a grant to have me come for a day, and do two workshops and one assembly program. The grant covers most of the fee; the school's matching portion is only $125.

 

If you are in an Oklahoma school district with fewer than 1,000 students then you are eligible for the grant. Please contact me for more information.

--

That's it for now. Thanks for reading! Happy Thanksgiving!

 

--

Monty Harper

www.montyharper.com

 

Josh Rutz

Josh Rutz Friday in Stillwater and Saturday back to the hometown, Okeene to play the Galvanized Palace...Good Times!!!

BOB WILES BENEFIT

BOB WILES BENEFIT

Brad Piccolo November 14 at 9:14am

Benefit concert and auction for Bob Wiles.
This event will help Bob and his family defer the costs associated with his cancer.

Red Dirt Rangers, Tom Skinner's Science Project, The Saltines, Jim Paul Blair with special guests Harley Hamm, Bill Morgan & Dana Hazzard, The Roundup Boys, Joe Baxter, Split Level Rambler & Other special guests!

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 15

4:00pm to 8:00pm

WHERE: Bob's. Cain's Ballroom
Tulsa, OK

Please come out for this great event.

If you can't be there, send donations to: Bob Wiles, 1216 N. Juniper Pl., Broken Arrow, OK 74012

The Lost Ogle Snuggie Pub Crawl

Hosted by:

The 51st Street Speakeasy

When:

Saturday, December 05, 2009 8:00 PM - 2:00 AM CST

Description

On Saturday December 5th The Lost Ogle is organizing Oklahoma's very first "Snuggie' Pub Crawl.The festivities will begin at 8:00 PM at Edna's and will then move to The Drunken Fry at 9:30.From there it's on to the Speakeasy at 11:00.Snuggies are not required but obviously encouraged.We will have door prizes,drink specials and of course,lots of fun.You can contact us at myspace,facebook,or twitter or visit www.thelostogle.com for more details.So get your snuggies ready,come support your local watering holes and get ready to party!!!

Carrie Underwood's Play On Tops Soundscan 
Tops Both COUNTRY And All-Genre Charts
Third time is yet another charm for Carrie Underwood's Play On as over 300,000 albums slid across music store scanners in its debut week topping both the Nielsen Soundscan COUNTRY and All-Genre Charts.
Taylor Swift's Fearless--Platinum Edition pushed out another nearly 70,000-units. Tim McGraw'sSouthern Voice, in its 3rd week of release, continues to perform well moving moving out another 37,000+ units.
One more quick note...Cracker Barrel has moved over 14,000 copies of Alan Jackson's Songs of Love And Heartache.
The Nielsen Soundscan COUNTRY Top 10

1. Carrie Underwood/Play On (317,695)
2. Taylor Swift/Fearless (69,929>
3. Tim McGraw/Southern Voice (37,248)
4. Zac Brown Band/Foundation (23,549)
5. Lady Antebellum/Lady Antebellum (19.674)
6. Miranda Lambert/Revolution (16,253)
7. Hannah Montana/Movie Soundtrack (15,981)
8. Jason Aldean/Wide Open (15,147)
9. Toby Keith/American Ride (14,768)
10. Alan Jackson/Songs Of Love And Heartache (14,405)

Wade Bowen Is The Next Live At Billy Bob's Texas
CD/DVD Compilation Performance Next Saturday Night
Wade Bowen will become the next Texas Star to record Live At Billy Bob's Texas CD/DVD compilation.
That special show will be next Saturday night (11/21) at, Billy Bob's Texas--fondly known as The World's Largest Honky-Tonk, in Ft Worth.
Wade says, “The thought of preserving a performance at my favorite venue for years to come is really exciting. And, to top it off, I don’t think there is a better band in the world to do it with than the one that plays with me every night. It’s definitely something we’re really proud about doing.”
He recently made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry.

NOVEMBER 13, 2009

Music Licensing for Indie Films by Thea Maichle

Thea Maichle is a freelance Producer living in Venice, CA.  In her recent role as line producer for the film "Rock Prophecies," she oversaw the music licensing of songs from artists such as jimi Hendrix, Santana, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Jeff Beck, as well as various independent artists.  Check out the trailer!

