Lyle Lovett and Michael Schumacher will headline Friday’s Hometown Heroes Slide & Freestyle Reining charity event in Oklahoma City
Grammy winner Lyle Lovett will return to headline this year’s 4R Performance Horses Hometown Heroes Slide & Freestyle Reining charity event Friday in Oklahoma City. (AP file)
Mercedes Grand Prix driver Michael Schumacher, of Germany, flashes a thumbs up at the end of the Formula One Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos race track in Sao Paulo, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. Seven-time world champion Schumacher is retiring after the 2012 season. (AP)
Since 2007, the Reining Horse Sports Foundation has produced a unique, entertaining event sponsored by 4R Performance Horses to benefit a local charity. Since last year’s event, the 4R Performance Horses Hometown Heroes Slide & Freestyle Reining, was so successful, the foundation decided to bring it back this year with celebrity team captains Grammy Award-winning Lyle Lovett and Formula One race car driver Michael Schumacher.
The event benefits the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and is set for 6 p.m. Friday at the National Reining Horse Association Futurity & Adequan North American Affiliate Championship Show at Oklahoma State Fair Park.
WHAT IS THE HOMETOWN HEROES SLIDE & FREESTYLE REINING?
Hometown heroes from local police and fire stations will hop on top of fast-spinning and smooth-sliding reining horses to benefit the Oklahoma City National Memorial. Spectators are encouraged to come and cheer on their favorite team in a friendly “firefighters vs. police officers” competition. The hometown hero riders have been paired with some of the National Reining Horse Association’s professionals and trainers as they combine efforts to master a reining pattern. The riders are awarded points on their performance that are combined later with their celebrity captain’s score and freestyle rider’s score to see if Team Fire or Team Police come out on top. Last year, Team Fire blazed to victory and took home the bragging rights.
CELEBRITY CAPTAINS
Lyle Lovett, Team Fire Captain: Lovett has earned four Grammy Awards including Best Country Album and Best Male Country Vocal Performance. He recorded his own brand of music, a unique mix of blues, R&B, jazz, gospel and country, since 1980 with more than a dozen albums to date. His highest entry, the number 10 chart hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country song chart, “Cowboy Man.” But Lovett’s talents don’t end there. This accomplished entertainer is also a well-respected songwriter and has a lengthy list of acting credits.
Michael Schumacher, Team Police Captain: Schumacher, a seven-time Formula One Racing World Champion, is joining us from Switzerland. He tops many of Formula One’s driver records: most championships, race victories, fastest laps, pole positions, points scored, most races won in a single season, earliest world champion, podium places and leading laps. According to the official Formula One website he is “statistically the greatest driver the sport has ever seen.”
TEAM POLICE
Local police heroes will be represented by:
Oklahoma City Police Major Bill Weaver
Oklahoma City Police Sergeant Katie Lawson
Oklahoma City Police Captain Kim Flowers
TEAM FIRE
The following firemen will proudly compete on behalf of their colleagues:
Oklahoma City Fire Chief Keith Bryant
Oklahoma City Fire Lieutenant Johnathan Akright
Oklahoma City Fire Corporal Bret Barber
FREESTYLE REINERS
Each team in the competition will include a freestyle reiner whose score will be added to each team’s points.
Melanie Wilhelm – Team Police Freestyle Rider – NRHA Professional from Nazareth, Tex. Wilhelm competed at the 2012 NRHA Cowtown Classic Invitational Freestyle where she took third place.
Shane Brown – Team Fire Freestyle Rider – NRHA Professional from Elbert, Colo. Brown’s routines are recognized for being timeless and moving. He took home the Champion title during the 2012 NRHA Cowtown Classic Invitational Freestyle.
Making an encore presentation for the crowd’s entertainment will be NRHA Professional Pete Kyle from Whitesboro, Texas. He is known for showing off his great sense of humor in his routines. Last year, his performance for Team Fire ride was a major hit with the crowd.
