Happy birthday to my sister
One of my favorite people in the whole world – my younger sister – is celebrating her birthday today.
In honor of this special occasion, I’m making a long-distance dedication, the “Sisters” song from the movie “White Christmas,” a film we watch every year as a holiday tradition.
Happy birthday, sis! Hope it’s as sparklingly memorable as Vera Ellen and Rosemary Clooney’s feathery blue outfits!
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on March 21, 2010
Randy Travis (Associated Press file photo)
Today’s featured event:
EL RENO – Hear country music star Randy Travis at 7:30 tonight at Lucky Star Casino Concho, 7777 N Highway 81.
Search the country music category here on BAM’s Blog to read my recent interview with Travis.
For more information, call 262-7612 or go to www.luckystarcasino.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
3D’s Need to See: Western Month Part 3
3D is back to continue a month of Western movie recommendations. As promised, this week’s suggestion is just a little more serious than the comedies I’ve been featuring. It is the 1966 Western with a Mexican flair, “The Professionals.”
First of all, let’s look at the cast list: Burt Lancaster, Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan, and Woody Strode are the titular “Professionals,” but there is also Jack Palance, Claudia Cardinale, and Ralph Bellamy. The plot involves “The Professionals” being hired by a millionaire to rescue his wife from a Mexian bandit.
Of course, it turns out not to be so simple. For one thing, Lancaster and Marvin were involved in the Revolution in Mexico, so they are friends with the people they are going after. While they have become cynical, disillusioned “Professionals”, their old friends are still idealistic revolutionaries.
I like this film for many reasons (hello, Burt Lancaster!), not the least of which is the fact that they featured Mexico in a Western. That gave things a different flair. All the discussion of the revolutionary fire and how it goes out was also pretty interesting for a Western. So, if you like serious Westerns about tough guys, you need to see “The Professionals.”
—3D
What to do in Oklahoma on March 20, 2010
Today’s featured event:
NORMAN – Hear country music star Gary Allan, whose new album “Get Off on the Pain” is one of my favorite records of the year so far, at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9.
Search the country music category here on BAM’s Blog to read my recent feature on Gary Allan, his thoughts on Kings of Leon and my review of “Get Off on the Pain.”
For more information, call 322-6464 or go to www.riverwind.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Friday Featured Track for March 19, 2010: Shiny Toy Guns’ “Rocketship 2010″
The song that has been in my head the most this week:
- “Rocketship 2010,” Shiny Toy Guns, from the 2009 remix album “Girls Le Disko.”
The pulsating indie rock/electronica of Shiny Toy Guns has a tendency to stay wedged in the back of my head for days on end. The Los Angeles band, which has Oklahoma roots, recently released this third version of its “Rocketship” as the second single from “Girls Le Disko.” The infectious beat has been buzzing in my ears for the past few days, giving me a little extra energy to propel me through a tough week.
In my opinion, this song features a particularly fine vocal performance from singer/guitarist Chad Petree, who grew up in Shawnee with the Shinys’ keyboardist/bassist Jeremy Dawson.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood, Ace Frehley, OneRepublic tracks added to Rock Band store
Carrie Underwood’s “All-American Girl” will be available to download next week from the Rock Band Music Store.
Harmonix and MTV Games today announced that a four-pack of songs from American punk rockers X; three singles, including a free track, from British garagerockers Little Fish; as well as singles from Ace Frehley, OneRepublic and Oklahoma country music star Carrie Underwood will be added next week to the Rock Band Music Store of downloadable content for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii.
These are among the more than 400 artists who have songs currently available through the “Rock Band” video game platform. “Rock Band” has more than 1,100 songs available to play.
Los Angeles-formed punk rockers X make their “Rock Band” debut next week with “Blue Spark” and “The Hungry Wolf” from 1982’s “Under the Big Black Sun”; “I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts” from 1983’s “More Fun in the New World”; and “Los Angeles” from the band’s 1980 debut album “Los Angeles,” which Rolling Stone named one of its 500 Greatest Albums of All Time and 100 Greatest Albums of the ’80s.
Three singles from British garage rockers Little Fish also will be available, including “Am I Crazy,” “Bang Bang” and “Darling Dear,” all from the band’s debut album, “Baffled & Beat,” set to be released in July. “Am I Crazy” will be available only on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system and will be a free track. “Baffled & Beat” was produced by Linda Perry and initially released on her label, Custard Records. After successful opening slots for acts such as Hole, Alice in Chains and Eagles Of Death Metal, Little Fish is headlining its own U.K. tour in support of “Baffled & Beat.” The rockers also are opening for Them Crooked Vultures Monday at the Royal Albert Hall.