Thea may be contacted at rockprophecies@gmail.com

---

As the line producer for Rock Prophecies, I spent much of my time on the phone working with our music supervisor to get last-minute music licenses approved for use in the film.  Finding the right music while staying within budget for an independent film is challenging.  If early on, someone had clued me in that I would spend hours upon hours negotiating with artists and labels and reading through endless music contracts, I would have chosen another career.  I KID!  For me, it has been exciting, rewarding and quite necessary in order to make our projects really stand out.  Hopefully I can shed some light on how music is chosen and what to expect for payment for music used in an independent film.

How music is chosen 

Independent filmmakers are always on the lookout for independent artists who want exposure. There are a couple of different ways a song can find its way into the edit bay and therefore into the final timeline of a film.  Typically, the editor does a rough string out of the story and begins to seek out music that will fit with the feel and timing of the scene.  For example, for an opening montage where buses are driving by, people are dancing, and quick cuts are happening, the editor may look for a bluesy song with a harmonica that is high energy and moves quickly.  The director has some input and may have a certain musician or song in mind.  However, it usually ends up that the director and editor will go to the producer like myself and say, “Find us this type of song.”  At that point, I either go to sites such as MySpace, Facebook, or my friends’ music libraries to search for similar music.

Another option is to reach out to a music supervisor (a person that quickly becomes a producer’s best friend).  You will notice that in the credits of most films and TV shows there is a music supervisor listed.  I encourage musicians to get their music in front of music supervisors.  I work with a fantastic music supervisor, Bruce Rabinowitz of Feedback!, who is constantly listening to new music, searching for a gem that will fit for a film.  Use the Internet and some detective work to find the addresses of the companies where music supervisors work and send them a demo with a note describing what type of music you produce.  It’s worth a shot.
Also, if you know any editors, directors, or producers, make sure they have your latest CD on hand and check in every once in awhile to make sure that your music is fresh on their minds. 

How much $$ to expect 

None. I’m kind of joking, but not really – just being realistic. Many times low-budget, independent films have no money for music licensing.  In this case, you have to weigh whether or not the exposure that you may receive is worth taking the time to work through contract details.  I say “may” because the plain fact is that most independent films never see the big screen.

If an independent film is able to include music licensing as a line item in their budget, it’s usually not much.  Songs get paid out per side, meaning you get paid an amount for the publishing rights (one side) and paid an amount for the master recording rights (the other side). When your music is used in an indie film you can probably expect anywhere from $100 - $500 per side for a buyout of broad rights, meaning in all media, in perpetuity (forever), worldwide.  A “buyout” is not an exclusive deal – it simply gives the film company the right to use your music in association with the film in its entirety. You still retain the right to license your music for as many other films and uses as you choose. The right to use your music for a trailer or commercial should be additional, separate licenses.

With that said, I believe that it is 100% worth the time it takes to review a contract and give it a go. I understand the amount of work that goes into writing and producing a song, so don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that artists should always give away their music for free.  In fact, I would love it if all the projects I worked on had fat budgets for music clearance.  However, many times it’s hard enough just getting the money together to make the film, so the music clearance budget suffers.   This is when you need to take a step back and ask yourself, “Is the potential exposure worth me licensing my music for use in a film?”  As long as you do not sign away exclusive rights for the use of your song in a film, then it doesn’t really hurt.  In the end, any exposure is good exposure.

Brandon Jackson

New show announcement: Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Eskimo Joe's with Micky & the Motorcars. Free show. 10pm Showtime.

Gooding

The Angel/Devil  

 

We are giving away the Gooding record at goodingmusic.com for a limited time only. Download it, burn it, share it! And if you are feeling the tracks, please make a donation to help get us back on the road!

Evan Michaels Band

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to give everybody a little update on EM. Evan and his band have taken some time off from the road this month to record their first FULL ALBUM!!!
I know everyone has been anticipating this moment for awhile now, but no worries, it will be out before we know it!
They are in Nashville as we speak recording what's only going to be the best album out there!!
So I will keep everyone updated because there will be CD release parties coming soon!!
Get excited for the Evan Michaels Band first FULL ALBUM...due sometime in January!

Spread the word,
Jess

Shawna Russell starts a “Rumor,” offering free download

Posted by brandy

on November 12, 2009M at 6:40 pm

Oklahoma country artist Shawna Russell is offering a free download of her powerful new song, “Rumor,” during the month of November at her Web site www.shawnarussell.com/home.htm. The talented Okemah singer is in great voice on this new track, which is definitely a great free gift.

