Jason Boland making a Thanksgiving comeback
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Boland anxious to return; Stragglers to play city gig
Thanksgiving holds a special significance this year for Jason Boland, who will carry on a tradition and make a comeback this holiday.
The Red Dirt singer-songwriter and his band the Stragglers will play their first show in nearly five months at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Oklahoma City Farmers Public Market.
“In Oklahoma City, every time I would get wrapped up with Thanksgiving, once I was older, there was always a good show to go see,” Boland said in a recent phone interview from Austin, Texas.
“It’s always been a tradition for me, and I know a lot of people that love getting fed, getting a nap in and a football game watched and saying adios to everybody for a little while and going and seeing a show. Nice way to wrap up the Thanksgiving eve.”
For Boland, who hails from Harrah and now lives in Austin, the show marks the end of a long convalescence. Over the summer, he was diagnosed with a vocal cord polyp, a potentially career-ending problem if not treated promptly and properly.
He underwent microsurgery to remove it at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., on Aug. 26 – the same day the band released its new album, “Comal County Blue.” It was frustrating not to go immediately on the road with the album, but he said the band took comfort in the lack of options.
“There’s just no getting around it, but … in theory, just the thought of you’re releasing a new album and you’re not out supporting it, that was a bit of a bummer. But the album’s done well and radio has really helped out with the singles we’ve released,” he said.
After the surgery, Boland faced a long recovery in which he couldn’t sing or even speak, just rest his voice.
“Because it’s dealing with delicate stuff, it takes a while. You know, you just want to make sure everything’s healed up. So, lots of the recuperation was … just to do nothing, couldn’t exercise or strain (my voice) or talk through some it. It was just a lot of down, introspective time,” he said.
He passed the time watching movies, reading books and playing guitar. Since he couldn’t sing, he couldn’t do much songwriting, but he did make note of some ideas.
“Now that I’ve been able to sing some and getting back into the swing of things, been able to work on a few of those ideas here and there,” he said.
Boland and his bandmates are known for their near-constant touring; they played 207 dates in 2007. The break for his recovery has marked their longest hiatus since forming in 1998 in Stillwater.
Despite the forced downtime, “Comal County Blue” still has found success among this year’s independent country releases. It debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard National Heatseeker’s chart, No. 30 on Billboard Country Albums, and No.1 among iTunes country albums. At No. 159, it marked the band’s first debut on the Billboard 200 list.
The band just released the new album’s second single, the rollicking “The Party’s Not Over,” featuring Robert Earl Keen on vocals.
Boland expressed gratitude Red Dirt community, which helped him and his bandmates through his recuperation.
“This whole music scene is a wonderful community. The fans are unbelievable, all the other bands, we’re all friends as well as colleagues. So there’s been a ton of support through this whole ordeal,” he said.
After the Thanksgiving show in Oklahoma City, the band will play Friday at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa and has a steady but not overly strenuous string of dates planned through spring. Boland said he is ready to return to the stage.
“You always get a little bit nervous and excited; that’s part of the good feeling of doing it all. But any time you take a long break and been away from it, it makes you miss it and makes it new again, which yeah, of course feeds the excitement and the nerves. But I don’t know feel any of the bad nerves, if you will,” he said.
In concert
Jason Boland & the Stragglers
In Oklahoma City
When: 8 p.m. Thursday. Doors open at 7.
Where: Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein Ave.
With: Mike McClure Band.
Information and tickets: www.wormydog.com.
In Tulsa
When: 8:45 p.m. Friday. Doors open at 7.
Where: Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main.
With: Jackson Taylor.
Information and tickets: (866) 443-8849 or www.cainsballroom.com.
-BAM
BAM’s Blog getting an upgrade
I alluded to this Tuesday afternoon, but I just wanted to let you know, my much appreciated loyal readers, that BAM’s Blog will be undergoing some upgrades over the next few days.
As a result, you may see some glitches in my usual blogging patterns. For example, right now, I can’t include photos with my posts. After the upgrades are over, I’ll try to backtrack and add the photos.
Because of the tweaking, I may have to spend some time offline all together.
