Fallen South

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Band File:
Fallen South

This link in a frame Categories 1. Band Files 2. Myspace Pages Dallas/Fort Worth F Heavy Metal Heavy metal Detailed entry: Dallas based metal band formed in early 2007. heavy metal, hardcore, speed metal. Websites: www.myspace.com/fallensouth Genre(s): Heavy Metal, Speed Metal, Grind core Hometown: Mesquite, TX Lineup: Brady-Vocals Brandon-Guitarist Dave-Guitarist Gary...aka...Gfunk-Bass Chris-Drums Listen: www.myspace.com/fallensouth Pics: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=163546757 Biography: Fallen South was formed in early 2007. A pact was made to make our impact on the DFW local scene and supply local fans with a quenchable taste of local metal. Fallen South members come from a good background of awesome local bands. Brady, Dave and Gary...aka...Gfunk, formally from the band 3/4 Ton and Brandon and Chris, formally from the band Coincide. Discography: Fallen South Demo, 2007, Dallas Sound Lab, Track Tension Records Accomplishments: Pleasing the local fans with a display of Heavy Metal. Q&A Q: How did you get together? A: Basically the members of Fallen South knew and played shows together when they were in other bands. Q: What lineup changes have you gone through? A: None Q: What have some of the biggest challenges been for you? A: As of right now, just getting the name out and informing the public who we are and what were about. Q: What is each member’s musical background? A: Brady, Dave and Gary..aka..Gfunk, formally from the band 3/4 Ton. Brandon and Chris, formally from the band Coincide. Q: Boxers or briefs? A: Boxers, I don't know about the other guys but thats a little too much info for me....lol Q: What are your future plans and long-term goals as a band? A: Fallen South has very high expectations of what kind of impact that we will make t-words the local community. Of course every band wants to make it to the top and be signed with a big record label. In our eyes even if we don't ever get signed and we please just one person with their needs for metal our goal is accomplished by far. Q: How did you come up with your band name and/or what does it mean? A: Pretty much we were just putting words together and just stumbled upon Fallen South. It has nothing to do with southern states or about the Civil War. Just kinda came together as a person fallen into the depths of their own hell. Q: How would you describe your music? A: Heavy, fast, chunky and grooving. Q: Where do you get your inspiration? A: We get our inspiration from numerous things. Anything from a feeling or dream one of us had, or a circumstance that really made a impact on our life. Also of coarse other bands inspire and motivate us. Q: What makes you/your music stand out? A: Its tough to be original these days because so much has been done with rock and metal. In my eyes I really think the thickness, vocals and groove patterns is what stands out the most in our music. Q: How does being in a band affect the other areas of your lives (work/school/social/etc.)? A: As for me and I'm sure the guys would agree with me, music affects us everyday, if you had a bad day and that one feeling from a song or lyric can get you through that bad day. Music to us a euphoric feeling that takes you to that place in your mind that soothes the soul.

New Comments:
Fallen South
Hardcore, heavy metal! Fallen South tear it up with vicious growls and high-speed, Metallica-esque music. 100% head-bangable!

The American Indian Cultural Center in Oklahoma City

Gena Timberman Howard, deputy director of the American Indian Cultural Center & Museum, and Jim Pepper Henry, Smithsonian National Museum of American Indians, announce a loan agreement between the two museums over a model of the Oklahoma City museum on Friday. By David McDaniel, THE OKLAHOMAN

Indian museums to share exhibits Smithsonian items coming to Oklahoma.

By Julie Bisbee
Staff Writer

The American Indian Cultural Center in Oklahoma City will have access to more than 1 million American Indian exhibits under an agreement with the National Museum of the American Indian.

Officials from both museums signed an agreement Friday that would allow for exhibit, information and staff exchanges between the proposed Oklahoma City cultural center and the museum on the National Mall in Washington.

"This is a project that is long overdue,” said Gena Timberman Howard, deputy director of the Native American Cultural and Education Authority. "This step is paving the way for a unique dialogue.”

The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian would allow Oklahoma's American Indian Cultural Center to use some of its artifacts in exhibits as well as education materials to show the experience of the 67 tribes with Oklahoma ties.

"A vast majority of our Native American constituents — and the majority of Americans — will never make it to Washington, D.C., to experience the museum,” said James Pepper Henry , associate director of community and constituent services and an enrolled member of the Kaw Nation in Oklahoma.

"For us, Indian country is outside of Washington, D.C. It's exciting for us to participate in this. We're glad to bring our exhibits out here.”

Dirt work on the site of Oklahoma's museum has begun along the Oklahoma River, where Interstates 35 and 40 meet in Oklahoma City. Officials are hoping the museum construction will be completed by 2010, but the final completion date also depends on fundraising success.

Layers of history

Once Oklahoma's cultural center opens, it promises to be the center of American Indian culture and education.

"I think of it as layers of an onion,” said Pepper Henry , who once ran the Kaw tribe museum in his hometown of Kaw City. "We at NMAI (National Museum of the American Indian) are just the first or second layer of the onion. To go deeper, people need to come to Oklahoma to learn more.”

Pepper Henry said Oklahoma's cultural center has the potential to bring visitors to the state and to other tribal museums.

"This is a perfect place to start that exploration,” he said.

Officials have been working on creating an American Indian cultural center in Oklahoma since 1994, when the Oklahoma Legislature created the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority.

Funding needed

"We've come a long way, and it's really going to happen now,” said Tommy Thompson, executive director of the Native American Cultural and Educational Authority. "We've got the momentum.”

A private fundraising campaign for the American Indian Cultural Center is expected to begin in May.

The Native American Cultural and Educational Authority wants to get at least $35 million from private donors and is hoping to get about $12 million from tribal sources, Thompson said.

The museum also is looking for about $56 million from state and federal sources.

2007 Festival of the Arts

Photo by Jaconna Aguirre

Kelsey McIntire, 6, of Chicago eats a funnel cake at the 2007 Festival of the Arts in Oklahoma City.

Even steady rainfall couldn't wash away the tantalizing aromas of cooking fry bread, cinnamon-roasted pecans and sizzling sausages Friday afternoon at the downtown Festival of the Arts.

Downtown Tulsa's two-day summer festival

Dfest adds more bands to lineup

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/28/2007

Downtown Tulsa's two-day summer festival, Dfest, has added more bands; and tickets sales have been swift, said Tom Green, the festival's chief executive officer.

Organizers have added the groups Shiny Toy Guns, the Format, Young Love, MC Chris from the cable television show Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Dios, AM and Bang Bang Bang.

"Ticket sales are doing great. Our badge sales are doing great. The exciting part is the momentum and excitement building," Green said.

Also, Dfest is holding a design contest for this year's posters, programs and compilation CDs featuring the performing artists, Green said. Submissions, which should have the theme "The Music Center of the Universe: Dfest 2007" will be accepted until May 15.

The festival is scheduled for July 27-28 in the city's Blue Dome District near First Street and Elgin Avenue. Tickets are $20, plus a service charge, available by calling (866) 465-5483 or online at www.okctickets.com.

Oklahoma City's the Flaming Lips are headlining the festival. The band plays July 27. Former Tulsan Leon Russell will perform July 28.

Also performing the first day are Kevin Welch, Shiny Toy Guns, AM and Dios. The second day's additional performers are the Format, Young Love, Tulsa's Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, MC Chris, Limbeck, Bang Bang Bang, Sam the Sham and Adam Hood.

Organizers expect Dfest's 11 stages of about 130 bands to bring about 30,000 fans to downtown.

More headliners will be announced May 15, Green said.

---

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Mike McClure

McClure glad to cross Great Divide into rock country

By Dru Willis (Contact)
Thursday, April 26, 2007

Ten years ago Mike McClure was lead singer of the popular Oklahoma band The Great Divide, a group that cracked the Billboard country music charts.

These days, he fronts the Mike McClure Band, and he's traded in his Wrangler jeans and major record label support for traveling from gig to gig in a van and playing music that sounds closer to rock than The Great Divide's songs.

The transition wasn't always easy, but now McClure has three studio albums of his own to draw from for his live shows.

McClure performs Friday at Cowboys, 1850 S. Clack St.

When he set out on his own, he tried to avoid playing The Great Divide songs, such as ''Pour Me a Vacation,'' to establish his solo career. McClure's sound has moved toward rock music during his solo career - which sometimes blindsides fans who remember his country music past.

''A lot of people were expecting me to play The Great Divide songs all night and I didn't want to. I still don't play a whole lot from the TGD days,'' McClure said in a recent telephone interview. ''We have been a band almost five years. I occasionally pull one out, but our repertoire ... isn't filled with The Great Divide songs.''

Besides, McClure has other things to think about - such as producing albums. His name can be found inside the album covers of bands such as Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stoney LaRue, Johnny Cooper and Darren Kozelsky.

''It is just part of the creative processes that I enjoy,'' McClure said. ''I enjoy sitting with bands and helping them arrange songs and come up with parts.''

Age, experience - and sobriety - have sharpened his producing skills.

''There were times where the party would overtake and make the record. But you know, that is all rock 'n' roll,'' he said. ''I am always in the studio learning stuff ... techniques, dealing with bands and everything.''

And he balances his production work with songwriting, recording his own music and touring.

''There are times that I will be in the studio for a week and I am ready to hit the road and get out of there, or get off by myself and write some songs,'' he said. ''If I am on the road for too long, I would just as soon hibernate in the studio for a week. It is kind of back and forth.''

Hosty Duo

Local Band Q&A: Hosty Duo

•Why: Catch Mike Hosty tearing through his guitar, singing and stomping bass lines with foot pedals all at the same time. Just to keep it interesting, he blows in some baritone from a kazoo taped to his microphone while Michael "Tic Tac” Byers plays his three-piece drums.

In various incarnations, the Norman-based band has opened for Fiona Apple, Chainsaw Kittens, Hank Williams III, Leon Russell and others.

Humor is always part of the show, and their Oklahoma roots emerge from many of the songs. Lyrics from their favorite song: "The wind is hangin' Pontiacs in trees … Hear me knockin' on your door. You're gonna find out what a fraidy hole is for.”

On their MySpace site, here's how they describe the way the band sounds: "an old freight train the engineer keeps pouring the coals to with the boiler about to blow.”

•When: 10 tonight

•Where: Mike's College Bar, 319 S Washington, Stillwater

Q:How did your band get started?

A:Hosty: I had several bands, Heater for one in the '90s, and when "Tic Tac” moved back from Austin, we started playing gigs. The band evolved from trying to find bass players and finally discovering the bass pedals in 2000.

Q:How important is the band name? How did you come up with it?

A:Hosty: I had had so many band names that came and went. "Tic Tac” suggested we name the band after my last name so no matter what happened, I could still use the name and build it.

Q:What is the most time-consuming part of music? Travel, writing lyrics, writing the music?

A:Hosty: Travel. Riding in the van takes the most time. Songwriting is spur of the moment and out of nowhere. Riding in the van, though, is like training to go on a mission to Mars.

Q:How do you arrange your set?

A:Hosty: I usually listen to what the folks in the crowd are yelling out and wanting to hear. You are there for them.

Q:As a working musician, how do you get paid?

A:Hosty: Every place is so different. Some you fill out W-2s, and others you get ribs and beer. You hope to make your travel expenses and try to sell some merchandise.

Q:What's the story behind your band's favorite song?

A:Hosty: "Fraidy Hole” came about after the second wave of twisters from the Moore tornadoes a couple years back. As Gary (England) was telling everyone to duck for cover, an older guy turned to me and said, "Best get in your fraidy hole.” I immediately wrote it down thinking it would make a great song, and lo and behold, it did.

Q:How do you hope to inspire future musicians?

A:Hosty: I teach guitar lessons, and today I saw a student play with his own band at the Groovefest. That is where it is at. Teaching several guys around town who are playing some indie rock and to see them out playing is rewarding indeed.

Q:What is your dream music venue? Where would you like to play?

A:

Hosty: We played Lloyd Noble with Fiona Apple, so that one is off the list. But I would like to play old theaters, the vaudevillians, the 100-year-old places with history. I also like to play in smoky holes-in-the-wall and mini-malls. … In mini-malls is where I really shine.

Q:What band would you most like to tour with?

A:Hosty: Any of the legends, those who have been at it a long time, with staying power. B.B. King, Tom Waits, even Widespread Panic.

— Chris Colberg; oklahoman.com

State's notable role in steel guitar history

Painter: State's notable role in steel guitar history

By Bryan Painter
Columnist

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — I've seen a lot in the Show Me State from one location — the Millennium Hotel in St. Louis, where I've stayed three times.

From the lobby — I've marveled at the Arch and the Mississippi River.

From my hotel rooms — the old and now new Busch Stadiums, home of the St. Louis Cardinals.

I knew anywhere from a little to a lot about each.

But just outside the conference room of our Mid-America Press Institute journalism workshop is a wall that interested me the previous two times I'd been there and really drew me in on my trip this month as I started thinking about its ties to Oklahoma history.

Along that wall is the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame.

In the family I was raised in, steel guitars far outweighed electric guitars in the music Dad listened to on his eight-track tapes. That was the first hook for me.

The second was the number of times I saw Oklahoma listed as birth state for the inductees.

There are five people born in Oklahoma who have been inducted into The Steel Guitar Hall Of Fame: Noel Boggs, born in Oklahoma City and inducted in 1981; Ralph Mooney, born in Duncan and inducted in 1983; Bob Dunn, born in the Fort Gibson-Braggs area and inducted in 1992; "Pee Wee” Whitewing, born in Reichert near a community called Conser and inducted in 2002; and Tom Bradshaw, born in Skiatook and inducted in 2006.

Steel guitar players are like football's offensive lineman — what they contribute to is appreciated but their identities often go unnoticed. But music has played a big role in our state's history, and so I thought during this centennial year, it was a good time to look at how some of these talented Oklahomans influenced so many different facets of life.

I contacted DeWitt "Scotty” Scott of St. Louis, president of the International Steel Guitar Convention and on the board of the hall of fame. I asked him about Oklahomans' influence.

"We owe a debt of gratitude to many steel guitar players that were native to Oklahoma,” he said. "Names like Noel Boggs, Ralph Mooney, Bob Dunn and Pee Wee Whitewing were innovators in the pioneering of the western swing style of music.

"And they were also active in the pop and country and western music, as well. Many of the local bands in the 1940s had steel players from other states, but they also made an impact in both Oklahoma City and Tulsa.”

Scott listed players such as Herb Remington, Leon McAuliffe and Speedy West as three examples. He said it wasn't unusual to attend a dance to hear Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys or Johnny Lee Wills or Merle Lindsey and the Oklahoma Night Riders and hear one of the above players.

"All in all, Oklahoma musicians have been a great inspiration to many of us steel players, and the state of Oklahoma can be proud,” he said.

Noel Boggs

Boggs learned to play the steel guitar while a junior high student in Oklahoma. He worked at a few Oklahoma City radio stations, left, and then returned to the area to work at WKY radio as a performer. Starting in 1941, he started a band, and they played in the Oklahoma City area for the next three years.

In the mid-1940s, he joined Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, where he recorded the instrumental "Texas Playboy Rag” and others, according to The Comprehensive Country Music Encyclopedia. His Hall of Fame plaque states: "Pop and Western swing band recording artist who stylized the ‘Mellow tone' using multiple, non-pedal tunings for his patented ‘neck-hopping' technique.”

Ralph Mooney

As I mentioned before, eight-tracks with traditional and then-current country music were easily found in our house, in dad's pickup, in the car and so on. Mooney, along with Chuck Seals, helped write one of the songs I remember well, Ray Price's classic "Crazy Arms.”

But that's writing and Mooney is known more for his playing. For instance, he can be heard playing on the recordings of many including Merle Haggard's "Swinging Doors” "The Bottle Let Me Down” and "(All My Friends Are Gonna Be) Strangers.” And yet others know Mooney for his days, many years actually, playing with Waylon Jennings. His plaque includes the statement "So uniquely original that he remains unduplicated.”

Bob Dunn

Before Bo Diddley or Stevie Ray Vaughn or any of the electric guitar's well-known names, there was Bob Dunn.

Dunn took a standard guitar and built up the bridge and magnetized the strings, according to a 1982 story in The Oklahoman. That story also noted that his song, "Taking Off,” was the first amplified guitar solo on record. It was recorded in January 1935. But, he was known as a premier western swing musician.

Dunn played and recorded more than 90 songs with Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies before Brown died in the mid-1930s. Plus, Dunn's plaque credits him as being "The first steel guitarist to introduce jazz licks into country and western music.”

‘Pee Wee' Whitewing

Whitewing toured with those such as Ray Price and Lefty Frizzell. In the 1950s, Whitewing's work was a huge part of Hank Thompson's Brazos Valley Boys. And this came from a young man who arrived in California in the early 1940s and by 12 was beginning his career as a professional. By age 17, he was a premier player touring with various artists.

Whitewing retired from music in 1971 to join his sons in the oil business. But he came back to the steel guitar in the 1990s, appearing with another steel guitar great Bobby White at steel guitar conventions. Whitewing's plaque in St. Louis ends by praising him as "A true western pioneer who distinguished the instrument.”

Tom Bradshaw

Bradshaw became a member of the hall last year.

Bradshaw is more famous for his Steel Guitar Products and 40-plus years of promoting and contributing to the general public's recognition and appreciation of the instrument.

Scott said of Bradshaw: "He helped many people, including yours truly.” And while others were spreading the steel guitar through their music, Bradshaw was spreading word of their music as a concert promoter, writer, record producer and steel historian. According to his Hall of Fame plaque, Bradshaw "was steel's foremost journalist of his time.”

He was the editor/publisher of Steel Guitar Magazine and served as a steel columnist and writer for Guitar Player for many years.

Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton "Pure BS” (Warner Bros.)

Country

Though just on his fourth studio album, Blake Shelton knows the true source of great country music: self-loathing. Perhaps that's why the native Oklahoman named this effort "Pure BS.” That could be dangerous. Think of all the witty parallels music scribes could draw to his music. But Shelton shows that "pure BS” is pure country music, i.e. songs about drinking, lost love and wasted lives.

Previously, Shelton used Bobby Braddock as his sole producer. This time, he retained Braddock and brought in some new ears and opinions. The result is a solid 11-song effort that pays homage to traditional country themes and highlights Shelton's booming voice. The pride of Ada delivers on the ballads, beginning with the first single "Don't Make Me.” He also shines when lamenting regret. What's worse than missing a former lover? According to "She Don't Love Me,” it's seeing a former lover that's become indifferent to your existence. On "It Ain't Easy Being Me,” Shelton croons "I've had to work to become the jerk I've come to be.” Sounds like something Hank Williams would say.

Several tracks sound like charming homages to 1980s-era country with the kitschy guitar licks and lyrical phrasing. And when it comes to voice, Shelton has some of the most powerful pipes in Nashville. He's now an established country star that doesn't take himself too seriously (see album title) and can still squeeze out a great country album without trying to reinvent the wheel. Shelton's "Pure BS” is definitely a lot BS. And in a good way.

— Ben Scott

Brakes

Brakes "The Beatific Visions” (Rough Trade/World's Fair)

Alternative

Few side projects and supergroups are worth time or attention — even successful multitaskers such as Ryan Adams occasionally stretch too thin. Brakes is that rare and beautiful exception: a side dish far more appetizing than the main course. Composed of key members of Electric Soft Parade and British Sea Power, two bands capable of both disarming beauty and unrelenting torpor, Brakes is all about fast fun.

The band's second batch of bash-and-twang punk, "The Beatific Visions,” makes a great case for quitting day jobs. Brakes breaks out the bluster with the jagged blues-rock of "Hold Me in the River” and the nervous, jangle-rocking "Margarita” before strapping boots on for the country-tinged "If I Should Die Tonight” and "Mobile Communication.” Then Brakes gets docile with the title track, a sweet, summery love song that sounds nothing like the raucous rocking around it.

In those rare moments of tranquillity, Brakes sounds like a different band — practically no commonality exists between the crazed buffoonery of "Porcupine or Pineapple” and the atmospheric disc closer, "No Return.” But even if "The Beatific Visions” lacks continuity, Brakes earns bonus points for delivering 11 great songs in less than 30 minutes, and never sounding like its having a laugh at listeners' expense.

— George Lang

Toby Keith

Toby Keith brings attention, funds to Ally's House, which aids Oklahomans dealing with pediatric cancer

By Brandy McDonnell
Staff Writer

For Toby Keith, Ally's House is "my charity.”

His fervor for the Norman-based organization is fueled by the memory of an ailing little girl who just wanted to go home.

In 2004, Keith helped establish Ally's House, a nonprofit group that helps Oklahoma children with cancer and their families. The charity is named for Allison Webb, the 2-year-old daughter of Scott Webb, one of the country star's original bandmates. Allison died Aug. 6, 2003, a month before her third birthday, of Wilms' tumors, a type of kidney cancer.

"The Make-A-Wish (Foundation) people asked her if there was anything she wanted to go do; she said she just wanted to go to her house, just go to Ally's house. So we named it Ally's House, and it benefits the families and patients here in Oklahoma,” Keith said in a recent phone interview.

Keith, who grew up in Moore and lives in Norman, will again show his support for the cause this weekend, when he hosts the fourth annual Toby Keith and Friends Golf Classic. Last year's event raised about $300,000 for the charity, said Linda Webb, Allison's mom and Ally's House executive director.

Golfers quickly filled the roster for this year's tournament. The event includes a private concert and silent and live auctions tonight for the golfers and guests. Saturday's tournament at Norman's Belmar Golf Club will include local celebrities Bob Stoops, Barry Switzer, Billy Sims and Joe Washington.

