This year's Edmond Arts Fest to have more vendors
Buzz up!
BY JOHN A. WILLIAMS
Published: April 29, 2009
EDMOND — The 30th annual Downtown Edmond Arts Festival begins Friday with a few changes.
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Karen Morton, the president of the Downtown Edmond Business Association, said more than 110 artists are expected to display works of art during the three-day event.
This year, the entertainment stage has been moved.
“We've put the entertainment on the plaza at Festival Marketplace. We'll have tables over there so people can go over there and eat and enjoy the music,” Morton said.
Also this year, First Street will be closed from the railroad tracks to accommodate more artists and vendors.
University of Central Oklahoma professor Bob Palmer — this year's celebrity artist — will be painting on canvas during the event.
Returning to the festival are Chef Mike Varnell's ice sculpturing and Othello's annual Spaghetti Slur-Off.
Downtown Edmond Business Association promotions manager Leah Kessler said food vendors will serve onion blossoms, Indian tacos, catfish, German food, pizza, fried pies, funnel cakes, fried onion burgers, kettle corn, cold drinks and smoothies. Some Oklahoma wineries will offer wine tasting.
A children's area in Festival Market Place will have face painting, pony rides, slide, moon walk and rock climbing wall.
Kessler said the intersection of Second and Broadway and First Street at the railroad crossing will be closed at 8 a.m. Thursday through 5 p.m. Sunday.
The festival is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 249-939 or go to http://downtown edmondok.com.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Discover Oklahoma: Exhibits celebrate state’s role in rock music history
Buzz up!
BY MAX NICHOLS
Above: Cain’s Ballroom was the site from which Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys broadcast nationally on Tulsa’s KVOO from 1934-43. pHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
I was a young sportswriter for The Oklahoman in 1956 when I first began to hear rock ’n’ roll music on KOMA radio. So, it mostly was curiosity that led me to see a young performer named Elvis Presley at Municipal Auditorium (now Civic Center Music Hall). It was easy to join the excitement of young fans bobbing and weaving with Elvis, but I had no idea I was witnessing a major new development in music history during one of his early tours. Two years later, I knew much better when I met Elvis, who was an Army tank crewman when he came to Wuerzburg, Germany, where I was stationed. His comrades described him as a good soldier. He joked around with us but did not sing.
Now, Oklahoma’s role in the international development of rock ’n’ roll will be celebrated by the Oklahoma Historical Society with "Another Hot Oklahoma Night: A Rock and Roll Exhibit.” Famous performers will be featured along with Oklahoma destinations such as Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom and Oklahoma City’s Zoo Amphitheatre and Civic Center Music Hall.
The exhibit will open Friday at the Oklahoma History Center with a 7 p.m. reception and the launching of a special rock ’n’ roll edition of Oklahoma Today magazine. Public visitors will be invited starting Saturday with a full day of shows and family fun.
The exhibit will feature the roles of artists, radio stations, venues and personalities in Oklahoma during the first 50 years of rock ’n’ roll. Satellite exhibits will open that day at the Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City and the Route 66 Museum in Clinton.
"The exhibits will show how growing up in Oklahoma influenced the artists and their music,” said Bob Blackburn, director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. "These stories will be displayed innovatively to encourage visitor participation and to give visitors a new perspective on the history of rock ’n’ roll in Oklahoma.”
Artists from all eras of Oklahoma rock ’n’ roll will be featured in the E.K. and Thelma Gaylord Special Exhibit Gallery. They will range from the early influences of Bob Wills’ Western Swing to Charlie Christian’s lead guitar, Woody Guthrie’s social protest music and Wanda Jackson’s rockabilly to current bands such as The Flaming Lips.
Fourteen bands will perform on three stages from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. They will feature sounds from the rockabilly Oh! Johnny Girls, the sweet renditions of Camille Harp and the rock of Unmarked Cars to the contemporary Crocodile, John Moreland and the Black and Gold Band, and West Reynolds.
At the exhibit, Tulsa’s great musicians, who became known for the "Tulsa Sound” during the 1960s and 1970s, will be celebrated. They include Leon Russell, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Carl Radle and guitarist J.J. Cale, who collaborated with stars such as John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.
The Insasmuch Foundation Gallery will focus on recording studios, record stores such as Rainbow Records and Sound Warehouse, and radio stations such as KOMA.
The Samuel Roberts Noble Gallery on the third floor will present rockabilly culture, rock ’n’ roll fashion and hair, and Oklahoma rock venues such as Cain’s Ballroom, the Brady Theater, the Zoo Amphitheatre, the Blue Note, The Blue Door, the Diamond Ballroom and the Bowery.