Fans who download the song will also have the opportunity to purchase a limited-edition series signed copy of Russell’s unreleased “Goddess Multimedia Edition” CD/DVD combo at a special price of $14.99.

“Rumor” has spread across radio waves and the Internet since its release three weeks ago on AirPlayDirect.com, the global digital-to-radio delivery service, according to a news release.

“Rumor” has dominated the service’s Global Radio Download Charts, reaching the No. 1 position on no less than five of their charts, including Top 50 Tracks This Month, where “Rumor” and four other Russell compositions held five out of seven of the top positions – ahead of new releases by Roseanne Cash featuring Bruce Springsteen and Patty Loveless.

“This song really has taken on a life of its own,” Russell said in the release. “It was not intended to be a traditional single release to radio, but after Robert Weingartz, the CEO of AirPlay Direct, heard the song – he insisted that we make it available to his radio members – and the response from programmers around the world has been amazing.”

 The reaction to the song was so strong that AirPlay Direct rushed a songwriter profile about Russell and “Rumor” into the November issue of their new digital/interactive publication the Direct Buzz (www.thedirectbuzz.com).

“Time will tell if ‘Rumor’ will become an official radio single for me,” Russell added in the release. “For now, I am excited that people are reacting so positively to it.”

Written by Shawna Russell, her father Keith and her uncle Tim, “Rumor” explores the darker side of Russell’s passion in a powerful song that marries voice, lyric, music – and the magic that happens when there are no rules to follow – or genre categories to fence in creativity.

“Rumor” was produced in Nashville by Tim Russell and Clif Doyal and reunites key players from Russell’s debut CD, including Emmy and Grammy-winning mix master Nathaniel Kunkel (Maroon 5/Sting) and guitarist extraordinaire Jon Conley (LeAnn Rimes/Wynonna). The production also features a stellar group of all-star musicians, including keyboardist Charles Judge (Bon Jovi/Rascal Flatts), drummer Billy Thomas (Vince Gill), and bassist Mike Brignardello (Lynyrd Skynyrd/Sugarland).

Along with the free download of “Rumor” at her Web site, Russell’s fans will also have the opportunity to purchase her not-yet-released “Goddess Multimedia Edition.” The deluxe CD/DVD combo includes all 13 tracks from her critically-acclaimed debut CD, “Goddess,” and an original booklet with song lyrics and photos.

The DVD features Russell’s video biography, music video for her No. 1 YallWire and CMT.com favorite, “Should’ve Been Born With Wheels.” It also includes exclusive, never-before-seen content  including the unreleased video, “Wheels – The Director’s Cut,” plus alternate and unreleased versions of her singles “Goddess” and “Should’ve Been Born With Wheels” and a live recording of Russell singing onstage at the Oklahoma Opry at age 9. The DVD also includes several photo galleries from her career, plus downloadable artist bio, videos, fact sheet, song lyrics, CD reviews and more.

The Okemah singer-songwriter was introduced onto the national music scene with the release of her debut CD, “Goddess,” in early 2008. Her music has received rave reviews from yours truley, CMA Close Up, Country Weekly and esteemed Music Row critic Robert K. Oermann, among others. With the release of three well-received radio singles, “Goddess,” “Should’ve Been Born With Wheels” and “Fire In The Desert,” Russell has established herself as a strong contender on the country and Texas music scenes. She has also earned international acclaim from Europe’s top music publications, including Maverick Magazine in the UK and DreamWest Magazine in France.

For more information, go to: www.ShawnaRussell.com andwww.MySpace.com/shawnarussell878.

-BAM

Country music awards: An Attack Dog Stood Close By Taylor Swift
Written by Abel Rodriguez  
Story written: 13 November 2009

Carrie Underwood's legs have been named "The Best Looking Legs In Oklahoma" for the past three years.

NASHVILLE - Nineteen-year-old Taylor Swift captured four music awards. The talented blonde from Pennsylvania won awards for Best Album of The Year, Best Female Vocalist of The Year, Best Music Video of The Year, and the highly coveted Entertainer of The Year.

Swift, whose last name rhymes with 'Money' told hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood that she had not cried that much since she was a little girl and she first found out that the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and Homer Simpson were not real.

