Ryan Hughes
Entertainment Writer
The Oklahoma Centennial Celebration continued Friday night in the Student Union Theater with a world-renowned and Oklahoma-grown flamenco guitarist.
Ronald Radford has been called an ambassador for the Spanish guitar style of flamenco, and kept true to his reputation by adding his own talkative Oklahoma style to the concert.
Radford made sure the audience knew about the infectious spirit of flamenco, and had the audience shouting “Ole” throughout the show.
However, Radford’s desire is to not only entertain, but also to have his audience members understand his love of music and to carry it with them in their search for love.
During the concert Radford said, “People love their own,” and it was obvious the Oklahoma-native loves the Oklahoma sport of talk.
About 40 minutes of the two-hour long show was in interview form, and Radford discussed Spanish culture, his upbringing and the spirit of music.
Through numerous stories, Radford displayed the immense love for flamenco in the Spanish culture.
Whether it is a swarm of children who transform into an orchestra at a flamenco festival, or a woman who threatens to call the police and issue a noise complaint moments before she pulls up a chair and becomes the audience, Radford excelled at describing the love of music the Spanish carry.
Radford said he believes “people are the same everywhere,” and explained that his goal at every concert is to “create the same magic because everyone has it within themselves.” This explains why Radford was given the title of ambassador of flamenco.
Radford was born and raised in Tulsa, without any Spanish or Latin history, giving him an excellent position to be an ambassador for flamenco.
Radford’s mother inspired his move into flamenco music and the discovery of his self-described, “musical DNA.” While vacationing in Minnesota, Radford’s mother brought him a record of flamenco legend Carlos Montoya. Radford was hooked ever since, but the “Okie” people largely still misunderstand him.
The Tulsa World even wrote about Radford, but it seems as confused as the rest of Oklahoma with its article, “Tulsan has goal.”
The news of Radford’s goal made his dream come true. Montoya came to Tulsa, and Radford, who was well known for his flamenco aspirations, was given the opportunity to play for Montoya.
Montoya was so impressed he decided to teach Radford, just as soon as he graduated from high school. After Montoya’s teaching, Radford became the only person to receive the Fulbright Scholarship for flamenco.
At the conclusion of Radford’s show, seeing the joy he created among the audience, he said, “Jam sessions happen,” and he sat down again for one more tune.
When he began to play, the audience clapped with the beat, and a child ran his fingers over his new toy, a flamenco CD.
Radford inspired another, just as he was inspired so long ago.
Ronald Radford has been called an ambassador for the Spanish guitar style of flamenco, and kept true to his reputation by adding his own talkative Oklahoma style to the concert.
Radford made sure the audience knew about the infectious spirit of flamenco, and had the audience shouting “Ole” throughout the show.
However, Radford’s desire is to not only entertain, but also to have his audience members understand his love of music and to carry it with them in their search for love.
During the concert Radford said, “People love their own,” and it was obvious the Oklahoma-native loves the Oklahoma sport of talk.
About 40 minutes of the two-hour long show was in interview form, and Radford discussed Spanish culture, his upbringing and the spirit of music.
Through numerous stories, Radford displayed the immense love for flamenco in the Spanish culture.
Whether it is a swarm of children who transform into an orchestra at a flamenco festival, or a woman who threatens to call the police and issue a noise complaint moments before she pulls up a chair and becomes the audience, Radford excelled at describing the love of music the Spanish carry.
Radford said he believes “people are the same everywhere,” and explained that his goal at every concert is to “create the same magic because everyone has it within themselves.” This explains why Radford was given the title of ambassador of flamenco.
Radford was born and raised in Tulsa, without any Spanish or Latin history, giving him an excellent position to be an ambassador for flamenco.
Radford’s mother inspired his move into flamenco music and the discovery of his self-described, “musical DNA.” While vacationing in Minnesota, Radford’s mother brought him a record of flamenco legend Carlos Montoya. Radford was hooked ever since, but the “Okie” people largely still misunderstand him.
The Tulsa World even wrote about Radford, but it seems as confused as the rest of Oklahoma with its article, “Tulsan has goal.”
The news of Radford’s goal made his dream come true. Montoya came to Tulsa, and Radford, who was well known for his flamenco aspirations, was given the opportunity to play for Montoya.
Montoya was so impressed he decided to teach Radford, just as soon as he graduated from high school. After Montoya’s teaching, Radford became the only person to receive the Fulbright Scholarship for flamenco.
At the conclusion of Radford’s show, seeing the joy he created among the audience, he said, “Jam sessions happen,” and he sat down again for one more tune.
When he began to play, the audience clapped with the beat, and a child ran his fingers over his new toy, a flamenco CD.
Radford inspired another, just as he was inspired so long ago.
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