I’ll try to continue to post as much as possible during these upgrades, but please be patient. Know that these inconveniences are in the interest of making BAM’s Blog an even better place for you guys to get your entertainment news and my witty, wacky commentary.
Thanks! You guys are great!
And in case I don’t get to tell you later, Happy Thanksgiving!
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 26
Today’s featured event:
TULSA – Hear Oklahoma City rockers Hinder, along with Trapt and Rev Theory, at 7:30 tonight at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main.
Hinder released its second album, “Take It to the Limit,” earlier this month.
For more information, go to www.cainsballroom.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Jeff Dunham’s Christmas special sets Comedy Central record
Jeff Dunham and his “Suitcase Posse” of puppet pals set a record with the Nov. 16 premiere of his “A Very Special Christmas Special” on Comedy Central. The debut of the comedy special drew 6.6 million viewers- the highest ratings ever on the channel, according to a news release.
Dunham’s holiday special earned a 4.2 Nielsen rating in its 9 p.m. debut, and in its 10 p.m. repeat won more than 60 percent of the viewers with a 2.6 share, drawing respective shares of 3.3 and 2.0 in the key Persons 18-49, Men 18-34 and Men 18-24 demographics and making it the No. 1 basic cable telecast in both ratings and delivery among total viewers.
The replay of Dunham’s previous Comedy Central special “Spark of Insanity” that preceded the Christmas show’s premiere also earned a 2.5 share.
Dunham also leapt into the Top 10 of the Top Independent Albums chart with his debut album, “Don’t Come Home For Christmas.” On iTunes, the CD entered the Comedy Album Chart at No. 1 and has held that position ever since. “Jingle Bombs” by Achmed the Dead Terrorist, one of Dunham’s most popular characters, tops the iTunes Comedy Singles Chart as well.
“A Very Special Christmas Special” topped Amazon.com’s comedy DVD sales and hit No. 2 on the overall DVD sales chart the week it aired on Comedy Central. Dunham continues his string of sold-out shows on his current North American tour (dates below), which is expected to gross $25 million.
I’ll be bringing you a DVD review of Dunham’s “A Very Special Christmas Special” later this week, so keep an eye out for that.
-BAM
Terry Gilliam plans to return to La Mancha
Terry Gilliam (Associated Press photo)
Visionary writer-director Terry Gilliam has announced that he plans to restart production on his ill-fated film “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote” as his next project, according to IMDB.
Gilliam, who created all those wild and wonderful illustrations for the Monty Python movies and TV shows, in 2000 embarked on a doomed mission to make a film version of Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra’s famed novel “Don Quixote” starring Johnny Depp (pre-”Pirates of the Caribbean” resurgence), Jean Rochefort and Vanessa Paradis.
Everything that could go wrong did on that production: Gilliam couldn’t get U.S. backers, so he secured European funds and locations for the film. But the majority of the sets were destroyed in flash flooding, and Rochefort was forced to pull out after sustaining a serious injury.
The story of the disastrous production was told in the excellent 2002 documentary “Lost in La Mancha,” directed by Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe and narrated by Jeff Bridges.
Speaking at a tribute in his honor last week at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in London, Gilliam said he plans to renew the production next year after securing rights from the insurance company that paid out $15 million after the flood and Rochefort’s injury.
He now says he believes that the flood was divine intervention, according to the IMDB story.
“I was in some way relieved that it did fall apart,” he said. “Because I didn’t have the money to finish it. It’s a good thing it went down when it did because I would have got the blame for going over budget. I think this time we will make a better film.”
IMDB has a 2011 release date attached to “The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.”
The site also notes that Gilliam is in post-production on the fantastical morality tale “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus,” the last film starring the late Heath Ledger. Filming was ongoing and Ledger’s scenes as the title character were not completed when he died in January of a drug overdose. Gilliam decided to complete Ledger’s role and finish the movie by using three actors - Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell – to shoot his final scenes.
-BAM
New releases
Dean Koontz (Associated Press photo)
Since this is Thanksgiving week, the holiday shopping season is officially getting started – though smarty-pants early birds like my sister already have their shopping pretty much wrapped up, darn them. That means record labels, movie studios and publishing houses are throwing a wide variety of high-profile new releases out into the marketplace for what they hope will be a big-spending free-for-all on the part of consumers.
