When it comes to the latter, it’s hard not to put the Sooner State in the top spot. Just visit Nashville, Tenn., where our country celebs are royalty. Nashville coined the term “Music City, USA,” but you’ll also find “Nash Vegas” on the T-shirts. No matter what they call it, Oklahoma country music fans will […]
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On the Fritz
Songwriters draw their inspiration from a variety of things. Current events and relationships are usually high on the list, but things that make us laugh don’t typically scream, “Write a song about me.” Yet they do to Jonny Fritz, the Nashville-based singer-songwriter formerly known as Jonny Corndawg. He plays Thursday at Opolis. Fritz’s eccentric brand […]
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Beaming with blues
America’s musical roots are entrenched firmly in the blues. From the field hollers of slaves to the guttural Southern gospel of the late 19th century, early blues drew upon feelings and sounds that later paved the way for much of today’s popular music. It’s appropriate, then, that Luella and the Sun hail from Nashville, Tenn., […]
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Nash bridges
“It was organized in the ’50s because there was no one looking out for [songwriters] on the congressional level, and yet, how much we were paid was determined by Congress,” Stover said. “You see the need for the lobbying up there at the national level.” The NSAI is involved with songwriters at both the legal […]
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Rice returns
Andrew Rice Credit: Mark Hancock Rice resigned from his legislative seat when his wife, Apple, a physician, accepted a position in Nashville. The family headed east. Now the Rice family is back in Oklahoma City. “The job opportunity for my wife that took us there was not an ideal situation for her or for us, […]
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Bigger Brother
Photo: Jo McCaughey Nashville garage-rock duo Jeff the Brotherhood must be pretty big fans of Norman. Next Wednesday’s show marks its third here in less than a year. But it won’t be more of the same, as it also marks Jeff the Brotherhood’s first since releasing Hypnotic Nights, the band’s seventh studio album and first […]
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Some Hearts
lack compassion Executives at Arista Nashville, the record label of country cutie Carrie Underwood, might be biting their nails after the Oklahoma native expressed an opinion at odds with many in her conservative fan base. Touring to support her new album, Blown Away, Underwood told British newspaper The Independent that she supports gay marriage. “I […]
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King Kearn
Singer-songwriter Mat Kearney has come a long way from his rebellious, skate-punk roots, but his love for hip-hop — the music and culture — remains. That juxtaposition with his folky beginning has made Kearney the performer he is. “That in-the-moment thing that hip-hop brings is something that I love. It’s unfolding before your eyes, and […]
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Oh, Brother!
Nashville noise-rock duo Jeff the Brotherhood released its breakout album, “We Are the Champions,” this past summer, but already has stepped back into the studio to record a follow-up that promises to be just as outrageous. “It’s the logical next step,” said guitarist/singer Jake Orrall. “We weren’t trying to think about it too much. We […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Yes, you can-can
Every year, people travel thousands of miles to places like Broadway; Branson, Mo.; and Nashville, Tenn.; in search of elaborate holiday productions that capture the whimsy, magic and emotion inherent in the season. Lucky Oklahomans need look no further than Oklahoma City University’s spectacular holiday extravaganza, “Home for the Holidays.” Featuring everything from classic ballet […]