Additional singles from Carrie Underwood (“All-American Girl”), Ace Frehley (“Outer Space”) and OneRepublic (“Stop & Stare”) will be available in the Rock Band Music Store next week.
The tracks will be available on Xbox 360 and Wii Tuesday and PlayStation 3 on Thursday.
-BAM
Kristen Stewart grows with role in “Twilight: New Moon,” releasing on DVD at midnight
At entertainment portal Planet 46, “Twilight” star Kristen Stewart talks about how the blockbuster film saga has changed her life in a feature I wrote after attending the press day last fall for the sequel “The Twilight Saga: New Moon”:
Breaking up is always hard to do, but Kristen Stewart learned on the set of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” that acting out an “iconic” split from a book adored by millions of fervent fans presents a special set of challenges. The sequel to the vampire hit “Twilight” comes out on DVD on Saturday.
“I know what’s it like to get broken up with, but I don’t know what it’s like to get broken up with by a vampire who I’ve now been physically and chemically altered by. Suddenly, you take an addict, you take whatever they’re addicted to away from them and there’s withdrawal. So, that was the most intimidating scene in the entire movie,” Stewart said at a news conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles.
In “New Moon,” human Bella Swan ( Stewart) is heartbroken when her vampire boyfriend, Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), ends their romance over concerns for her safety.
The depressed Bella finds a new chance for love in her burgeoning friendship with Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), only to discover he is a werewolf.
Click here to read the full feature at Planet 46.
The hotly anticipated release of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” on DVD and Blu-ray will be heralded tonight with special celebrations at some Oklahoma City retailers.
“New Moon” goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, and Twihard fans of Stephenie Meyer’s supernatural romance saga are sure to turn out in droves to snap up their copies of the sequel.
Among the retailers offering “New Moon” release events are Borders stores and select Blockbuster outlets.
Both metro area Borders stores – at 3209 Northwest Expressway and 300 Norman Center Court in Norman – along with the two Borders in Tulsa will be hosting “New Moon” release parties starting at 10 p.m. Friday.
Select Blockbuster stores across the country also are hosting “New Moon” release parties or staying open late to let fans purchase their copies just after midnight, including the Oklahoma City outlet at 2224 NW 23 Street.
Both the two-disc special edition DVD and special edition Blu-Ray are packed with bonus features, including an audio commentary with director Chris Weitz and editor Peter Lambert; a six-part behind-the-scenes documentary ; exclusive rehearsal footage with Muse (Meyer’s favorite band); and music videos from Death Cab for Cutie, Anya Marina and Mute Math.
Friday night’s “New Moon” DVD release parties are just the latest phase of “Twilight” mania. The third film in the series, “Eclipse,” will open June 30 in theaters.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for March 19-21, 2010
Kansas’ Xavier Henry (1), a former Putnam City standout, dunks the ball against the Lehigh defense during the NCAA Men’s first round basketball tournament game between the University of Kansas and Lehigh University Thursday at the Ford Center. (Photo by Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman)
Here is a list of activities happening around the state this weekend (March 19-21), which is allegedly the first weekend of spring. However, wintry weather is forecast for Saturday and Sunday, so my advice is to call or check ahead and make sure the event of your choice is still on before hitting the roads. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- Watch the second round of NCAA men’s basketball action Saturday at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Kansas takes on Northern Iowa at 4:40 p.m., with Kansas State vs. BYU following. Information: www.okfordcenter.com.
- Hear the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and guest pianist Orion Weiss play George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: www.okcphilharmonic.com.
- NORMAN — Listen to Texas singer-songwriter Terri Hendrix performs at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cobblestone Creek Concerts, 1400 Sawgrass Drive. Information: 633-365. or www.cobblestonecreekconcerts.com.
The Black Eyed Peas (Associated Press photo)
- TULSA — Get the full impact of The Black Eyed Peas’ “Boom Boom Pow” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at BOK Center, 200 S Denver. The show also will feature LMFAO and Ludacris. Information: www.bokcenter.com.
