Watch: Toby Keith’s “Made in America” official music video
Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith has released the official music video to his anthemic new single “Made in America,” which he debuted last month during the 10th annual CMT Music Awards.
“Made In America” is the lead-off single from Keith’s upcoming album called “Clancy’s Tavern,” which he just announced will be released Oct. 25.
“Made in America” has become one of the fastest-rising songs in a long line of chart-burners from Keith’s pen. The tune currently sits at No. 12 on the Country Aircheck/Mediabase chart only five weeks after its release, according to a news release.
The Billboard country songs chart has “Made in America” marked as a “Greatest Gainer,” having moved up from No. 16 to No. 13 this week. It has been on the Billboard chart for seven weeks.
In recent phone interview, the Norman resident talked with me about the song, which he wrote with songsmith Bobby Pinson:
“It’s not really political statement, but it’s just about a couple that raised this boy who’s in the song and it just talks about all of the ways they support their country and how patriotic they are with the way they live every day,” he said.
“They’re not prejudiced, they’re just made in America.” And they prefer to buy products that are made in America, too.
The flag-waving parade scenes featured in the music video were filmed during Cedarburg, Wis.’s July 4 parade, which coincided with Keith’s performance at the state’s Summerfest, according to ABC affiliate WISN.
With the U.S. military completing its 10-year mission of tracking down Osama bin Laden, the 9/11 terrorist leader who was killed in raid earlier this year on his compound in Pakistan, Keith said the timing seems to be perfect for the uptempo patriotic anthem.
“It’s kind of like spitting in a swinging jug,” he said of the timing. “But there’s a plant at Shawnee — a clothing plant — and this guy’s wanting me to make jeans and T-shirts … that are actual made-in-America products. And it’ll reopen that plant at Shawnee if (the deal) comes through. And so that’s kind of where we got the idea to write a song about people that only buy American-made products to support the economy.”
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on July 28, 2011: Hear the Stone River Boys at the Blue Door
Today’s featured event:
Hear the Stone River Boys at 8 tonight at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. For more information, go to www.bluedoorokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Glen Mazzara to replace Frank Darabont as showrunner for “The Walking Dead”
Since Mr. BAM is a huge fan, I’m putting “The Walking Dead” Season 2 trailer that debuted last week at San Diego’s Comic-Con here in the Wednesday Video Spotlight. The hotly anticipated second season of the hit AMC series premieres Oct. 16.
The zombie drama series, based on the comic books and graphic novels by Robert Kirkman, has undergone a shakeup this week, with showrunner Frank Darabont (who also happens to be the director of the great movies “The Shawshank Redemption,” “The Mist” and “The Green Mile”) stepping down.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Glen Mazzara, the survivalist horror series’ No. 2 executive producer, has been tapped to take charge of the show as production continues ahead of its second season.
The trade publication reports that Mazzara joined the series after the drama’s six-episode freshman season wrapped. Darabont at the time considered using freelancers to pen the series, later opting instead to hire a full writing staff with Mazzara as his second-in-command.
Mazzara has previously worked on the TV shows “The Shield,” “Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior,” “Hawthorne,” “Crash” and “Nash Bridges,” according to IMDB.
Whether or not Darabont will continue on with the series remains unclear.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Dr. Pants’ “Bowling with a Genius”
Oklahoma City “Nerd Power Groove Rock” band Dr. Pants released this week the new music video for its super-catchy song “Bowling with a Genius.” Watch this video, and the song will be in your head for days. And you will thank me.
The song is from the band’s new EP “The Trip, Side 1: Illusion & Truth.” Dr. Pants frontman/mastermind David Broyles directed it.
If you want to see Dr. Pants live – and really, why wouldn’t you? – the band is playing Saturday, Aug. 6 at the Blue Note Lounge, 2408 N Robinson. For more information, go to www.facebook.com/drpantsmusic.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Black Canyon and Sherree Chamberlain, “Bottles of Shine”
Black Canyon feat. Sherree Chamberlain - "Bottles of Shine" Live Music Video from Nathan Poppe on Vimeo.
Check out “Bottles of Shine,” the new music video from Black Canyon’s Jake Morisse and Sherree Chamberlain, two fine Oklahoma music talents.
The song is featured on Black Canyon’s new album “Battlefield Darlins,” which was released last week.
The Civil War concept album was recorded by Riley Jantzen (Mayola) at his studio in Enid, and along with “Bottles of Shine,” it features two more songs with Chamberlain on vocals.
Look at OKC and BAM’s Blog contributor Nathan Poppe filmed the music video for “Bottles of Shine,” which Young Poppe (as I call him) deemed “the most in focus thing I’ve ever made.”
Young Poppe directed a documentary short about the making of “Battlefield Darlins” called “Black Canyon’s Crossroads for the Restless,” which debuted last month at Oklahoma City’s deadCenter Film Festival. Videographers on the short doc include current The Oklahoman interns Adam Kemp and Zach Gray and former intern and BAM’s Blog contributor Matt Carney.