"This is a direct shot in the arm for Oklahoma City. None of these proceeds go national; these go directly to Oklahomans,” Keith said.

Webb, who is a cancer survivor, said Ally's House assists with medical and prescription drug costs, travel expenses and other financial needs associated with a family's battle with pediatric cancer. The charity provided toys, furniture and a plasma TV for the playroom in the new hematology oncology wing at Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center.

"Any Oklahoma child who is diagnosed with cancer and their family is eligible for help,” she said.

Allison initially received care at Children's Hospital, then at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Keith said the family found "a whole different level of care” at St. Jude.

"The family was overwhelmed with how well St. Jude was prepared and how, really, you need to be prepared ... when the crisis starts of you having a little child (with cancer),” Keith said.

"One of you's got to quit, so that cuts your income in half. You know, the husband or wife — one has to quit work and go with the kid. The medicines and things are very expensive. There's one pill that you have to buy that is $100 a pill or better, and it's probably gone up since I looked last. But it is a pill that will ease the pains of chemo and radiation treatments. So, a parent would spend his last dollar to see that their kids were as pain-free as possible.”

Among the long-term goals for Ally's House is a center where families could stay while their children are treated at Children's Hospital, Keith said.

In the meantime, the entertainer is impressed at what the nonprofit has achieved in just four years.

"It's amazing how many families are already affected by it, how many people come up ... that have just on chance been in the restaurant (Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill) or have come to a show or something and said, ‘You know, you guys were lifesavers,'” he said.

After playing in Saturday's tournament, Keith will gear up for the June 12 release of his new album, "Big Dog Daddy.” He recently wrote a treatment for a movie titled "Beer for My Horses.” He also is preparing to go on tour and working with other musicians on his independent label, Show Dog Nashville.

"I'm busy,” he said. "There's a method to the madness, though. It doesn't wear on me. It's a plateful, but it's what I want.”

Opera Festival readies debut

NORMAN — American tenor Paul Sperry will be a keynote speaker and performer this week at the University of Oklahoma's first Opera Festival.

The OU Opera Theater, OU Symphony and University Choir also are scheduled to participate in the festival Thursday through Sunday. The festival will conclude 3 p.m. Sunday with the annual President's Concert.

All events will be open to the public; most will be free of charge.

Sperry has premiered works from more than 30 American composers. Shames said a number of leading composers have written music especially for Sperry. He is scheduled to deliver the festival's keynote speech on Thursday, be featured in a recital Saturday, and on Sunday present a master class and narrate during the President's Concert.

The schedule for the Opera Festival, themed "Words and Music,” is:

•Thursday, 8 p.m.: Keynote address by Sperry followed by William Ferrara's "Cosi in Context,” a lecture-recital performed by students in Ferrara's Acting for Opera II class, Pitman Recital Hall in the Catlett Music Center. Free and open to the public.

•Friday, 8 p.m.: "Scenes from German Opera,” directed by OU vocal coach Lorne Richstone, Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center. Scenes will come from several German operas, including "The Merry Wives of Windsor,” "Impresario,” and "Tristan and Isolde.” Free and open to the public.

•Saturday, 8 p.m. — Recital of American song featuring Sperry and Shames, Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall in Catlett Music Center. Free and open to the public.

•Sunday, 1 p.m. — Opera master class taught by Sperry, Room 128 of Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. Free and open to the public.

•Sunday, 3 p.m. — Annual President's Concert includes performances by OU concerto competition winners and OU Symphony performance of Symphonie Fantastique, Paul F. Sharp Concert Hall. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students, faculty, staff and seniors and available at Catlett Music Center box office or by calling 325-4101.

Billy Joe Shaver will launch Summer Breeze music season

Billy Joe Shaver will launch Summer Breeze music season

NORMAN — The seventh season of Summer Breeze concerts will kick off May 6, with a performance by singer, songwriter, actor and author Billy Joe Shaver and his band, Performing Arts Director Nancy McClellan said.

The free concert will be at 7:30 p.m. in Lions Park, 400 S Flood Ave.

Other Summer Breeze performers for this year have been announced. They include guitarist Leo Kottke, blues singer Watermelon Slim and the Bluegrass band, "Mountain Smoke,” among others. Some of the concerts will be in Lions Park, while others are scheduled for Andrews Park, 201 W Daws St.

"All the concerts are free. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets and your favorite refreshments and enjoy,” McClellan said.

Born in Corsicana, Texas, in 1939, Shaver said he saw a mesmerizing Hank Williams concert as a boy. Although he would take a few detours along the way, he sensed early on that his salvation would be in country music.

After leaving the Navy, which he joined at 17, Shaver took a series of odd jobs to make ends meet. Working at a lumber mill, his right hand caught in the machinery, amputating the better part of two fingers. He developed a serious infection from the accident. After eventually recovering, Shaver taught himself to play the guitar.

Shaver has written many lyrics including a majority of the songs on Waylon Jennings' 1973 landmark album, "Honky Tonk Heroes.”

He also has written songs such as "Old Five and Dimers,” recorded by Bob Dylan, "(Just Because) You Ask Me To,” recorded by Elvis Presley, "Sweet Mama,” recorded by the Allman Brothers and "Old Chunk of Coal,” recorded by John Anderson, among others.

Another of Shaver's songs, "Georgia on a Fast Train,” has been recorded by Johnny Cash, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Commander Cody, Cody Morrow and Willie Nelson.

Shaver has appeared in a number of films, including "Second Hand Lions” and "The Apostle,” with his good friend, Robert Duvall.

Duvall's wife, Lucciana Pedraza, produced a documentary on Shaver in 2003 entitled, "Portrait of Billy Joe.”

Bugs on Broadway

You ain't just whistling 'Dixie'

Courtesy The orchestra’s biggest challenge: keeping its music in time with the on-screen tinkerings of Bugs and the other Looney Tunes characters.

By JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer
4/27/2007

Bugs Bunny cartoons offer transcendent moments of music

Bugs Bunny is supposed to be 15 feet tall. And he belongs at the front of a crowd.

"That's the way these cartoons were designed to be seen," said George Daugherty, the creator of the multi-media concert called "Bugs on Broadway.

"They were created to fill up a cinema screen," he said. "And they were made to be seen by a lot of people sitting together in a theater. The creators even put in pauses, timing the action to allow for the audience's laughter."

And some of those cartoons -- classics like "What's Opera, Doc?" "A Corny Concerto" and "Long-Haired Hare" -- made use of great music by the likes of Wagner, Rossini, Smetana, Donizetti and Johann Strauss.

That is what gave Daugherty, a conductor who has worked with many of the world's great orchestras and ballet companies, the idea to create a concert in which a live orchestra would accompany these apexes of the animators' art.

"Bugs Bunny on Broadway" made its debut in 1990, and in the nearly two decades since then has sold out theaters around the world.

The show, with Daugherty conducting, will be presented this weekend by the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra. This is a special addition to the orchestra's five-concert season.

"This takes up about two-thirds of my time these days," Daugherty said, speaking by phone from Spokane, Wash., where he had just finished conducting two sold-performances of the show before a combined audience of nearly 6,000 people.

"It's getting to be pretty rare when I get to do what I call a 'normal concert,' " he said, laughing. "Fortunately, I love doing these shows, because I'm working with material that's absolutely brilliant."

The concert features about a dozen Warner Brothers cartoons from the golden age of animation. This was the 1940s and '50s, when the studio's "Looney Tunes" and "Merrie Melodies" were the much-anticipated interludes between showings of feature films at the local movie palace.

And, on occasion, the creative people in the workplace they called the "Termite Terrace" would come up with something transcendent.

Something like the Wagnerian Ring-a-ding-ding that is "What's Opera, Doc?, " a six-minute spoof of operatic excess that gave world the unforgettable sound of Elmer Fudd bellowing "Kill da wabbit!" to the tune of "Ride of the Valkyries."

Even Chuck Jones, the legendary cartoon director responsible for many of Warner Bros.' classic cartoons, thought "What's Opera, Doc?" was something special.

However, as Daugherty found out when he began putting the "Bugs on Broadway" show together, not everyone shared that high opinion of cartoons.

"People always assume that the hard part about this show was getting the permission to use the cartoons," Daugherty said. "In fact, it was just the opposite. Warner Brothers was fantastic from the first meeting. They immediately saw the pluses of this sort of concert, and have been great partners and mentors throughout this process."

The tricky bit came later, when Daugherty and his colleagues started looking for the music to these cartoons.

"We went back to Warner Brothers and said, 'OK, we've got permission, where's the stuff?' " Daugherty said. "We were wanting the (musical) charts, the orchestrations, all that. And the answer was, 'There isn't any.'

"That was, for me, the unbelievable moment," he said. "The scores for all these classic cartoons -- things that are considered icons -- hadn't been saved. They'd been throw away or stolen or something."

Daugherty said the reasons are simple -- these films were meant to be seen in a theater, and then go back into the archives.

"This was before TV, before home video," Daugherty said. "No one had any thought about reusing these cartoons, much less keeping tabs on all the pieces that went into them, like the music."

Only two of the cartoons Daugherty wanted to use had complete scores. The others had to be reconstructed -- a process that made Daugherty even more in awe of the talents of composers Carl Stalling and Milt Franklyn.

"Everyone talks about the classical bits, but there's also a lot of Carl Stalling's own music in this show," he said. "In fact, his own music is some of the most complicated and challenging in the whole show. He was a musical madman in the best sense of the word, a fellow just exploding with ideas."

Daugherty said all the music in the show, while it sounds light and comic to the audience, can be fiendishly difficult for the musicians to play. There are passages, he said, that rival Stravinsky and Bartok in their complexity and technical demands.

What makes this concert different from any other, however, is the fact the orchestra has to keep up with the films being shown above their heads.

There are a number of film-with-orchestra concert programs, such as "Alexander Nevsky," with its score by Prokofiev. But even in those programs, Daugherty said, an orchestra has a bit of leeway that "Bugs Bunny on Broadway" doesn't.

"That's because these scores are full of musical sound effects that have to be absolutely in unison with the images," he said. "And Elmer and Bugs are singing, and unlike flesh-and-blood opera singers, they aren't going to wait for the conductor and the orchestra to start playing.

"So we have to be exact to within something like 1/30th of a second," Daugherty said. "In this music, even the rests are rests. The silences are as much a part of the score as the notes."

---

"Bugs Bunny on Broadway"

What:
a multi-media concert by the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

When:
7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday

Where:
Chapman Music Hall, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Third Street and Cincinnati Avenue

Tickets:
$20-$65, available at the PAC Ticket office, 596-7111; and www.MyTicketOffice.com

NOTE:
Balcony seats for children 12 and under will be $10 at the Sunday performance only.

---

The 'toons from "Bugs on Broadway"

This multi-media concert, with a live orchestra accompanying large-screen showings of Warner Bros. cartoons, includes the following classics.

"Baton Bunny" (1959) – Bugs takes to the podium to conduct Franz von Suppe's "Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna," despite the distractions of a fly and a loose cufflink.

"High Note" (1960) – The notes that make up Strauss' "The Blue Danube" assemble themselves on a page of sheet music – except for one note who spent a little too much time inside the score for "Little Brown Jug," and initiates an inebriated chase around the staffs.

"One Froggy Evening" (1955) – A fellow finds a singing, dancing, top hatwearing, cane-twirling frog. His dreams of show-biz fame croak when the frog will perform for only him.

"Zoom and Bored" (1957) – Wile E. Coyote uses his idea of the "Three Bs" (bees, bricks and boulders) in another of his doomed attempts to lay paws upon the Road Runner.

"The Rabbit of Seville" (1950) – Elmer chases Bugs into a theater that is about to raise the curtain on "The Barber of Seville." Bugs inflicts all manner of hare-raising … I mean, hair-raising, indignities on Elmer, from planting flowers on his scalp to marriage.

"A Corny Concerto" (1943) – An affectionate send-up of "Fantasia," with Elmer Fudd and an unruly shirt-front introducing short cartoons set to "Tales of the Vienna Woods" and "The Blue Danube."

"Long-Haired Hare" (1949) – An opera singer takes exception to Bugs' banjo playing. It climaxes with Bugs conducting the singer in a wild concert.

"What's Opera, Doc?" (1957) – The classic "Be vewy quiet – I am hunting wabbits" scenario gets a Wagnerian twist, with Elmer Fudd in a horned helmet, Bugs impersonating Brunhilde, and the only cartoon in which "Kill the wabbit" doesn't end up as an idle threat. "Well, what did you expect in an opera? A happy ending?"

By JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer

Billboard Charts

Billboard Charts

John Mayer

By Associated Press
4/27/2007

Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine.

Billboard Hot 100: Top 10
1. "Girlfriend," Avril Lavigne. RCA.
2. "Give It to Me," Timbaland (feat. Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake). Mosley.
3. "Don't Matter," Akon. Konvict/Upfront/SRC/Universal Motown.
4. "Glamorous," Fergie (feat. Ludacris). will.i.am.
5. "Buy U Drank (Shawty Snappin')," T-Pain (feat. Yung Joc). Konvict.
6. "The Sweet Escape," Gwen Stefani (feat. Akon). Interscope.
7. "I Tried," Bone Thugs-n-Harmony. Full Surface.
8. "This Is Why I'm Hot," Mims. Capitol.
9. "U + Ur Hand," Pink. LaFace.
10. "Cupid's Chokehold," Gym Class Heroes (feat. Patrick Stump). Decaydance.

The Billboard 200 Top Albums: Top 10
1. "The Best Damn Thing," Avril Lavigne. RCA.
2. "Year Zero," Nine Inch Nails. Nothing.
3. "Now 24," Various Artists. EMI.
4. "Bucky Covington," Bucky Covington. Lyric Street.
5. "Waking Up Laughing," Martina McBride. RCA.
6. "Konvicted," Akon. Konvict.
7. "Daughtry," Daughtry. RCA.
8. "Let It Go," Tim McGraw. Curb.
9. "Some Hearts," Carrie Underwood. Arista/Arista Nashville/RMG.
10. "Timbaland Presents Shock Value," Timbaland. Mosley.

Mainstream Rock Tracks
1. "Breath," Breaking Benjamin. Hollywood.
2. "What I've Done," Linkin Park. Machine Shop.
3. "Forever," Papa Roach. El Tonal.
4. "Well Enough Alone," Chevelle. Epic.
5. "I Don't Wanna Stop," Ozzy Osbourne. Epic.
6. "Everything," Buckcherry. Eleven Seven.
7. "Pain," Three Days Grace. Jive.
8. "Jambi," Tool. Tool Dissectional.
9. "Sillyworld," Stone Sour. Roadrunner.1
10. "You Wouldn't Know," HellYeah. Epic.

---

www.billboard.com

By Associated Press

Randy Genet

Musicians band together to raise money to pay medical bills

JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World Randy Genet, back in his MSW office.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/27/2007

Last December, Music Sound World owner Randy Genet went to a doctor about a pain he had in his side.

Doctors discovered he had a tumor the size of a grapefruit on one of his kidneys. They gave him two days to live, Genet said.

Then his wife flipped out and three doctors operated on him, removing the kidney and the tumor, which the music store owner described as looking like an "alien space ship."

Now, he's alive thanks to the doctors at St. Francis Hospital, but he's got a 50/50 chance the cancer will show up in his lungs. Right now he's cancer free.

But, then there's the matter of the approximately $85,000 in medical expenses. Genet, 58, didn't have health insurance because he never thought he'd need it.

"That's the reason I want people to get some kind of insurance if they can," said Genet, between helping customers.

The store's keyboards manager Terry Dikeman has organized a benefit Sunday for Genet, who otherwise would have to take out loans to pay the medical bills.

A host of local bands will perform. Also, Dikeman and others have mustered a host of donated musical instruments and other hardware for a silent auction. The auction items include several high-end electric guitars, amplifiers and some recording hardware.

Genet is a lifelong Tulsa resident and has been a music lover since he started playing saxophone at 14. He started Music Sound World in 1974 with a small business loan and has been at the same location, 2715 S. Memorial Drive, since 1976.

He and his three employees pride themselves on their service. The only time Genet, who has four children, missed a significant amount of work was the six weeks he spent recovering from the surgery.

You'd think someone who had a close brush with death and faces extreme financial hardship might be dreading the future.

"I'm not worried about it," he said.

Donations can be sent to the Randy Genet Fundraising Account at Security Bank, P.O. Box 47316, Tulsa, 74147.

---

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

---

Randy Genet Fundraiser

When:
2-10 p.m. Sunday, with David Dover featuring Rocky Frisco, Tulsa Boyz, Wanda Watson Band, Steve Pryor, the Zigs, Glenn R. Townsend featuring Bill Snow, Infinity, Jumpshots, the Plumbers.

Where:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 577, 1109 E. Sixth St.

Admission:
$10 minimum donation

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Bucky Covington

'Idol' vet Covington tops country charts

By Zap2it.com
4/27/2007

If you wanted yet another indication of the power of "American Idol," try this one on for size: The top country artist in the country this week is Bucky Covington.

Stop laughing!

Covington, who finished eighth on last season's "American Idol," sold 61,000 copies of his self-titled Lyric Street debut album.

On the main Billboard album chart, that put Covington behind Avril Lavigne's "The Best Damn Thing" (286,000 copies moved), Nine Inch Nails' "Year Zero" (187,000 sold) and the "NOW 24" compilation (68,000 sold).

On the Country Top 75, though, nobody can top Bucky, according to Nielsen Soundscan figures.

Want some impressive statistics about Bucky's debut? Only two other country acts -- Tim McGraw and Martina McBride -- have debuted in the top four on the overall Billboard charts this year and Bucky is the only new country act to debut in the top five so far.

Not impressed yet? The 61,000 albums sold represents 2007's biggest unit debut from any new country artist, but also the best first week sales and highest Top 200 chart position for any new male country artist since Miley Cyrus's dad Billy Ray moved 90,000 copies of "Some Gave All" in its premiere week in 1992.

Covington still has a ways to go to keep up with last season's "Idol" album champ Chris Daughtry. The rocker's partially self-titled debut has gone double-platinum and is still the seventh best-selling album in the land after 22 weeks on the charts.

By Zap2it.com

1 G.O.P.

Spirit-filled sound

Courtesy photo The group was founded in 2001 at Higher Dimensions Family Church.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/27/2007 10:07 AM

1 G.O.P. delivers powerhouse gospel that converts listeners into believers

If you happened to be at the Brady Theater in 2002 for the Spot Music Awards, you might remember a certain young gospel group that brought the entire theater to its feet.

The group's name stands for Generation of Praise, and this band of 17 singers and musicians takes praise music to a whole new height. The members of 1 G.O.P. were as young as 13 years old at the time of that performance. Now these high school- and college-age musicians have the band's first true album, "The Prototype." It encapsulates the vocal act's soaring spirituality, lifted by incredible singers backed by an R&B band with a modern edge.

"God really blessed us to be able to do this," said the group's musical director, Michael Todd. The band will perform Friday at the Blue Dome Diner for its CD release party.

Higher Dimensions Family Church youth minister Terrell Taylor founded the group in 2001, intending to create a youth performance troupe. Taylor has moved on, Todd said, and the group is continuing without him.

About three years ago, internationally acclaimed jazz bassist Wayman Tisdale took Todd, a drummer, under his wing and showed him some recording tricks.

After recording part of the album live in Tulsa, Todd used his connections with Tisdale, who appears on the album's "Paid the Price," to hook up the band with a slick LA mixer, who put the final shine on the album.

The group's members are music majors, dance majors, psychology majors, barbers, beauticians and law school students, Todd said.

The group's singers are Brionna Custard, Melody Vinnett, Geneice Wilson, Bryanna Davis, Leslie Thaxton, Domenica Williams, Fredrick Custard, Aaron Davis, Lawrence Rosenborough, TJ Williams and Brittany Jackson. Gabriel Bonner plays bass and Kayla Lee is the lead guitarist. The keyboard and organ players are Stephen Vey, Brian Jones and Aaron Tyler. Todd is the drummer.

The group performed last weekend at Grambling State University in Louisiana for the college's music department anniversary.

It also has peformed in Florida, Texas, California, playing for church congregations, outdoor events, in clubs and stadiums, Todd said.

"That's one thing, that we're not bound to any building. Our message doesn't change. We're talking about God and everything that he is to us, no matter where it is. If it's at the casino, our message is the same."

The album will be available at www.myspace.com/1gop.

---

1 G.O.P. CD Release Party

When:
7 p.m., Friday

Where:
Blue Dome Diner, 313 E. Second St.

Admission:
Free

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Night Spots

Night Spots

Courtesy photo The Derailers (shown) and Deke Dickerson (next photo) dominate dis weekend at da Mercury Lounge, 1747 S. Boston Ave.

By Staff Reports
4/27/2007

ROCK

Arnie's Bar, 318 E. Second St. -- Dustin Pittsley with Jesse Aycock, Friday.

Boston's, 1738 S. Boston Ave. -- Drew Emmitt, Friday.

Crow Creek Tavern, 3534 S. Peoria Ave. -- RPM, Friday; Effin Lizzy, Saturday; Laron Simpson, Sunday; Nick Gibson, Monday; Open mike with Darrell Lee, Tuesday; Tom Skinner Project, Wednesday; Luke West, Thursday.

Elephant Run, Best Western Trade Winds, 3141 E. Skelly Drive -- Voodoo Crush, Friday; Banana Seat, Saturday; Sitting Ducks Variety Show featuring Dave Dover, Sunday; Jules, Monday.