Everything also gets a bit looser and freer when it comes to actual release dates this time of year. For example, this week’s CDs include Sunday’s long-awaited drop of Guns N’ Roses’ “Chinese Democracy,” Monday releases from Kanye West and The Killers, and the Tuesday newcomers including Coldplay (whose EP “Prospekt’s March” can be bought alone or in a deluxe edition with “Viva La Vida”), Trace Adkins and Fireman.
The long string of summer blockbusters making their way to DVD in time for Christmas continues this week with “Hancock.” Will Smith’s unconventional superhero movie is available in a two-disc unrated edition.
And in the books section, Dean Koontz, one of my personal faves, releases his latest thriller, “Your Heart Belongs to Me.” I’m looking forward to reading it, but it hasn’t slipped my notice that this is not, in fact, the long-awaited third book in the Christopher Snow trilogy that was promised oh-so long ago.
Here is the list of this week’s new CDs, DVDs and books from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com. (Our Web guys are doing some updates, so I can’t add any pictures to my posts right now, but I will as soon as I’m able.)
CDs
Guns N’ Roses, “Chinese Democracy.”
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida/Prospekt’s March” (Deluxe Edition).
Trace Adkins, “X (TEN).”
Kanye West, “808s & Heartbreak.”
Tom Jones, “24 Hours.”
David Byrne, “Everything That Happens Will Happen Today.”
Fireman, “Electric Arguments.”
The Killers, “Day & Age.”
Scott Weiland, “Happy in Galoshes.”
Ludacris, “Theater of the Mind.”
DVDs
2008 World Series: Phillies vs. Rays
24: Redemption
Beautiful Ohio
Beverly Hills 90210: The Sixth Season
A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Fred Claus
Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.: The Final Season
Hancock
Larry the Cable Guy’s Star Studded Christmas…
Meet Dave
The Mod Squad: Season 2 Volume 1
Slap Shot 3: The Junior League
Space Chimps
Books
Your Heart Belongs to Me by Dean Koontz.
Arctic Drift by Clive Cussler.
Crossroads by Belva Plain.
Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman.
The Pagan Stone: The Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 25
Today’s featured event:
The Oklahoma City Thunder take on the Phoenix Suns at 7 p.m. today at the Ford Center, 100 Reno.
For more information, go to www.okfordcenter.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts win at AMA Awards
Carrie Underwood (Associated Press photo)
Checotah native Carrie Underwood won the title of favorite country album for her sophomore release “Carnival Ride” at Sunday night’s American Music Awards.
Rascal Flatts, which includes guitarist Joe Don Rooney of Picher, won favorite country band, duo or group award.
Although no other Oklahoma artists emerged victorious, several were nominated for various awards. Click here to read more about that.
Here is the complete list of winners at the American Music Awards, from the Associated Press:
- Artist of the Year:
Chris Brown
- Pop-Rock:
Male artist: Chris Brown
Female artist: Rihanna
Band, duo or group: Daughtry
Album: “As I Am,” Alicia Keys
- Soul-R&B:
Male artist: Chris Brown
Female artist: Rihanna
Album: “As I Am,” Alicia Keys
- Rap-Hip-Hop:
Male artist: Kanye West
Band, duo or group: Three 6 Mafia
Album: “Graduation,” Kanye West
- Country:
Male artist: Brad Paisley
Female artist: Taylor Swift
Band, duo or group: Rascal Flatts
Album: “Carnival Ride,” Carrie Underwood
- Adult Contemporary:
Jordin Sparks
- Alternative Rock:
Linkin Park
- Latin:
Enrique Iglesias
- Contemporary Inspirational:
Third Day
- Soundtrack Album:
“Alvin and the Chipmunks”
- T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award:
Jonas Brothers
- Award of Merit:
Annie Lennox
-BAM
Monday Catchy Quote
A catchy quote from a movie, TV show or other source to brighten the beginning of your week:
Michelle: A bullet through the head is always the best cure for love.
- Click here to learn the source.
-BAM
Box office report
“Twilight” proved it had teeth at the box office over the weekend, taking a $70.6 million bite to come in atop the charts.
