Oklahoma Music Legends

Three Oklahoman's will for ever be attached to the Country Music Icon, Johnny Cash for Three separate and different reasons. Take a few minutes and learn about these three Oklahoman's.  

Native Oklahoman's, Gary P Nunn and Ray Wylie Hubbard as you men, with very similar history, would find Music in Texas. They would both write a Texas Outlaw Anthem. Eventually turning being Texan into a Cottage Industry. They would both become leaders in the Outlaw Country Music Movement.

There maybe just a few places in this country, that are as famous, as the Muscle Shoals, Alabama area for music recording history. I took advantage of the opportunity to go discover it myself.

The Wilson Brothers, Ronnie, Charlie and Robert all from Tulsa, Oklahoma with help from Leon Russell would leave Tulsa's small clubs to opening, in a stadium, in front of 50,000 Screaming fans for Leon Russell.

Two Oklahoma Music Makers will forever be linked to the History of the 70's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Band, Lynard Skynard. Siblings, Steve and Cassie Gaines.

While he was born in Texas, Bob Wills fame would come directly from his long association with Tulsa, Oklahoma, KVOO Radio and the fabled Cain's Ballroom. His style of music and his band mates would influence generations of Oklahoma Music Makers and Legends.

John Moreland is an Americana Folk, Songwriter, Singer and Music Maker who is leading the charge on this Genre of Music

Charlie Christian from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma only had 25 years on this earth his revolutionary single string style of play would go on to influence generations of Electric Guitar Players.

Barney Kessel began learning the guitar in Muskogee, Oklahoma and grew to become the most requested Guitarist for recording sessions. Recording over 60 Albums of his own and playing on recordings for most of the greats of the day. He may just be the most recorded guitarist you never knew you heard.  

Jesse Ed Davis was maybe the most requested Recording Session Guitar Player in the 60's and 70's. He was a Slide Guitar Stylist whose techniques were often copied. He played on a long list of Who's Who in the Music Industries records. 

Over Vince Gills 40 plus year career he has written, played and sang some of the worlds best music. He is a gifted songwriter, penning some of the best love songs of all time.
He may be the most versatile musician on the planet earth too. 

During his nearly 2 decade career Carl Radle played with some of the most Talented Musicians in the world. He was a part of some of the Rock Scenes Most Iconic Concerts and the World's Biggest Music Events. While playing on some of the most Iconic records of the Mid 60's and late 70's.  He is the self taught, Rockstar Bassist.

Jody Miller career has traveled from the stages of local talent shows to the biggest stages. Her talents have allowed her much success in Folk, Pop, Country, Patriotic and Contemporary Christian Music Genres.

Steve Ripley was an accomplished Guitar Player, Band Leader, Singer, Songwriter, Recording Engineer, Record Producer, Inventor and outstanding human being. He lost his fight with Cancer a few weeks ago. You may not immediately recognize his name but after hearing his story, you will be very familiar with Tulsan, Steve Ripley. 

Ronnie Dunn honed his stage presence and his musical skills, working in the Tulsa Music schene for over 19 years before getting The Nashville call.

Blake Shelton from humble beginnings, with help from his Uncle learned to play a little on the guitar, began playing and singing around his Home Town of Ada, Oklahoma. Blake worked very hard and today is a Mega Country Music Star.

Dr. Hugh Foley, Jr. Professor at Rogers State College in Claremore, Oklahoma is Certainly an expert on Oklahoma Music, He's pinned 2 books on the Subject. We interview Dr. Foley on Oklahoma Music and Oklahoma's Influence on the World of Jazz.

From his very humble beginnings, thru his drive and perseverance, Gene Autry rose to great heights in Recording, Songwriting, Radio, Movies, Television and the world of business. To become one of America's most admired and loved entertainers.

Reba McEntire is a full fledged Country Super Star in every way. But she still remembers where she came from and hangs onto her roots.
Along with Younger Brother Pate and Sister Susie as kids they formed a group, The Singing McEntire's, to sing at Rodeos and School events. Its said they mostly formed to get themselves out of doing chores around the Ranch. All of them went on to have successful Music careers.

Because of Mr. Clark's recent passing, we decided it would be fitting to have an Encore Presentation of his story. We hope you enjoy it.

On Saturday, November 10. we witnessed the unveiling of the Leon Russell Monument which marks his final resting place and his final return home to Tulsa, Oklahoma. We talk about the event, what we learned from the proceedings. We decided for our Tribute to Leon we would replay our earlier, four Leon episodes. back to back in one episode.

Will Parish from Bristow, Oklahoma, a Highly Decorated Vietnam War Veteran is one of the most Learned people I know on music. He's played music and played songs all over Oklahoma and Kansas with some of the best Local Oklahoma and National Music Makers. He shares many stories, many you will want to share with your friends, about his career in music and those he met and played with along the way.

Tulsa's Quintet of Superstar Drummers are Jamie Karstein, Chuck Blackwell, Jim Keltner, David Teegarden and Jamie Oldaker. These four incredible Drummers have played on some of the worlds most iconic recordings and backed some of the best performers of all time.

Tulsa's Quartet of Superstar Drummers are Chuck Blackwell, Jim Keltner, David Teegarden and Jamie Oldaker. These four incredible Drummers have played on some of the worlds most iconic recordings and backed some of the best performers of all time.

We have gained so many new listeners we decided to do a short review of our first 30 Episodes.

Roy is not an Oklahoman by birth but by residence and deed. Roy and his family took up permanent residence here in Oklahoma over 30 years ago. When asked why he choose to live in the Tulsa area. He said "Really we kind of choose each other".

20th Century Performers, Eddie Cletro, Cowboy Copas, Al Clauser and Eddie Cochran all believed telling fans that they were from Oklahoma would help their careers.

