Radio rocks music's roots
Red Dirt's Steve Ripley puts it together on KOSU radio

Leon Russell exhibit is part of "Another Hot Oklahoma Night" rock 'n' roll history exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center. Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman

By JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Published: 6/28/2009 2:23 AM
Last Modified: 6/28/2009 4:32 AM

If you think it's hot already, just listen to this: Friday nights heat up on KOSU and its "Hot Friday Nights" radio shows, featuring "Oklahoma Rock 'n' Roll with Steve Ripley."

Ripley, a longtime Tulsa Sound and Red Dirt musician, digs up the hot coals of Oklahoma's many influences on rock music, from Leon Russell to the Beach Boys, Nancy Sinatra, Bob Wills, and much more.

And by popular demand, the station will re-broadcast the first six episodes on Tulsa's KOSU (107.5 FM) and in Stillwater-Oklahoma City (91.7 FM).

It all starts 7 p.m on the Fourth of July holiday, July 3, and will air weekly through the summer, said Kelly Burley, KOSU executive director.

The show is a 20-part radio series produced in conjunction with a major new museum exhibition at the Oklahoma History Center, "Another Hot Oklahoma Night: A Rock and Roll Exhibit."

"We gave the show a trial run on two public radio stations, KOSU at Oklahoma State University and KGOU at the University of Oklahoma," said Oklahoma Historical Society Director Bob Blackburn. "The public response was overwhelmingly positive."

The show is sponsored by the Colcord Hotel of Oklahoma City. Following "Oklahoma Rock 'n' Roll" at 8 p.m. on Fridays, the "Joy Ride Music Hour," profiles some of the biggest names in music. At 9 p.m is "American Routes," a two-hour weekly radio journey hosted by Nick Spitzer, that explores the shared musical and cultural threads of America.

Oklahoma Rock 'N' Roll with Steve Ripley

When:

All shows are 7 p.m. Fridays

Where: KOSU 107.5 Tulsa and 91.7 okC-Stillwater

July 3: “Home Sweet oklahoma: Pt. 1,” featuring music and interview with Leon Russell; OKC’s Deep Deuce

July 10: “Home Sweet oklahoma: Pt. 2,” more with Leon Russell, Woody guthrie (interview with Jimmy LaFave and archival audio of guthrie); jazz musician Barney kessel

July 17: “Ida Red Likes the Boogie,” featuring Western swing expert John Wooley, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys; the real story behind Chuck Berry’s “Maybelline”

July 24: “oklahoma Pop: Pt. 1,” Lee Hazelwood/Nancy Sinatra’s “Summer Wine”; David gates’ first success as a songwriter of the Murmaids’ hit “Popcicles” and gates’ “guitar Man”; J.J. Cale’s “After Midnight” and interview; okC DJ Ronnie kay; Barney kessel and the Beach Boys; Debbie Campbell and Buckwheat; power pop band 20/20; Chet Baker

July 31: “Oklahoma Pop: Pt. 2,” Joe Liggins and the Honeydrippers, “Pink Champagne”; Tom Paxton; Mae Boren Axton and “Heartbreak Hotel”; the state song “oklahoma”

Aug. 7: TBA

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