REINING COACHES
The guest competitors will get a crash course in the sport from some of the best reining trainers and competitors in the world. This year’s coaches include: Jarvis Anderson (NRHA Professional and NRHA Judge with NRHA LTE of $314,000), Todd Arvidson (NRHA Judge with NRHA LTE of $130,000), Todd Crawford (NRHA Professional with NRHA LTE of $872,000), Mike Jeffcoat (NRHA LTE of $76,000), Josh Visser (NRHA Professional and NRHA LTE of $175,000), Mack Weaver (NRHA Professional and NRHA Judge with LTE of $71,000).
TICKETS
The 4R Performance Horses Hometown Heroes Slide is Friday, November 30 at 6 p.m. at the Oklahoma State Fair Park’s Jim Norick Arena (Coliseum). General admission is $11 and box seats are $21. Members of the military receive buy-one, get-one-free admission with valid military ID, and children age 10 and younger get in free. Get tickets online at www.okstatefair.com.
CHILI COOK-OFF
To raise additional funds, a Chili Cook-Off will take place at 4 p.m. as firemen and police officers battle it out to see who has the most scrumptious dish. The winner will be announced during the 4R Performance Horses Hometown Heroes Slide & Freestyle Reining.
REINING HORSE SPORTS FOUNDATION
The Reining Horse Sports Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and enhancing the sport of Reining worldwide. The RHSF accomplishes this through their five core programs: NRHA Hall of Fame, Crisis Fund, Research, Development & Education, Youth Programs and International Development. For more information about the Foundation, go to www.rhsf.com.
OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL MEMORIAL & MUSEUM
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum is a state-of-the-art interactive learning museum that tells the story of those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever. By the use of more than a dozen computers and two hours of video, and more than 300 artifacts the Memorial Museum tells the story of one of the largest terrorist attacks on American soil. Since opening, the Outdoor Symbolic Memorial has hosted more than 4.4 million visitors and the Memorial Museum has had more than 1.6 million visitors.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum does not receive annual operating funds from the federal, state or local government. Museum admissions, store sales, the OKC Memorial Marathon, earnings from an endowment and private fundraising allow the Memorial and Museum to be self-sustaining.
The Memorial staff is headquartered in Oklahoma City, Okla., housed in offices in the Memorial Museum Building, a restored historic building on the National Register of Historic Places. The building, which is adjacent to the Alfred P. Murrah site, also received severe bomb damage on April 19, 1995. Visit the museum online at oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.
-BAM
Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain still seeking her stolen guitars
Earlier this month, Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain had both her guitars stolen from her Shawnee home, and they remain missing.
One was a Martin 00-15 acoustic with Rare Earth pickups in a grey fiberglass case; the other was her red Fender Jag-Stang with the strap stuck on with leopard print duct tape, in a nice silver flight case. Samantha said, “I’ve had that Martin for so long now and it’s just become an extension of me almost…a limb even! I’ve written all of my albums on that guitar, and it will be very sad if I never see it again.”
Crain is getting ready to tour and promote her new album “Kid Face,” due out Feb. 19.
Although she just got a new electric, Samantha tells me she still is hoping her other guitars will be returned. She asks all fans and friends to keep their eyes and ears out for the guitars, which is playing in the pictures posted here.
-BAM
“Duck Dynasty” breaks more viewership records for A&E, plans one-hour Christmas special next week
Another week, another record for “Duck Dynasty.” Wednesday night’s back-to-back premieres of A&E’s hit series were watched by record audiences across all key demos, according to a news release citing Nielsen.
An astounding 4.9 million viewers tuned in to the 9:30 p.m. episode. The episode was also watched by a series record 2.8 million adults 18-49 and 2.9 million adults 25-54, becoming the most-watched series telecast in network history among the key adult 25-54 demo, according to the release.
The 9 p.m. episode garnered 4.7 million total viewers as well as 2.7 million adults 25-54 and 2.6 million adults 18-49. The 9:30 and 9 p.m. episodes of “Duck Dynasty” were likely the No. 1 and No. 2 telecasts on cable last night in adults 18-49, 25-54 and total viewers, according to the release. A&E is also likely to finish as the No. 1 cable network last night in prime among all key demos (once competitive data becomes available).