Directed by Catherine Hardwicke, the film also marked the biggest opening ever for a female director. The previous record was the $41.1 million set by Mimi Leder’s “Deep Impact” in 1998, according to the Associated Press.
Based on the first book of Stephenie Meyer’s mega-popular four-book saga, “Twilight” made a huge $20,636 per theater, the AP reported, citing Sunday morning estimates.
Summit Entertainment, which released “Twilight,” announced over the weekend that it is moving ahead with plans to make a film version of the series’ second book, “New Moon.” Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart will return as star-crossed lovers Edward Cullen, an immortal vampire, and Bella Swan, a human teenager.
According to the AP, Hardwicke’s involvement in the sequel hasn’t been determined. She told the AP Sunday morning she would be going to a meeting later that date to discuss her possible involvement in the second film.
“Twilight” star Robert Pattinson and director Catherine Hardwicke. (Associated Press photo)
The laid-back Hardwicke, who went bodyboarding at sunset Saturday to take her mind off this high-pressure weekend, said Sunday morning that she was heading to a meeting later in the day to discuss her possible involvement in “New Moon.”
“I want to be sure that it’s going to be done right. I don’t want to rush into it,” she told the AP. “It’s not like `Friday the 13th’ or `Halloween,’ you can’t just do it super fast and knock another one out. I want to understand their plans and all that.”
Hardwicke also told the AP she hopes her success inspires other women filmmakers.
“I hope not just women but all minorities get enthused and encouraged by it. I look at the (Directors Guild of America) calendar, at the pictures of everyone that had different movies each month, and it’s usually 22-29 different directors, and almost every month there’s one female and maybe one minority,” she told the AP.
“We’ve been having a lot of events, talking to a lot of fans, and so many kids of course are madly in love with Robert but tons of kids of every kind (and) girls are coming up to me and saying `I want to direct now, I’m writing a screenplay now, you’re my inspiration.’ I think it’s great that people are getting excited.”
The huge opening also has helped Summit Entertainment make its mark on the movie biz, Richie Say, the company’s president of domestic distribution, told the AP. Summit has only been around since last spring. “Twilight” is just the company’s sixth release, it cost only $37 million to make, meaning the film wasn’t far from doubling its money over opening weekend alone.
The AP story noted that the film’s huge opening take was much higher than the $50 million expected. Apparently, that number was projected by someone who doesn’t know any teenage girls.
“Teen girls rule the earth,” Paul Dergarabedian, president of Media By Numbers, told the AP. “If you look back at the `Hannah Montana’ movie, how well that did, and now this movie, the teen girl audience will never be ignored again or underestimated. It was always teen boys who were the coveted ones, but someone finally caught on to the idea that girls love movies, too, and if you create something that they’re into, that they’re passionate about, they will come out in big numbers and drive the box office.”
James Bond is still going strong. After debuting the previous weekend at No. 1, “Quantum of Solace,” came in second with $27.4 million. The latest film in the 007 series - and the second starring Daniel Craig as the superspy - has grossed $109.5 million, crossing the $100 million mark faster than any other film in the long-running franchise, Rory Bruer, head of distribution for Sony, told the AP.
Walt Disney’s 3-D animated dog tale “Bolt,” featuring the voices of John Travolta and Miley Cyrus, debuted in third place with $27 million to take third place.
Not surprisingly, Chuck Viane, Disney’s head of distribution, noted that “Twilight” took a bite out of everyone else’s numbers.
“Obviously we believe in the Thanksgiving holiday in a big, big way,” he told the AP. “We’ve always viewed this as one of those 10-day marathons between opening day and the end of the Thanksgiving weekend.”
Here is the box office top 10, from the AP:
1. “Twilight,” $70.5 million.
2. “Quantum of Solace,” $27.4 million.
3. “Bolt,” $27 million.
4. “Madagascar 2: Escape 2 Africa,” $16 million.
5. “Role Models.” $7.2 million.
6. “Changeling,” $2.6 million.
7. “High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” $2 million.
8. “Zack and Miri Make a Porno,” $1.7 million.
9. “The Boy in the Striped Pajamas,” $1.67 million.
10. “The Secret Life of Bees,” $1.28 million.
-BAM