This episode spotlights 3 different Oklahoma performers, 3 different eras, 3 different types of Music.
The 5 Americans were a garage rock type band from the 60's. Jerry Keller, a 50's Rock and Roller and Shug Fisher, a member of the Son's for the Pioneers who became a very successful character actor in Television and Film.

Three Oklahoma families pick up and make the pilgrimage to the West Coast to escape the Oklahoma Dust Bowl catastrophe. Each has a child who plays a part in the success of the Instrumental Super Group, The Ventures

Who would think that you could write a song whose main character is am everyday product; nearly everyone who has ever attended a party has held in their hand and enjoyed their favorite beverage? When you hear the chorus you can’t help but sing along. This Oklahoma Music Legend wrote a song about a Red Solo Cup and today he is a Country Music Mega Star. Toby Keith did! 

Billy Parker was a Disk Jockey on KVOO Radio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 44 consecutive years. During that time he amassed many awards, among those were; Country Music Hall of Fame Disk Jockey Award, 5 Times awarded Country Music Disk Jockey of the Year Awards, inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, along with many others.

Thru his determination and hard work, Elvin Bishop has become a Legendary Blues Guitar Player, sharing stages all over the world with the very best Blues Artists.

Mel McDaniel from Okmulgee, Oklahoma was honored with a star in the Country Music Hall of Fame's Walk of Fame, a member of the Grand Ole Opry and was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Mel is best known for his number one hit, Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On, and top 10 hits, Louisiana Saturday Night, Stand Up, Right in the Palm of your hand, Take me to the Country, Big Ole Brew, I call it Love and Real Good Feel Song.

Wanda Jackson was a Trailblazer for all Female Artists who followed her thru the Glass Ceiling into the Music Industry

Part 4 The final in the interview series where Oklahoma Music Maker, Tommy Allsup, recalls, in his own words, his Historical Account, of the Events, with Buddy Holly, leading to Buddy, Richie Valens, J.P. Richardson aka The Big Bopper and the pilot, being killed together, in a plane crash.

Part 3 of a 4 part interview series where Oklahoma Music Maker, Tommy Allsup, recalls, in his own words, his Historical Account, of the Events, with Buddy Holly, leading to Buddy, Richie Valens, J.P. Richardson aka The Big Bopper and the pilot, being killed together, in a plane crash.

Part 2 of a 4 part interview series where Oklahoma Music Maker, Tommy Allsup, recalls, in his own words, his Historical Account, of the Events, with Buddy Holly, leading to Buddy, Richie Valens, J.P. Richardson aka The Big Bopper and the pilot, being killed together, in a plane crash.

Part 1 of a 4 part interview series where Oklahoma Music Maker, Tommy Allsup, recalls, in his own words, his Historical Account, of the Events, with Buddy Holly, leading to Buddy, Richie Valens, J.P. Richardson aka The Big Bopper and the pilot, being killed together, in a plane crash. 

His musical career had nearly slipped into obscurity until a kindness and generosity, Leon had shown to a fellow musician some 40 years previously, is repaid.

Rock, Rock and Roll, Contemporary, Country, Leon Russell, Willy Nelson, George Harrison, Elton John, Joe Cocker, 

In 1958 Russell Bridges travels to Los Angeles and becomes Leon Russell

David Gates A Member of Tulsa's Trifecta of Legendary Singer Songwriters with his band named Bread, they sold over 17 Million Albums in only 5 years

JJ Cale was proclaimed by Eric Clapton to be one of the Single Most Important figures in Rock History. Clapton also said "He was my Hero"

Claude Russell Bridges, was born in Lawton, Oklahoma, April 2, 1942. Russel as he was known then, showed his music ability early as a child. Russel became an accomplished musician playing in and around Tulsa while in Jr. High and High School. Russel and his band, gets their big break. This chapter of his story, shares Leon Russell the Early Years.

Oklahoman Sheb Wooley had 3 Distinctive Creative Careers. Country Singer, Songwriter, Television and Movie Actor. He also was the music inspiration for Roger Miller.

Roger Miller was called by Life Magazine "A Cracker Barrel Philosopher" Time called him "The Unhokey Okie" regardless, Roger Miller may very well be the most talented Singer Songwriter to come out of Oklahoma.

Tulsa, Oklahoma is Home to Legendary Music Venues and Music Museums. We take you around Tulsa and share Tulsa's Music Heritage that's being saved from the Wrecking Ball. Tulsa may someday be known as the Music Capital of the Country. Stand by for That One. 

Jimmy Webb began as a laborer and church piano player in Elk City, Oklahoma, went to California and wrote some of America's Iconic Songs.

My personal recollection of having a chance to spend part of an afternoon with Garth Brook's Mother Colleen several years ago. She was a joy and it was a conversation that I will never forget. 

Mae and her Son Hoyt Axton both had very successful Songwriting Careers. They hold the distinction of being the only Mother and Son Songwriters too both write songs that Reached Number 1 on the Pop Charts. But each accomplished so much more than songwriting

Tommy Allsup considered by many as one of the best guitar players of all time had a long and very productive musical career. But his longevity was the result of a Flip of a Coin. A most riveting story.

The beginning Episode of Oklahoma Music Legends. We state our mission, some facts and our goals for the continuing series.

Floyd Tillman born the son of sharecroppers, makes music his mission, writes some of the best know classic songs. He is elected into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. His music was covered by artists in almost every Genre of music.One of his songs was covered 30 plus times.

Carl Belew is credited with writing and singing some of the very best "Honky Tonk Weepers" In all his songs were covered by some 60 different artists.

Story describes how several including one of the favorite Gospel Spiritual Songs was written by a Choctaw Freedman Couple in approximately 1860's, crediting them with its writing and how the song grew from the fields to being loved by millions all over the world.