Cain’s Ballroom played a special role in Tulsa. The venue opened as The Louvre during the 1920s and was bought by Madison W. "Daddy” Cain in 1930 as the Cain’s Dance Academy. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys broadcast nationally from there on Tulsa’s KVOO from 1934-43. It was closed during the 1960s and reopened in 1977 as Cain’s Ballroom by Larry Schaeffer, who presented the Sex Pistols in 1977 to help put Tulsa on the rock ’n’ roll map.
Music festivals such as Groovefest in Norman, Edgefest and Diversafest in Tulsa and Rocklahoma in Pryor also will be featured. The history of these venues and the artists who made them historical places will all come together in May at the Oklahoma History Center.
Max Nichols writes a monthly column for the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Buzz up!
BY MAX NICHOLS
Published: April 26, 2009
Above: Cain’s Ballroom was the site from which Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys broadcast nationally on Tulsa’s KVOO from 1934-43. pHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN ARCHIVE
I was a young sportswriter for The Oklahoman in 1956 when I first began to hear rock ’n’ roll music on KOMA radio. So, it mostly was curiosity that led me to see a young performer named Elvis Presley at Municipal Auditorium (now Civic Center Music Hall). It was easy to join the excitement of young fans bobbing and weaving with Elvis, but I had no idea I was witnessing a major new development in music history during one of his early tours. Two years later, I knew much better when I met Elvis, who was an Army tank crewman when he came to Wuerzburg, Germany, where I was stationed. His comrades described him as a good soldier. He joked around with us but did not sing.
Now, Oklahoma’s role in the international development of rock ’n’ roll will be celebrated by the Oklahoma Historical Society with "Another Hot Oklahoma Night: A Rock and Roll Exhibit.” Famous performers will be featured along with Oklahoma destinations such as Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom and Oklahoma City’s Zoo Amphitheatre and Civic Center Music Hall.
The exhibit will open Friday at the Oklahoma History Center with a 7 p.m. reception and the launching of a special rock ’n’ roll edition of Oklahoma Today magazine. Public visitors will be invited starting Saturday with a full day of shows and family fun.
The exhibit will feature the roles of artists, radio stations, venues and personalities in Oklahoma during the first 50 years of rock ’n’ roll. Satellite exhibits will open that day at the Pioneer Woman Museum in Ponca City and the Route 66 Museum in Clinton.
"The exhibits will show how growing up in Oklahoma influenced the artists and their music,” said Bob Blackburn, director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. "These stories will be displayed innovatively to encourage visitor participation and to give visitors a new perspective on the history of rock ’n’ roll in Oklahoma.”
Artists from all eras of Oklahoma rock ’n’ roll will be featured in the E.K. and Thelma Gaylord Special Exhibit Gallery. They will range from the early influences of Bob Wills’ Western Swing to Charlie Christian’s lead guitar, Woody Guthrie’s social protest music and Wanda Jackson’s rockabilly to current bands such as The Flaming Lips.
Fourteen bands will perform on three stages from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. They will feature sounds from the rockabilly Oh! Johnny Girls, the sweet renditions of Camille Harp and the rock of Unmarked Cars to the contemporary Crocodile, John Moreland and the Black and Gold Band, and West Reynolds.
At the exhibit, Tulsa’s great musicians, who became known for the "Tulsa Sound” during the 1960s and 1970s, will be celebrated. They include Leon Russell, drummer Jim Keltner, bassist Carl Radle and guitarist J.J. Cale, who collaborated with stars such as John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and Bob Dylan.
The Insasmuch Foundation Gallery will focus on recording studios, record stores such as Rainbow Records and Sound Warehouse, and radio stations such as KOMA.
The Samuel Roberts Noble Gallery on the third floor will present rockabilly culture, rock ’n’ roll fashion and hair, and Oklahoma rock venues such as Cain’s Ballroom, the Brady Theater, the Zoo Amphitheatre, the Blue Note, The Blue Door, the Diamond Ballroom and the Bowery.
Cain’s Ballroom played a special role in Tulsa. The venue opened as The Louvre during the 1920s and was bought by Madison W. "Daddy” Cain in 1930 as the Cain’s Dance Academy. Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys broadcast nationally from there on Tulsa’s KVOO from 1934-43. It was closed during the 1960s and reopened in 1977 as Cain’s Ballroom by Larry Schaeffer, who presented the Sex Pistols in 1977 to help put Tulsa on the rock ’n’ roll map.
Music festivals such as Groovefest in Norman, Edgefest and Diversafest in Tulsa and Rocklahoma in Pryor also will be featured. The history of these venues and the artists who made them historical places will all come together in May at the Oklahoma History Center.
Max Nichols writes a monthly column for the Oklahoma Historical Society.
Rockin' art show rolls on to Brookside
by: JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
4/29/2009 3:40:21 AM
Saturday night, meet and mingle with other art and music lovers at Ida Red on Brookside, and celebrate the newest works by acclaimed Tulsa designer and artist Sara Bowersock.
She paints iconic, legendary Green Country musicians like Leon Russell, Woody Guthrie, J.J. Cale, Bob Wills and more.