Black Canyon is planning an album release party for “Battlefield Darlins,” featuring special guests Ryan Lawson and Blue Valley Farmer, on Friday, Aug. 19 at VZD’s, 4200 N Western. For more information, go to www.vzds.com or www.facebook.com/blackcanyonmusic.
-BAM
Flaming Lips, Primus, Mutemath and more to play first Brady District Block Party Aug. 6 in Tulsa
The Flaming Lips (Photo by J. Michelle Martin-Coyne)
The Flaming Lips, Primus, Mutemath, Civil Twilight, AWOLNATION, Solid Gold, Particle, That 1 Guy and The Pretty Black Chains will play the inaugural Brady District Block Party Saturday, Aug. 6 in the Tulsa arts district.
The outdoor music festival, presented by Shamrock Communications radio station Z-104.5 The Edge (KMYZ) and DCF Concerts, is intended to become an annual event, according to a news release.
The concert will take place at the Brady Village, the fenced in field on the corner of Cameron Street and Boulder Avenue. Gates will open at noon, and the music will start at 12:30 p.m.
Due to this summer’s record-setting heat wave, precautions have been put in place to make the concert experience safe and enjoyable for attendees, according to the release. Provisions will be available inside of the festival area and outside for cooling down the crowds.
Misting tents will available. In addition, plenty of concessions and water will also be available for purchase. Crowds will be sprayed often with water from the stage to cool down.
Medic tents will be available for patrons experiencing dizziness, nausea, weakness, muscle cramps or other heat-related symptoms. Two tents staffed with medics will be set up on opposing sides of the venue.
Re-entry will be allowed with ticket and wristband. Attendees must go through the appropriate check point where their ticket will be punched and wristband will be issued. No re-entry without the punched ticket and wristband on/attached will be allowed.
No blankets, ice chests or umbrellas will be permitted. Smart phones that take photos will be permitted, but no professional cameras will be allowed. Attendees are strongly encouraged to stay hydrated, use sunscreen and wear hats to avoid overheating.
Identification will be necessary for purchase of beer or other alcoholic beverages. Special wristbands will be provided with proper ID.
Tickets are on sale in Tulsa at Reasor’s and Starship Records, in Oklahoma City at Buy For Less Locations, by phone (866) 977-6849 or online at www.bradyblockparty.com for $39 plus service fees. The block party is an all-ages event.
For more information, go to www.bradyblockparty.com or www.edgetulsa.com.
See more on the bands playing the first Brady District Block Party after the break.
Improv Festival Oklahoma expands to three days, begins Thursday
Oklahoma City-based troupe Red Dirt Improv is organizing for the third year Improv Festival Oklahoma, with performances Thursday-Saturday at City Arts Center at State Fair Park.
A version of this story appears in Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Improv Festival Oklahoma expands to three days in third year
Several troupes from across the state and country, plus local TV legend Count Gregore, are making their debut at the festival.
Local TV legend Count Gregore, an array of acts from across the state and country and an extra day of merriment are planned for the annual Improv Festival Oklahoma.
Local TV legend John Ferguson, also known as Count Gregore, will perform as guest monologist with Red Dirt Improv Saturday during the third annual Improv Festival Oklahoma. More than 25 acts will perform Thursday-Saturday at City Arts Center during the festival. (Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman Archives)
In its third year, the festival is expanding to three days, packing in more than 25 evening performances Thursday-Saturday at the City Arts Center. In addition, IFO3 will include daytime workshops Friday-Sunday at the State Fair Park venue.
“This year’s festival is going to be amazing because of the caliber of talent we have been able to attract from all across the nation. In addition to a great lineup of local troupes, participants are coming from as far away as New Jersey, Chicago, Phoenix and Austin,” said Tyler Bryce, a member of Red Dirt Improv, the Oklahoma City-based group that organizes the festival.
“Some of them, like Saturday night headliner Jill Bernard, are old friends of IFO and have performed here before. However, many of the groups are making their first appearances in central Oklahoma.”
About 40 troupes applied for the festival, and the three-day event will showcase 26 acts. Last year’s two-day festival could only feature 18 groups.
“The first year, we tried to accommodate everybody, and in our second year, we had more troupes apply than we had time for on the stage. And we had to start turning people away, which is good and bad,” said Red Dirt Improv member James Murray. “We want to include as many different groups as we possibly can. “We try to do whatever we can to get as many different improvisers to Oklahoma … so we decided to go ahead this year and add Thursday night.”
Although choosing the final lineup was challenging, Murray said IFO3 will not only offer a mix of Oklahoma and out-of-state entertainers but also will celebrate the diversity of improvisational theater.
Among the groups making their Improv Festival Oklahoma debuts are The HITMEN, a team-oriented quartet from Chicago; Never Pickles, a Chicago-based pair of self-described “love morons”; Grandma Hates Technology, a father-daughter duo from Milltown, N.J.; Galapagos, a long-form improv ensemble from Phoenix, Ariz.; Little Bear, a trio from Kansas City, Mo.; ¡ZARZAMORA!, a “pseudo-cerebral” troupe from Austin, Texas; and The Victims, The Hindenburgs and Roadside Couch, all improv troupes from Dallas.
