Garth Brooks, Barry Sanders, Robin Ventura to enter OSU Alumni Hall of Fame
Garth Brooks (Associated Press photo)
The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association will be inducting into the OSU Alumni Hall of Fame three of the most celebrated and famous names in OSU history when Garth Brooks, Barry Sanders and Robin Ventura take part in this year’s homecoming events.
According to a news release, Brooks, Sanders and Ventura will serve as grand marshals for OSU Homecoming on Oct. 17. The three will lead the Sea of Orange Homecoming parade and be recognized during OSU’s football game against Missouri. They also will present the student homecoming awards. The OSU Band will perform special music to honor the three OSU greats.
Here is more information on the 2009 honorees, who are all superstars in their respective career fields:
Garth Brooks, who was born in Tulsa, raised in Yukon and lives in Owasso, graduated from OSU in 1984 and is now certified by the Recording Industry Association of America as the No. 1-selling solo artist in U.S. history. Brooks has sold in excess of 128 million albums and has received every accolade the recording industry can bestow on an artist. His body of work – including the groundbreaking “No Fences,” “Ropin’ The Wind,” “The Hits” and “Double Live” – propelled country music as a genre to the front pages of newspapers and magazine covers worldwide.
Brooks is currently in retirement, but when called upon by events greater than his own self-interest, he returns to the stage. The latest of these was when the president himself requested that he be a part of President Obama’s Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial. He performed as a crowd of more than 300,000 attended the historic event and did the “wave” to Brooks’ performance of “Shout” while the president sang along. Brooks also performed for President Obama’s first late-night TV appearance on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
When the governor of California asked for Garth’s help, he responded by performing five concerts in two days, selling out all five shows (83,000 tickets) in less than an hour and generating more than $6 million for victims and firefighters of California wildfires in a single weekend. Portions of the live concerts were shown as a TV special titled, “Garth Brooks: Live in L.A.,” in which viewers donated to the organization Fire Intervention Relief Effort (FIRE).
Barry Sanders (AP photo)
Barry Sanders of Detroit, Mich., is one of the most electrifying running backs in the history of college and professional football. In 1988, Sanders had the greatest individual season in the history of college football on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy. He rushed for 2,628 yards, scored 39 touchdowns, rushed for more than 300 yards in four games, and established 34 NCAA records in 11 regular season games.
After his record junior season at OSU, he joined the Detroit Lions and became one of the most thrilling players in the history of the NFL. The Wichita, Kan., native rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of his 10 NFL seasons, making him the first running back to do so. In 1997, he became just the third person to gain more than 2,000 yards in a season. He finished his NFL career rushing for 15,269 yards and 99 touchdowns.
A first- or second-team All-Pro all 10 of his NFL seasons, Sanders became the first NFL running back to record five 1,500-yard rushing seasons, in addition to being the only back to do so in four consecutive seasons (1994-1997). He is a member of both the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame.
Robin Ventura (AP photo)
Robin Ventura of Santa Maria, Calif., was one of college baseball’s greatest players and an All-Star major-league third baseman. Ventura had a remarkable three-year run at OSU from 1986-88. Baseball America named him Player of the Decade, the starting third baseman on its all-time team, and he was third in its Player of the Century poll. He was elected into the inaugural class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
He was named All-America all three years at OSU and was Player of the Year his sophomore year in 1987. He still holds college baseball’s hitting-streak record at 58 games and had a .428 career batting average. He holds seven OSU batting records, including the highest single season average at .469.
Ventura was drafted by the Chicago White Sox following his junior year and spent 16 seasons with the White Sox, New York Mets and New York Yankees. He was a Gold Glove winner and All Star. In 1995, Ventura became the eighth player in major-league history to hit two grand slam home runs in one game.
-BAM
Amazon.com offering free Miranda Lambert download today
Amazon.com is offering today a free MP3 download of Miranda Lambert’s “What Are You Gonna Do.”
The soulful new song that is not among the 15 tracks on the Oklahoma star’s new album, “Revolution,” which was released today.
But fans definitely won’t want to miss out on this song.
-BAM
New releases for Sept. 29, 2009
Miranda Lambert
Music fans, cinephiles and book worms have plenty of great new options to choose from this week.