During her four acceptance speeches, off to the side and out of the view of the TV viewing audience was a U.S. Army military dog handler Captain Wilmington Ketchwood and his German Shepherd "Mr. Bruiser."

The producers of the show had hired trainer and dog in the event that somehow Kanye West had breached security and gotten into the auditorium.

Actress Nicole Kidman, who looks more like Desperate Housewives' Marcia Cross, than Cross does did not say a word all night. She just sat quietly smiling next to her much shorter and spaced out looking husband Keith Urban.

A lot of people noticed that Marcia, I mean Nicole, was wearing a push up bra that certainly did what it was intended to do. At one point it seemed like Nicole's 'puppies' actually came mighty close to scraping her chin.

LeAnn Rimes showed up wearing a dress that looked like she had gone to several hospitals and bought up all of their gauze and just wrapped it all around her. And her eye makeup looked like something one would find on a promiscuous raccoon.

Someone backstage commented that it was a wonder that she somehow managed to take some time off from her personal 'Playgirl' life to attend the award show.

Due to the Kanye West concern there was a strained moment before the telecast went on the air. Black singer Darius Rucker, who was Hootie in the band Hootie and the Blowfish, was asked to submit to a quick DNA test by the head of security, Nedmond Esperselli.

Esperselli explained to Mr. Rucker that it was just a matter of erring on the side of caution. Rucker said that he understood and asked Mr. Esperselli if he perhaps would also like to see his birth certificate and several credit cards.

Esperselli said that he appreciated the gesture but that it would not be necessary. The Ruck, as his good friend Tiger Woods calls him, then asked Esperselli if maybe he would like to talk to his wife, who happens to be white, and ask her if he is in fact who he says he is, or maybe he might just be Kanye West disguised as her husband and singer Darius Rucker aka Hootie.

Esperselli detected a bit of hostility on the part of Mr. Rucker and he told him to please settle down and not make a scene in front of all the nice 'white folk.'

"White folk?" Rucker shouted out. "Hey how 'bouts me you no good mother effen, cracker, backwoods honky?"

"Now, now, no need to go and get all Rev. Sharpton on me Mr. Hootie." Esperselli remarked.

"Mr. Hootie?" Rucker exploded and he reached out towards Mr. Esperselli, but before he got within two feet of him Captain Ketchwood and "Mr. Bruiser" had gotten between them.

Rucker was told to calm down and go backstage and pour himself a glass of Ripple Wine.

"Ripple Wine?" He screamed.

Black country singer Charley Pride who was sitting up in the back of the balcony and heard the commotion had made his way to where Rucker was sitting.

He told brother Darius to settle the hell down. He then told him that decades ago he was the first black to ever sing country music.

Charley told him of times when he would be booked to play a concert somewhere in the south and there would be more people up on stage than in the audience.

Country Charley told brother Rucker to sit his all excited black ass down and behave hisself (himself). Mr. Pride told him to see where he (Rucker) is sitting and then to look way up to the back of the balcony and see where he (Pride) was sitting.

Charley told Darius Rucker to be nice to the white folk and that the white folk would in turn be nice to him. Pride winked and started making his way back up to the back of the balcony.

Meanwhile on stage Carrie Underwood was talking away while wearing her fourth dress of the evening. She ended up wearing nine dresses and she remarked that she had worn more dresses in just three hours than she had worn her entire senior year at Bubba Sooner High School in Checotah, Oklahoma.

The little blonde cutey from Oklahoma did not win any awards. She was however named the Fastest Clothes Change Artist of The Year.