Full Moon Cafe, 1525 E. 15th St. -- Dueling piano show featuring Tom Basler and Brian Lee, Friday, Saturday and Thursday; Ben Kilgore, Sunday; Charlie Redd and Full Flava Kings, Tuesday; Mary Cogan, Wednesday.

Gray Snail Saloon, 1334 E. 15th St. -- Wink & Jeff, Monday; DJ Ziplock, Sunday and Tuesday; Brandon Clark, Wednesday; DJ Sea, Thursday.

Janice's Hideaway, 6530 W. Charles Page Blvd. -- Dinosaurs, Friday.

McNellie's, 409 E. First St. -- Dustin

& Jesse's Higher Education, Thursday.

Mercury Lounge, 1747 S. Boston Ave. -- Derailers with the Dewayn Brothers, Friday; Deke Dickerson with the Starkweather Boys, Saturday; Back Porch Mary, Sunday.

Mooch and Burn, 222 N. Main St. -- NewVo 2007 presents Final Hoorah, Elliott the Letter Ostrich, Secret Post and Megatron, Friday.

River's Edge, 1924 Riverside Drive -- Prarie Dawgs, Friday; George and Linda Barton, Saturday; William Joseph, Sunday; Acoustic night with Strictly Rhythm, Wednesday.

71st Street Depot, 7110 S. Mingo Road -- London Squares, Friday.

Sound Pony, 409 N. Main St. -- Radio Moscow, Saturday; El Paso Hot Button with the Pharmacy, Monday.

Side Line Sports Bar & Grill, 5936 S. Lewis Ave. -- Jumpsuit Love, Friday and Saturday.

Torchy's Two Bucks Saloon, 3128 S. Mingo Road -- Plague of Prophets, Friday; Tattude Temple, Saturday.

Uncle Bently's, 4902 S. Sheridan Road -- Techno DJ, Mondays; Open mike acoustic with Sheri Booth and Wiley, Thursday.

Willie's, 3161-M S. 129th East Ave. -- Dime and Pin open mike, Saturday.

Country

American Legion Mohawk Post No. 308, 11328 E. Admiral Place -- Wiskey Bent, Friday.

Golden Saddle Bar-B-Q and Steak House, 6618 E. Admiral Place -- C.J. Houghton, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Thursday.

Jack of Clubs, 11907 N. Garnett Road -- BlackWater Band, Friday and Saturday.

Keel's, 5516 E. Pine St. -- Sherrie, Friday and Saturday.

Red Neck Kountry, 19011 E. Admiral Place -- Rich McCready, Friday and Saturday.

Turf 300 Club, 7452 E. Admiral Place -- Fish, Friday; Inga, Saturday.

Vegas Club, 9124 E. Admiral Place -- Lorri Williams and Ricky Paul Band, Friday and Saturday; Jerry Don Cartwright Benefit with Lorri Williams and Ricky Paul Band, Gunther Gibs, Jack Cummings, Rocky Frisco, Tiny Davis and more, Sunday; David Dover, Thursday.

Westbound, 6161 S. 33rd West Ave. -- Johnny Duke, Friday and Saturday.

Western Country Diner, 1905 S. Sheridan Road -- Silver Spurs, Friday; Backburner Band, Saturday and Tuesday; Plan B, Wednesday; Variety Pack, Thursday.

Blues

Blues Bar, Million Dollar Elm Casino, 951 W. 36th St. North -- Jessica V & the Rhythmatics, Friday and Saturday.

Blues City Bar & Grill, 3156 S. Mingo Road -- Wanda Watson Band, Friday; Steve Pryor, Saturday.

Bourbon Street Cafe, 1542 E. 15th St. -- Steve Pryor, Friday; Frank Brown & Crazy Horse, Saturday..

Cimarron Bar, 2619 S. Memorial Drive -- Sweatin Bullets, Friday and Saturday; Tiny Davis, Thursday.

D'Laney's TM Bar & Grill, 6327 E. 11th St. -- Open jam with Uncalled For, Sunday; Fish, Thursday.

Ed's Hurricane Lounge, 3216 E. 11th St. -- Miss Amy, Friday; Fur Trappers, Saturday.

Four Aces Tavern, 11035 E. 41st St. -- Tulsa Boyz, Friday; The Bluehemians, Saturday.

Jazmo'z Bourbon Street Cafe, 9205 E. 71st St. -- Boogalu, Friday; Annie Ellicott with Brian Haas, Saturday.

Sadie's Coffee Shop, 567 E. 36th St. North -- Pure Silk, Saturday.

Variety

A Bar & Kitchen, 3509 S. Peoria Ave. -- Steve Liddell, Friday; Jean Michelle, Saturday; Jim Sweeney, Chris Campbell & Jon Glazer, Wednesday; Travis Fite, Thursday.

Agora Coffee House, 4959 S. 79th East Ave. -- Callie Jo, Friday.

Alioli, 3629 S. Peoria Ave. -- Joy Sperlazzo, Saturday and Wednesday.

Bedlam, 13837 S. Casper, Glenpool -- Open mike with Inga, Friday and Thursday.

Black Gold Lounge, 7905 New Sapulpa Road -- Dave Crow, Friday; Perry and Friends, Saturday.

Bobbisox, Days Inn, 8181 E. Skelly Drive -- Johnny Johnson and Keith McKinney, Friday; Keith McKinney, Saturday and Wednesday.

BruHouse Bar & Grill, 3425 S. Peoria Ave. -- Laron Simpson, Friday; DJ Matt, Saturday; Joy, Monday; Lunchbox, Thursday.

Cabin Creek, Cherokee Casino & Resort, U.S. 44 and 193rd East Avenue -- Darrel Cole, Friday and Saturday.

Cecil and Chip's Main Street Pub, 1117 S. Main St., Broken Arrow -- Kelli Lynn and the Skillet Lickers, Saturday.

CJ Moloney's, 1849 S. Aspen Ave., Broken Arrow -- Mike Barham, Friday; Insufficient Funds, Saturday.

Club 209, 209 N. Boulder Ave. -- Valerie Star, Saturday.

C:Note, Cherokee Casino & Resort, U.S. 44 and 193rd East Avenue -- Annie Ellicott, Friday; Mark Bruner & Shelby Eicher, Saturday.

Continental, 421 E. First St. -- Fifth Annual Sexfest with Ondrea, First Lady Assassin, Jirrhaff and Mercury Retrograde, Friday; Salsa Rhythm Project, Saturday; Open Jazz jam session, Tuesday.

Depot, 408 S. Main St., Broken Arrow -- Open mike with Tom and JW, Wednesday.

Doe's Eat Place, 1350 E. 15th St. -- Susan Herndon, Friday.

Greybeard's, 906 W. Main, Collinsville -- Late Night Drive, Saturday; Tomato Friday, Sunday.

Gringos, 6380 E. 31st St. -- Butch Powell and Frank Swain, Friday; Fish, Saturday.

Gypsy Coffee House & Cyber Cafe, 303 N. Cincinnati Ave. -- Wade Burrow, Friday; Living Machine, Saturday.

JJ's Bar & Grill, 9049 N. Peoria Ave., Sperry -- Ron Ryan, Friday and Saturday.

Lanna Thai Restaurant, 3535 E. 51st St., Suite M -- Thai Music, Friday and Saturday.

Lennie's Club, Trade Winds East, 3373 E. Skelly Drive -- Sweney, Campbell and Duke, Friday and Saturday; Doug Smith, Wednesday; Open mike with Jim Sweney, Thursday.

Lola's at the Bowery, 5 E. Brady St. -- Wink and Jeff, Friday; Jon Bueno and Sonrisa, Saturday; Annie Ellicott Trio, Wednesday; Rebecca Ungerman and the Frank Brown Trio, Thursday.

Los Cabos, 151 E. Bass Pro Drive, Broken Arrow -- 3 Hour Tour, Friday.

Old Town Mexican Cafe, 4447 E. 86th St. North, Sperry -- Dennis Beyer, Friday and Thursday.

Pickles Pub, 3323 E. 51st St. -- DJ, Friday, Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday; Ray Hamilton and Dave Armstrong, Tuesday.

Plan 9 Bar, 6125 S. Sheridan Road -- Chunky Monkey, Friday.

Route 66 Event Center, 3637 S. Memorial Drive -- EJ Sharp as Elvis, Friday.

Scarlets Rode House, 6905 E. 15th St. -- Sybil's Machine, Saturday.

Tiki Lounge, 4325 E. Apache St. -- Jam session, Sunday.

Twisters, Cherokee Casino & Resort, U.S. 44 and 193rd East Avenue -- Usual Suspects, Friday and Saturday; Famous Unknowns, Sunday; Time Machine, Monday.

Vault Sports Bar & Grill, 106 S. Atlanta Ave., Owasso -- 4 Players, Friday; Infinity, Saturday; Jessica 'V' & The Rhythmatics, Thursday.

Jazz & Standards

Camerelli's, 1536 E. 15th St. -- Mark Bruner & Shelby Eicher, Sunday.

Chalkboard, 1324 S. Main St. -- Tim Swanson, Sunday.

Green Onion Restaurant, 4532 E. 51st St. -- Bob Clear and Jon Cummins, Tuesday through Saturday.

Lanna Thai Restaurant, 7227 S. Memorial Drive -- Jazz Trio featuring Leo Jones, Tommy Crook and Scott Musick, Friday.

Lobby Lounge, Double Tree Hotel at Warren Place, 6110 S. Yale Ave. -- Jim Burns, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 322 N. Greenwood Ave. -- Carson Wagner and Barron Ryan, Sunday.

Phil's Smokehouse & Grill, Tulsa Southern Hills Marriott, 1902 E. 71st St. -- Jim Burns, Friday.

St. Michael's Alley, 3324 E. 31st St. -- Tommy Crook, Saturday; Luigi, Tuesday.

Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano, 6024 S. Sheridan Road -- Tim Swanson, Friday and Saturday; Tommy Crook and Mark Bruner, Wednesday.

Dance

Bixby Community Center, 211 N. Cabaniss, Bixby -- Round Up Boys, Saturday.

Central Center at Centennial Park, 1028 E. Sixth St. -- Round Up Boys, Thursday.

Club Fusion, 1565 S. Sheridan Road -- Hot DJ Dance Mix, Wednesday through Saturday.

Elks Lodge, 5335 S. Harvard Ave. -- Ballroom dance featuring the Kings of Music, Thursday.

Jazz's Lounge, 424 S. Memorial Drive -- DJ Mello, Friday through Thursday.

Temple, 412 E. Second St. -- DJ Turk, Friday and Saturday.

---

E-mail listings to katrina.finley@tulsaworld.com or call Katrina at 581-8320. You can also fax listings to 581-8353 or mail them to: Tulsa World Nightspots, P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK 74102. Deadline is noon Thursday for the following week’s Spot.

By Staff Reports

Council Oak Men's Chorale concert

Council Oak Men's Chorale concert travels a circuitous path

Courtesy The chorale, led by Elizabeth Curtis, will perform 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the DoengesTheatre of theTulsa Performing Arts Center.

By JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer
4/27/2007

Maybe the idea for the Council Oak Men's Chorale upcoming concert isn't exactly head-spinning, but it does offer an intriguing spin on how to program a show.

The chorale, led by Elizabeth Curtis, will present "360 Degrees of Music" at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Doenges Theatre of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Second Street and Cincinnati Avenue.

Tickets for the show are $15 each, and available by calling the PAC Ticket office at 596-7111, and online at www.MyTicketOffice.com.

"So much of our lives involves circles," Curtis said. "Why shouldn't music link together in a similar fashion?"

The way the concert will do that is to take 22 seemingly unrelated songs -- pop songs, Broadway tunes, folk melodies from Russia, spirituals and hymns, even a bit of musical mischief by P.D.Q. Bach -- and find ways to link them together so that the last song harkens back to the first.

"As each song ends, it will connect to the next, until we have traveled 360 degrees, back to the first song," Curtis said.

That first song will be "Festival Hosanna" by Kansas City-based composer Mary Lynn Lightfoot. The final song of the show will be "Toccata of Praise" by Joseph M. Martin, a well-regarded and prolific composer of sacred music.

In between will be everything from Bobby Darin's novelty "Splish Splash" and the doo-wop classic "The Great Pretender," to the Russian folk song "Dark Eyes" and the hymn "How Can I Keep From Singing?"

The concert also will feature flutist Tammy Kirk, and a few songs will be choreographed by Phyllis Brown.

By JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer

I Said Stop

I Said Stop puts its own individual spin on indie pop

TOM GILBERT / Tulsa World I Said Stop is Brian Keller (left), Kyle Herley, Ian Gollahon and Sam Crowin.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/27/2007

Tulsa's fertile underground music scene has produced yet another addition to its broad and surreal landscape, this time in the form of I Said Stop!

The band is a little hard to pin down, but with its three-song EP released last weekend, the listener is three songs closer to defining the band's catchy, Super Mario Bros.' indie space-pop. The band celebrated the EP's release in a show with Callupsie at the Mooch and Burn.

"We love the Tulsa scene and what goes on here, and I feel like my band is really closely connected, too," said vocalist Ian Gollahon.

The band has performed with everyone from El Paso Hot Button to Elliott the Letter Ostrich and Shiny Toy Guns.

Gollahon started playing in bands around when he was in the eighth grade along with bandmate Brian Keller.

Keller and Gollahon's musical styles varied wildly, changing with whatever new fancy struck them. Their band got a new name each time their music morphed -- from Goodnight, Space Cowboy! and When I Doodle I Draw Toasters to Awkward Silence.

Those changes could be attributed to the musicians' tendency to get bored easily.

"I don't know if it's a mark of immaturity. I've heard it called that by some musicians," Gollahon said.

The band's name came out of a stream-of-consciousness joke. That same stream yielded the danceable weirdness of "Song About Stopping!," the EP's second track (it follows an eight -minute intro).

Gollahon, 19, juggles the band with college. He draws his inspiration for his random lyrics largely from relationships and the afterlife.

I Said Stop! is yet another addition to the same indie pop landscape that spawned Letter Ostrich and Aqueduct, but Gollahon's sound rocks a bit more than others.

The band's first show was a double bill with Callupsie at the late Skypad, an apartment near 11th Street and Delaware Avenue, Gollahon said.

You can find the band's EP at the music store Under the Mooch, at 1423 S. Harvard Ave.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Community spirit

Courtesy photo Jan Dean is the subject of a benefit show Thursday at Cain’s Ballroom. The former radio DJ is suffering from an inoperable tumor on her brainstem and can’t afford an experimental treatment that she needs to recover.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Staff Writer
4/26/2007 9:35 AM

Bands help raise money for former DJ's medical bills

A host of Tulsa area radio stations and a couple local bands are banding together Thursday to raise money for a Tulsa DJ's experimental cancer treatment.

Jan Dean was diagnosed July 6 with a brain stem glioblastoma. Dean, the nontraditional revenue manager for Clear Channel Radio, arrived at work that morning dizzy and seeing double, said her friend and co-worker, Laurie Stout.

By 3 p.m. that day she was in intensive care at St. John Medical Center with an inoperable brain tumor, Stout said.

"It just changed her life instantly," said Stout of Dean, who is in her late 40s.

The tumor has not responded to chemotherapy and Dean's only hope is an experimental treatment in Houston for which solely the initial fee to see the doctor who performs the treatment is $30,000. Her insurance won't cover the costs of the alternative therapy, Stout said.

"We're kind of to the point where this is what we have left to do. I mean, there's not a lot left that traditional medicine can do for us."

Dean, who is now bed-ridden, worked as a weekend and overnight DJ in 1979 on KWEN, before moving to K107,where she was program director and had a popular program called "Bed Check." She also worked at KSTM, KMYZ and KTSO.

Stout said Dean mentored many young DJs in the area. While she doesn't have any children, she does has a network of friends to help. Dean's best friend, Debbie Dean, has been at her side every day since she was diagnosed.

With a $5 raffle ticket at the benefit, attendees can win items that range from an autographed Chris Daughtry guitar to Nascar tickets and trips. All of the proceeds go to Dean.

Organizers have raised about $11,000 so far, with KHITS raising about $2,700 in a morning auction show last week.

Radio Radio and Band Camp will perform at the benefit. Radio Radio has written a song about Dean, called "Beaming Love," and put it on a CD from which the sales will go to Dean's treatment, Stout said. Also, the bands are donating their performances Thursday and the Rodgers family has donated the Cain's Ballroom for the night.

"The event has turned out so much bigger than anything that we even ever dared to hope for when we first dreamed it up," Stout said.

Donations can be made to the Jan Dean Cancer Fund c/o Merrill Lynch, 6100 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1500, Tulsa, 74136.

For more information contact Stout at 388-5136.

---

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame

Jazz Hall of Fame names next inductees: 8 high notes of music

Tulsa World file Harmonious Monk plays at Tulsa International Mayfest 2003. The group will be inducted into the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/26/2007

Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame organizers announced Wednesday that eight people will be inducted into the hall of fame at the organization's annual gala in June.

Chief Executive Officer Chuck Cissel announced the inductees at a press conference outside the hall's future home, downtown's former Union Depot, an art deco-style train station constructed in 1931 and now being renovated.

The inductees are Frank Wess, a flutist and saxophonist; Billy Taylor, a veteran musician and composer; Conrad Herwig, a trombonist; Leona Mitchell, an opera singer; James "Ace" Moreland, a blues guitarist; the Tulsa jazz band Harmonious Monk; James Goodwin, the co-publisher of The Oklahoma Eagle; and Michael Johnson, the senior vice president of Williams Cos.

"We are so blessed to honor both Dr. Billy Taylor and Frank Wess," Cissel said. "These legendary artists will receive our highest honors."

The group will be honored in a banquet and ceremony June 20 at the Doubletree Hotel Downtown, 616 W. Seventh St.

Billy Taylor

Considered the "ambassador of the jazz community," Billy Taylor has spent a lifetime playing, composing, writing about or lecturing about jazz. He will receive the Jay McShann Lifetime Achievement Award.

Taylor, 85, has been a piano recording artist, a composer of more than 350 songs ("I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free"), a broadcaster and educator. He first performed at a keyboard when he was 13.

Taylor got his start after college performing with Ben Webster's Quartet. He went on to perform with such jazz luminaries as Charlie Parker of Oklahoma, Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis.

He received his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He is a Duke Ellington Fellow at Yale University.

Taylor is the recipient of two Peabody Awards, a Grammy, an Emmy, the National Medal of Arts and the Tiffany Award.

Although retired from performing and recording, Taylor continues to be an educator.

Frank Wess

Frank Wess, a renowned saxophonist and flutist who grew up in Sapulpa, will receive the Living Legend award.

Wess, who started his professional music career with big bands at 19, is probably best known for his 1954-'63 stint playing in Count Basie's orchestra.

He worked on a variety of TV shows and telethons, was a member of Clark Terry's band from 1967 into the '70s and played with the New York Quartet with Roland Hanna.

He performed with such stars as Rufus Reid, Billy Taylor, Mel Torme, Ernestine Anderson, Louie Bellson, Howard Alden, Dick Hyman and Byron Stripling.

Wess was named an NEA Jazz Master this year by the National Endowment for the Arts and was honored at Juilliard Jazz' Tribute to Jazz Legends.

Conrad Herwig

Conrad Herwig, this year's jazz inductee, began his career with the Clark Terry Big Band in 1980. The trombonist from Altus joined the Buddy Rich Orchestra for tours of the U.S. and Europe.

He performed with Slide Hampton's World of Trombones and Mario Bauza's Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, as well as with the bands of Miles Davis, Quincy Jones and Frank Sinatra.

Herwig received a Grammy nomination in 2005 for his work on the album "Another Kind of Blue -- The Latin Side of Miles Davis."

James "Ace" Moreland Jr.

The late James "Ace" Moreland is this year's inductee representing the blues. A native of Miami, Okla., Moreland began playing guitar at age 5 and by 12 was good enough to be in a band.

He worked with artists such as the Cate Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd before forming Ace Moreland's West Side Story. He released his last album in 2003 -- the same year he died at age 50. He was noted for his deep, soulful vocals and sharp, clean guitar work.

Leona Mitchell

Leona Mitchell won international fame as an operatic soprano, performing for 18 consecutive seasons with the Metropolitan Opera in New York, making historic recordings, such as the first complete stereo recording of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess." She's even shared the stage with each of the "Three Tenors."

However, she is also being honored for her work in gospel music, which was the foundation of her artistry. She began singing as a child in Enid at Antioch Baptist Church, whose pastor was her father. She was the host last year of the first Leona Mitchell Music Camp for underprivileged youths in her hometown.

Harmonious Monk

This local jazz quartet, which is to receive the Legacy Tribute Award, mixes in everything from funk to Latin and hip-hop, drawing influences from artists including Charles Mingus and Weather Report.

The group consists of Andy McCormick on saxophone, Andrew Bones on drums, Nigel Frye on bass and Sean Al-Jibouri on guitar.

The remaining honorees -- James Goodwin , a lawyer and the publisher of Tulsa's oldest black newspaper, and Michael Johnson , the senior vice president and chief administrative officer for Williams -- will receive the Maxine Cissel Horner Spirit of Community Excellence Award.

