Video: All-American Rejects ring the NYSE bell
Stillwater pop-rock band The All-American Rejects posted on Facebook today this video of the band ringing the bell this morning at the New York Stock Exchange.
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Added tickets released for Carrie Underwood’s Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction and concert
Carrie Underwood (Associated Press photo)
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame today released several additional blocks of reserved seating for its 2009 upcoming concert and induction ceremony, featuring Oklahoma artists Carrie Underwood, Rocky Frisco and Ramona Reed.
Underwood, Frisco and Reed have been named the class of 2009 inductees into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, joining other previously inducted performers and artists including Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson, Hank Thompson, The All-American Rejects and David Gates.
The three will perform at the 13th Annual Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony & Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday. The event will be at the Muskogee Civic Center, 405 Boston Street.
To date, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum has honored more than 50 individuals or groups for their talents and contributions to the music industry, including inductees into the prestigious Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
In addition to the class of 2009 inductees, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame will present C.H. Parker with the coveted Governor’s Award, an honor given only three times in the past. Gov. Brad Henry will attend the event to present the award.
For tickets or information, call (918) 687-0800 or go to www.omhof.com or www.oklahomamusichalloffame.com. Ticket prices range from $39.95 to $79.95, plus handling charges.
About the 2009 Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Inductees:
Carrie Underwood, the reigning Academy of Country Music Entertainer of The Year, three-time reigning ACM and Country Music Association Female Vocalist of The Year and four-time Grammy winner, will release her new album, “Play On,” Nov. 3 on 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville. Producer Mark Bright, who helmed her hit-filled 2007 album ”Carnival Ride,” as well as seven tracks including four No. 1 hits from Underwood’s blockbuster 2005 debut, “Some Hearts.”
Earlier this year, Underwood became the first country artist in history to achieve 10 No. 1 singles from their first two albums when “I Told You So” became the fifth consecutive chart-topper from “Carnival Ride,” which also included the smash, “Just a Dream,” and three hits Underwood co-wrote: “So Small,” “All-American Girl,” and “Last Name.” To date, Underwood is the best-selling “American Idol” winner with album sales of more than 10 million.
Rocky Frisco is a 1955 graduate of Central High School in Tulsa, where he met singer-songwriter J.J. Cale. Frisco has played piano for some of rock’s most lauded visionaries, including the great and hugely influential Cale. He played in Cale’s band throughout his life. He also has played with Flash Terry, the Gene Cross Band, Clyde Stacy, Danny McBride, Tom Skinner’s Science Project and many others. He had a limited movie career, which included appearing in the 2003 remake of Where the Red Fern Grows. He once rode a Schwinn bike from Tulsa to Killeen, Texas, as a publicity stunt for KOME Radio to do an interview with Elvis Presley. He also jammed privately with Elvis Presley while there.
Ramona Reed was raised on a ranch near Talihina and was yodeling by the time she was talking. From an early age, Reed knew she wanted to have a career in music. In 1947, Reed participated in the Ted Mac Amateur Hour television program, perhaps the American Idol of its day. She earned a spot in the semi-finals and eventually earned 5th place.
Using the stage name Martha White, Reed began her career on the Grand Ole Opry where she worked with such greats as Hank Williams Sr, Roy Acuff, Red Foley and Minnie Pearl.
She started working for Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys in 1951, and performed at the Bob Wills Ranch House and toured with Bob Wills on a regular basis. Reed is the only female singer to record a duet with Bob Wills, MCA’s “Little Girl, Little Girl.” Reed continues to perform with the Texas Playboys and has been invited to share the stage with Asleep At the Wheel on numerous occasions.
Reed has been honored by the Western Swing Hall of Fame the and was designated as a Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame Pioneer.
About the 2009 Governor’s Award Recipient:
C.H. Parker is a longtime music instructor and director at Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah. For years, he coordinated its summer country music program Downtown Country, a regular live-music event featuring student performers that included Carrie Underwood. It was during that time that she and Parker came to know each other. Parker has produced the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Concert & Induction ceremony since its inception in 1997.
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Wednesday Video Spotlight: All-American Rejects
Oklahoma pop-rock band The All-American Rejects continues to make the rounds with new single “I Wanna,” the opening track from the 2008 album “When the World Comes Down.”
The Rejects performed the song Tuesday night (technically, early this morning) on “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.” The band recently played the song on “Today,” too.
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Wednesday Video Spotlight: AAR on “Today”
Oklahoma pop-rockers The All-American Rejects appeared Friday on the “Today” show’s Toyota Summer Concert Series.
Besides performing three of their hits and showing off their matching tattoos on the show, the band also took questions from country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Oklahoman Joe Don Rooney, in an exclusive Web video.