Music from the Electric Rag Band will be from 8-9 p.m. The event is free and all ages.
Opening reception is 7 p.m. Saturday at Ida Red, 3346 S. Peoria Ave.
E-mail pointblankdesign@gmail.com or call 949-6950 for more details.
Also, look for her art prints, originals and more May 15-17 at the Blue Dome Tulsa Arts Festival in downtown Tulsa.
Check out her works online at tulsaworld.com/PointBlank
The buzz: "Stardeath & White Dwarfs' heavy, gods-hammering sound owes as much to sludgy prog-rock influences like King Crimson and Pink Floyd as it does to Uncle Wayne's oeuvre." Yep, he means Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne.
See the full article from Guardian UK online, tulsaworld.com/GuardianStardeath. Hear more from SDWD at MySpace, tulsaworld.com/Stardeath.
The rescheduled date is 8 p.m. Aug. 9, said representatives for the resort.
Tickets purchased for the May 10 show will be accepted for the Aug. 9 show. Full refunds will be given at the original point of purchase to those who cannot make the rescheduled event, said Sean Harrison, PR manager for the venue.
More information is available by calling the resort, (866) 977-6849 or visiting tulsaworld.com/Downstream.
Foreigner's tour has helped the band become one of the most popular classic rock artists of the year, said the band's head of marketing and promotion, John Lappen.
Did you know?
Headliners announced include a mix of well-established and emerging acts: Black Crowes, Ozomatli, the Knux, Dub Trio, Blue October, Gogol Bordello, Citizen Cope, Bassnectar, Gringo Star, the Uglysuit, Rachelle Van Zanten, Joe Pug, Gil Mantera's Party Dream, DJ Rekha, Bill Hamel, Delta Spirit and Other Lives, as well as a bumper crop of emerging and local and regional artists.
More will be announced soon, said event co-founder Tom Green.
This year's theme, "Sea of Sound," features "the most diverse list of artists we've ever had," added DeVore Green. "You're going to find your five favorite bands, and in two years, when they're headlining Coachella, you'll be able to say, 'We saw them first at Dfest.' " Read the full story at tulsaworld.com.
Read Jennifer Chancellor's blog at tulsaworld.com/barrelhousebeat
Copyright © 2009, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved
by: JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
4/29/2009 3:40:21 AM
Saturday night, meet and mingle with other art and music lovers at Ida Red on Brookside, and celebrate the newest works by acclaimed Tulsa designer and artist Sara Bowersock.
She paints iconic, legendary Green Country musicians like Leon Russell, Woody Guthrie, J.J. Cale, Bob Wills and more.
Music from the Electric Rag Band will be from 8-9 p.m. The event is free and all ages.
Opening reception is 7 p.m. Saturday at Ida Red, 3346 S. Peoria Ave.
E-mail pointblankdesign@gmail.com or call 949-6950 for more details.
Also, look for her art prints, originals and more May 15-17 at the Blue Dome Tulsa Arts Festival in downtown Tulsa.
Check out her works online at tulsaworld.com/PointBlank
Oklahoma band makes waves across the pond
Says Guardian UK's Paul Lester of the Oklahoma psychedelic rock at Stardeath and White Dwarfs in the April 23 edition: "They're good. Really good. ... Think more Band of Horses or My Morning Jacket if they were on '90s Warp. 'I Can't Get Away' is all mad fizzy synths and manic cartoon frenzy belying a serious, poignant message."The buzz: "Stardeath & White Dwarfs' heavy, gods-hammering sound owes as much to sludgy prog-rock influences like King Crimson and Pink Floyd as it does to Uncle Wayne's oeuvre." Yep, he means Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne.
See the full article from Guardian UK online, tulsaworld.com/GuardianStardeath. Hear more from SDWD at MySpace, tulsaworld.com/Stardeath.
Foreigner concert rescheduled
Due to a rigorous touring schedule several Foreigner performance dates have been rescheduled, including the May 10 performance at Downstream Casino Resort in far northeast Oklahoma.The rescheduled date is 8 p.m. Aug. 9, said representatives for the resort.
Tickets purchased for the May 10 show will be accepted for the Aug. 9 show. Full refunds will be given at the original point of purchase to those who cannot make the rescheduled event, said Sean Harrison, PR manager for the venue.
More information is available by calling the resort, (866) 977-6849 or visiting tulsaworld.com/Downstream.
Foreigner's tour has helped the band become one of the most popular classic rock artists of the year, said the band's head of marketing and promotion, John Lappen.
Did you know?
- On April 16, Foreigner's latest CD "No End In Sight" re-entered the Billboard Top 200 at No. 159.
- So far this year, Foreigner is # 14 on Classic Rock Radio.
- Foreigner played to 176,000 fans at the Samsung 500 Nascar event in Dallas on April 5.