---

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Upcoming Shows This Week: TONIGHT 4/26/2007 1st Annual Greek Week at TCU on TCU Campus Dallas, Texas Friday 4/27/2007 Midnight Rodeo Austin **With Trent Willmon** 2201 East Ben White Blvd. Austin, Texas 78741 Showtime: 9:30pm Saturday 4/28/2007 Texas Crawfish Festival 123 F Midway Old Town Spring, Texas 77373 Showtime: 10:30pm - Midnight See you down the Road, HB www.honeybrowne.net | Honeybrowne Store © 2006 Honeybrowne

New West Records

New West has two sweepstakes for free product and tickets. First, we are giving away an entire catalog of Live From Austin, TX DVDs and CDs. You can enter and find out all the details at: www.livefromaustintx.com

Secondly, starting Monday, we'll be giving away a couple pairs of tickets for Stagecoach, California's Country Music Festival through the New West Myspace page:
www.myspace.com/newwestrecords

New West has 4 bands performing at the festival. On Saturday, May 5, it is the Old 97s. On Sunday, May 6, it is Kris Kristofferson, Drive-By Truckers and The Flatlanders.

For more information about the festival, go to:
http://info.aeglive.com/ecard/stagecoach/r4/ecard.html

Not sure if everyone knows but the Drive-By Truckers announced that Jason Isbell is no longer a member. All the details are at:
www.drivebytruckers.com

There is good news. New West will release Jason Isbell's debut solo album Sirens Of The Ditch on July 10. Check out his new songs from the album at:
www.myspace.com/jasonisbellmusic

There is also a new Ben Lee record on the way. There's been a flurry of press with all the details. Get the most up to date news straight from Ben. He has been blogging the whole recording process at:
www.ben-lee.com/blog.htm

Feel free to post your comments and questions either on the http: www.newwwestrecords.com bulletin board or on our myspace page.

All the best,

Mike

THE RANDY GENET BENEFIT

THE RANDY GENET BENEFIT
(Owner of Music Sound World - Supporting Tulsa Musicians since 1974,)
April 29th (Sunday) -

VFW Presents:
6th & Madison Tulsa, OK
2:00 p.m./11:00 p.m. - $10 cover

Donations $:
Randy Genet Fund Raising Account
% Security Bank
P.O. Box 47136
Tulsa, OK 74147

Bands Performing:
2:00-David Dover w/Rocky Frisco - www.daviddover.com or www.myspace.com/daviddover
3:00-Tulsa Boyz - www.myspace.com/DavidThayer
4:00-The Wanda Watson Band - www.wandawatsonband.com or www.myspace.com/wandaandfriends
5:00-Steve Pryor - www.stevepryor.com or www.myspace.com/stevepryor
6:00-The Zigs - www.thezigsband.com
7:00-Glenn R. Townsend w/Billy Snow
8:00-The Jumpshots
9:00-Infinity
10:00-The Plumbers

There's a rumor that the great rockin' fiddlemeister Randy Crouch, will be showing up to play with us! Fingers crossed!

Randy Genet had life threatening medical ordeals in recent months and he's not out of the woods yet.
His friends and family want to pull together to help pay his HUGE bills. If we can put a dent in just one hospital bill people, it will help him so much. So, please come and support this friend of ours! Randy is a great person and desrves all the help we can send his way.
Larry Boggs w/Infinity came up with the idea of a benefit for Randy. Terry Dikeman (an original employee of MUSIC SOUND WORLD) has been burnin' up the phone lines getting 'silent auction' items. So far he's accumulated approximately $10,000 worth of all kinds of musical items. There will also be small raffled off items in-between acts and a 50/50 raffle at the end of the evening. Also up for bidding is a recording package: 10 hours of studio time from Joe Hancock with CD Mastering by David Teegarden.

The VFW has a new "state of the art" L.E.D. stage lighting system.
If you haven't been there in a while, the place is really looking great! There's been a huge change made over the last 2-1/2 years since the veterans have graciously helped so many in allowing us all to use their venue for these types of shows. They have a brand new parking lot all around the building lit and landscaped. They're stripping the old paint off the building down to it's original brick. The interior is completely remodeled from new ceiling tiles & lighting, down to the refinished woodwork and hardwood floors. Centennial Park is right across the street.

Tuff Profit

Hello everyone!

Wow! A lot has been going on in the Camp these days so I thought I would drop you a line and catch you up!
This Saturday is the big Ramona Street Dance. A fund raiser for the local Fire Fighters! With three bands to rock your socks off all night long. We kick off the music around 6:30pm with West Haven, then follow by Deeper. After you catch your second wind , Tuff Profit will hit the Stage!
Bring your lawn chairs with family in tow for a wonderful night!
May 5th Cinco De May, we head to Davis,OK to kick the first of many great concerts that will be held at Oklahoma's newest outdoor venue, Washita Hideaway! One mile from Turner Falls,this is a huge venue in gods country. Brand new covered 60'by30' stage with wonderful camp grounds next to a river. Holds up to 15,000 souls. We will be performing with Solomon Vine and Texas Jack!
check it out http://www.washitahideaway.net/ .
May 8th we Headline at the Wild Horse Saloon in Tulsa, Ok This Venue will blow you away!
May 25th We will team up with Josh Huckle and the Going Nowher Band at Snockers in Bartlesville,OK to see just how much Partying we can get away with in there!
May 26th back to Roxies Roost in Tahlaquah,OK to open for Hazzard, on the outdoor stage!
June 16th we been invited to perform at the Buffalo Bike Run in Miami, Ok. Opening for Keith Anderson,
Even more is coming just keep checking our web sites!
We have been pick up by new Promotion Company, Hammer DJ and Promotion out of Tulsa, Ok. They book Red Dirt Bands at all the major venues in Texas and Okla. Plus we are still with Raw Nosie Entertainment , They have another Cains Ballroom show in the works for us this summer!
Cary and Steve are writting new songs as fast as we can learn them! They have turn into a machine!
Lot's more to talk about but I will save that for the next news letter!
Be Safe- Be Smart
Peace
Danny Joe Walsh
www.tuffprofit.com

New Orleans JAZZ FEST

JAZZ FEST STARTS FRIDAY, APRIL 27!
Last chance to buy discounted first weekend ticketsis April 26. Click here for details.
MORE FESTIVAL UPDATES
• Live Webcast exclusively in the AT&T blue room!May 5 & 6
• Crafts List Now OnlineFine Art, Jewelry, Clothing and more!
• Music Makers Artist bios of this year's performers.
• Jazz Fest Music VideoSee it now in the Gallery!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!Jazz Fest's popular Big Chief VIP Experience also returns with full weekend passes and VIP amenities. Additional ticket information is available here.

JAZZ FEST WEBCAST LIVE WEBCAST!May 5th & 6th exclusively in the AT&T blue room!attblueroom.com/musicClick here for details

HOTEL ROOMSJazz Fest is working closely with hotels to offer an up-to-date list of available rooms.Click here for our complete list.

OFFICIAL POSTER BY FRANCIS X PAVYFrancis X. Pavy does a star turn portrait of "The Killer" Jerry Lee Lewis.Click here for details.
Gray Line Tours will operate continuous round-trip transportation – the Jazz Fest Express - from the Sheraton Hotel, the Gray Line Lighthouse at the Steamboat Natchez Wharf (Toulouse St. at the River – next to Jax Brewery), and Marconi Meadows (City Park) daily from 10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 504-569-1401 or 1-800-535-7786.http://www.graylineneworleans.com/jazzfest.html

Reckless Kelly

Hey Kids, We're here to make sure everyone knows that Reckless Kelly will be joining Joe Ely for four rare performances in May. The “Riders in The Rain” Tour will be coming to Austin, Dallas, Helotes, and Conroe. After RK begins the night with an acoustic performance, the stage will be reset for an explosive electric Joe Ely set with Reckless Kelly as his backing band. "Joe Ely is one of our greatest heroes, and we are honored and excited to perform the songs that were such an influence to our band." -RK "Reckless Kelly is my kind of band; hell-raising, hard playing, kick-ass songwriting, feet firmly in the present but with an amazing knowledge of where it has all come from. What else is there?" -Joe Ely Please see below for all concert information and a copy of the official press release. We hope to see all of you there so be sure to buy your tickets soon, before shows begin to sell out. -RK
RECKLESS KELLY JOINS JOE ELY FOR ‘RIDERS IN THE RAIN’ TOUR Their Recording of Newman Hit Prompts 4 Texas Shows AUSTIN, Texas — For four shows in four days in May, raucous roots rockers Reckless Kelly join veteran rocker of the road Joe Ely for a “Riders in the Rain” Tour, named for the Randy Newman-penned ballad the pair recorded on last year’s SAIL AWAY: THE SONGS OF RANDY NEWMAN tribute album (Sugar Hill Records). Reckless Kelly kicks off the show and then plays with and backs Ely — the young artists sharing the stage with one of their heroes — on May 9 at The Granada Theater in Dallas, May 10 at The Glenn in Austin, May 11 at Floores Country Store in Helotes and May 12 at the historical Crighton Theater in Conroe. Together, Reckless Kelly and Ely make fine work of Newman’s “Rider in the Rain,” the forlorn country-western song (complete with sweet harmonies and whining guitar), and the recording process spurred the upcoming tour dates. Other tunes planned for the set include their take on Dylan’s “You Ain’t Going Nowhere.” Ely has said, “Reckless Kelly is my kind of band; hell-raising, hard playing, kick-ass songwriting, feet firmly in the present but with an amazing knowledge of where it has all come from. What else is there?” Reckless Kelly played 16 sold-out or SRO shows with rockers Big Head Todd in February and March behind its 2006 CD-plus-DVD, RECKLESS KELLY WAS HERE. During breaks from almost constant touring, with shows planned from Texas to San Francisco to Idaho through the summer, the band has been in the studio writing and recording for its next project. Ely recently completed a sold out, 30-city tour with Lyle Lovett, John Hiatt and Guy Clark. He will soon head to Europe, where he will play shows in Scotland, England and Norway. After the May shows with Reckless Kelly, he’ll resume touring with The Flatlanders. He is marking the releases of his road journal, “Bonfire of Roadmaps” (UT Press); the companion album, HAPPY SONGS FROM RATTLESNAKE GULCH (on his own Rack ’Em label); and SILVER CITY, a collection of songs he wrote long ago but just recorded.	CONCERT INFORMATION 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 9 The Granada Theater, 3524 Greenville Ave., Dallas Tickets: $20 & $30; Information: 214.824.9933 tickets.granadatheater.com 8 p.m. Thursday, May 10 The Glenn at The Backyard, 13101 Hwy. 71, Austin Tickets: $20 advance, $23 day of show; Information: 512.263.4146 www.gettix.net 9 p.m. Friday, May 11 Floores Country Store, 14464 Old Bandera Road., Helotes Tickets: $20 advance, $25 day of show; Information: 210.695.8827 www.liveatfloores.com 8 p.m. Saturday, May 12 Crighton Theatre, 234 N. Main St., Conroe Tickets: $47; Information: 936.441.7468 x 201 www.crightontheatre.org

Rolling Stone TODAY'S TOP ROCK HEADLINES Wednesday April 25, 2007
REAL, FAKE ROCK BANDS REUNITE Mock rockers Spinal Tap announce they'll be reuniting -- and writing a track called "Warmer Than Hell" -- for a very special cause . . . Brit bad boys Carl Barat and Pete Doherty dish on their one-off Libertines reunion - visit Rock & Roll Daily to see if you can plan on seeing the duo live again. . .
BEYONCE'S B'DAY DRAMA CONTINUES The latest phase in the legal battle between B and a British singer has Ms. Knowles doing the unthinkable. . .
JACK WHITE WANTS IT ALL On the eve of a new release from the White Stripes, frontman Jack White is living up to his promise to spread the love equally between the wife (the Stripes) and the mistress (the Raconteurs). Visit Rock& Roll Daily to find out how. . .
JOHNNY MARR, MULTI-TASKER The ex-Smiths guitarist and new Modest Mouse member is adding something else to his resume. Get the the dirt at Rock & Roll Daily.
NOW ON TRIAL: PHIL SPECTOR The wiggy producer's murder trial is set to start today, and we've got all the details. . .
For more of the latest music news, visit Rollingstone.com.
TODAY'S PICKS
READER COMMENT OF THE DAY: ROCK & ROLL DAILY: CLINTON, BOWIE, ELVIS COSTELLO AND TONS MORE COME OUT TO HONOR THE EDGE "makes ya long for the days when oral sex was the nat'l crisis." -- piecrowdust (4/25/2007, 3:24 am EST)
Post your response in the Rock and Roll Daily blog.
DAILY TRACK: ARCTIC MONKEYS - "FLUORESCENT ADOLESCENT" Among more tender cuts, the easy winner is the lovely "Fluorescent Adolescent," a snapshot of a wild girl tamed: "You used to get it in your fishnets/Now you only get it in your nightdress."
DAILY VIDEO: LCD SOUNDSYSTEM - "NORTH AMERICAN SCUM"
DAILY CD REVIEW: CORNELIOUS - SENSUOUS The latest from this Japanese-born avant-pop-electronica guy is as gleefully weird as anything he's done.
ARTIST OF THE DAY: SPINAL TAP Visit the complete RollingStone.com archive for videos, photos, interviews, reviews and more.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS ERIC AVERY of JANE'S ADDICTION, 41 ANDY BELL of ERASURE, 43 BJORN ULVAEUS of ABBA, 62 TODAY'S ROCK ON TV (ALL TIMES EST) NBC 11:35pm - Tonight Show with Jay Leno: MAVIS STAPLES 12:35am - Late Night with Conan O'Brien: BLUE OCTOBER 1:35am - Last Call with Carson Daly: AKON CBS 11:35pm - The Late Show with David Letterman: THE FRATELLIS 12:35am - The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson: SIMPLY RED ABC 12:05am - Jimmy Kimmel Live: THE NIGHTWATCHMAN

Snorty Horse Saloon

I think we made a good decision by closing the bar on Wednesday for the Ragweed show in Joplin. We all had a great time and I saw many familiar faces of our regular customers. I liked it so much that I jumped in the truck with Matt Stell and took off to Arkansas Tech University for a second dose. Asleep at the Wheel played also who I had never got to see before. Those guys are living icons and made me that much more excited to see their show here on June 8th. A co bill with Ragweed and Asleep at the Wheel sounds pretty awesome, but it didnt beat Grandmas cookin! Stell and I were invited to eat dinner the next day at his Grandmas house. She cooked pork chops, fried chicken, corn, mashed tators and cream gravy, greens with hot sauce, beef steak with corn flake breading, homemade rolls that were to die for, and some fried fruit pies that took up half your plate. All that and it was just me and Stell. That was Friday at noon and Im still full.
The rest of the weekend went real well. Had two new acts that came in as opening slots and both kicked ass. Aranda will be back on May 31st. Joey, my other sound guy when Chris is gone, said they are his new favorite band. That means a lot coming from him. Rodney Parker and the 50 peso reward is also a really great band and had all kinds of stuff on stage like banjos, accordions, harps and it all sounded awesome. Mark and Bleu did great as always and overall we had a really good weekend.
Oh yea; Hosty Duo is unbelievable. I missed that show cause I was in Arkansas, but I was told that everyone that came was nothing less then amazed. My staff loved every minute of their show and if I dont have them back that I will be lynched.

Lets go to this weeks events

WED. APR. 25th: ALLEN ROSS is back with the Not so special drink special and many special guests to be appearing also along with a volleyball net and other surprises. The reason we are going all out is that its KENNY DEFOREST birthday. For those of you that know Kenny also know that this will be one crazy night. Kenny is an awesome promoter and sales person, extremely funny; in fact, we may see his stand up comedy routine, everyone who meets him instantly likes him, and hes a good friend and a great supporter of our bar. Stag versus Pabst war helmet volleyball is bound to happen. All this and cheap drinks.

THUR. APR. 26th: JOHNNY COOPER acoustic!!! Dont really know how to start talking about this child progeny that has finely grown into his own skin and the success that he deserves. At the right old age of 18, Johnny has toured for more than 3 years and has really made more of a name for himself with his acoustic shows. Johnny has been described as the next Cody Canada, but he has definitely grown into his own style. I love acoustic shows, and its really cool to me how some artist just have what it takes to keep the audience hanging on every word that is said. I used to think Stoney Larue was the best acoustic show Ive seen, but Im quickly realizing that Johnny is the one everybody in the scene is talking about. This is one you may not want to miss, but if you have to work on Friday, come check out his show with the full band that night or else get a second dose.

FRI. APR. 27th: JOHNNY COOPER band!!! Just coming off their debut at Billy Bobs in Fort Worth this band is making people take notice. They have sold thousands of their new CD, have a song Texas to You which is up there pretty high on the Texas music charts, have a tour mapped out in Ireland, was voted Texas Entertainer of the year, and is hosting the 79th annual Texas FFA convention in Corpus Christi which hits home for me. Johnny seems to be influenced by some of the more popular acts from the 60s and it definitely bleeds through his songwriting skills. He has some great originals, but you guys are also going to love some of the old covers that Johnny has dug out of the attic. Another reason that I really like Johnny is that he really loves his family, especially his mom and he proves that you can be a rebellious teenager and still have a good relationship with your folks. Her name is Cindy and Im sure she will be here both nights selling CDs and T shirts and is really worth meeting. This is going to be a really awesome show!

SAT. APR. 28th: BRANDON JENKINS with the JIMMIE JOHNSON BAND!!! Brandon Jenkins is a favorite here at the horse and is one of our bigger draws. People will be here from the entire four state area and I had a group call to say they were coming from Indiana to see the show. His new CD, 7, has made rave reviews and is one you need to get if you dont have it already. I first saw Jenkins in Kansas City about four years ago and I have been a huge fan every since. If you havent seen his show, its best described as being whitetrash bluegrass. Use the term loosely of course.
We have Jimmie Johnson opening. Jimmie played here a few months ago with Dustin Pittsley and we all digged his stuff. He reminds me a lot of Boland maybe because he is also a big Boland fan and plays a bunch of his stuff. His band is also the original organic boogie band that used to play with Stoney Larue. This will be a good night for music.

Dont forget:

LEON RUSSELL with CORY MORROW MAY 4th

RANDY ROGERS with RED DIRT UNDERGROUND MAY 10th

STONEY LARUE with BEN MILLER BAND MAY 17th

JASON BOLAND JUNE 1st

ASLEEP at the WHEEL JUNE 8th


Thanks,

Steve Greene
417.833.6700
steve@snortyhorse.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Snorty Horse Saloon
"Best Little Texas Roadhouse in Missouri"
3050 N. Kentwood Ave.
Springfield, MO 65803
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buy Tickets Online at
www.snortyhorse.com

Camille Harp

hey folks! Wednesday nights at the deli are the coolest!

come see me and Ryan rockin' the joint.

10:30pm.

Saturday I'll be at pearl's lakeside. beautiful patio view. awesome food! 7pm.

see you soon!
camille

No jail for Willie Nelson on drug charge

No jail for Willie Nelson on drug charge

AP Photo/TIM LARSEN

ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (AP) -- Willie Nelson and his tour manager were spared jail time Tuesday after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor count of marijuana possession.

Nelson and tour manager David Anderson, along with Nelson's sister, Bobbie Nelson, and two drivers, were issued citations on Sept. 18 after state troopers said they found marijuana and hallucinogenic mushrooms on the country legend's tour bus during a commercial-vehicle inspection on Interstate 10.

State District Judge Paul deMahy fined Nelson and Anderson $1,024 each and put both on probation for six months. As part of a plea agreement, the citation against Bobbie Nelson was dismissed.

St. Martin Parish Assistant District Attorney Chester Cedars said he dismissed the citations against the two drivers because there was no indication they "had anything to do with the contraband."

Word spread quickly that Nelson was in this small southern Louisiana town, and a crowd of about 25 fans gathered outside to wait for the entertainer after his brief court appearance. When he emerged, Nelson obliged, shaking hands, signing scraps of paper and posing for photographs.

"Thank y'all," he said, waving as he climbed into a waiting car.

© 2007 The Associated Press.

Charlie Louvin

No mothballs needed for Charlie Louvin show Concert Review

The gray moth fluttered above the Blue Door stage, rose toward the ceiling and then hovered near country music legend Charlie Louvin's head.

Louvin opened his mouth to sing. The moth disappeared.

"I just opened my mouth to sing that song, and a bug flew in my mouth,” Louvin quipped. "He's a slow walker. I'm going to wash it down.” Louvin raised a water bottle and swallowed.

Whether he really swallowed the moth could not be immediately confirmed. But it is certain the moths are not flying out of his mouth when he sings these days.

Performing Thursday, his vocals were not rusty; his wits were salty and sharp. His down-home comments about modern life on the road were amusing, though not always politically correct, and his harmonies brought back the days of his former life in The Louvin Brothers.

Since the 1940s, Louvin, 79, has influenced generations of country music singers from bluegrass to the more modern, full-band styles of today's pop-country.

Louvin once sang the low notes and his late brother Ira Louvin hit the high notes with the Louvin Brothers. But Charlie Louvin embarked on a solo career shortly before Ira Louvin was killed in a 1965 car wreck.

Charlie Louvin, a Grand Ole Opry regular since 1955, said he has worked with a lot of good high tenor singers since his brother was killed but said, "There are no Ira Louvin singers out there.” He sang the touching song "Ira,” an ode to his late brother.

With a guitar player, drummer, Dobro picker and electric bass player, Charlie Louvin's act successfully mixes a modern country sound with traditional tinges. He sang such country music and Louvin Brothers staples as "Runnin' Wild,” "When I Stop Dreamin'” "Cash on the Barrelhead,” "Must You Throw Dirt in My Face,” "Satan's Jewelled Crown,” and the eerie Cold War era song, "The Great Atomic Power.”

Louvin also sang the timeless country song "Knoxville Girl,” a song he first started singing with the Louvin Brothers in 1946. The song is not about a Tennessee girl, but about a girl murdered in England by a possessive boyfriend. It dates to 1723, he said.

