Rocklahoma

Bands look forward to Rocklahoma performance

Sommer Woodward
Staff Reporter, Pryor Daily Times

Nelson and Great White are bands scheduled back-to-back Sunday afternoon at Rocklahoma.

The groups who gave us “(Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection,” and “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” are excited to take the stage Sunday.

“Playing Rocklahoma is pretty great,” said Gunnar Nelson, who said Rocklahoma shows that this type of music is “not only alive and well, but is thriving.”

The Nelsons are part of a family who’s been making music for over 100 years. His grandparents, Ozzie and Harriet Nelson, had a big band number one hit in 1934. Their father, Ricky Nelson, had three number one hits. Nelson followed in their footsteps in 1991 with their first number one hit, “Love and Affection,” which sold over 3 million copies.

Gunnar said they’re excited to be back in Oklahoma, where Nelson is launching their official re-emergence. They perform Sunday, at 3:45 p.m.

The band has recently signed with Frontiers Records, and is producing a new album to be released in September.

Gunnar said Nelson actually cares about their music, especially since they began as songwriters.

“We started out as songwriters first and foremost ... something we learned from him (father) when we were babies. I’m so thankful for that lesson. Seasons change, but what never will is my unshakable faith in the belief that you can’t stop the power of a hit song.”

Fans can expect hits performed by two guys who care about their music, said Gunnar. “It’s going to be a really exciting show.”

Great White vocalist Jack Russell said, “It’s a great festival. I get to see a lot of old friends. It’s like a high school reunion.”

Great White performs at 4:45 p.m., Sunday. This will be their second performance at Rocklahoma. They took part in the first festival in 2007. Rocklahoma is the last stop before a short break during the tour. The tour is promoting their latest album, “Rising,” which was released in April.

Russell said Great White will perform mostly old stuff, since fans don’t want to be bombarded with new music they don’t know. With 12 studio albums, Russell said it’s hard to pick which hits they’ll play, but fans can expect a high velocity rock-n-roll show.

“It’s a great event,” he said. “It shows this type of music is still valid.”