- This fall, Foreigner will release a new three-disc package with 10 or so new songs, all the original hits and a video. Mark Ronson (Grammy-winning producer of Amy Winehouse) is a key producer on the new song CD.
Tickets on sale now
With 164 music acts planned for this year's Dfest music festival and conference July 24-25 in downtown Tulsa, "This is the most music we've ever showcased," said event co-founder Angie DeVore Green during the Tuesday morning announcement. Plan ahead: Tickets are on sale now at tulsaworld.com/Dfest09.Headliners announced include a mix of well-established and emerging acts: Black Crowes, Ozomatli, the Knux, Dub Trio, Blue October, Gogol Bordello, Citizen Cope, Bassnectar, Gringo Star, the Uglysuit, Rachelle Van Zanten, Joe Pug, Gil Mantera's Party Dream, DJ Rekha, Bill Hamel, Delta Spirit and Other Lives, as well as a bumper crop of emerging and local and regional artists.
More will be announced soon, said event co-founder Tom Green.
This year's theme, "Sea of Sound," features "the most diverse list of artists we've ever had," added DeVore Green. "You're going to find your five favorite bands, and in two years, when they're headlining Coachella, you'll be able to say, 'We saw them first at Dfest.' " Read the full story at tulsaworld.com.
Read Jennifer Chancellor's blog at tulsaworld.com/barrelhousebeat
Associate Images: Foreigner has rescheduled and will perform at Downstream Casino Resort on Aug. 9. Tickets purchased for the May 10 show will be accepted for the new date. Courtesy  Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform during the South By Southwest festival in Austin in March. Jeremy Charles / for the Tulsa World  Members of the Flaming Lips, including singer Wayne Coyne (center), join Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry (right) at the podium before Henry signed a proclamation making the Flaming Lips song "Do You Realize??" Oklahoma's official rock and roll song at the Oklahoma History Center on Tuesday. For a video of the proclamation signing, go totulsaworld.com/flipsvideo. Chris Landsberger / The Oklahoman  |
Copyright © 2009, World Publishing Co. All rights reserved
Joe Diffie
Joe Diffie doesn't really have to work, at least not every day. That gives the Oklahoma-born country star the freedom to explore areas other artists can barely contemplate.
Well-established as a country star with almost two dozen top-10 hits to his credit, plus having penned hits for other artists, Diffie is finishing work on a bluegrass album. The move marks a return to the genre for Diffie, who before his country days was respected as a festival bluegrass performer. Diffie doesn't really have to depend on country music for his meals anymore.
"It's a nice option to have," said Diffie, who performs tonight at Soboba Casino. "I'm very versatile and I've had visions of doing all kinds of music."
Diffie's country chart history is nothing less than impressive, with numerous appearances on the singles charts including hits like "Ships That Don't Come In," "Pickup Man" and "Home." Through most of the '90s Diffie remained a regular hit-maker, even as Nashville started moving in a decidedly more rock-friendly sound.
Before his success as a performer, Diffie was an acknowledged songwriter who had already penned hits, such as the Hank Thompson tune "Love on the Rocks." Randy Travis - at the time a huge star - had also considered doing a Diffie song. At that point Diffie figured it was time to do the hit-making himself.
"I was always trying to be a performer," Diffie recalled, talking by telephone from the road. "Songwriting was a means to an end kind of thing. It was just a matter of catching a break and getting someone from a record label to notice you."
Songwriting continues to be lucrative for Diffie, who has penned hits for artists like Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw. Diffie said he still plans to do more country music but grants that he isn't sure he will still be embraced by contemporary country radio.
"It takes a label that wants to invest in you, and at my age, nobody's going to look at you," said Diffie, who turned 50 in December. "I've just resigned myself to that."
But Diffie still has a lot to say musically - and plenty of people still willing to listen. His bluegrass past is no secret, and his new label, Rounder, actually approached him about doing a bluegrass album. Rounder is considered one of the premiere distributors of traditional American music. That they approached Diffie was a decided boost.
"I had re-recorded my greatest hits and I just happened to contact Rounder and they discussed doing the bluegrass record," recounted Diffie. "I could've made and distributed it myself, but I just felt that Rounder gave me a lot of clout in that area because they do have a good reputation."
Bluegrass is mistaken for a branch of country music, but it is a separate, mostly acoustic genre of folk which does share some roots with country. Many artists, including ones that have successfully done both, will tell you the transition isn't always easy. Diffie, however, had no problems.
"It's like ridin' a bike, man. It all fell right into place, and it's just been a ton of fun, said Diffie. "Bluegrass takes some difficult musicianship. The guys in my bluegrass band are just stellar. It has to be. It's just four or five instruments and you singing. With country, there's all kinds of stuff you can hide behind."
Tumbleweed gears up for annual festival
Monique Headley Good music, good times and what some would call good eats are about to come around again at the 18th annual Tumbleweed Calf Fry.