He said while he prefers hearing electrified instruments today, he is still devoted to songs so country "you can shuck it.”

Wearing a black fisherman's cap, Louvin teased the pretty women in the audience and showed a lot of stamina singing through a nearly two-hour set of classic country before stopping to give away photographs and pose for pictures until midnight.

Blue Door owner Greg Johnson, enthralled by the country music hall of famer, told Louvin to play all night if he wanted.

"This won't be the last time Charlie Louvin plays the Blue Door,” Johnson vowed.

No mothballs needed.

— Robert Medley

Tumbleweed Calf Fry

Even if the calf fries don't call to you, the music will

Courtesy Country star Pat Green will perform at the three-day Calf Fry festival.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/25/2007 7:11 AM

If you go to the Tumbleweed Calf Fry in Stillwater this week, you won't catch country star Pat Green munching a pair of the festival's pendulous namesakes.

There's not enough ketchup in the world for Green, who will perform Thursday at the festival, to choke those back.

"I think I might have (tried them) in college at the calf fry at Texas Tech, but no, I'd like to say no," Green said.

The festival is held each year on land behind the Tumbleweed, a now-closed honky-tonk. Despite the calf fries, the Fort Worth resident is stoked about playing and was a regular at Tumbleweed before it closed New Year's Day.

This year's Calf Fry starts Thursday at 5 p.m. with Reckless Kelly and Green performing later. Friday boasts former Tulsan Brandon Jenkins and Cross Canadian Ragweed, while acts including singer Johnny Cooper, No Justice and Jason Boland will perform Saturday.

Green was a regular at Tumbleweed and at the Calf Fry. The man whose album "Cannonball" has sold about 130,000 copies remembers opening for Dwight Yoakam at the bar a few years ago for an outdoor concert.

Stillwater's classically chaotic weather intervened though. A storm came through and forced the outdoor concert inside. Yoakam's three-tractor-trailer's worth of stuff was crammed onto Tumbleweed's small stage along with Green's.

"I don't think I was able to turn around with a guitar on without whacking either a mike stand or a drum cymbal or something," he said. "That was a fun night to watch that go off. It was the loudest thing I ever heard in my life."

Green, whose mother was born and raised in Tulsa, was working on his sixth album by the time he got a record deal. He's been on a major label since 2001. Now on BNA Records, the man who was once wary of what Nashville might do to him has embraced its radio sound while keeping his eclectic style.

He used to fear that Nashville would make him into something he wasn't.

"I couldn't have been more wrong, being completely frank with you. The truth is, if you wanna get your songs played on the radio, then you have to be playing songs that they're trying to get to play. It's a simple deal."

Now he has several years of hits, from 2003's "Wave on Wave" to "Feels Just Like It Should" off Cannonball.

He spent part of last year touring with Kenny Chesney and will rejoin him this summer, which is a chance for him to play for almost 20,000 people a night.

Performers often say that before a concert they're more excited about this one show than others. But Green says it about the Calf Fry with conviction.

"I can't even begin to tell you how fired up I am. And this isn't one of those things where I say that about every show. I guarantee there's a lot of shows where I'd just as soon not come out of the bus. This is one of those shows where you know what you're going to get and it's a great venue."

And if calf fries aren't your cup of tea, don't worry. Vendors at the festival also serve onion burgers and hot dogs.

---

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

---

Tumbleweed Calf Fry

Thursday
Gates: 5 p.m.
Reckless Kelly, 8 p.m.
Pat Green, 9:30 p.m.
Admission: $30 day of show.

Friday
Gates: 5 p.m.
Bo Phillips Band, 6 p.m.
Brandon Jenkins, time pending
Cross Canadian Ragweed, 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $35 day of show

Saturday
Gates: 5 p.m.
Johnny Cooper, 5:15 p.m.
No Justice, 6:30 p.m.
Kevin Fowler, 8:15 p.m.
Jason Boland, 10 p.m.
Tickets: $30 day of show

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

'Idol' Moments: Doolittle's performance inspires

'Idol' Moments: Doolittle's performance inspires

By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer
4/25/2007

Somewhere in a destitute neighborhood in America or an African village decimated by malaria, Tuesday night's special episode of "American Idol" didn't matter at all.

However, in many homes where the little ones never go hungry, Tuesday found millions of Americans wondering, "Who will get voted off this week?"

For the episode known as "Idol Gives Back," the six finalists sang inspirational songs.

Melinda Doolittle was again the best of the lot as she turned Faith Hill's ballad "There Will Come a Day" into gospel song ready for Sunday morning church.

Paula Abdul called her performance "magical." Simon Cowell said, "You absolutely made me believe you recorded it originally -- I mean that really was a vocal master class."

Hank Charles, owner of Broken Arrow studio Valcour Sound, said Doolittle looked "poised and sure of herself" and "made the soaring notes and key change seem effortless."

Charles added, "I thought she barely missed a note or two pitchwise, but her tremendous tone and presence overcame any inconsistencies."

Phil Stacey, who has family ties to Shawnee, chose Garth Brooks' "The Change" because, as he said, it "had a profound impact" on his life and reminds him of the "amazing heroism that emerged in the midst of (the Oklahoma City bombing)."

Saying that he missed his two daughters staying with their grandparents in Oklahoma, Stacey added, "Tonight, each of us are being given the opportunity to become heroes."

It was nice to hear someone mention their connection to Oklahoma. Hey, Melinda: hint, hint, nudge, nudge.

Cowell complimented Stacey on his performance and song choice, but said he would have preferred Stacey sing it with the country tone he masterfully carried off last week.

Cowell predicted Stacey could "do very well in the show because I think people like you."

Charles said of Stacey: "His voice was controlled and confident on a song that's not easy to sing. The judges and the crowd were won over, and hopefully his last two performances will move him forward in the competition."

Chris Richardson did what he always does on the show as he sang Eric Clapton's "Change the World": He locked eyes with the camera like it were a hottie in a tight-fitting shirt and performed like the best karaoke singer out of Virginia.

Blake Lewis' choice of John Lennon's "Imagine" was appro priate for the sentimental night, but he's no genius in circle-framed glasses. He's just a dude on "American Idol" trying a bit too hard.

LaKisha Jones performed Fantasia's "I Believe," but as big as her voice is, that one was too big for her.

Jones once seemed a front- runner, but now she's clinging to Chris Richardson's cargo pants, dangling over oblivion. This may be her week to go.

Jordin Sparks performed Rodgers and Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone." It was so-so for me, but the judges seemed to like it.

When Sparks sang the song's final note, a great many Americans flipped the channel to see what else was on, while the poor, hungry and diseased wondered where their next meal would come from.

---

Matt Gleason 581-8473
matt.gleason@tulsaworld.com

By MATT GLEASON World Scene Writer

Local bands to perform at annual RSU concert

Local bands to perform at annual RSU concert

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/25/2007

Bands including Crooked X, Rook, the Effects, Stevedore and Motive for Movement will perform in Claremore on Thursday at Rogers State University's annual Jam Band concert.

The show will start at 7 p.m. in the Will Rogers Auditorium and admission is $5 at the door, according to event organizers. Hosting the concert will be Misti Grannemann, co-host of 91.3 FM KRSC's "Josh and Misti in the Morning," as well as fellow KRSC DJ Davit Souders.

The Student Broadcasting Association will donate proceeds from the concert to a nonprofit agency in Rogers County. Some of the money also will go to purchasing an electronic message board for the campus' new Student Services Center.

For more information, call the station at 343-7913.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Twisted Sister joins lineup of Rocklahoma

Twisted Sister joins lineup of Rocklahoma

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/24/2007

The lineup for this summer's Rocklahoma has expanded to include shock-rock-and-makeup-faves Twisted Sister in what is so far the band's only North American show announced this year.

The band's blond frontman, Dee Snider, announced the development recently during his weekly radio show. Twisted Sister's 1980s-era lineup will consist of Snider, Eddie "Fingers" Ojeda, AJ Pero, Mark "the Animal" Mendoza and Jay Jay French.

The band will be in full costume, including Snider's pink-and-black getup that Skid Row singer Sebastian Bach once described as looking like "Mae West on acid."

The band's definitive album, 1984's "Stay Hungry," has sold a few million copies and was propelled by its hits "We're Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock."

Rocklahoma runs from July 13-15 at the Catch the Fever Festival Grounds, four miles north of Pryor along U.S. 69.

The band will perform on the final day of the festival along with W.A.S.P., Jackyl, Great White, L.A. Guns and Britny Fox. Performing on July 13 will be Poison, Ratt, Quiet Riot, Slaughter, Y&T and White Lion. July 14's lineup includes Vince Neil, Dokken, Winger, Skid Row, Warrant, Firehouse, Enuff Z'Nuff, Faster Pussycat, BulletBoys and Bang Tango.

Tickets range from $40 to $275. To buy tickets or get more information, call (866) 310-2288 or go to www.rockfeverfest.com.

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Rock-star memorabilia auctioned

By AP Wire Service
4/23/2007

Part of the $2.4 million raised will help replace instruments lost in hurricanes.

NEW YORK (AP) -- A fund-raising auction of music memorabilia from Jimi Hendrix, The Edge, Bono, Paul McCartney and others smashed expectations and brought in $2.4 million, some of which will go to a charity that replaces musical equipment lost to hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

"It was the best sale we've ever done," said Darren Julien, president and CEO of Julien's Auctions, which ran the event benefiting Music Rising.

A guitar owned by Jimi Hendrix was sold for $480,000.

Music Rising was co-founded by The Edge, the U2 guitarist who donated his favorite instrument, a 1975 Gibson Les Paul that he has played for years. The guitar had been expected to bring $60,000 to $80,000, but it went for $288,000, including the commission.

Other highlights included a pair of sunglasses donated by Bono that went for $24,000, a guitar from Bob Dylan that sold for $192,000, and a guitar from Paul McCartney that brought $81,600.

The event Saturday night at the Hard Rock Cafe was so popular that bidding went on for three hours after the scheduled conclusion, Julien said.

The final amount going to the charity had not been tallied yet, he said. For some items, the total selling price goes to Music Rising, while other items designated a portion of the proceeds.

---

Julien's Auctions: http://juliensauctions.com/

Music Rising: http://musicrising.org/

U2: http://www.u2.com/

By AP Wire Service

Review: Anderson rocks the country

Review: Anderson rocks the country

MICHAEL WYKE / Tulsa World Keith Anderson performs Saturday at the Cain’s Ballroom to an enthusiastic audience, many of whom lined up before the show for a “meet and greet” session with the Oklahoma State University graduate.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/24/2007 5:04 PM

The Oklahoman uses many cliches in his music, but his audience at Cain's likes it.

I do not understand why mainstream country has to root through arena rock's fly-specked Dumpster of discarded cliches and trot them back out again. It sure bores the hell out of me.

But I suspect the main reason why is that people buy it. And Keith Anderson of Miami, Okla., drove that home as he performed Saturday night at Cain's Ballroom to nearly a hometown crowd. People obviously love this stuff.

Anderson, a black T-shirt stretched over his physique, took the stage to a medley of AC/DC's "Hells Bells" while wearing a black cowboy hat pulled low, out from which jutted his firm chin and jawline.

The girls in the audience (there were quite a few, hair done up in big flowing curls, boots and tight jeans topped off with open-necked shirts) screamed as he joined his band for his homage to his hometown, "Podunk."

"Same Saturday night, same ol' crowd," Anderson sang, nearly drowned out by the audience singing back to him. "Draggin' Main to the Safeway and then turn back around. . . ."

Anderson, who has a pretty good vocal range, could have simply stood there and let the audience sing the song right back to him. The crowd danced and sang, from the hundreds who lined up outside Cain's before the performance to the droves ushered into single-file lines for the "meet and greet" session with the singer.

The crowd, especially its larger members, went nuts for the song "XXL," Anderson's number embracing the "bigger-is-better" ethos. He belted out his new single, "Sunday Morning in America."

The drummer pounded away, riding his high hat as if he were Metallica's Lars Ulrich. Lead guitarist Bob Hatter coaxed out his share of screaming guitar solos. Anderson even told the crowd that his bassist used to be in the Scorpions. Maybe it was a joke, maybe not. Does country really need to borrow so much in search of innovation?

Anderson, an Oklahoma State University graduate, moved to Nashville about 10 years ago to perform his original songs but didn't get his break until Gretchen Wilson recorded his composition, "The Bed." His album, "Three Chord Country and American Rock and Roll," went gold with songs he largely wrote -- a rarity in popular country.

Also, Garth Brooks and George Jones recorded his song, "Beer Run." Anderson, before performing the song Saturday, explained how that happened.

He was called by some folks who wanted to record it, he said, but they wanted to change the song's melody and lyrics. Anderson told the crowd that his integrity made him demand that they record it the way he wrote it.

But then he found out who the recording artists were.

That's when he said, "You know, there's things about that song that bugged me," drawing a laugh from the audience.

So he started off into Brooks and Jones' version but cut the band off about 30 seconds into it. "I feel like I'm cheating you. . . . Y'all want to hear the way I originally wrote that song?" he asked, as if the crowd would say no. He then led into his version, which had a harder beat and was closer to rock than Brooks' take is.

But Anderson didn't want the limelight in his home state solely for himself. Midway through the show, Claremore native Bobby Pinson took the stage.

Pinson, alone with only an acoustic guitar, cracked jokes with the crowd and performed his songs including "Don't Ask Me How I Know." The number played out like an advice column, with such nuggets of wisdom as "don't fry bacon naked."

Leading into "Want To," a song he co-wrote that Sugarland recorded, he joked that it was "the closest I'm ever going to get to being Jennifer Nettles."

Mary Cogan and her backing band kicked the night off, propelling her repertoire of cover songs with her smoky voice. She performed everything from Stevie Nicks' "Landslide" to Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys' "Roly Poly."

---

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

The Bluehemians

get your motor runnin'......

"BIKE NIGHT"

with The Bluehemians

Wednesday: Joe's Crab Shack

61st & Memorial

7 to 10 pm

Thursday: Lone Star Steakhouse

Broken Arrow,Ok

( Next to Bass Pro Shop )

7 to 10 pm

Rolling Stone TODAY'S TOP ROCK HEADLINES Tuesday April 24, 2007
RAP'S WAR ON WORDS RAGES ON In the wake of Don Imus's now-infamous racial slurs, Al Sharpton, Barack Obama and Russell Simmons offer ways to combat the negative aspects of hip hop lingo. Visit Rock and Roll Daily to find out more.
'LOST IN TRANSLATION' -- THE MUSICAL? Both had memorable turns in the 2003 film Lost in Translation -- now Scarlett Johansson and the Jesus and Mary Chain are rumored to be teaming up again on a stage near you. We've got the details you need to know&133;
NOW YOU CAN REALLY PLAY LIKE HENDRIX A new DVD provides note-for-note instruction on how to nail a classic Hendrix cut. Get the lowdown at Rock and Roll Daily&133;
HEAR NEW KANYE TRACKS We've got the scoop on two new jams from Kanye West, and you'll never believe who he's sampling now . . .
PETE WENTZ'S LATEST ENDEAVOR He's already got a clothing line and a social networking site -- now the Fall Out Boy bassist is adding something else to his growing list of enterprises. Hint: You'll need to be of a certain age to enjoy it&133;
For more of the latest music news, visit Rollingstone.com.
TODAY'S PICKS
READER COMMENT OF THE DAY: ROCK & ROLL DAILY: SIX WAYS TO KEEP THE CD SPINNING, FOREVER! "Kill the internet. For real. I'm saying this as a 17 year old: The internet blows. My friends download hundred upon hundreds of songs from limewire, and I think I'm the only one to have bought a CD in the last few years (I proudly own over 200) This internet is crap anyways." -- OShag (4/23/2007, 5:50 pm EST)
Post your response in the Rock and Roll Daily blog.
DAILY TRACK: FEIST - "MY MOON MY MAN" On the standout "My Moon My Man," she sounds sharp, sassy and smitten alongside a seductive, jazzy shuffle.
DAILY VIDEO: GOLDFRAPP - "RIDE A WHITE HORSE"
DAILY CD REVIEW: THE NIGHTWATCHMAN - ONE MAN REVOLUTION Rage against the machine guitarist Tom Morello pulls a reverse Dylan-at-Newport on his debut solo album by unplugging and writing thirteen songs about how shitty Bush's America is.
ARTIST OF THE DAY: FALL OUT BOY Visit the complete RollingStone.com archivefor videos, photos, interviews, reviews and more.
TODAY'S BIRTHDAYS KELLY CLARKSON, 24 DAVID J of BAUHAUS, 49 TYSON RITTER of ALL-AMERICAN REJECTS, 23 TODAY'S ROCK ON TV (ALL TIMES EST) NBC 11:35pm - Tonight Show with Jay Leno: AMY WINEHOUSE 1:35am - Last Call with Carson Daly: THE FORMAT CBS 11:35pm - The Late Show with David Letterman: CORINNE BAILEY RAE ABC 12:05am - Jimmy Kimmel Live: THE STOOGES

Ramona Street Dance

Ramona Street

Dance!

April 28^th, 2007

Downtown on Main Street

We’re coming into town to raise funds for the local Firefighters!

Family event, Music under the STARS!

Three bands

West Haven kicks off the Show at 6:30 pm

DEEPER

TUFF PROFIT

And the music continues to 11:00pm!

Bring lawn chairs and a BIG smile!

Pancake breakfast at 7:30 am at the Fire Station!

13 Stars

Don't miss a steady flow of rock for the whole night as
13 Stars opens for Flickerstick this Friday (April 27) at the
Conservatory, 8911 N Western in OKC!

The doors open at 8:00 pm and we lead off the show at 9:00
pm sharp, so get there early! The Monroes and Calhoun
follow after us, and then Flickerstick rocks the show
to a close.

Tickets are $8 in advance and I hear they're going fast!
If there are any left they'll be $10 at the door so
get yours now by clicking here:
http://www.okctickets.com/e/39/flickerstick/

ROCK! For more info:

http://www.13stars.net
http://www.conservatoryokc.com

Fat Dixie Fans!

Fat Dixie Fans!

TONIGHT we are playing in Tulsa, OK at the Wild Horse Saloon, so come out and start the weekend early. On Thursday and Friday we will be at the Roadhouse in Durant, OK. I hear the rodeo is in town so it should be a crazy good time. Here is all the info…

THIS WEEK: 04/24/2007 @ 10:00 PM - Wild Horse Saloon 8186 S. Memorial Drive (81st & Memorial), Tulsa, Oklahoma - $5 For info call (918) 286-3125 or go to www.myspace.com/wildhorsesaloon or www.electriccowboy.com/tulsa.

04/26/2007 @ 10:00 PM - Roadhouse 3015 S. Hwy 69 (S. 9th Street), Durant, Oklahoma 74701 - $5 / $7 For info call 580-924-9690. 04/27/2007 @ 10:00 PM - Roadhouse 3015 S. Hwy 69 (S. 9th Street), Durant, Oklahoma 74701 - $5 / $7 For info call 580-924-9690. UPCOMING SHOWS: 1 May 2007 10:00 P Legends - Acoustic Ada, Oklahoma 3 May 2007 8:00 P Firewater Bar & Grill Dallas, Texas 4 May 2007 10:00 P T-Bones Bar & Grill Denison, Texas 5 May 2007 9:00 P Wall Street Bar Duncan, Oklahoma 17 May 2007 8:30 P Rockin Rodeo w/ Django Walker Denton, Texas 19 May 2007 9:30 P Shooters Sports Bar & Grill w/ Gary P Nunn Gainesville, Texas 25 May 2007 9:30 P Kitchen Pass Parsons, Kansas 26 May 2007 10:00 P Snorty Horse Saloon Springfield, Missouri 29 May 2007 10:00 P Legends - Acoustic Ada, Oklahoma 31 May 2007 9:00 P Neumeier's Rib Room & Beer Garden Fort Smith, Arkansas 1 Jun 2007 9:30 P Max's Garage Muskogee, Oklahoma 2 Jun 2007 10:00 P Crazy Horse Saloon Wichita Falls, Texas 3 Jun 2007 8:00 P Cancer Benefit @ the Crosswire Paris, Texas 8 Jun 2007 10:00 P C4 Ada, Oklahoma 9 Jun 2007 10:00 P Big Whiskey Saloon Tahlequah, Oklahoma 16 Jun 2007 7:00 P Private Engagement Ardmore, Oklahoma 22 Jun 2007 10:00 P Kitchen Pass Joplin, Missouri 23 Jun 2007 10:00 P Crosswire w/ Spur 503 Paris, Texas 30 Jun 2007 10:00 P Hot Rods Shawnee, Oklahoma 4 Jul 2007 1:00 P Seminole 4th of July Celebration Seminole, Oklahoma 7 Jul 2007 9:30 P Arbuckle Ballroom Davis, Oklahoma 13 Jul 2007 10:00 P Longhorns Saloon w/ Jarrod Birmingham Manhattan, Kansas 27 Jul 2007 3:00 P 2nd Annual Rock the River Beaver Music Festival Eagletown, Oklahoma 28 Jul 2007 9:00 A 2nd Annual Rock the River Beaver Music Festival Eagletown, Oklahoma

For up to date Fat Dixie news and shows, go to www.myspace.com/fatdixie.