Jacob Abello Delivers Gold

Jacob Abello has been teasing the masses with a trail of gold nuggets since he posted “We’re So Young” on his Myspace what might seem like ages ago. But finally, he is sharing his songwriting pot of gold with his debut album appropriately titled Nothing But Gold.
Party anthems, love stories and what sounds like alcohol-induced confessions glitter up Gold with an honest portrayal of Abello’s life. Admittedly, he spouts out stories on this album like “word vomit” and depicts his voyage from a 20-something rejecting his naive roots to finding new footing on his new stomping ground in Norman, Oklahoma.
Abello has a long history of songwriting. Back in high school, he garnered a lot of attention for his early pop songs from Christian record labels. He was back and forth between Nashville, Tennessee, and his hometown of Tuttle, Oklahoma, demoing for A&R representatives for most of high school. But as he familiarized himself with that industry, he eventually lost his desire to be a part of the Christian music scene.
“I started demoing songs for them, but as I got older, I wasn’t feeling too good about Christianity overall,” Abello said. “I got exposed to this whole industry that was so corrupt than even the secular music industry. I got really turned off by it and was done with music for a while.”
It was once he broke free of the pressures of the industry that he started to find his real voice.
SHOW INFO:
• Where: Brothers, 563 Buchanan Street, in Norman
• Openers: Sherree Chamberlain & The Pretty Black Chains
“There’s was no pressure after that,” he said. “You know, for a while my audience was a couple Christian A&R guys in Nashville, and it was really tough. They were like ‘Write another song like this’ and my response would be ‘But I already wrote that song, and I don’t want to write another one like that.’ Then, I just started writing, and I was writing for me.”
He had no plans to record any of this material, but eventually he wrote one song he really loved that he called “People Need People.” Abello played the song for Jarod Evans, a producer and personal friend from Blackwatch Studios, and he immediately wanted to record the song. Eventually, Abello started writing the rest of the material that became Gold.
“Some of the songs on this record I wrote when I was a senior in high school,” he said. “A lot of it is about growing up in a church and being really conservative. It’s a lot about finding what I really believe through life experiences. At that age, it’s really about breaking away from your family and really experiencing things for yourself. Like things you really thought were wrong before – sometimes, you realize they are actually good. It’s about finding out who you are, and figuring things out for yourself rather than just believing everything that people tell you.”
Gold is sprinkled with Biblical references that openly expose that personal evolution.
“I really like all these songs. They really do document a journey from the age of 18 to 21. It’s not a stable time in anyone’s life – you’re really just trying to figure it all out. It’s a really personal thing: it’s me putting myself on display with all of my shit. But I think this is all beautiful, and it could be related to anybody. To me, it’s just about growing up.”
Now that the album is complete and finally being release (the original record release date was missed due to a delay on the mixing), Abello is prepared to immerse himself in the music scene to get this record heard.
With the slew of big names backing up the Abello hype, Gold is a record bound to raise some brows. The album includes the sounds of Justin Meldal-Johnson of Beck and Nine Inch Nails, James McAlister of Sufjan Stevens and Pedro the Lion – and appearances by local staples like Ryan Lindsey, Brine Webb, Evangelicals’ Josh Jones and Starlight Mints’ Allan Vest.
“I’ve made so many friends in past 2 or 3 years that I never thought existed because I grew up in a really isolated town,” Abello said. “The process of this album has really been guided by some of these people I’ve met that are all so accepting and honest. On this record, I really try to be honest and venerable – that’s nice, because I really grew holding it all in.”
With the record industry in such a questionable and unstable state, it’s difficult to say if this album will ever become a major label release. But with the power of the Internet and music blogs, Abello’s primary focus is just getting his music out to listeners.
“The fans have so much more power than they used to,” he said. “It’s so much more organic and it’s so much more romantic, too. The fans are working to find music that they like, and they make the decisions.”
There’s no doubt plenty of indie rock listeners will soon be cashing in on the gold mine that’s ever-so-elegantly woven into Jacob Abello’s Nothing But Gold.
Natalie Wright

Leon Russell's new tour includes Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Norman Music Festival

by: JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
11/10/2009 9:39:36 PM

---

For more: Check out Tulsa World music reporter Jennifer Chancellor's Barrelhouse Beat Blog for music news, videos and more. tulsaworld.com/BarrelhouseBeat

---

Tulsa Sound icon Leon Russell's tour will roll through Osage Million Dollar Elm on April 24, 2010, tour industry tracker Pollstar Pro reports.

The longtime Tulsa musician recently added 29 tour dates, including a Dec. 19 show at the Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City's Bricktown district. He will also perform at the Norman Music Festival on April 25, 2010 on Norman's Main Street, the site shows.

He will also perform in New York, Tennessee, North Carolina, Arkansas, Hawaii, Texas and more, the site shows.

The keyboardist, guitarist and songwriter was a pivotal figure in the blues-rock movement known as the Tulsa Sound, and has performed, recorded and toured with artists including J.J. Cale, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell, Jerry Lee Lewis, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, B.B. King, Freddie King, The Byrds and many more.

He was also part of the studio band for legendary music producer Phil Spector and owned Tulsa's Church Studio for many years before selling it to fellow musician and