Enjoy these AAR videos from “Today.” And remember that rockers Kings of Leon, who also have Oklahoma ties, will appear on the morning show July 31.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
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All-American Rejects playing “Today” Friday, Kings of Leon to be on show later this month
The All-American Rejects (Photo by Sarah Phipps/The Oklahoman)
Kings of Leon
Oklahoma pop-rock band The All-American Rejects will play Friday on NBC’s “Today” show.
The performance will be part of the morning program’s Toyota Summer Concert series.
Also, alt-rockers Kings of Leon, which also have Oklahoma ties, will perform July 31 on “Today.”
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CD review: “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” soundtrack
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Soundtrack
Various artists “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Album” (Reprise)
Modern and emo-rock bands like Staind, Hoobastank and Nickelback add extra sonic fuel to the many battles, crashes and explosions in the summer blockbuster “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”
For the soundtrack, director Michael Bay and Co. assembled a collection of loud, driving rock tracks ideal for accenting the mega-hit movie’s biggest draw: the ginormous action sequences featuring the towering transforming robots known as Autobots (the good guys) and Decepticons (the baddies).
Linkin Park contributes the film’s theme and opening track, “New Divide,” and it’s vintage Linkin Park with Chester Bennington’s distinctive vocals soaring over colossal guitars, thudding drums and an electronic interlude.
Cavo and Taking Back Sunday offer the anthemic “Let It Go” and “Capital M-E,” respectively, to punctuate the film’s hero moments, while The Fray’s “Never Say Never” and Theory of a Deadman’s “Not Meant to Be” have the movie’s romantic aspect covered.
Stillwater’s The All-American Rejects put in a shot of energy with their dynamic, distorted “Real World,” and Green Day’s “21 Gun Salute” gives the album some tuneful gravitas.
The album’s standout track, which unfortunately wasn’t actually included in the film, has to be Cheap Trick’s fun, full-tilt remix of the 1980s “Transformers” cartoon theme song.
None of the tracks are unforgettable signature songs for the bands involved, but The Used’s shrill rendition of the Talking Heads’ “Burning Down the House” is more deadly than Starscream, Megatron and the other Decepticons combined.
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Rascal Flatts with gravy, egg and cheese join Denny’s Rockstar menu
Former Picher resident Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts, left, and lead singer Gary LeVox with Rascal Flatts perform last Friday night at Buffalo Run Casino Amphitheatre in Miami, OK, just three miles from Rooney’s hometown. (Photo by Gary Crow/For The Oklahoman)
Rascal Flatts band member, from left, Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney (who hails from Picher), show their Unstoppable Breakfast in the Denny’s kitchen. You’d better rock as hard as they are in the above photo to afford this gravy-covered calorie bomb.
Multi-platinum-selling country music group Rascal Flatts, which includes guitarist Joe Don Rooney of Picher, are joining the new Denny’s Rockstar menu.
Named after the band’s latest hit album, Rascal Flatts’ Unstoppable Breakfast will headline the revamped Denny’s Rockstar menu, along with items from rock bands Good Charlotte, Gym Class Heroes and Sum 41.
The Rockstar menu, presented by Dr Pepper, is part of Denny’s ongoing Allnighter program, which is, as a news release puts it, “a sub-brand launched last spring that provides young, late-night customers with shareable food in a cool dining atmosphere from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.”
Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus, Rooney and Denny’s Chef Andrew Dismore created what is politely described as what “could be the heartiest breakfast around.” The Unstoppable Breakfast includes a biscuit topped with country-fried steak, eggs (prepped to the customer’s liking), American cheese, country gravy and three strips of bacon, served with a side of hash browns.
Sheesh, you’d better share it, or “Here Comes Goodbye” to your waistline.
“After spending many late-nights eating at Denny’s after shows, we jumped at the chance to create a dish customers will really enjoy,” said LeVox in the release.
“Like Denny’s, we work very hard to provide our fans with a high-quality product at a fair price, so naming our breakfast after our current album, ‘Unstoppable’ made perfect sense. We put our hearts and souls into recording the album and the same can be said for the Unstoppable Breakfast; this is just the kind of meal we’re looking for after a show, and we think our fans at Denny’s will enjoy it.”
Past Denny’s Rockstar menus have offered The Hooburrito (from Hoobastank), Plain White Shake (Plain White Ts), Taking Back Bacon Burger Fries (Taking Back Sunday), and The Great Eggsteak (Boys Like Girls). Oklahoma alt-pop/rock band The All-American Rejects also were featured on a past Rockstar menu with The All-American S.O.S., hashbrowns and a slice of grilled Texas toast topped with a burger patty, cheese, grilled onions and sausage gravy.
“Denny’s has a heritage for serving late-night meals to bands and music fans dating back to the 1950s, and the Rockstar menu is a great way to celebrate that history,” said Mark Chmiel, chief marketing and innovation officer for Denny’s, in the release.