See You At The Shows,

Fat Dixie

Email: fatdixieband@yahoo.com

MySpace: www.myspace.com/fatdixie

Micky and the Motorcars

Micky and the Motorcars this week:

Thursday, April 26th
AT&T Plaza
Dallas, TX

Friday, April 27th
Cheatham Street Warehouse
San Marcos, TX

Saturday, April 28th
Cynthia Woods Pavilion
The Woodlands, TX
Show w/ Cross Canadian Ragweed and Gary Allan

"Charles Mack Live!"

"Charles Mack Live!"
Press Release

Mack 9 Records is proud to announce Charles Mack (Bassist for James
Cotton) Live at "Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar".

Get ready for the funk, soul, rock and blues cuz we're gonna bring
it! Charles will have some of the hottest artist with him. He will
also be working on sharing the stage with some of your favorite
artist from your city. You'll never know who will be at the show;
just know that it is not to be missed! Come enjoy a night with
Charles and the band!

Date and location:
April 20 & 21, 2007
Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar
220 Printers Alley
Nashville, TN 37201
For reservations
615-242-5837
9:00pm Show Starts

website
http://www.myspace.com/charlesmack1

Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WOQLesIH0c
Acoustic Jam

Mama Sweet

"Mama Sweet” members Alan Orebaugh, left, and Aron Holt practice in Norman. BY STEVE SISNEY, THE OKLAHOMAN

Upcoming concerts

Tonight: Happy Tyler Day, Okarche

Sunday: Jack's Off the Wall, Fort Worth, Texas

Wednesday: Seven47, Norman

May 8: The Deli, Norman

May 9: Wormy Dog, Oklahoma City

May 17: The White Elephant, Fort Worth

May 19: Spring Jam III, Zoo Amphitheater, Oklahoma City

Band comes back after rough patch
Fans spread throughout Oklahoma

By James S. Tyree
Staff Writer

NORMAN — Three years after facing a bleak future, the Norman-based band Mama Sweet is back and making its "First Last Stand” on the metro area music scene.

"First Last Stand” is a song that opens the band's compact disc "Welcome to the Well,” a 13-song compilation released early last month. The music blends rock ‘n' roll with country, folk and the blues into a sound the band calls Western rock.

"I was into weird jazz and progressive stuff, so to me this is extremely radio-friendly,” bass player Boyd Littell said. "It's helped me re-establish my appreciation for pop music and the power of a song that's stuck in your head, whether you like it or not.”

Thanks to frequent live performances and the Internet, Mama Sweet is catching on throughout Oklahoma and beyond.

The Sports Animal in Tulsa plays "First Last Stand” as intro music on its Sports Morning radio show, and lead guitarist Alan Orebaugh said the band sends compact discs to Europe and Latin America, thanks to access on the Web.

"We got an e-mail that said, ‘We can't wait to see you in Germany,' and I'm thinking, ‘Uh, yeah,'” Orebaugh said, "But it is pretty cool.”

Music fans in Oklahoma and Texas will have far better luck catching Mama Sweet live than those in other countries, at least in the foreseeable future. The band is scheduled to perform tonight at the Happy Tyler Day benefit in Okarche, and Sunday in Fort Worth, Texas, and it's on the bill for Spring Jam III at the Zoo Amphitheater in Oklahoma City on May 19.

Last fall, Mama Sweet performed at Tunes for Tomorrow, a fundraising event lead singer/guitarist Aron Holt said raised $2,100 for the music program of Jefferson Elementary School in Norman.

But the band's bread and butter is playing at metro area clubs. The most frequent spot is The Deli in Norman, where Mama Sweet plays energized sets to jumping and dancing audiences.

None of this seemed likely a few years ago. Holt left Norman in late 2003 to pursue a singing career (and a girl) in New York, and Carnuccio went home to Philadelphia the following year for an internship at an Internet-based music label.

Holt had some interesting experiences in New York. He recalled getting $75 for a gig and "I gave half of it to a guy outside going through trash.” Yet, he never could get Mama Sweet out of his head or Norman out of his heart.

"I was so homesick, I was going to get an Oklahoma flag tattooed on my back,” Holt said. "So I came back, finished my degree and we finished the Mama Sweet record, ‘Welcome to the Well.'”

Carnuccio enjoyed his time back in Philly and said he learned a lot about the music business. But he, too, kept thinking of his old band.

"When I was back there, I was pushing Mama Sweet and (Holt) was pushing Mama Sweet when he was in New York,” the drummer said. "We were all pushing Mama Sweet, even though we couldn't be a band any more.”

Meanwhile, Orebaugh and Littell stayed active in the metro area. Orebaugh spent most of his time with a country band, while Littell was a member of several bands at once, notably progressive rock band The Ills and Latin jazz band Conjunto Clave.

Littell's decision to focus on Mama Sweet when it reformed typified the members' belief in the band and confidence in each other. Orebaugh said they rarely rehearse, other than to practice new songs, because "we know what we're doing.”

They also complement each other in songwriting. Lyrics and melody come easy to Holt, but he always had trouble finishing songs. That's where the other three come in — they take Holt's song ideas and round them out into completed works.

The band's Web site is www.myspace.com/mama sweetrocks.

Billboard Charts

Billboard Charts

JAMES GIBBARD / Tulsa World Snow Patrol performs at the Cain’s Ballroom.

By Associated Press
4/20/2007 10:07 AM

Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine.

Billboard Hot 100: Top 10
1. "Give It To Me," Timbaland (feat. Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake). Mosley.
2. "Don't Matter," Akon. Konvict/Upfront/SRC/Universal Motown.
3. "Girlfriend," Avril Lavigne. RCA.
4. "Glamorous," Fergie (feat. Ludacris). will.i.am.
5. "The Sweet Escape," Gwen Stefani (feat. Akon). Interscope.
6. "This Is Why I'm Hot," Mims. Capitol.
7. "Buy U Drank (Shawty Snappin')," T-Pain (feat. Yung Joc). Konvict.
8. "Beautiful Liar," Beyonce and Shakira. Columbia.
9. "Cupid's Chokehold," Gym Class Heroes (feat. Patrick Stump). Decaydance.
10. "Last Night," Diddy (feat. Keyshia Cole). Bad Boy.

The Billboard 200 Top Albums: Top 10
1. "Now 24," Various Artists. EMI.
2. "Let It Go," Tim McGraw. Curb.
3. "Konvicted," Akon. Konvict.
4. "Cassadaga," Bright Eyes. Saddle Creek.
5. "Timbaland Presents Shock Value," Timbaland. Mosley.
6. "Daughtry," Daughtry. RCA.
7. "B'Day," Beyonce. Columbia.
8. "Dignity," Hilary Duff. Hollywood.
9. "HellYeah," HellYeah. Epic.
10. "A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection," Alison Krauss. Rounder.

Hot Adult Contemporary
1. "Waiting On The World To Change," John Mayer. Aware.
2. "Chasing Cars," Snow Patrol. Polydor.
3. "How To Save A Life," The Fray. Epic.
4. "What Hurts The Most," Rascal Flatts. Lyric Street.
5. "Streetcorner Symphony," Rob Thomas. Melisma.
6. "Hurt," Christina Aguilera. RCA.
7. "The Riddle," Five For Fighting. Aware.
8. "Put Your Records On," Corinne Bailey Rae. Capitol.
9. "Far Away," Nickelback. Roadrunner.
10. "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree," KT Tunstall. Relentless.

Mainstream Rock Tracks
1. "Breath," Breaking Benjamin. Hollywood.
2. "What I've Done," Linkin Park. Machine Shop.
3. "Forever," Papa Roach. El Tonal.
4. "Well Enough Alone," Chevelle. Epic.
5. "Pain," Three Days Grace. Jive.
6. "Everything," Buckcherry. Eleven Seven.
7. "Sillyworld," Stone Sour. Roadrunner.
8. "Jambi," Tool. Tool Dissectional.
9. "Ten Thousand Fists," Disturbed. Reprise.
10. "You Wouldn't Know," HellYeah. Epic.

Alternative/Modern Rock Tracks
1. "What I've Done," Linkin Park. Machine Shop.
2. "Forever," Papa Roach. El Tonal.
3. "Breath," Breaking Benjamin. Hollywood.
4. "Dig," Incubus. Immortal.
5. "Lazy Eye," Silversun Pickups. dangerbird.
6. "Survivalism," Nine Inch Nails. Nothing.
7. "From Yesterday," 30 Seconds To Mars. Immortal/Virgin.
8. "Read My Mind," The Killers. Island.
9. "Dashboard," Modest Mouse. Epic.
10. "Prayer Of The Refugee," Rise Against. Geffen.

Hot Country Songs
1. "Wasted," Carrie Underwood. Arista.
2. "Stand," Rascal Flatts. Lyric Street.
3. "Settlin'," Sugarland. Mercury.
4. "Last Dollar (Fly Away)," Tim McGraw. Curb.
5. "Beer In Mexico," Kenny Chesney. BNA.
6. "Good Directions," Billy Currington. Mercury.
7. "High Maintenance Woman," Toby Keith. Show Dog Nashville.
8. "Anyway," Martina McBride. RCA.
9. "A Woman's Love," Alan Jackson. Arista Nashville.
10. "I'll Wait For You," Joe Nichols. Universal South.

Top Country Albums
1. "Let It Go," Tim McGraw. Curb.
2. "Waking Up Laughing," Martina McBride. RCA.
3. "A Hundred Miles Or More: A Collection," Alison Krauss. Rounder.
4. "Some Hearts," Carrie Underwood. Arista.
5. "Morning Constitutions," Larry The Cable Guy. Jack.
6. "Live At Texas Stadium," Alan Jackson/George Strait/Jimmy Buffett. MCA Nashville.
7. "Taylor Swift," Taylor Swift. Big Machine.
8. "Me And My Gang," Rascal Flatts. Lyric Street.
9. "Greatest Hits," Gary Allan. MCA Nashville.
10. "Taking The Long Way," Dixie Chicks. Columbia.

Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
1. "Lost Without U," Robin Thicke. Star Trak/Interscope.
2. "I'm A Flirt," R. Kelly Or Bow Wow (feat. T.I. and T-Pain). Columbia.
3. "Buddy," Musiq Soulchild. Atlantic.
4. "Buy U Drank (Shawty Snappin')," T-Pain (feat. Yung Joc). Konvict.
5. "Don't Matter," Akon. Konvict.
6. "Like A Boy," Ciara. LaFace.
7. "This Is Why I'm Hot," Mims. Capitol.
8. "Rock Yo Hips," Crime Mob (feat. Lil Scrappy). Crunk.
9. "2 Step," Unk. Big Oomp.
10. "Please Don't Go," Tank. Good Game.

Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums
1. "Buck The World," Young Buck. G-Unit.
2. "Konvicted," Akon. Konvict.
3. "B'Day," Beyonce. Columbia.
4. "Get Money Stay True," Paul Wall. Shwishahouse.
5. "Timbaland Presents Shock Value," Timbaland. Mosley.
6. "The Evolution Of Robin Thicke," Robin Thicke. Star Trak.
7. "Luvanmusiq," Musiq Soulchild. Atlantic.
8. "Street Love," Lloyd. The Inc.
9. "Rich Boy," Rich Boy. Zone 4.
10. "Now 24," Various Artists. EMI.

Hot Rap Tracks
1. "This Is Why I'm Hot," Mims. Capitol.
2. "I'm A Flirt," Bow Wow Or R. Kelly (feat. T.I. and T-Pain). Jive.
3. "Outta My System," Bow Wow (feat. T-Pain and Johnta Austin). Columbia.
4. "2 Step," Unk. Bip Oomp.
5. "Rock Yo Hips," Crime Mob (feat. Marques Houston and Trey Songz). Crunk.
6. "Pop, Lock and Drop It," Huey. HiTz Committee.
7. "Throw Some D's," Rich Boy (feat. Polow Da Don). Zone 4.
8. "Go Getta," Young Jeezy (feat. R. Kelly). Corporate Thugz.
9. "I Tried," Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (feat. Akon). Full Surface.
10. "Party Like A Rock Star," Shop Boyz. OnDeck.

Hot Dance Music -- Club Play
1. "Automatic," Ultra Nate. Silver Label.
2. "Discotech," Young Love. Island.
3. "With Love," Hilary Duff. Hollywood.
4. "It's My Life," S-Blush. CJ.
5. "Drums in the Club," DJ Russ Harris (feat. DJ Keri and Bam Bam Buddha). EsNtion Silver.
6. "Rise," Samantha James. OM.
7. "Make It Happen," Maya Azucena. Kult.
8. "Gimme Gimme (Disco Shimmy)," Frankie Knuckles. Noice!
9. "Read My Mind," The Killers. Island.
10. "Pegate," Ricky Martin. Sony BMG Norte.

---

www.billboard.com

By Associated Press

Sam Harris

It's a Sam jam

Ray Garcia “The really fun thing about the Tulsa shows is,” Harris says, “I usually create a specific show just for Tulsa.”

By RITA SHERROW World Television Editor
4/20/2007

Harris' concert promises a little music, a little comedy and a lot of love

Sam Harris is coming home this weekend.

No, not for good. This multi-talented, homegrown artist will make the trip from the West Coast to Tulsa to present two nights of concerts. Very special concerts, he says, just for Tulsa. It's something that has gotten a little easier to do over the years.

"For years and years, I was terrified to play home," the Sand Springs native said in a recent phone interview. "In fact, I had toured all over the country and not been to Tulsa because I thought, 'These are my peers, this is where I grew up. What if they don't like me?' I had this crazy sort of insecurity. Then I did it and it was so fulfilling and thrilling and has now become a staple."

With his first season on CBS' situation comedy "The Class" over and not knowing until May if the show will be picked up for fall, Harris is gearing up for several new projects including possible films, television shows and live performances.

"I was able to do the show and some events and benefits and different things -- to sort of sing for my soul now and then, which was fantastic," he said. "The really fun thing about the Tulsa shows is, with rare exception, I usually create a specific show just for Tulsa.

"My longtime music director Todd and I would say, 'What would be fun there? What would be new here,' because it's like playing for an old friend."

For those old friends, they planned 90 percent new material with some old favorites, including standards, Broadway tunes, pop songs and some original material. The songs will include everything from "Cry Me a River" to "Close Every Door" (a song he performed in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat") to favorites like "Bridge Over Troubled Waters."

His show also will include topical comedy ("The Class," to Anna Nicole Smith to Brangelina) and, rumor has it his character from "The Class" -- Perry Pearl -- will be there to read from his advice column "Pearls of Wisdom" (pending his availability, of course) plus a performance of "The Dirty Rotten Low-Down, Who Am I Gonna Vote for Blues."

Including comedy is important to Harris, who said his shows in Tulsa must contain at least a third comedy.

"We've done some pretty crazy stuff on the stage," he laughed. "I'm not a closet standup comedian but I love to write and love to do funny stuff. I have found that the comedy serves a larger purpose, that it is an entree to something richer.

"In other words, if I can laugh at something or laugh at myself or what's going on, it's a conduit to what lies beneath."

For his Tulsa shows, get ready for a "theatrical roller-coaster that goes from the ridiculous to the poignant, from the absurd to the topical . . . which is pretty absurd," Harris said.

"At its heart, this is a concert with a lot of great songs. But I like to try to do something that you wouldn't typically see. And Tulsa has always been a place where I can really go out there. The audiences are amazing and it's like this love-fest. I can't wait."

Being home again brings Harris, whose heady credits include singer; songwriter; stage, film and TV actor; multi-platinum selling recording artist; writer; producer and director, back to Earth.

"I'm also sober three years, and that foundation is a constant grounding for me every time I start to spin out of control in my head and in my ego.

"Also, being a sober guy, I know what you are saying about the roots of home. It's about releasing from ego, staying true to yourself and listening to the truth," he said.

"I do find that the truth lies in my roots, which probably is the reason I was afraid to play Tulsa for so long. Now, it's most comforting and reassuring and grounding.

"Life really is fantastic."

Peggy Rains

For crying out loud

STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World Gore-Tex, the material used in your favorite outdoor gear, gave back Peggy Rains her singing voice.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/21/2007

Surgery and a lot of prayers restored Peggy Rains' voice

In just a few years, Peggy Rains' sweet western swing voice had already received a string of accolades.

Since starting to sing professionally in 1999, the Pryor singer won the Will Rogers Award for western swing female vocalist of the year in 2000 from the Academy of Western Artists.

Rains went on to win the Spot Music Award in 2002 for best country act. She put out three albums and a duet with country recording artist David Frizzell. She even opened for George Jones at a Muskogee concert in 2002.

Her career grew out of a gift recording-session her husband, a dentist, bought for her in Nashville.

But it looked as if the awards and the accolades and Rains' entire singing career would all end, when her voice first acted up back in October 2003 during a show in Ruidoso, N.M.

"I couldn't keep pitch," said Rains in an interview following lunch at Tulsa's Savoy diner. "I would hit a note and it would just go everywhere if I really came at it like I sing."

Her voice started sounding like that of a junior high school boy in the grip of puberty, she said. She started looking for a doctor and cutting back on her singing.

After a battery of tests, a doctor diagnosed a condition that was a mouthful to remember: unilateral vocal fold paresis of an idiopathic nature.

That's medical speak for a permanently paralyzed vocal chord. Doctors couldn't be sure what caused the paralysis, only that it was likely the result of an infection, she said.

"By May I had lost my speaking voice completely, and that is a life-altering experience," said Rains, who seems quick to laugh about it now.

She was overwhelmed, depressed and for one brief morning, she threw herself a "self-pity party." Her clear, strong, expressive voice was reduced to a forced, breathless whisper.

"I tried to avoid saying anything. I never answered the phone. We would be at a party and I would want to interject something and I would be pulling on my husband saying, 'Say this!' "

She sought the help of a Nashville doctor who had helped a myriad of singers with voice problems.

"He comes through and says, 'You don't do this for a living do you?,' " she said, describing her visit with the doctor. "And I'm like, 'Well, no but . . .' There was no 'but.' This isn't gonna happen."

A letter from the Nashville doctor won her a fight with her health insurance, which claimed the condition was the result of her singing.

She learned she had two options: Either get botox injections into her voicebox every six months or choose surgery and the help of a strip of GORE-TEX.

Not enamoured with needles, she opted for the surgery. Doctors in November inserted a strip of the synthetic material better known for its use in making waterproof clothing into her voicebox.

"What they can do is make it to where the good vocal chord works from the bad one, put the bad one in place and make it stable. And the good vocal chord can work from it," Rains said.

After the surgery, but while still on the operating table, doctors asked Rains to speak. A shadow of her old voice emerged for the first time in months.

Then came work with a speech therapist. It took until 2006 and a performance at the Port of Catoosa before Rains had regained enough confidence to do a full show herself.

All she wanted was to be able to speak, but now she's got her singing voice back.

"Now, call it what you want, I'm gonna call it a miracle. I've been blessed, because I shouldn't be able to do what I did before. And I don't think there's anyone who can tell the difference now."

Rains, who works at her husband's Pryor dental clinic, expects to return to recording this summer, picking up the acoustic gospel album she tabled when her voice failed. She'll head to Nashville around June or July to record it, she said.

She has been reluctant to talk about her ordeal.

"I don't wanna use it for anything other than what it is. It happened to me. I've been able to overcome with a lot of prayers."

---

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Your summer, sitting-on-the-patio sippin' soundtrack

Your summer, sitting-on-the-patio sippin' soundtrack

STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World The Mojito is a traditional Cuban drink, perfect for the sounds of the Afro-Cuban All Stars’ boisterous and jazzy album (not pictured), “Live in Japan.”

By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
4/21/2007 11:32 AM

Planning a patio party? Here are music and complementary drink suggestions (with a little help from Bart Ford, owner of Under the Mooch record store in Tulsa and Matt Leland, manager of the Continental Club in downtown Tulsa) to help set a relaxed, fun-loving mood.

This year's music trends favor swingy, jazzy, bluesy space-age tones, perfect for setting a laid-back atmosphere while sipping a cocktail on a clear spring afternoon or evening:

1. AFRO-CUBAN ALL STARS
"Live in Japan"
(Two-disk CD/DVD, 2004, Globe Star Recording)
Recommended drink: Mojito

Including Latin standards, originals by musical director Juan De Marcos Gonz[ 190]lez and a handful of songs from the band's first two albums, this live compilation includes brash horns and a tight-as-a-drum performance from the 18-piece band. It's guaranteed to get you dancing on your deck, mojito in hand. Feel free to pop in the DVD while waiting for the mosquitoes to scram.

2. VARIOUS ARTISTS
"80's Hits Stripped"
(2006, Sidewinder Music)
Recommended drink: Screwdriver

Get naked with certifiable '80s megahits. The versions of these songs are performe either acoustic or, in the case of Thomas Dolby's "Blinded Me With Science," with one synthesizer. Included on this 15-track CD is everything from Berlin's "The Metro" and Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl," to Billy Squier's "The Stroke."



3. BRAZZAVILLE
"Welcome to ... Brazzaville"
(2004, Mimicry)
Recommended drink: Pomegranate Martini

A beautifully sexy bossa-novaish album with a twist of world music thrown in for an exotic flair. Lead singer David Arthur Brown's sweet, sad voice is vaguely reminiscent of pop crooner Evan Dando, with an added twinge of Nick Cave or even Tom Waits. Impressive for a man who, at age 15, was writing poetry while living as a runaway on the streets of Los Angeles.

4. JAPANCAKES
"The Sleepy Strange"
(2001, Kindercore Records)
Recommended drink: Champagne Punch

A creamy space age country album perfect for relaxing. The influences here are varied -- from ambient pop to country and classical. You'll be haunted by the clean, country-tinged pedal steel guitar, cello and drum work. What you won't hear is anyone singing, because the instruments do enough of that already.