In previous years, the festival has brought upwards of 20,000 people to Stillwater, and ticket sales for this year have already surpassed last year.
“Each year the festival has grown. This event started as a gathering of 400 people on a Sunday afternoon to an event that may reach 30,000 people this year,” said Tumbleweed owner Hank Moore of the four-day event. “Calf Fry remains Stillwater’s hidden secret. People would be amazed at the scope of the venue. You have to experience it.
“We designed Calf Fry to take place the weekend before finals at Oklahoma State University to allow students a chance to get together and have fun. It’s the weekend before finals and typically quiet.”
The event usually sells out hotels from Stillwater to Guthrie, he said.
Whether it is referred to as edible offal, huevos del toro or prairie oysters, Stillwater has an appreciative history of cowboy caviar. Moore tapped into the culture and organized a festival to united hobbyists and dabblers.
“There were several groups unofficially doing calf fries around town. It’s big cowboy culture,” he said.
Bulls aren’t castrated just to provide calf fries. Doing so allows steers to gain weight faster, Moore said, and it can alter animal temperament and control breeding and growth of skeletal muscle suitable for beef.
According to a New York Times posting, “Although animal rights groups decry the castrating of cattle, pigs and sheep as cruel, it is a common agricultural practice intended to make males more manageable and their meat tender.”
The food isn’t the only thing going on at the annual Calf Fry. Music is also important. The event brings in all kinds of artists from country to Red Dirt, said Moore.
“We like to make sure a mix of artists are involved,” he said.
Moore said he created the prosperous event to make Stillwater the mecca for a feel good and dynamic party. To accommodate the large crowd, 300 staff members, volunteers and old-time employees will oversee the event.
“People come to have a nice, easy time,” said 15-year veteran bouncer Henry.
Several significant entertainment entities have recognized Calf Fry and Tumbleweed as a premier location and event including the Oklahoma Travel and Tourism Board, the Academy of Country Music and the Oklahoma Governor’s Conference on Tourism, Moore said. Country Weekly magazine considers the club one of the top 10 historic country music sites to visit in the United States.
In 1999, Gov. Frank Keating recognized Tumbleweed in appreciation for its efforts to assist Mulhall after the area was struck by a tornado.
The event is handicap accessible with provisions for tour bus parking.
CALF FRY
• WHEN: Wednesday-Saturday
• WHERE: Tumbleweed Dance Hall
• INFO: 377-0076, www.calffry.com
| Don’t do it Governor! |  |  |
| By Jim Downing, Music Historian | |
| Monday, 27 April 2009 | |
 Analysis: Governor, the Oklahoma House of Representatives is right and they don’t know the half of it. The House voted against naming the OKC based band Flaming Lips’ song “Do you Realize” the official state rock song. Unfortunately, Governor Brad Henry appears eager to pander to talent-less musicians, drug abuse and sexual perversion – possibility a demographic Gov. Henry believes could be helpful in his next job. I was afraid of this. I editorialized about it last year here on Tulsa Today. I noted that teeny-boppers had already nominated completely inappropriate material from their flavor-of-the-month bands. I even sent my article to the Oklahoma Historical Society. First consider the band name, The Flaming Lips; taken either from porn film or it is a pot-smoking reference. Band members admit stealing equipment from a church to get the band started. They sing “Jesus Shooting Heroin” about a come-on from the Virgin Mary. One member had his hand amputated due to an infection from shooting heroin. They blaspheme, use all manner of profanity, even in public, and sing about sexual lubricants. Their first album, recorded in OKC, spoke of ‘this town full of dumb f**ks’. If Governor Henry goes through with his plan tomorrow, he will prove their point. I’m sure they are giggling in their bongs.  Obviously, the committee empowered by the Historical Society did not vet this group. Even without obvious negatives, there are manifold reasons why the Flaming Lips are not the best choice. They underscored this by wearing a communist shirt to the capitol and by frontman Wayne Coyne calling the majority in the House of Representatives who opposed their selection “a minority of religious wackos.” Was Coyne on crack? He is the wacko!We doubt that the House even knew about the seamier side of this band and the close vote is indicative of general disinterest in this resolution. The majority of Oklahomans have not heard The Flaming Lips – even within their own age group. Our leaders in government and at the historical society don’t have apparent inclination to look into this so we’d like to save them further embarrassment.  Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne Music historians around the world will ask “How in the world did those Okies choose The Flaming Lips over such lasting and towering talents as Hoyt Axton, J.J. Cale, Wanda Jackson, & Leon Russell? This is an official slap in the face to those artists. Oklahoma, thanks to Governor Henry, now has high-stakes gambling and a state lottery, but do we really have to promote sex, drugs, and sacrilege? Yes, many Oklahomans engage in such and maybe we are no longer the “buckle of the Bible Belt," but what in the name of our great state is the Governor thinking? If this is a joke, it is on Oklahoma. It’s shameful. It must not be allowed.  