Oklahoma country star Miranda Lambert released her anticipated third album, “Revolution,” today. Look for my review of the album, which didn’t disappoint this fan of the country firebrand, coming soon.
New albums also are out today from Barbra Steisand, Alice in Chains, Robert Earl Keen, Mariah Carey, Madonna and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
In DVDs, “The Wizard of Oz” gets its eagerly awaited 70th anniversary release, while new titles include “The Brothers Bloom” (one of my favorite films so far this year), “Monsters vs. Aliens” and the most recent season of ”How I Met Your Mother.”
In books, the autobiography of Patrick Swayze, ”The Time of My Life,” written with his wife Lisa Niemi, was released today, about two weeks after his death from pancreatic cancer. Also hitting the bookshelf this week are titles by Kevin Smith, Mitch Albom and James Patterson, along with a biography on Clint Eastwood.
Here is a release of this week’s new CDs, DVDs and books from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Miranda Lambert, “Revolution.”
Barbra Streisand, “Love is the Answer.”
Alice In Chains, “Black Gives Way To Blue.”
Mariah Carey, “Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel.”
Madonna, “Celebration” (two-CD set).
Breaking Benjamin, “Dear Agony.”
Dethklok, “Dethalbum II.”
Paramore, “Brand New Eyes.”
Robert Earl Keen, “The Rose Hotel.”
Lynyrd Skynyrd, “God & Guns.”
DVDs
Away We Go
The Brothers Bloom
The Girlfriend Experience
How I Met Your Mother: The Legendary Season Four
Lies & Illusions
Life on Mars: The Complete Series
Management
Monsters vs. Aliens
Shrink
The Unit: The Final Season
The Wizard Of Oz
Books
“Have a Little Faith” by Mitch Albom
“American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood” by Marc Eliot
“Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife” by Francine Prose
“Clinton Tapes: Wrestling History with the President” by Taylor Branch
“A Deep Dark Secret” by Kimberla Lawson Roby
“Don’t Say I Didn’t Warn You: Kids, Carbs and the Coming Hormonal Apocalypse” by Anita Renfroe
“Heat Wave” by Richard Castle
“Her Fearful Symmetry” by Audrey Niffenegger
“Juliet, Naked” by Nick Hornby
“The Murder of King Tut” by James Patterson
“Rough Country” by John Sandford
“Shootin’ the Sh*t with Kevin Smith” by Kevin Smith
“This Family of Mine: What It Was Like Growing Up Gotti” by Victoria Gotti
“The Time of My Life” by Patrick Swayze
“The Wild Things” by Dave Eggers
“Windows on the World: Complete Wine Course: 25th Anniversary Edition” by Kevin Zraly
-BAM
Miranda Lambert rocks Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium with “Revolution” concert
Country singer-songwriter Miranda Lambert began the promotional blitz for her new album “Revolution” last week in Nashville, Tenn., by kissing country legend Merle Haggard on the cheek and performing “Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Star” at the 2009 Academy of Country Music Honors Awards to celebrate him and his artistry.
She also sang “Anymore Love Songs” for yet another one of her heroes, Hank Williams Jr.
Lambert closed out last week with a few thousand friends on their feet at the famed Ryman Auditorium for her promised “Revolution” concert. The 25 year-old “loosened a few bricks” on Nashville’s Hallowed Hall, taking her audience on a musical journey of all 15 tracks of her new record in sequence plus her favorite classic country tunes and hits from her previous discs “Kerosene” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.”
“There’s no question that Lambert is one of the most alluring voices and imaginative songwriters in country music today,” writes Ed Morris for CMT.com. “…She was pure energy in knee-high boots–and a sheer joy to witness.” Read the full CMT review by clicking here.
The Tishomingo resident kept fanning the flames with live performances on today’s “Good Morning America.” She will perform tonight on “The Late Show with David Letterman.” She also will be on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” Thursday, ”The Ellen DeGeneres Show” Monday and “The Bonnie Hunt Show” Oct. 7. She’ll also appear on CNN, Fox News, Better TV, E! Entertainment News, Associated Press TV, Reuters and more.