- THACKERVILLE — Listen to the music with The Doobie Brothers at 8 tonight at WinStar Casino. Information: (580) 276-3100 or www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- Watch the Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls take on Kansas City at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Cox Convention Center in downtown. Information: www.reddirtrebellion.com.
- Share stories of road trips and travel adventures at the monthly OKC StorySlam tonight at The Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western. Sign-up for the competitive storytelling event starts at 7 p.m.; storytelling begins at 7:30 p.m. Information: http://okcstoryslam.wordpress.com.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
- TULSA — Hear Black Rebel Motorcycle Club play at 8 p.m. Sunday at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main. The show also will feature Band of Skulls and The Pretty Black Chains. Information: (866) 423-8849 or www.cainsballroom.com.
- NORMAN – Listen to country music star Gary Allan at 8 p.m. Saturday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Or hear country crooner Mel Tillis at 8 tonight at Riverwind. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.
- TULSA & CONCHO -Hear country star Randy Travis at 8 p.m. Saturday at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Interstate 44 East at Exit 240A, Tulsa. Information: (800) 760-6700 or www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com. Or hear the “I Told You So” singer at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Lucky Star Casino Concho, 7777 N Highway 81, El Reno. Information: (405) 262-7612 or www.luckystarcasino.org.
Red Dirt Rangers
- Watch the play “Time Changes Everything,” which ponders what would have happened if Oklahoma music icons Woody Guthrie and Bob Wills had met, at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N Laird Ave. The play stars the Red Dirt Rangers, with John Cooper as Wills and Brad Piccolo as Guthrie. Read Gene Triplett’s story on the play by clicking here. Information: www.okhistorycenter.org.
- Listen to red dirt singer Brandon Jackson play the free Concert at the Cowboy from 6 to 9 tonight at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63. The show is in conjunction with the exhibit “The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans.” Information: 478-2250 or www.nationalcowboymuseum.org.
- Hear singer-songwriter Cory Morrow at 9 tonight at Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
-BAM
Jimmy Wayne to encounter more wintry weather on Meet Me Halfway walk through Oklahoma
Country music star Jimmy Wayne, right, is on his Meet Me Halfway charity walk across half the U.S. to raise awareness of the plight of homeless youth. He is accompanied by Army Lt. Col. Jason Garkey on March 11 as they walk westward from McLoud toward Oklahoma City. (Photo By Paul Hellstern/The Oklahoman)
Country music star Jimmy Wayne has encountered some fierce weather on Project Meet Me Halfway, his walk halfway across the United States to raise awareness of the hardships of homeless youths.
Since starting out New Year’s Day, the singer-songwriter has endured three ice storms in his mission to walk the nearly 1,700 miles from Nashville, Tenn., to Phoenix, Ariz.
“For some reason this has been the coldest winter in decades. It wasn’t planned that way. I’m not a weatherman. I didn’t know what was gonna happen,” Wayne told me last week in an interview at the OPUBCO studios as his journey neared Oklahoma City.
Currently traveling on foot through Oklahoma on State Highway 152 west toward Amarillo, Texas, Wayne apparently hasn’t walked away from wintry weather just yet.
Although temperatures are predicted to reach 70 degrees this afternoon, Oklahoma is in a winter storm watch. Temperatures are expected to plummet more than 30 degrees overnight and heavy snow is forecast to be falling Saturday, which according to the calender is the official first day of spring.
Snow appears likely Saturday near and north of Interstate 40 in the western two-thirds of the state. Local amounts over 8 inches are forecast for north-central Oklahoma, reports The Oklahoman’s weather guru Bryan Painter.
Other areas could see accumulations of more than 4 inches. Wind gusts over 45 mph will produce blowing and drifting snow, and blizzard conditions may exist at times, Bryan reports, citing the National Weather Service.
Before the snow, though, rain and thunderstorms are expected to break out along a cold front this afternoon in southwest, west-central and northern Oklahoma, with winds of 30 mph gusting over 40 mph. It should spread east and south tonight as cold air plunges deeper into the region.
With 20.7 inches of snow this winter, Oklahoma City enters Saturday’s storm 4.5 inches short of tying its record for the snowiest year.
Sponsor Marmot has ensured that Wayne is properly outfitted for his long walk and the adverse weather. His outfit includes wool socks, sock liners and a lined and rain-resistant jacket. In addition, the company has provided him with a sleeping bag and tent so he can have some protection even if he is sleeping outside as he simulates homelessness.