“Duck Dynasty” also was the most social show on cable Wednesday night. According to the release, the series had more total activity across all major social media platforms than any other telecast on cable for the night, citing Trendrr.TV.
Season two of “Duck Dynasty” has grown by 122 percent in total viewers, 118 percent in adults 25-54 and 109% in adults 18-49 versus the season one average. The series is Wednesday’s No. 1 entertainment telecast on cable among total viewers and adults 25-54.
Next week marks the last premiere of 2012, with a one-hour holiday special episode at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5. Here is a synopsis:
It’s the holiday season and as usual, the Robertsons are doing things a little differently. The family gears up for Ms. Kay’s big Christmas party where her ultimate cooking creation takes center stage: the “Pirducken” (pig that’s been stuffed in a turkey, then stuffed in a duck and then stuffed in a chicken). In preparation for the festivities, Jase and the rest of the boys inject some redneck flair into the house’s Christmas light decorations, while Ms. Kay and Phil head out on their land to cut down this year’s tree. Meanwhile, Willie volunteers to play Santa at a children’s church event and Si tags along as an uninvited elf.
-BAM
Video: Oklahoma musicians showcased on “Blackwatch Christmas Vol. II”
Don’t you just love a tuneful holiday tradition? Fowler VW and Blackwatch Studios are again offering local music fans a chance to download a collection of original seasonal songs and inventive covers of classic carols by central Oklahoma musicians.
To download “Blackwatch Christmas Vol. II” for free or to name your price for it, click here.
Check out the preview video former BAM’s Blog contributor Nathan Poppe created and set to Brine Webb’s new song “The Good List.”
Here is the track list for “Blackwatch Christmas Vol. II,” which includes Graham Colton’s “Holiday Season,” for which I shared the video Wednesday:
1. Stardeath and White Dwarfs – “Santa’s Magic Beard”
2. Dead Sea Choir – “Some Joke”
3. Brine Webb – “The Good List”
4. Jacob Abello – “Mary Did You Know”
5. Mike Hosty Duo – “Christmas Time”
6. Graham Colton – Holiday Season
7. Denver Duncan – “Christmas With You”
8. Parker Millsap – “Go Tell It On The Mountain”
9. Shi–y/Awesome – “Saturnailia”
10. Hector Comancho – “Squeezin’ Them Presents”
Fowler VW’s free annual holiday concert, featuring bands that contributed songs to “A Blackwatch Christmas Vol. II, is set for 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, in downtown Norman at STASH, 412 E Main Street.
-BAM
Video: Blake Shelton chats, performs “Jingle Bell Rock” on “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” appearing tonight on “Chelsea Lately”
Blake Shelton (AP file)
Oklahoma country music superstar Blake Shelton did an interview and performed Wednesday night on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Check out both parts of the interview posted below, as well as his performance of “Jingle Bell Rock,” featuring “The Voice” Season 2 contestant Gwen Sebastian, in the last segment of the full episode video.
The Tishomingo resident also will appear at 10 tonight on “Chelsea Lately” on E!.
And his first holiday TV special, “Blake Shelton’s Not-So-Family Christmas,” will air at 9 p.m. Monday immediately following the hit reality series “The Voice,” on which he appears as a celebrity coach.
Look for my column previewing “Blake Shelton’s Not-So-Family Christmas” on Friday.
-BAM
Listen: J.D. McPherson releases original holiday song “Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights),” plans late-night TV appearances
Recently included in Rolling Stone’s “Band to Watch” list, JD McPherson now has released a terrifically fun original holiday tune called “Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights), which debuted exclusively on RollingStone.com. Click here to listen to the song, which will be available Dec. 11 on iTunes.
The Oklahoma rockabilly revivalist, who hails from Broken Arrow, will perform “Twinkle (Little Christmas Lights)” Dec. 13 on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” which airs at 10:35 p.m. weekdays on NBC.
“I love the whole of Christmas: lights, cold weather, sentiment, poinsettias, baby Jesus, popcorn laurels, Santa,” McPherson says in a new release. “I even admire the well-tuned machine of commercialism. There are loads of holiday songs—only a handful of rockin’, rollin’ Christmas songs, though. So, here’s our offering.”
