An open letter to the metro’s music scene, penned by a frustrated member of Norman rock band Student Film, has garnered a flurry of Internet discussion and publicized commentary from local performers, fans and rock ‘n’ roll followers. The 1,000-word manifesto was penned by singer Justin Rice, who lamented some of Student Film’s wasted tour […]
Joe Wertz
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Oklahoma City’s NBA team needs a worthy theme song
The opening game for Oklahoma City’s NBA team is just months away. Pesky public funding has been attained, arena renovations are under way, a temporary practice facility has been acquired and an opening hometown salvo against the Milwaukee Bucks is slated for Oct. 29. By most sports media accounts ” including unnamed “sources,” anonymous confirmations, […]
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OKC’s Hinder releases new song
It started three years ago. Airwave audiences eager to “Get Stoned” are largely responsible for morphing Oklahoma City party-rock band Hinder into the world-touring, album- and ringtone-selling juggernaut it is today. The beast is back. Armed with a new single, Hinder has trained the crosshairs on radio stations, and program directors already have been slain. […]
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Rally before the state’s song tally
Nominations for Oklahoma’s official rock song close on Thursday, so log on and get to clicking. The nominations, which must have been written or performed by an Oklahoman, will be pared down to 10 selections by an appointed panel and then go before an e-vote of the people on Sept. 1. If you don’t realize […]
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Tulsa transforms into Dfest
A dozen stages hosting 150 bands for two days ” Tulsa’s Dfest provides a one-stop shop for the best Okie-based and national indie-rock favorites. It’s impossible to hear every act at Dfest, so Oklahoma Gazette is sharing the highlights on our rock shopping list to help you find the best Dfest deal for your dollar. […]
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OKC man denies wrongdoing in bird-nest case
The man who reported downed bird nests to city officials in early June denies any responsibility for the deaths of 187 federally protected nestlings at Lake Hefner. Gregory Owen, of Oklahoma City, said he notified marina officials June 8 about the “mess” of downed nests near the marina’s slip area, east of where Owen said […]
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Ballet Oklahoma could be facing final curtain
Cash-strapped after years of dwindling ticket sales, Ballet Oklahoma is nearly bankrupt and has suspended its fall season, a board member said last week. Organizers with the historic ballet company, which has its roots in the Oklahoma City Civic Ballet, founded in 1963 by legendary American Indian ballerina Yvonne Chouteau, presented the bleak situation to […]
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Boston publication selects Oklahoma’s best
Writers at The Boston Phoenix recently chose 150 bands and performers to represent the best music bets in each of the 50 United States. Three acts representing separate categories were chosen for each state and posted. According to the newspaper, Oklahoma’s all-time best solo artist is Woody Guthrie, an performer noted for writing hundreds of […]
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Woody Guthrie’s hometown hosts annual folk festival
Samantha Crain is a lot younger than many fans of American folk music, but one would never know it from the way she sings. WELL-KNOWN FESTIVAL FATHER FIGURE Her voice is powerful in its fragility, a raw-roots throwback to singer/survivors who had a story to share and the weathered voice to narrate it. Critics are […]
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Oklahoma City coffee shop performer releases album
Jane Mays, a folk singer/songwriter and coffee shop regular, has released “Hungry,” a full-length album of elegant, piano-based songs highlighting her sweet, slightly fragile voice. With an appealing mellow, mid-range delivery throughout “Hungry,” the Oklahoma City performer sounds at ease while singing “Battlefield of Blues” and the album’s title track. The inspirational “Fly Home” is […]