Already gathering rare perfect reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone (4 Stars) and Entertainment Weekly (A), Lambert’s “Revolution,” the follow-up release to platinum-selling debut “Kerosene” and ACM Album of the Year for 2007 “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” is well on it’s way to the “rampage” Lambert had hoped for.
“I feel like this album is the next step of my career,” says Lambert in a news release. ” I’m not standing still. My first two albums were part of the same chapter in a way but ‘Revolution’ means transformation and uprising and that’s exactly what I feel happening within me and around me.”
Additional print coverage will find Lambert enjoying margarita’s with her mother, aiming her favorite weapons, posing in the latest “fall fashions”, and peering through the iron bars of prison. Country Weekly’s cover story (on stands this week), talks about Lambert’s defining moment that changed her life when she almost dropped out of school; Maxim (October issue) reveals that while she’s known to pack heat she also has an affinity for fuzzy dog slippers, First for Women (on stands this week) showcases the tenacity of a young girl who bounced back after facing some tough challenges, OK Magazine (on stands Thursday) features her “Fall Fashion Must Haves” and the next issue of People Country “All about Country Stars and their Families” will feature Miranda and her mom (on stands Oct. 9). US Weekly nabbed some quality time to talk music in the issue on stands now, and last month Details Magazine featured Miranda talking about everything from her rifle butt mike stand to her love of Bacardi.
On Oct. 2, the video to her fast-rising single “White Liar” premieres on CMT. Lambert finds her own wicked retribution for her broken heart, delivering an edgy, dark satisfaction to anyone who has ever had a taste for revenge.
“I like to think of myself as one of the outlaws” says Lambert while at a recent photo shoot at the famous and condemned Tennessee State Penitentiary but at the same time she says in the Washington Times: “I’m a pretty happy girl these days. I have a great career going, a good relationship and good people around me. So to write a love song, I don’t have to stretch too far.”
Check out my review of Lambert’s “Revolution” coming soon.
-BAM
Miranda Lambert appears on the cover of Country Weekly magazine
Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma country music star Miranda Lambert appears on the cover of the Oct. 5 issue of Country Weekly magazine, on sale now.
Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, released her third album, “Revolution,” today.
In the Country Weekly cover story, titled “Why I Wanted to Quit,” she talks about a decision she’s glad she didn’t make—dropping out of high school to pursue music.
“I don’t know if I would’ve dropped out. But my parents didn’t want me to . . . which is another reason I might have,” she told the magazine.
But a program at her high school allowed the Texas-bred singer-songwriter to work on her music and graduate early.
“[The program] was definitely a great thing and I’m so thankful for it,”she told Country Weekly. “I think [finishing high school] taught me a lot.”
Lambert also talks in the interview about her upcoming plans with boyfriend, fellow Tishomingo resident and country star Blake Shelton.
-BAM
Miranda Lambert promoting “Revolution” with TV blitz
Oklahoma country music star Miranda Lambert is promoting her new album “Revolution,” out today, with a rapid-fire succession of TV appearances.
She was on “Good Morning America” today and will perform tonight on “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
On Thursday, she will be on “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.” She will appear on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” next Monday and “The Bonnie Hunt Show” on Oct. 7.
The Tishomingo resident also appear on CNN, Fox News, Better TV, E! Entertainment News, Associated Press TV, Reuters and more, according to a news release.
-BAM
BAM Column: Miranda Lambert, Flaming Lips, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith releasing fall CDs
Miranda Lambert
From Tuesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Fall offers must-have new music
For Oklahoma music fans, fall holds the promise of fantastic new offerings.
The year has already seen the release of big-time albums from Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Samantha Crain, Rodney Carrington and St. Vincent, all artists with state ties. Even the late Woody Guthrie had a four-disc box set, “My Dusty Road,” released last month.
But even more major records from Okies are still to come this autumn, starting today.
If the title is any indication, firebrand Miranda Lambert will keep on rebelling against the country music establishment with her third album, “Revolution,” which drops today. The Tishomingo singer-songwriter already has notched one stunning brokenhearted ballad, “Dead Flowers,” from the new record.