In addition, the former art teacher will perform the track “Fire Bug” from his critically acclaimed album, “Signs & Signifiers,” next Tuesday on “The Late Show with David Letterman,” which airs at 10:35 p.m. weekdays on CBS.
Lauded as “a sound that is vibrantly reminiscent of 50s after hours dancehall hits mixed with angsty tunes to appease the most brooding bluesman,” (Yahoo! Music) JD and his band have blazed the country this year with his “timeless, forward-thinking rock & roll” (Rolling Stone). His self-directed video for “North Side Gal” has garnered more than 1 million views to date.
The Oklahoman traveled to Chicago to record “Signs & Signifiers” at Hi-Style studio, which is housed in the attic of producer/bassist/studio owner Jimmy Sutton’s home and is 100 percent analog. “I have recorded this style of music in the digital realm, and it just doesn’t quite “sing” as much. Slamming that ¼-inch tape really hard produced the most beautiful distortion I’ve ever heard,” says McPherson in the release.
Featuring JD McPherson (lead and backing vocals, guitar), Jimmy Sutton (bass), and Alex Hall (drums, piano, organ), the album was recorded through a collection of vintage microphones into an old 1960’s Berlant 1/4-inch tape machine. The 12-track album kicks off with the fervent pulse of the first single, “North Side Gal,” and segues into one of the albums two covers, McPherson’s take on “Country Boy,” an old R&B number originally written and recorded by Tiny Kennedy.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 29, 2012: Attend the Danny Goldberg Master Class at ACM@UCO
Danny Goldberg
Today’s featured event:
Hear Danny Goldberg, manager of some of the biggest music artists of the past 40 years including Nirvana, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Earle, Sonic Youth, the Allman Brothers and the Beastie Boys, give a Master Class at 7 tonight at the ACM@UCO, 329 E Sheridan.
Doors open at 6 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public. Seating is first-come, first-served.
“I try to be enthusiastic about anybody I manage. It’s kind of almost like a code,” Goldberg told Gene. “I hate to, it’s almost like choosing among family members who you love the most.
“Historically there was no question that the artist that I managed that had the greatest impact was Nirvana. You know, there’s just no question about the unique talent, commercial success and cultural impact of that band.
“I was very proud that I managed Bonnie Raitt when she did her sort of comeback and won all the Grammys, including Album of the Year. And among my current clients, I just love all of them. The one I started the company with, the first client I had at this company, GoldVE, was Steve Earle, who I’d previously worked with at Artemus Records. He and I have worked together now between those two roles for more than a dozen years, so that’s the longest I’ve ever worked with anybody. So those are three that I could justify singling out.”
To read more of Gene’s interview with Goldberg, click here.
For more information, go to www.facebook.com/ACM.UCO.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Graham Colton “Holiday Season”
Graham Colton works on recordings at Blackwatch Studios on Friday, Sept 2, 2011, in Norman, Okla. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman Archives
Check out the video for Oklahoma City singer-songwriter Graham Colton’s new yuletide tune “Holiday Season.”
To buy the single, click here.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Prince “Rock and Roll Love Affair”
Want to see something cool? Check out Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Prince playing guitar and keyboard at the same time in his new single “Rock and Roll Love Affair.”
Now that’s cool.
Naturally, the track was written, recorded and produced by Prince. To buy it, go to www.purplemusic.ch.
-BAM
Blake Shelton to appear tonight on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Thursday on “Chelsea Lately”
Blake Shelton (AP file)
Oklahoma country music superstar will be all over your television dial in the next few days.
The Tishomingo resident will give an interview and performance tonight on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” airing at 10:35 p.m. on NBC. He also will appear at 10 p.m. Thursday on “Chelsea Lately” on E!. And his first holiday TV special, “Blake Shelton’s Not-So-Family Christmas,” will air at 9 p.m. Monday immediately following the hit reality series “The Voice,” on which he appears as a celebrity coach.
Look for my column previewing “Blake Shelton’s Not-So-Family Christmas” on Friday.
-BAM