5. JACOB FRED JAZZ ODYSSEY
"The Sameness of Difference"
(2005, Hyena Records)
Recommended drink: Gin Fizz

The internationally acclaimed Tulsa jazz trio rediscover their influences on this album, including Charles Mingus, Neil Young, Brian Wilson, Dave Brubeck, Bjork, the Flaming Lips, Jimi Hendrix and more. With jazzed-up covers and several originals included in this collection, one critic recently crooned, "The playing of Brian Haas, Jason Smart and Reed Mathis saturates everything with beauty and brave emotion."



6. ERIC CLAPTON AND J. J. CALE
"The Road to Escondido"
(2006, Reprise)
Recommended drink: Whiskey Sour

J.J. Cale, an originator of the Tulsa Sound -- a loose genre drawing on blues, rockabilly, country and jazz influences -- wrote two of Eric Clapton's career-making hits, "Cocaine" and "After Midnight." For this collection, Cale's penned 11 of the 14 songs, which are a laid-back blend of the very influences that thrust Tulsa -- and Cale -- into the international music spotlight. Clapton hasn't sounded this relaxed in years, and Cale's intrinsic energy is more prominent than ever before.

7. ESQUIVEL
"The Best of Esquivel"
(2003, Import)
Recommended drink: Between the Sheets

Touted as "the king of space age bachelor music," this collection features the infectious xylophone, piano, horn, "ooh-ahhs," whistles, Hawaiian-tinged electric guitar-laden songs such as "Mucha Muchacha," "Mini Skirt" and "Johnson Rag." You'll be in a line, cha-chaing around the patio in no time.



8. WEEN
"Twelve Golden Country Greats"
(1996, Elektra)
Recommended drink: One Hot Minute

This is not your parents' country music album -- it's Under the Mooch owner Bart Ford's favorite album to listen to outside in the springtime. Ween's chameleon sound is often infused with with humor and parody, and this album is no exception, replete with fiddles, steel guitar, harmonica and vibrant -- and explicit -- lyrics.



9. BECK
"The Information"
(2006, Two-disk CD/DVD, Interscope Records)
Recommended drink: Metropolitan

Beck's newest album is the culmination of 12 years of his funk, pop, rock, folk, psychedelic and hip hop-influenced songwriting, all wrapped into a quirky CD case with a do-it-yourself cover complete with a set of decorative stickers. While not as rambunctious as his "Odelay" album or as soul-wrenching as "Sea Change," this is a relaxed yet up-tempo patio party album if we've ever heard one.

10. RICHARD CHEESE
"Aperitif for Destruction"
(2006, Surfdog Records Ada)
Recommended drink: Zombie

Lounge legend Richard Cheese's swanky Vegas swing band shamelessly covers rock, rap and Top 40 hits. Covers include Jane's Addiction, 2 Live Crew, Beastie Boys and Violent Femmes songs. The lyrics get raunchy, so be forewarned.

---

The drinks

1. MOJITO

2 ounce light rum
¹/2 lime
¹/2 ounce simple syrup
Mint leaves

Squeeze lime into chilled 10 ounce glass, add sugar and mint. Muddle until sugar is dissolved. Fill glass with crushed ice and pour rum. Swizzle until glass frosts, adding additional crushed ice and rum as needed. Garnish with mint leaves and serve with straws. Top off drink with cold club soda.

2. SCREWDRIVER

1 ¹/2 ounce vodka
5 ounce orange juice
Ice

Pour into a glass half full of ice cubes. Stir well.

3. POMEGRANITE MARTINI

1 ounce lemon flavored vodka
1 ounce vodka
¹/2 ounce Chambord French black raspberry liqueur
¹/2 ounce cranberry juice
1 ounce pomegranite juice
Ice

Shake gently with ice and strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

4. CHAMPAGNE PUNCH

1 cup cognac
1 cup maraschino liqueur
1 cup Curacao
¹/2 cup sugar syrup
2 750-ml. bottles of champagne

Mix ingredients in a chilled punch bowl, with a block of ice. Add champagne before serving. Serves about 20.

5. GIN FIZZ

2 ounce Gin
Juice of ¹/2 lemon
1 tsp powdered sugar
Club soda
Ice

Shake with ice and strain into a glass half full of ice cubes. Fill with club soda and stir well.

6. WHISKEY SOUR

2 ounce blended whiskey
¹/2 tsp powdered sugar
Juice of ¹/2 lemon
Ice

Shake with ice and strain into a glass. Top with a lemon wheel and a cherry.

7. BETWEEN THE SHEETS

³/4 ounce brandy
³/4 ounce light rum
³/4 ounce lemon juice
¹/2 ounce triple sec
Ice

Mix and shake ingredients well in a shaker. Strain into a cocktail glass over ice.

8. ONE HOT MINUTE

1 ³/4 ounce silver or white tequila
2 ounce cucumber and apple juice puree
¹/2 ounce Lillet Blanc
¹/4 ounce agave nectar or simple syrup
1 tsp Tabasco brand Green Jalapeño Pepper Sauce

Shake all ingredients and strain over fresh ice into a highball glass. Garnish with thin cucumber slices fanned and one chile pepper placed on the side of the glass.

For cucumber and apple juice puree:

Take one cucumber and peel off skin. Cut the cucumber into slices. Place in a blender and blend into a puree. Mix equal parts cucumber puree with unfiltered apple juice.

9. METROPOLITAN

1 ¹/4 ounce brandy
1 ¹/4 ounce sweet vermouth
¹/2 tsp sugar syrup
1 dash bitters
Ice

Stir with ice. Strain into a glass.

10. ZOMBIE

2 ¹/2 ounce light rum
1 ounce Jamaica rum
¹/2 ounce 151-proof rum
¹/2 ounce apricot-flavored brandy
1 ounce unsweetened pineapple juice
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1 small orange
2 tsp powdered sugar
1 ounce passion fruit syrup
Crushed ice

Blend all ingredients and ¹/2 cup crushed ice at low speed for 2 minutes. Strain into a frosted glass. Top with a stick of pineapple and a cherry. Carefully float 151-proof rum on top. Add a sprig of fresh mint dipped in powdered sugar and serve with a straw.

---

Jennifer Chancellor 581-8346
jennifer.chancellor@tulsaworld.com

By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer

Cain's among world's top clubs

Cain's among world's top clubs

By Staff Reports
4/22/2007

Tulsa's Cain's Ballroom ranked No. 31 for ticket sales among the top 50 of the world's live music clubs for the first quarter of 2007.

The numbers, collected by www.pollstar.com, show the ballroom sold 22,199 tickets. Cain's Ballroom, the home of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, was the only Oklahoma club with a capacity of 3,000 or less to make the list.

Also making the list was Stubb's Bar-B-Q in Austin, which sold 14,898 tickets during the quarter.

The news comes after Cain's Ballroom sold 84,746 tickets last year, ranking it at No. 38 worldwide among clubs its size.

By Staff Reports

Randall Thompson

Concert today to present Frost's poems set to music

Joseph Rivers The concert will also feature his “Will Rogers — Self-Portrait.”

By JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer
4/22/2007

Exactly what Robert Frost thought of Randall Thompson's "Frostiana," a musical setting of seven of Frost's poems, is open to debate.

Thompson had been commissioned to write a piece, using Frost's poetry, to commemorated the bicentennial of Amherst, Mass., where Frost had taught for many years.

Thompson chose seven poems -- famous ones such as "The Road Not Taken," "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" and some lesser-known poems -- and the work had its premiere in 1959, with Thompson conducting and Frost in the audience.

One story has it that Frost, at the conclusion of the final piece, "Chose Something Like a Star," stood up and shouted "Sing that again!"

Others claim that Frost was so displeased that he never again allowed his poems to be set to music for the rest of his life. In a Los Angeles Times story about Frost and music, Carole Thompson, president of the Friends of Robert Frost, said that "Frost did not like having his poems set to music. He said, 'It spoils my fun.' "

In the end, more people have agreed with that first reaction, as Thompson's "Frostiana" has become one of this composer's best-known and most performed works.

The University of Tulsa's Capella Chamber Singers, under the direction of Kim Childs, assistant professor of choral studies at TU, will perform "Frostiana" as part of its spring concert at 3 p.m Sunday at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria Ave. Admission to the concert is free.

The concert is titled "An American Portrait," and will feature "Will Rogers -- Self-Portrait," a work composed by TU music professor Joseph Rivers.

Rivers' piece was written in 1998, and was commissioned by by the Claremore Community Chorus and the Will Rogers Heritage Inc.

"It is completely based on words by Will Rogers," Rivers said, adding that he tried to balance the piece between "his humorous and his serious side, ending -- of course -- with that familiar quote, 'I never met a man I didn't like.' "

"We thought it would be a good piece to revive during the Oklahoma Centennial year," he said.

The concert also will include another Thompson piece, "The Peaceable Kingdom." Thompson was inspired by a painting of the same name by Edward Hicks. Thompson used verses by the Book of Isaiah for the text.

---

James D. Watts Jr. 581-8478
james.watts@tulsaworld.com

By JAMES D. WATTS JR. World Scene Writer

Keith Anderson

Real-life grit

Courtesy Anderson’s sound is somewhere between country and rock. His lyrics are pure country, but the music is closer to rock.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/20/2007

Keith Anderson became a star the old fashioned way -- he earned it

Keith Anderson didn't become the country artist he is today by winning a contest.

He did it the old fashioned way. The Miami, Okla., native rolled up his considerable sleeves, left behind a construction career and spent the last 10 years or so performing in Nashville bars, befriending big-name songwriters and honing his own song craft.

Gretchen Wilson recorded one of his songs ("The Bed") and he befriended John Rich from Big & Rich, co-writing songs with him. Then the labels came calling.

But when his two-year-old Arista Records debut, "Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll" went gold, he didn't forget how he did it. His band packed the Third and Lindsley Bar & Grill one more time and Anderson came armed with a thick book of people to thank.

"There's an old bar that we played every week or two weeks for about two years when I was trying to get my record deal, just trying to create a buzz and just trying to get people to notice what we were doing."

When he first started playing the bar, maybe 20 people would show up. But by the end of that period, folks lined up out the door to see Anderson.

This week, he performed at the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday and he wraps the week up with a Saturday show at Tulsa's Cain's Ballroom.

His ballroom show is probably the best deal you'll get on a concert by a performer of his stature: Tickets are $9.98 at the door. He tries to keep his ticket prices low so fans can see his shows, but the other side of that means that he has to play more shows to make money. So it's harder work.

"For us, it's all about the fans and all about being accessible to the fans and trying to meet them before and after the show and making the ticket prices as low and as available as you can."

Anderson's sound is somewhere between country and rock. His lyrics are pure country, he said, but his harmonies and guitars are closer to rock.

What sets the 38-year-old Oklahoma State University graduate apart from his peers is that he writes and performs his own songs. Not only does that help his pocketbook, it adds some honesty to his music.

The connection he feels to his home town and state were made clear last November, when Anderson returned to Miami to film the video for the single "Podunk."

The song, about drinking down on the river and nights spent cruising the main drag, was filmed during a free concert there, using people from his hometown instead of actors. His parents still live in Miami.

"We tell stories about my hometown everywhere we go and people relate to it. I think small town life, no matter where you go, is small town life."

The former baseball player, landscaper, personal trainer and model is also in the midst of recording his follow up disc. He jokingly described the album, produced by Jeffrey Steele (author of Collin Raye's "Couldn't Last a Moment"), as "rap polka."

"No, it's kind of more of the same," Anderson said. "But I mean, a lot of people are saying the word on the street is that it's a little more, uhh, a little more . . . I don't know . . . I hate to use the word 'mature' . . .

"The album as a whole is going to be just like the first -- a lot of fun, upbeat party songs, a lot of just rowdy fun."

That said, Anderson does his share of serious stuff, such as the song "Plan B" from his debut about altering life's direction due to major obstacles

He had just delivered the album's first single, "Sunday Morning in America," to radio stations when he was interviewed last week. Anderson warns fans: The song might just throw you for a loop.

"Some people look at that title and go, 'Here we go again.' But, it's not one of those beat-your-chest, we're America and we're going to kick your butt, we're the greatest people on Earth things.

"It's kind of like Springsteen or Mellencamp, the way they would sing about America. It's just real-life grit."

---

KEITH ANDERSON

When: 6 p.m., Saturday, with opener Mary Cogan

Where: Cain's Ballroom, 423 N. Main St.

Tickets: $5.98 in advance, $9.98 day of show, available at Cain's Box Office 584-2306

---

Classmate says Anderson was always headed for the top

Tulsa musician Greg Klaus thought it seemed a little far-fetched when he heard his former high school classmate Keith Anderson was headed for Nashville to pursue his dreams.

The competition there is sort of tough -- the city is packed with guys chasing that vision of their names in lights. But, that was 10 years ago, at Klaus's 10-year reunion when he learned the news.

That was 10 years before Anderson had a gold-selling album and had written a song performed by Gretchen Wilson.

"It sounded far-fetched 10 years ago. It's like, 'Well, good luck at that.' But, obviously he had a plan and made it work."

At the time, Anderson had just left Texas to try his hand at Nashville and Klaus was performing with the Tulsa band Social Butterfly. Klaus has known Anderson since he was a kid. The hit-making country singer even appears in one of Klaus's childhood birthday photos. The two graduated in 1986.

"He was just a really good, well-rounded guy. He was the type of guy that lettered in three sports, was an A student, played in the band," Klaus said. "I don't think he was a partier or anything like that. I never saw him take a drink until our 20-year reunion here last summer."

Anderson, whose parents still live in Miami, was definitely with the in-crowd in high school but wasn't a snob, said Klaus, now the singer of the band Mudville, a local nickname for Miami.

"He didn't fit into the stereotypical jock role."

Klaus and Anderson, then a drummer, faced off during a talent show their senior year. Their bands were the only two in the show.

"This is the '80s and Heart was really popular. They did one of the current Heart hits really well, had a girl singer."

Anderson is an avid weightlifter these days but wasn't as beefy back then as he is now. But, he has the same drive to succeed at whatever he seeks to do, Klaus said.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Reba McEntire

Clear skies. good music at Country Thunder
04/14/2007 01:30 PM

By Larry Rodgers
azcentral.com

FLORENCE -- After a dicey opening night on Thursday that was dampened by rain, high winds and low temperatures, the Country Thunder USA festival showed its more alluring side Friday.

The skies cleared, the mercury rose and all was as it should be when thousands of country-music lovers descended on Canyon Moon Ranch.

Though this year's lineup for the four-day event isn't brimming with blockbuster acts, four solid players -- including a pair of superstars -- capped Friday's festivities on a strong note.

Headliner Reba McEntire delivered the kind of performance she's famous for: A no-nonsense run through her huge catlog of hits spiced with some folksy banter from a woman who was raised on an Oklahoma ranch.

Looking great at age 52, McEntire effortlessly commanded the stage, backed by her high-powered touring band, deployed around a massive, multi-tiered stage set.

She talked about growing up as a rancher's daughter, about her love of family and about her work with Habitat for Humanity. She said the group's Building Blocks project will soon visit Phoenix to build nine homes for needy families in four days.

McEntire opened with the upbeat title track from her 1999 album "So Good Together." She dropped in a few other newer tracks, such as 2004's "Somebody," but the bulk of her set featured the classics that made her a star starting in the early '80s.

She proudly identified "Can't Even Get the Blues" as "my first No. 1 record, back in 1982," and appeared to still enjoy performing it.

Fans of all ages smiled and swayed or danced as McEntire moved through such classics as "Little Rock," "Whoever's In New England" and "The Heart Is a Lonely Hunter."

High points included 2003's gospel-flavored "Love Revival" and a tight take on the classic "The Fear of Being Alone."

The night's second superstar was Randy Owen, front man for the on-hiatus Alabama, which ruled the country radio waves in the '80s and early '90s.

The singer-guitarist chose Country Thunder to launch a solo concert tour, and he received a warm welcome from the crowd, which appeared to top 25,000.

Opening with an Alabama hit, "I'm In a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)," Owen made it clear he wouldn't turn his back on the band that made him a multimillionaire.

In fact, despite the fact that Owen reportedly in nearing completion of a solo CD, most of his set Friday featured Alabama hits. For a good-timing festival crowd, that's OK, but for those curious about Owen's future, it was slightly disappointing.

Owen played guitar only sparsely, choosing to grab the microphone and work Country Thunder's huge stage.

"Who out there had a good day? Raise your hand!" Owen, 57, said. "Who's glad to be alive?" He then launched into another Alabama classic, "Give Me One More Shot."

Owen and his new band did a nice job on such hits as "Roll On (Eighteen Wheeler)" "Mountain Music," "Feels So Right" and "If You're Gonna Play In Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)." But some of the rich harmonies of Alabama, as well as that group's onstage chemistry, were missing.

Texas-born Tanya Tucker had her heyday in the '80s but still draws a crowd when she takes the stage.

The former Mrs. Glen Campbell came out in sunglasses and a glittery sweater, and spent lots of time interacting with the audience. "It's good to be home," said Tucker, who was raised in Arizona.

Tucker, who has seen her share of personal ups and downs. seems to translate that experience into music that leans toward country's roots. Her voice was sometimes a little rough around the edges, which worked for the old-school numbers.

"Oh What It Did to Me" and her cover of the late Tammy Wynette's "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad," elicited whoops and shouts of "Yee-haw!"

Tucker, 48, joked that she had recorded "San Antonio Stroll" at age 16, "just a few short years ago."

"When I Die" "Two Sparrows in a Hurricane" and her signature hit, "Delta Dawn," were also crowd-pleasers.

Relative newcomer Blake Shelton knows how to whip up a fstival crowd.

His rowdy set was heavy on cover songs, such as Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" and Steve Wariner's "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers."

Shelton's new single, "The More I Drink" and his 2004 classic "Some Beach" were a perfect fit for Country Thunder.

Reach Rodgers at larry.rodgers@arizonacentral.com or (602) 444-8043.

ZZ Top

ZZ Top's lil ol' concert in Phoenix
04/19/2007 01:23 AM

By Larry Rodgers
azcentral.com

ZZ Top has been on the road since 1970, so nothing in the Texas power trio's concerts is particularly surprising anymore.

But that doesn't make the live shows by the band, which was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, any less entertaining or fun.

Looking like a pair of cartoon characters with their long beards, cheap sunglasses and hats, ZZ Top front men Billy Gibbons (guitar) and Dusty Hill (bass) still know how to work a crowd, like the baby boomer-heavy audience at Dodge Theatre in Phoenix on Wednesday.

They delivered many of the hits that made them MTV superstars and milionaires in the late '70s and '80s, such as "Legs," "Sharp Dressed Man," "Gimme All Your Lovin' " and "I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide" with an extra dose of the raunch that has made them stand out from the crowd over the decades since.

Although it appeared they might be going through the motions early in their nearly two-hour set, once this trio got rolling, it started hitting on all cylinders, like the classic red Eliminator coupe of its groundbreaking MTV videos.

Gibbons remains the king of the nasty Texas guitar lead, and he doled it out on such hits as "Have Mercy" and "Cheap Sunglasses." He also threw some red-hot blues riffs into an extended solo in "Catfish Blues." Those who left their seat to get a drink or hit the restroom during that song -- not one of the band's huge hits -- missed a true treat.

Hill is one of rock's more busy bassists, and he helped keep things on track in extended jams in such songs as "Brown Sugar," which went all the way back to ZZ Top's 1970 "First Album."

Low-key drummer Frank Beard remains one of the most reliable timekeepers in rock. He was all business Wednesday, barely exchanging glances with Gibbons and Hill and quickly exiting the stage when the show wrapped up.

The band achieved a droning, mechanical sound that seemed simple on the surface but actually ran on extremely well-honed musicianship.

The three members brought that formula to a climax on a lesser-known number, 1996's "Bang Bang," as well as 1981's "Pearl Necklace."

Gibbons and Hill, both wearing sequined suit coats, occasionally went through the onstage choreography and hand motions that helped make them MTV stars. Exchanging low-fives now and then as they passed on the stage, they are some of the most closeknit musical partners in rock.

The pair brought out their famed "fuzzy guitars" for the group's 1980 megahit, "Legs," and wrapped things up with an encore of another massive radio song, "Tush."

The ultra-hip and biker-friendly image of this trio, all well into their 50s, will allow ZZ Top to keep rolling for years to come. Perhaps someday the band will venture more into its newer material onstage, despite the crowd-pleasing reliability of its '80s catalog.

Reach Rodgers at larry.rodgers@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-8043.

All-American Rejects

All-American Rejects felt the pressure to produce hits

The All-American Rejects will be in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday in the University of Toledo’s Savage Hall. Tickets are $15 for UT students at the Savage Hall box office and Rocket Copy in the Student Union, or $30 for the general public, available from the box office, 419-530-4653. More information on the band is available online at www.theall-americanrejects.com. Zoom | Photo Reprints

By DAVID YONKE
BLADE STAFF WRITER

The Oklahoma musicians may be All-Americans, but when it comes to selling discs they’re certainly not Rejects.

The All-American Rejects, who will be in concert Saturday night at the University of Toledo, were trying to come up with a humorous and memorable band name when someone suggested the All-Americans. Another person recommended the Rejects, and the two terms were merged into one to give the punk-pop band from Stillwater, Okla., its distinctive name.

The group’s self-titled debut disc, released on the DreamWorks label in 2003, sold more than a million copies, fueled by the hook-laden hit single, “Swing, Swing.”