Toby Keith
Norman star Toby Keith has raised eyebrows and raced up the charts with “American Ride,” the title track of his new album, due out Oct. 6. Last week, the single reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Songs chart. Riding the momentum of the politically charged video, the song has become his most buzz-worthy track since the 2001 hit “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue.”
Also on Oct. 6, country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will offer new bonus content on a limited edition re-release of its “Greatest Hits Vol. 1.”
Flaming Lips
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips will deliver something new on Oct. 13: their first-ever double-album, “Embryonic.” The Lips performed “Convinced of the Hex” recently on “The Colbert Report” and debuted last week the video for “I Can Be a Frog.” If these tracks are any indication, we can expect many surreal delights from the Lips’ latest project.
Carrie Underwood
And recent Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee Carrie Underwood is sure to delight her legion fans with the Nov. 3 release of her hotly anticipated third album “Play On.” The Checotah native put out the first single, “Cowboy Casanova,” as a digital track last week, and it took only 24 hours for the sassy cautionary tale to crack iTunes’ top five list.
The fall is still young, so we may see more Oklahoma artists adding to the list of autumn’s must-have albums. Hopefully, state music lovers have been saving their pennies.
-BAM
Miranda Lambert Day on BAM’s Blog
In honor of today’s release of Miranda Lambert’s third album, “Revolution,” due out today, I’m declaring it Miranda Lambert Day on BAM’s Blog.
I’ll have several posts about what the Tishomingo resident is doing to mark the release of “Revolution” over the course of the day.
So, break out the “Kerosene,” maybe even the “Gunpowder & Lead,” and celebrate along with country music’s firebrand singer-songwriter.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Sept. 29, 2009
Today’s featured event:
See an exhibit of West African artist El Anatsui’s most recent artwork at Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE 3.
Anatsui creates large-scale wall reliefs resembling traditional African kente cloths. The works, which often measure 12- to 15-feet wide, are made of thousands of pieces of stitched together aluminum cut out of screw tops found on liquor bottles from distilleries in the artist’s hometown of Nsukka, Nigeria.
The exhibit is on exhibit at Untitled through Nov. 7. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, go to www.artspaceatuntitled.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Box office report for Sept. 28, 2009
The animated movie “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” was still appetizing to movie-goers in its second week in theaters.
Over the weekend, the tasty 3-D adventure topped the box office for the second straight week with $24.6 million. Based on the famed children’s book, “Cloudy” follows the exploits of Flint Lockwood (voice of Tulsa native Bill Hader), a geeky aspiring inventor who devises a machine that turns water into food.
The Sony release raised its domestic haul to $60 million after 10 days in theaters, according to the Associated Press.
The sci-fi thriller “Surrogates,” based on the graphic novel and Robert Venditti and Brett Weldele, debuted at No. 2 with $15 million. Set in a future in which people live in isolation and interact mostly through surrogate robots, the Disney release stars Bruce Willis as a cop forced to leave his home to investigate the murder of others’ surrogates.
“Pandorum,” another sci-fi thriller opening over the weekend didn’t fare as well. The film, which stars Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster as two astronauts who awaken on a spaceship with no memory of their identities or mission, came in No. 6 with $4.4 million.
The weekend’s other new wide release, MGM’s new take on the 1980 musical hit “Fame,” opened in third place with $10 million. Oklahoma City-raised Megan Mullally plays one of the teachers in the film, set in a prestigious New York performing arts school.
According to the AP, Michael Moore’s new film, “Capitalism: A Love Story,” opened strongly in limited release with a $240,000 weekend take in four theaters. The Overture Films release boosts its total to $306,586 since it debuted last Wednesday. It expands to theaters nationwide on Friday.
Here are the weekend’s top 10 movies, from the AP:
1. “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs,” $24.6 million.
2. “Surrogates,” $15 million.
3. “Fame,” $10 million.
4. “The Informant!”, $6.9 million.
5. “Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself,” $4.8 million.
6. “Pandorum,” $4.4 million.
7. “Love Happens,” $4.3 million.
8. “Jennifer’s Body,” $3.5 million.
9. “9,” $2.8 million.
10. “Inglourious Basterds,” $2.7 million.
-BAM