Hoyt Axton How did the Historical Society find itself in this humiliating public position? The reason is the skewed voting process. Online voting allowed the heaviest internet users, 20-somethings, to dominate the outcome. The result was mob rule over actual musical value. The Hanson brothers will have a more lasting musical impact in the fullness of time. They have far more historical sense and musical ability and they are completely wholesome. If we must have a young group, they are creative talent we can promote with pride. Leon Russell and Steve Ripley of The Tractors sat-in with them on one gig!  Leon Russell @ DFest Leon Russell has been an influence in every field of pop music, beginning with Rick Nelson and “Monster Mash” through The Wrecking Crew, Russell played on countless hits: Da Do Ron Ron, You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, Beach Boys records, The Monkees, The Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson, conducting for Dean Martin and rocking out on Shindig. He’s done R & B, Country, Gospel, Bluegrass, and great rock and roll; and he’s still doing it at 66 years. The reclusive J.J. Cale is the antithesis of the Lips’ egotism. Would Eric Clapton sit in with the Flaming Lips? Bet this year’s income – he would not. Cale had his  Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, & Rocky Frisco The Flaming lips may not be bad people, but they are shallow and thoughtless, and certainly not representative of most Oklahoma values. They don’t even play well. If the governor signs this proclamation it will be embarrassing and even shameful. Did no one take fifteen minutes to Google the lyrics and the background of this group? Those of us who love music and love Oklahoma are humiliated and will have to regard this as meaningless if not corrupt. If you think this writer is upset – Tulsa Today’s Publisher, David Arnett said, “This destroys all national credibility for a state historical society to pick a second or third tier "flash in the pan" band rather than greatly talented Oklahomans with quality creative work recognized worldwide as innovators of rock and roll over lifetimes of achievement. The House made the right call and if the Governor goes ahead with this proclamation tomorrow – he’s an idiot.” Agree or disagree, you can click here to send a message to Governor Brad Henry. About the author: Jim Downing has been playing Rock and Roll since the term was coined in several influential Oklahoma bands and has written about music in various publications and online for the last 25 years. He is quoted in John Wooley’s book on Oklahoma Music and in Rosetta Wills book on her father Bob Wills. Previous articles by Jim Downing published by Tulsa Today include: John Lennon: 28 years ago today December 2008 ‘Phattys’ roll with "Red Hot Joe" June 2008 Whatever happened to Larry Dowd? Part two April 2008 Whatever happened to Larry Dowd? March 2008 Jim Sweney, Chris Campbell & Lori Duke at Lennie’s October 2007 Honoring Carl Radle June 2007 Tulsa Rocks Part Five: Global Tulsa May 2007 Music of the Century May 2007 Tulsa Rocks Part Three: Building Blocks January 2006 Tulsa Rocks Part Two: The Tulsa Sound January 2006 Tulsa Rocks Part One: The Legacy January 2006 Soul Avengers Rediscovery Release April 2003 Musical Hallowed Ground Found April 2003 | |
| Last Updated ( Monday, 27 April 2009 ) |
Mama Sweet
Hey Friends,
Its another busy week!
Bright and early, and I mean early, Thursday morning, I head to the KFOR studios in Oklahoma City to do a live TV spot. I think I go on about 8:45am and it is on Ch. 7 on Cox cable. Check it out or if you aren't a morning person like me, DVR the morning news and catch it at a more reasonable hour.
Friday, we head to one of our favorite places, JT's Cowtown in Tecumseh, OK. We have grown quite fond of this place and have a great group of fans that come out to see us there. For those of you who haven't been to Cowtown yet, come on out. It is only 40 mins from Norman if you take HWY 9. It has a mechanical bull, pool tables, a salted dance floor and much much more. We go on around 10. Hope to see you!!
Saturday at 4pm I have more press, but the real fun happens at 6pm at the Norman Music Festival. That's right, we play INSIDE the Sooner Theater (on the corner of Main and Jones, right by the RR tracks) at 6pm. It is going to be a lot of fun and we really want a good crowd there to support us so that we can move to an even bigger stage next year. We know we have really great fans and this would be a great time to show it because it will be noticed, it certainly was last year! I remember we had people climbing on the roofs!
NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL. INSIDE THE SOONER THEATER. CORNER OF MAIN AND JONES. JUST EAST OF THE RR TRACKS. 6PM. PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!
Well must go. Gotta prepare for Libby's and Buffalo Family.
See you this weekend,
AH
Its another busy week!
Bright and early, and I mean early, Thursday morning, I head to the KFOR studios in Oklahoma City to do a live TV spot. I think I go on about 8:45am and it is on Ch. 7 on Cox cable. Check it out or if you aren't a morning person like me, DVR the morning news and catch it at a more reasonable hour.