In addition, two Oklahoma groups will perform for the first time at the festival: Homemade Fireworks, a college troupe from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, and Stretchin’ It, an Oklahoma City-based trio that specializes in blue comedy.
Bryce is thrilled to see the IFO debut of Austin-based Plays Well With Others, led by Les McGehee, who owned the comedy troupe Bryce began his career with back in 1990. Along with the group’s Friday night performance, McGehee will teach workshops during the festival.
“His 30-year improv career has taken him all across the planet, and he has taught and inspired some truly great comedians,” Bryce said in an email. “Les has assembled a truly stellar cast that reunites old members of his Austin troupe who now live across the country.”
Another respected improviser making his IFO debut will be Friday night’s headliner, Zach Ward, the producer of DSI Comedy Theater in North Carolina and recently named managing director of Improv Boston. Along with creating hilarity with his “Road Trip” show and teaching workshops, Ward will perform Saturday night with Red Dirt Improv.
Also, Oklahoma City’s “master of horror” Count Gregore (AKA John Ferguson), known for hosting local TV shows like “Shock Theatre,” “Creature Features” and “Sleepwalker’s Matinee,” will join Red Dirt Improv’s set as guest monologist. Prompted by audience suggestions, the Count will regale the crowd with stories that the festival’s host troupe will turn into uproarious scenes.
Along with the many troupes making their first appearances, the festival will feature returning favorites like Bernard, the Minneapolis-based author of the “Small
Renowned Minneapolis-based improviser Jill Bernard will be among the returning favorites at the third annual Improv Festival Oklahoma, which will feature performances Thursday-Saturday at City Arts Center. Bernard, author of the "Small Cute Book of Improv," will perform her one-woman "Drum Machine" show Saturday night at the festival.
Cute Book of Improv,” who will close the event’s performances with her one-woman “Drum Machine” show.
Other returning favorites include Oklahoma groups The MiDolls, Obviously Unrehearsed Improv!, Everybody and Their Dog, Red Letters, “Villain: The Musical” and Crayons Improv.
Plus, the event will continue its tradition of bringing together players for “Improv in the Dark,” which started the first year when the power suddenly went out and the improvisers kept on performing.
“We’re really starting to get on the map of places that not only have an improv scene here locally, but people from out of town are willing to come out and visit here. And a lot of these people have never been to Oklahoma, so they get to see what we offer and we get to see what we offer,” Murray said.
“We’re still growing … but we have a really great group of people coming out. And I take it as a good sign for improv in Oklahoma.”
Going on
Third annual Improv Festival Oklahoma
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Thursday-Saturday.
Where: City Arts Center, State Fair Park, 3000 General Pershing Blvd.
Tickets: $60 for festival pass; $15 for all Thursday shows; $30 for all Friday shows; $30 for all Saturday shows. Tickets for individual sets are available and vary.
Workshops: Daytime Friday-Sunday.
Information: 701-8938 or www.festival.reddirtimprov.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on July 27, 2011: Hear the Okee Dokee Brothers during the Metropolitan Library System’s Children’s Music Festival
Today’s featured event:
Hear American roots and bluegrass duo the Okee Dokee Brothers play two shows today during the Metropolitan Library System’s Children’s Music Festival.
The Minneapolis-based kindie music pair will play at 10:30 a.m. today at the Del City High School Commons, 1900 S Sunnylane, and 2 p.m. today at Warr Acres Library, 5901 NW 63. The Okee Dokee Brothers will continue their tour of metro area libraries (and occasionally other sites) through Friday.
For more information, go to www.metrolibrary.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Pioneer Woman’s TV show to premiere Aug. 27 on Food Network
Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond (Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman Archives)
The new series “The Pioneer Woman,” featuring Oklahoma blogger and author Ree Drummond, is set to premiere at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27 on the Food Network, according to NewsOK.com.
The Bartlesville native will film the show on location at her family’s ranch near Pawhuska. Along with cooking instruction, the series will showcase Drummond’s life on the ranch.
Drummond’s Pioneer Woman blog attracts more than 20 million page view a month and has won blog of the year three times at the Bloggie Awards. She has penned three best-selling books, the cookbook “The Pioneer Woman Cooks,” her memoir “Black Heels to Tractor Wheels – A Love Story” and the children’s book “Charlie the Ranch Dog.”
In November, she was featured in a special Thanksgiving episode of the Food Network series “Throwdown with Bobby Flay.”
-BAM
Video: Pistol Annies, “Hell on Heels”
All-girl country music trio the Pistol Annies set out to break a million hearts with the music video of their debut hit “Hell on Heels,” the title track from their upcoming album.
The Annies – Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley – will release their first album Aug. 23.
Also, Lambert will release her fourth album as a solo artist, “Four the Record,” on 11/1/11, or Nov. 1, 2011.
-BAM