Nick Wheeler, the band’s 22-year-old guitarist, said in a phone interview last week that he and his musical and song-writing buddy since junior high, Tyson Ritter, the Rejects’ 21-year-old bassist and lead vocalist, got their first break from Doghouse Records, a label that was founded by Toledoan Dirk Hemsath.

“When we were signed by Doghouse, we only had five songs,” Wheeler said. “Dirk and [wife] Emily came to Tulsa in the summer of ’01 and signed us pretty much right there. We had to wait one semester for Tyson to finish high school, and then we finished the album.”

The music, with its brash guitars, tuneful melodies, and punk-rock spirit, caught on with skaters and teens and got the attention of DreamWorks, the major label that signed a distribution deal with the smaller, independent Doghouse.

Now the Rejects are back in action with their sophomore release, “Move Along,” released last fall on Interscope.

Recording the second disc, which already has gone Gold and produced three hit singles — “Dirty Little Secret,” “It Ends Tonight,” and the title track, proved a formidable challenge in many ways for the young rockers.

For one thing, the DreamWorks label folded, leaving the All-American Rejects temporarily in the lurch until they were picked up by another major label, Interscope Records.

For another, the musicians felt more pressure than ever to produce more hits.

“It’s hard enough coming out of nowhere,” Wheeler said. “It’s harder when you’ve got somebody’s attention to keep their attention.”

One record company official told the young musicians that not only was he counting on them to score another best-selling CD, so was his entire family.

“He said we were his livelihood, that we are his kids’ tuition, and we gotta make this happen,” Wheeler said with a sigh. “Everybody was certainly freaking out and unsure of themselves at times.”

The success of “Move Along” has allowed the four musicians — the lineup now features Chris Gaylor on drums and Mike Kennerty on guitars — to relax a bit, Wheeler said.

“It’s kind of nice. We’ve been unwinding, finding our headspace, remembering why we do this in the first place,” he said.

He started playing guitar when he was 7 and grew up listening to his parents’ country music discs, including such artists as Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, and George Strait.

“Then I discovered my sister’s collection, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and it was all over after that. Then my mom had to get the cable company to disconnect MTV because it’s all I watched.”

He and Ritter moved from Oklahoma to Destin, Fla., a town of about 12,000 in the Florida panhandle, a few years ago, forsaking the usual music-business capitals.

“L.A. and New York are kind of busy, there are always distractions,” Wheeler said. “We grew up in the anti-distraction of Stillwater, Okla. We wanted to re-create that, but with a beach.”

The All-American Rejects will be in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday in the University of Toledo’s Savage Hall. Tickets are $15 for UT students at the Savage Hall box office and Rocket Copy in the Student Union, or $30 for the general public, available from the box office, 419-530-4653. More information on the band is available online at www.theall-americanrejects.com.

Contact David Yonke at: dyonke@theblade.com or 419-724-6154.

Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen

Noted duo to perform for Folk Music Society

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/19/2007

The Tulsa Folk Music Society presents a performance by Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen on Friday at the Spotlight Theater.

The concert at the theater, 1381 Riverside Drive, will begin at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.

The concert will be the last one for the music society, said spokesman Dennis Moran, because the concerts are becoming too expensive.

The duo, based in Bennington, Vt., have recorded four duet albums since 1991. Gillette's songs have been performed by John Denver, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks, Linda Ronstadt and Anne Murray.

Mangsen, who plays the banjo, guitar, concertina and dulcimer, has been performing since 1976.

The folk society has been bringing concerts to Tulsa for 25 years, Moran said.

For more information, call 366- 7156 or 587-5030.

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Jackie DiPillo

Songwriter is trying her dangdest to get record deal

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer
4/19/2007

Trying to make it as a songwriter in a city full of the richest songwriters in the world -- Nashville -- can be arduous. No one knows that more than McAlester native Jackie DiPillo.

The mother of three and former Miss Oklahoma contestant has been living with her husband in Nashville since 1998, working full time at getting that one big break: either a publishing deal or landing a song with a recording artist.

"I think I was always a songwriter. I just never really knew it until I came to Nashville," DiPillo said.

Now she's a contestant in an online competition at cf,fgc www.cmt.comcf,ceno called the NSAI Song Contest.

Her song -- "Dang" -- is one of the final 15 songs chosen out of approximately 10,000 submissions, DiPillo said.

Fans can cast online votes to select which of the 15 will win the CMT Listener's Choice Award.

"Dang" was inspired by a Gretchen Wilson music video for the single "California Girls."

She and her co-writers, Chris Caminiti and Lisa Chamberlin, were writing one day last September when the video came on and they noted Wilson's muscular physique in the video.

"I just said, 'Look at that, dang,' " DiPillo said.

If DiPillo wins, her prizes will include a single-song publishing contract with a major publisher -- that elusive foot in the door.

Her husband works for a company owned by Johnson & Johnson, so she's able to spend her days grasping at melodies, attempting to wrap chords around words.

She takes her songs to a studio where, for a few hundred dollars, she can record a demo with some of the best studio musicians in the world.

But the quality of her demo recordings, the days spent in songwriting classes at Vanderbilt University and 40-hour weeks spent feeling out chords on her acoustic guitar mean nothing in Nashville unless you know somebody who knows somebody.

"I wouldn't do it if I didn't love it because, seriously, my tax man is telling me that I need to make some money," she said.

DiPillo, who grew up playing the clarinet, lived in McAlester until she was about 18. She was a top-10 finalist in the 1983 Miss Oklahoma pageant and some family members live in Tulsa and McAlester.

You can vote an unlimited number of times for DiPillo until Monday at www.cmt.com/asm/contests/nsai/cmt_choice/2007/.

---

Matt Elliott 581-8366
matt.elliott@tulsaworld.com

By MATT ELLIOTT World Scene Writer

Mac Meier

Mac Meier, a Stillwater High School senior, recently received a music scholarship to Northern Oklahoma College. Jessica Blackburn/Stillwater NewsPress

SHS student sings, dances his way to music scholarship

Kristin Janloo Henderson
Stillwater NewsPress

Stillwater High School senior Mac Meier will be singing and dancing his way through college as he recently received a full scholarship to attend Northern Oklahoma College and an invitation to be a part of its musical show troupe, the Roustabouts Jamboree.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the soon-to-be college freshman also performed his way into the lead singer and dancer position during auditions, beating out the 13 other members of the group for the top spot.

“It’s a great opportunity,” said Meier, who has been singing since he was 9 years old as a member of the Stillwater Boys Choir. “They said they don’t usually give out this scholarship, so I know they really want me there.”

Meier said he plans to major in music theater at the two-year college in Tonkawa, then return to Stillwater to get a broadcasting degree from Oklahoma State University.

SHS Choir Director Steve Maison said the Roustabouts have become a tradition of glitz and entertainment at NOC and was created by Bill Heilmann, Maison’s former high school choir director in Cushing.

Maison also said he is not surprised that Meier was picked because of his experience and talent on stage singing and performing.

“I think it’s exciting for him,” Maison said. “I think for him it’s a means to an end and an opportunity to get his course work done and do something he loves.”

Before being chosen, Meier said he had to go through a full day of auditions that included more than 30 other hopeful students.

First, they had to sing a piece of music of their choice, and then they had to perform a dance number in front of the judges. After one-on-ones with the judges, students then spent nearly six hours in a dance choreography class before learning if they had made the group.

Meier is one of the 14 people in the group that performs internationally and on cruise ships.

Meier said it’s an honor to be picked to be lead singer and dancer but he wants to stay humble about it. Meier also said he is excited to get the opportunity to do what he loves.

“I have talent and self-confidence in myself,” he said. “I like to perform and entertain audiences and see their faces after a good show.”

Welcome the Silence

Local Band Q&A: Welcome the Silence

•Who: Welcome the Silence is back after spending the past eight months toiling over their forthcoming self-produced independent release, "Is Anyone Listening?” They're ready to hit the stage again for their CD release show and unleash their blend of powerful riffing, a propulsive rhythm section and heartfelt and intense vocals. Check them out online at www.myspace.com/welcomethesilence.

•Where: Bricktown Ballroom, 103 E California, Oklahoma City, OK.

Q:What is the significance of the name Welcome the Silence?

A:Denovan Ratcliffe, vocals: We were actually trying to come up with a name for months, because we were really wanting to be able to take it to a dot-com rather than a "whatever/your momma/geocities/this-that-and-the other,” so a friend of ours named Chris Shy (former drummer of now-defunct Fear the Clown) came to us one night and said, "You know, we have this name, and if you want it, you can use it.” It was Welcome the Silence. I was like: "Yeah, that's pimp.”

Q:What is the usual creative process for you as a band?

A:Ratcliffe: Justin (Bornemann, guitarist) will lock himself away in his room and just pound out guitar ideas, and we all get together and he plays it for us. If we all dig it, we'll just start jamming on it. I get the vocal melodies down, and then I wait until we get in the studio to actually write the lyrics — that, or I take some old lyrics that I have already and then fit them into the vocal melody, which seems to work out pretty well for me.

Q:You've been working on self-producing "Is Anyone Listening?” for the past eight months. During that time, you haven't performed live. How are you all feeling about playing again after so much time?

A:Ratcliffe: It's going be like the freakin' Super Bowl halftime show, man. I cannot tell you how badly I miss playing. It's ridiculous.

A:Craig Bornemann, bass: It's going to be like playing the first show again.

A:Justin McCart, drums: I think that's kind of cool that because we did record it ourselves and got so frustrated with the whole process that it kind of helped fuel the music a lot more, because this album is a lot heavier than our last one. There's a lot more energy.

Q:Tell the folks at home a little about the show tonight.

A:McCart: Guitar Center will be sponsoring the show, so we're bringing in a ton of lights. It's going to be sick. And we'll be giving away a guitar, an Epiphone Les Paul.

A:Ratcliffe: The doors open at seven. The show starts at eight, and (DJ) Lord Paturn's going to start spinning. He'll be spinning between bands — just something to keep the atmosphere, you know?

— Michael Senior, oklahoman.com

Blake Shelton

Country singer Blake Shelton plans Raindance II, a benefit concert for Oklahoma wildfire victims. ASSOCIATED PRESS

Music star to return for festival

By Chad Previch
Staff Writer

ADA — Country music star Blake Shelton responded to the Oklahoma wildfires of 2005 and 2006 by holding a concert that raised $133,000 for a program that replaces lost homes.

The Ada native is back for Raindance II, a four-day festival that begins Saturday and ends Tuesday with the Blake Shelton and Friends Concert.

"When I saw how some of my Oklahoma neighbors were so deeply affected by natural disasters, I felt I had to do something,” Shelton said. "Raindance is a good fit for me. I enjoy all the events and, hopefully, so do a lot of other people.”

The festival benefits Project Rebuild, an eight-year-old organization that has built 38 homes across Oklahoma for deserving families. The money raised at Raindance last year enabled the group to build six homes, said Sharilyn Young, the Project Rebuild founder.

One of those homes was built for Willie and Thelma Sellers in Spencer.

"We think it's great,” Willie Sellers said. "We didn't have any insurance. Other than that we would be outdoors. It was a blessing.”

The Sellers' three-bedroom home was destroyed by wildfire as the couple returned home from church on a Sunday in January 2006. The couple was referred to Project Rebuild through Gov. Brad Henry's office, and the group rebuilt a home on the same property, Sellers said.

The money raised for Project Rebuild also goes toward home repairs, water and electricity supply and once purchased a work van for a family that lost theirs. Raindance efforts were especially important last year, Young said.

Raindance II will kick off with an archery tournament from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Pontotoc Technology Center, 601 W 33 in Ada. The top five archers from each division will return on Monday to participate in the Celebrity Shoot Out.

Celebrity guests include Matt Morrett of Hunter's Specialties, Travis "T-Bone” Turner of Realtree Outdoors, and Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, hosts of "Getting Close.” The overall winner of the tournament will go on a turkey hunt with Shelton at his private ranch.

There is no charge for spectators to attend the three-day tournament.

From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday the event will feature team roping at the Pontotoc Country Agriplex Arena in Ada. Celebrity roping guest is Tyler Magnus and The Roping Show. Cost is $80 per participant or $160 per team, with a limit of 250 teams.

Roping starts at 11 a.m. Cash and prizes are provided through 20th place.

Raindance II concludes with a "Blake Shelton and Friends” concert and silent auction at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Kerr Center on the campus of East Central University. Performers include Craig Morgan, Neal McCoy and Steve Holy. Tickets for the concert range from $25 to $35.

Raindance will auction Shelton's Takamine guitar. The guitar will be autographed by Shelton, Morgan, McCoy and Holy. The online auction goes live Tuesday and runs through May.

To bid, purchase tickets or register for the archery tournament or team-roping event, visit CMTAuctions.com or oklahomaraindance.com. Tickets for the concert also may be purchased at the door.

The Flaming Lips

Live DVD to feature The Flaming Lips show

From Staff Reports


Grammy Award-winning "gonzo wig-lifters” The Flaming Lips will release their first live DVD, "U.F.O.s at the Zoo: The Legendary Concert in Oklahoma City,” on July 10.

Filmed at the Zoo Amphitheatre in the band's hometown on Sept. 15, 2006, the DVD captures the complete over-the-top Technicolor thrill of the band's local show before a capacity crowd of manic fans.

The track listing includes Lips favorites such as "Race for the Prize,” "Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots” (Parts 1 and 2), "Do You Realize??” and a rarely performed version of "Love Yer Brain,” from 1987's "Oh My Gawd!!! ... The Flaming Lips.”

Live tracks will be interspersed with backstage sneak peeks and various absurd events of the day preparing for the homecoming spectacle.

Edgar Cruz

Cinco de Mayo event canceled

By Brandy McDonnell
Staff Writer

MIDWEST CITY — "Edgar Cruz & Amigos: A Cinco de Mayo Centennial Fiesta” has been canceled because of the death of one of the performers.

The event was scheduled for 7 p.m. May 5 at Rose State Performing Arts Theater, 6420 SE 15, Midwest City.

Acclaimed classical guitarist Ruben Romero, 60, of Santa Fe, N.M., died unexpectedly in February. Romero often performed in Oklahoma and throughout the Southwest with guitarist Edgar Cruz and dancers Shannon Calderon and Erika Reyes, all of Oklahoma City. He was scheduled to play with them at the Cinco de Mayo event.

"Out of respect for our friend ... we decided not to do a performance right now,” Calderon said. "It's very heavy on us right now. It's very heavy on us. He was like a brother to us. We were like family.”

The Oklahoma City performers initially planned to go ahead with the Cinco de Mayo event and dedicate it to Romero's memory. But they had difficulty finding someone to play in his stead.

People who bought tickets in person should return to the Civic Center Box Office. For people who bought tickets over the phone or Internet, the ticket price will be refunded to their credit card.

For more information, call the box office at 297-2264.

Music to get electronic...

Music to get electronic boost in concerts

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma will present Inner sOUndscapes, an electroacoustic music festival April 27-28 in Catlett Music Center, 500 W Boyd. The festival will feature compositions by OU music technology students as well as works by noted composers of this genre.

Electroacoustic music is composed with the assistance of computer technology, using synthesized or pre-recorded sound diffused live from an array of loudspeakers.

The festival opens April 27 with a 7 p.m. concert featuring works by OU students. A second concert follows at 8:30 p.m. and the final concert will begin at 8 p.m. April 28. Konstantinos Karathanasis is director of OU's music technology program. All concerts are free.

For more information, call 325-2081.

American Idol

‘American Idol' padding begins to wear thin

By George Lang
The Oklahoman

Bored and testy is no way to go through life, or even for just an hour. But this is what the "Bon Voyage, Haley Scarnato” edition of "American Idol” did to me last week.

Dedicated "Idol”-philes know the drill: Wednesday night is when Fox's Super Bowl of karaoke announces who will survive to sing another week, and who gets to pack and catch the next flight to San Antonio. I was watching because two performers have Oklahoma connections, including Phil Stacey, whose in-laws live in Shawnee. He barely beat Scarnato, but I was there at 8 p.m. Wednesday with my laptop, ready to write a wrap-up if Stacey was going back to singing in the U.S. Navy Band after that night.

By the way, what if Stacey were to win? In the event that he becomes the next "American Idol,” he is still Petty Officer Third Class Stacey. I was in the Navy when David Robinson was released from his commitment and joined the San Antonio Spurs, and there was some controversy about the decision, but he was too tall to serve on submarines or fit in a cockpit. If anyone can shed light on this hypothesis regarding Stacey, let me know.

At any rate, I was settled in to report on the outcome and was shocked and appalled at how little actually happens in this weekly "A.I.” installment. Fox earned the second highest ratings of the week for that episode, and yet nothing actually happened until the final five minutes, when the results of viewer voting were revealed. Before that, it was an hour-long water-treading exercise. We had the cringe-inducing group rendition of Enrique Iglesias' "Bailamos,” Ryan Seacrest's Sanjaya Malakar baiting, Paula Abdul's typical confusion, a taped performance by Akon, a live performance by Jennifer Lopez, more commercials than anyone should see in an hour and an extended piece on Simon Cowell's philanthropic work, ostensibly proving he is not the River Styx ferry captain we all suspected.

It was padding, from Akon to Saint Simon and beyond, all the way to the results, and it is a little insulting that Fox does this every week and reaps millions of dollars, delivering only a few minutes of what can only charitably be called substance. But 26.1 million people tuned in, and which network executive is going to toy with that kind of success?

I understand its value as a cultural spectacle, but I've never been able to truly enjoy "American Idol,” and it's not because of Cowell or the generally cheesy, bread-and-circuses tone of the thing. It's because I value people who write their own songs. "American Idol” generally chooses good material for its contestants, although the Latin and country segments of the past two weeks stretched patience. But they aren't performing songs they created. It's always an interpretation of someone else's work.

Yes, some talented singers have gotten breaks on this show, principally Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. But I'm craving an "American Idol”-like show that features singer-songwriters, not just singers. But, such a show would fail for the same reason that it's much easier for a cover band to pack a club: familiarity is comfort food.

Plus, how many self-respecting singer-songwriters would wear a "ponyhawk”?

•I have seen the future of rock 'n' roll, and its name is the Rosebuds. Last year, Gnarls Barkley's "The Last Time” and Boy Least Likely To's "Be Gentle With Me” brought back the roller-skating jam. "Get Up Get Out,” the first single from the Rosebuds' "Night of the Furies,” trumps them both for sheer disco spectacle.

Staticblog
Music, film, TV and trash by George Lang.
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Chevelle’s fourth album fails to impress

Courtesy photo Pete Loeffler (guitar), Dean Bernardini (bass) and Sam Loeffler (drums) make up the Chicago-based band Chevelle. The trio released its latest album, Vena Sera, April 3.

Justin Smith
Entertainment Writer, ocolly.com

Chevelle is back with another album.

On their newest release, Vena Sera, the band retreats to the heavy post-grunge distortion it became known for.

Whenever a band releases a new album, it should create something not only progressive from previous releases, but also within the album itself. An album should be a complete package of an exploration of ideas — highs, lows, harmony, dissonance, etc., which create comparisons and contrasts sonically, lyrically and emotionally.

Vena Sera prefers to stick to dissonance, interestingly delivered with perfect pitch and only hints at possible higher harmony. This relentless sonic drive through the song sequence creates a drone. There are songs that slow down the pace, like “Saferwaters” and “Well Enough Alone,” but the feeling the listener is left with isn’t any different from the rest of the album.

The album, Chevelle’s fourth, shows some promise at the beginning. “Brainiac” includes the lines: “We know we miss one cell/ Should’ve combined to save brains./ How ‘bout I teach you to crawl./ Lift up the head so proud./ Imagine this one cell.” This gives the album an interesting articulation of thoughts to build from but instead takes the easy way out with songs calculated in the recording lab to get the teenage adrenaline going.

One song that definitely questions what Chevelle was thinking is the middle-of-the-album track, “The Fad.” With a chorus of “Let’s call it the chase, I’ll call it a phase/ once the fad permeates, it’s hip to care, hip to hate it,/ Laugh at the violence,” it’s hard to figure out who the band is trying to reach out to.

It continues later with “So count us into that Gucci clan.” At least there’s some passion in the delivery this time.

It seems that if the band had spent only a couple more weeks in the studio, the album could have been better, but the corporate wizard had his eye on the “radio hit” meter, and the leftover songs were thrown in like a bunch of B-sides to pad the packaging.

The first single, “Well Enough Alone,” even starts with a sigh. By the end of the song, it is hard to tell whether that sigh was made out of boredom or fatigue.

There’s no end to Chevelle’s dirty, stripped-down guitar sounds in sight, it would be nice next time down the road to hear more contrasts and experiments with or beyond that patented sound.

What separates one thing from another is variation, but if this album sells well, what’s the point of fixing a broken record?

Summer prep

Pink Floyd Courtesy photos	Scissor Sisters. As students prepare for finals and gear up for the summer, the right music selection is vital.

10 songs to get through finals, set the mood for summer

Lisa Lewis and Austin Porter
Entertainment Writers, ocolly.com

It’s the time of the semester when frustration and stress run high among students, when finals are too close for comfort and the summer is just out of reach.

Some students party as the weather begins to get nicer, while others choose to use their spare time hitting the books for finals.

As a wise person once said, “Music soothes the savage student,” (or something like that).

Here’s a list of 10 songs to download to your mp3 player to get you through the stress of the last week of classes and finals week, and to get you mentally ready for the summer:



“Float On” by Modest Mouse

It’s obvious why this song is on the list. It’s all about not letting things get to you and maintaining a state of tranquility at all times. Plus, it’s just catch