Friday, we head to one of our favorite places, JT's Cowtown in Tecumseh, OK. We have grown quite fond of this place and have a great group of fans that come out to see us there. For those of you who haven't been to Cowtown yet, come on out. It is only 40 mins from Norman if you take HWY 9. It has a mechanical bull, pool tables, a salted dance floor and much much more. We go on around 10. Hope to see you!!
Saturday at 4pm I have more press, but the real fun happens at 6pm at the Norman Music Festival. That's right, we play INSIDE the Sooner Theater (on the corner of Main and Jones, right by the RR tracks) at 6pm. It is going to be a lot of fun and we really want a good crowd there to support us so that we can move to an even bigger stage next year. We know we have really great fans and this would be a great time to show it because it will be noticed, it certainly was last year! I remember we had people climbing on the roofs!
NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL. INSIDE THE SOONER THEATER. CORNER OF MAIN AND JONES. JUST EAST OF THE RR TRACKS. 6PM. PLEASE COME AND SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!
Well must go. Gotta prepare for Libby's and Buffalo Family.
See you this weekend,
AH
Oklahoma Rock and Roll: 1980s & 1990s
On Saturday May 2, the Oklahoma History Center will unveil its Oklahoma rock and roll exhibit, Another Hot Oklahoma Night.
Every day this week, we hope to break down different eras in Oklahoma rock and roll and bring you some important acts from that time. Today, we focus on the 1980s & 1990s.
While it’s impossible for us to list all of the important acts of this era in a single post (we’ll let the history exhibit do that), here’s a few we consider important.
• Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Precious To Me”
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• Formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Yellow Pills”
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• Born and raised in Altus, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Bad Case of Loving You”
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• Formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Moscow”
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• Michael Been (born in Oklahoma City) & Scott Musick (born in Tulsa)
• Notable song: “Let The Day Begin”
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• Born and raised in Enid, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Aerial Boundaries”
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• Formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “You Dropped a Bomb on Me”
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• Formed in Enid, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Sister Cybele”
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• Formed in Norman, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “High in High School”
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• Formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Dementia By Design”
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• Formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Sister”
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• Formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Slip Slide Melting”
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• Formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “MMM Bop”
.
• Formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Sullivan”
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• Lives in Atoka, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Cut You In”
.
from oklahomarock.comLearn more about Oklahoma rock and roll history this Saturday, May 2 at Another Hot Oklahoma Night at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
VIDEO: All-American Rejects - “The Wind Blows”
Here’s The All American Rejects‘ video for “The Wind Blows”, the second single off their most recent album, When The World Comes Down.
The video was directed by Rich Lee, who has directed videos for Fergie, Evanescence, Dashboard Confessional, Chamillionaire and 12 Stones.
Check out a behind the scenes of the video shoot after the jump (via RollingStone.com).
“Do You Realize??” Gets Official
Earlier today, Governor Brad ‘Yoshimi’ Henry signed an executive order proclaiming Flaming Lips‘ song “Do You Realize??” as the official Oklahoma rock song, as well as declaring today Flaming Lips Day.
Learn more about Oklahoma rock and roll history this Saturday, May 2 at Another Hot Oklahoma Night at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Oklahoma Rock and Roll: 1960s & 1970s
On Saturday May 2, the Oklahoma History Center will unveil its Oklahoma rock and roll exhibit, Another Hot Oklahoma Night.
Every day this week, we hope to break down different eras in Oklahoma rock and roll and bring you some important acts from that time. Today, we focus on the 1960s & 1970s.
While it’s impossible for us to list all of the important acts of this era in a single post (we’ll let the history exhibit do that), here’s a few we consider important.
• The Band that Launched a Thousand Bands
• Bob Bogle (born in Wagoner) & Nokie Edwards (born in Lahoma)
• Notable song: “Walk, Don’t Run”
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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• Formed in Durant, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Western Union”
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• Born in Mannford, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Some Velvet Morning”
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• Formed in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “God, Love and Rock & Roll”
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• Born and raised in Elk City, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “By the Time I Get to Phoenix”
• Member: Oklahoma Hall of Fame, National Academy of Popular Music Songwriter’s Hall of Fame
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• Master of Space and Time
• Born in Lawton, raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “A Song for You”
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• Led by David Gates (born and raised in Tulsa)
• Notable song: “Make It with You”
• Member of: Vocal Group Hall of Fame
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• Born in Oklahoma City, raised in Tulsa
• Notable song: “Cocaine”
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• Pigboy Crabshaw
• Raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Fooled Around and Fell In Love”
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• Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “I’m on Fire”
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• Washita Love Child
• Born in Norman and raised in Oklahoma City
• Notable song: “Red Dirt Boogie, Brother”
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• Formed in Chickasha
• Notable song: “One Way Spit”
.