However, he said many people he has encountered along the way have taken him into their homes for overnight stays.
Also, Tennessee telecommunications company Hiscall has donated a support RV, car and driver for the project.
For more information on Project Meet Me Halfway, go to http://meetmehalfway.jimmywayne.com or follow him on www.Twitter.com/JimmyWayne.
-BAM
Jimmy Wayne simulates homelessness, finds kindness on Meet Me Halfway walk
Country music star Jimmy Wayne, left, is on his Meet Me Halfway charity walk across half the U.S. to raise awareness of the plight of homeless youth. He is accompanied by Army Lt. Col. Jason Garkey on March 11 as they walk westward from McLoud toward Oklahoma City. (Photo By Paul Hellstern/The Oklahoman)
Country music star Jimmy Wayne is currently walking the nearly 1,700 miles from Nashville, Tenn., to Phoenix, Ariz., to raise awareness of the plight of homeless youths, especially those who age out of the foster care system.
For about a month, Wayne has been walking his way through Oklahoma.
He crossed the Arkansas state line into Oklahoma on Feb. 16. He generally walks 15 to 20 miles a day, but occasionally has to halt the walk for concerts, Grand Ole Opry appearances and interviews.
Tennessee telecommunications company Hiscall has donated a support RV, car and driver for the project, and when Wayne must pause his marching mission, the driver, Josh Lewis, takes him where he needs to go and later returns him to the exact spot where he left off to resume the walk.
Wayne is currently traveling along Oklahoma Highway 152 west toward Amarillo, Texas. He expects to take about two more weeks to cross the border.
“I’m simulating being homeless. I don’t claim to be homeless because I know for sure that I don’t share the same emotions as a homeless person. There’s different kinds of hurt, pain, that goes along with that. So I’m just simulating it,” Wayne told me last week in an interview at the OPUBCO studios as his journey neared Oklahoma City.
“What that means is I’m not soliciting help, I’m just saying I’m trying to raise awareness. But if you stop by and say ‘here’s a cup of coffee,’ I take it, I Tweet it, I write about it, I tell people because I think … when you spread the word of kindness and how good people are, I think it motivates people. It’s inspiring. It inspires people to want to help.”
Sponsor Marmot has provided Wayne with a sleeping bag and tent, where he sleeps unless someone offers him shelter for the night.
“Fortunately enough, I haven’t had to do that in awhile because people have been so generous that they’ve offered up their homes,” he said. “As soon as I walked in the state of Oklahoma, I had a guy to stop on the road, his name was Justin Jackson, he gave me like six nights stay at his house, which was very kind. People have continued to do that along the way. It’s really been an experience I’ll never forget.”
He added, “There’s just so many stories. I’ve ran into so many really interesting people, just good-hearted people.”
Followers sometimes walk a few miles with Wayne, but university professor and Army Lt. Col. Jason Garkey last week flew from Virginia to Oklahoma to spend his spring break marching with Wayne. He also spent a week on the walk back in January.
Garkey said he heard about Wayne’s mission on the radio and strongly believes in the cause, leading him to twice walk alongside the singer-songwriter.
“I’ve done a lot of walking in my life, so I knew what it meant to have a pack and be out there by yourself. So I said, you know what, I’ll go out there and join him,” Garkey said last week. “He says he tolerates me, so this is my second tour.”
Wayne endured a turbulent childhood. His father abandoned the family, his mother did time in prison, and he grew up in a series of foster homes. His stepfather even tried to kill him. When he was 16, he lived on the streets until an elderly North Carolina couple, Russell and Beatrice Costner, gave him a home, helped him continue his education and encouraged his love of music.
“It doesn’t take a mansion. Just love, a little shelter. That’s exactly what that family did for me,” he said.
He hopes Project Meet Me Halfway makes people more aware of “another face of homelessness.”
“I just would like to get the word out there that there is these homeless teens right here in our neighborhood. There’s facilities that try to help these kids, but they don’t have the resources to keep the doors open. They need our help,” he said.
“It doesn’t necessarily take money, just get involved. Talk about it amongst your church, talk about it amongst your work environment, talk to your friends about it. Just spread the word about Project Meet Me Halfway because we’re seriously trying to make a difference.”
For more information on Project Meet Me Halfway, go to http://meetmehalfway.jimmywayne.com or follow him on www.Twitter.com/JimmyWayne.
-BAM