Learn more about Oklahoma rock and roll history this Saturday, May 2 at Another Hot Oklahoma Night at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
from oklahomarock.com
Samantha Crain’s New Album Out Today
Samantha Crain releases Songs in the Night, her full-length debut on Ramseur Records, today. The album was recorded at Echo Mountain Studios in Ashville, North Carolina with producer Danny Kadar (Grizzly Bear, My Morning Jacket, The Avett Brothers).
DOWNLOAD: Samantha Crain - “Get the Fever Out”
You can purchase the album at Amazon.com or your local record store.
“I will give in to the dark clouds/I will sing with the fog in my throat,” begins Samantha Crain on her debut LP. The line seems half-true. Her voice is gorgeously odd — all fulsome, shape-shifting vowels that do indeed billow like fog. But while her moody country rock is full of dark themes, she rarely gives in to them: Her band plays with jaunty sweetness, shuffling and bouncing through sorghum-sticky melodies. So a song about impending disaster feels like a lovers’ waltz, and the title track saunters into the honky-tonk with an Advent candle and a pocket full of hope, bad vibes be damned.” - Rolling Stone
Let’s just cut to the chase: Songs in The Night by Samantha Crain & The Midnight Shivers is a delightful album. Even those who crinkle their noses at the mere mention of any kind of Americana could very well find this to be the gateway drug into the genre. - I Am The Crime
In these emotional tales of people trying to make sense and order out of their messy lives, the 22-year-old Oklahoman sounds like Björk’s heartland cousin as her voice quavers with barely contained emotion. - Mother Jones
Songs in the Night may suggest the sound of nocturnal rumination, but in truth, it’s as bright and promising as daybreak over the horizon. - Eat Sleep Drink Music
Songs In the Night plays out to wander confidently in the badlands where abrasive, jangly indie rock and smooth, whispery folk meet. - CJAM
Songs in the Night, Crain’s debut full-length with her backing band, the Midnight Shivers, hits stores Tuesday and has already set critics’ tongues wagging, thanks to Crain’s evocative hand as a lyricist and the richly textured soundscapes conjured by her bandmates. - Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
Tracklisting and some live videos after the jump.
1. Rising Sun
2. Songs in the Night
3. Long Division
4. Get the Fever Out
5. Bananafish Revolution
6. Scissor Tales
7. Devils In Boston
8. Bullfight (Change Your Mind)
9. Calm Down
10. You Never Know
11. The Dam Song
Dwight Twilley’s New Album Out Today
Dwight Twilley releases Out of the Box, an album of cover tunes, today. This is his first album since 2004’s 47 Moons.
You can purchase the album at Amazon or your local record store.
Tracklisting after the jump.
01. Hello Goodbye
02. Secret Agent Man
03. The Last Time
04. Holiday
05. In My Life
06. Good Molly Miss Molly
07. Old Time Rock & Roll
08. (You’re So Square) Baby I Don’t Care
09. Big Iron
10. I Fought The Law
11. You’re Gonna Lose That Girl
12. Bang A Gong (Get It On)
13. Girls Got Rhythm
14. Burning Love
15. Last Kiss
16. Town Without Pity
17. You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
18. Little Sister
19. Stand By Me
20. Tomorrow Never Knows
INTERVIEW: Wanda Jackson
Photo: Jeremy Charles
Earlier this month, Graham Lee Brewer interviewed the ‘Queen of Rockabilly’, Wanda Jackson, for KGOU’s Assignment Radio.
DOWNLOAD: Assignment Radio: Wanda Jackson
The interview starts at 12:05 and touches on her music career, her relationship with Elvis Presley and much more.
Oklahoma Rock and Roll: Early Influences
On Saturday May 2, the Oklahoma History Center will unveil its Oklahoma rock and roll exhibit, Another Hot Oklahoma Night.
Every day this week, we hope to break down different eras in Oklahoma rock and roll and bring you some important acts from that time. Today, we focus on early influences.
While it’s impossible for us to list all of the important acts of this era in a single post (we’ll let the history exhibit do that), here’s a few we consider important.
• The Original Guitar Hero
• Raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Seven Come Eleven”
• Influenced: T-Bone Walker, B.B. King
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Down Beat Jazz Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
.
Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys
• King of Western Swing
• Lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “New San Antonio Rose”
• Influenced: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
.
• Dust Bowl Troubadour
• Born and raised in Okemah, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “This Land Is Your Land”
• Influenced: Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
.
• Born in Tahlequah & Tulsa; raised in Pretty Water
• Notable song: “Hoy Hoy”
• Member: Rockabilly Hall of Fame
.
• Queen of Rockabilly
• Born in Maud, Oklahoma
• Notable song: “Let’s Have a Party”
• Influenced: Tanya Tucker, Neko Case
• Member: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Learn more about Oklahoma rock and roll history this Saturday, May 2 at Another Hot Oklahoma Night at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
from Oklahomarock.com
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