“Bands from the two previous Rockstar menus really enjoyed working with our chef to create premium items that not only reflected their personalities but tasted great. Rascal Flatts, Good Charlotte, Gym Class Heroes and Sum 41 are continuing the trend of providing Denny’s customers with exciting late-night dining options through the third Rockstar menu.”
The new Rockstar menu, with items starting at $3.99, will be available in Denny’s eateries on June 23.
Since we’re on the subject of Rascal Flatts, don’t forget about my live-blog of the CMT Music Awards tonight. The awards show starts at 7 p.m. on CMT, and the band not only is nominated, they are performing.
Plus, check out this great photo Gary Crow took for The Oklahoman of Rascal Flatts’ big show last Friday at Buffalo Run Casino Amphitheatre in Miami, just three miles from Rooney’s hometown of Picher.
Check out the other items on the new Denny’s Rockstar menu after the break.
All-American Rejects featured on “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” soundtrack
The All-American Rejects
From left, Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox and Optimus Prime in the sequel.
Oklahoma alt-pop rockers The All-American Rejects will contribute their song “Real World” to the soundtrack of the blockbuster sequel “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.”
Reprise Records will release the soundtrack to the hotly anticipated feature film on June 23, the day before the film opens in theaters, according to a news release.
the sequel to the 2007 Oscar®-nominated summer blockbuster Transformers, hits theaters nationwide.
The film’s director and executive producer Michael Bay asked Warner Bros. Records’ multiplatinum rock band Linkin Park to provide the sonic backdrop to the live-action robot fantasy film. Not only did the band write and record the film’s theme song, titled “New Divide,” specifically for the soundtrack, they were also asked by Bay, Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer, and award-winning composer Steve Jablonsky to contribute to the score. “New Divide” is currently available for purchase on iTunes.
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Album” also features music from Green Day (who contribute “21 Guns” – a song from their new album “21st Century Breakdown”), Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Cavo, The Fray, Staind, Nickelback, Cheap Trick and more.
In addition to the original soundtrack, Reprise will be releasing “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen: The Score” on June 23.
Opening in theaters on June 24, “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” is the sequel to the 2007 smash “Transformers.” Based on Hasbro’s iconic toy line, the film stars Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson and John Turturro.
It will be Linkin Park’s second project with Bay. The first “Transformers” film featured the band’s smash hit single “What I’ve Done,” which rocketed to No. 1 on both Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks and Hot Modern Rock Tracks charts. The double-platinum-selling track was one of five top 10 singles that appeared on the group’s most recent album, “Minutes To Midnight,” which sold more than 6 million copies.
In “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) again joins with the Autobots against their sworn enemies, the Decepticons. Michael Bay directs from a screenplay written by Ehren Kruger, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.
Here is the song list for the soundtrack:
1. Linkin Park “New Divide”
2. Green Day “21 Guns”
3. Cavo “Let It Go”
4. Taking Back Sunday “Capital M-E”
5. The Fray “Never Say Never”
6. Nickelback “Burn It To The Ground”
7. The Used “Burning Down The House”
8. Theory Of A Deadman “Not Meant To Be”
9. The All-American Rejects “Real World”
10. Hoobastank “Don’t Think I Love You”
11. Staind “This Is It”
12. Avenged Sevenfold “Almost Easy”
13. Cheap Trick “Transformers The Fallen Remix”
-BAM
“Another Hot Oklahoma Night” opens today at the Oklahoma History Center
James Petree, Oklahoma City, gets on his knees to get a photo of the Collins Kids display at the opening of Another Hot Oklahoma Night rock ‘n’ roll history exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center today. (Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman)
While I was checking out an early screening of “Star Trek” and collecting comic books at Free Comic Book Day, my colleague George Lang was covering the grand opening of the huge exhibit “Another Hot Oklahoma Night,” which pays homage to our state’s rich rock ‘n’ roll heritage.
Local bands Mike Black and the Stingrays, The City Lives, Unmarked Cars and more performed at today’s grand opening, according to George’s Staticblog.
In addition, a VIP event on Friday night brought out Oklahoma music stars such as Wanda Jackson, The Flaming Lips, Steve Ripley and more. George and the Tulsa World’s Jennifer Chancellor covered that VIP event while I was at the Paseo Gallery Walk.
From the looks of their stories, it seems that most musicians and visitors have been raving about this exhibit, which I personally can’t wait to see.
“All of this looks like something you’d see in the Smithsonian,” said Flaming Lips manager Scott Booker at the VIP event at the center on Friday. “I was in Washington D.C. recently, and this rivals anything you’d see there.”
Click here to read what head Lip Wayne Coyne and others had to tell George about the exhibit. You can read quotes from Jackson, Ripley and more by clicking here.
And for more on the exhibit and the opening festivities, go to George’s Staticblog at blog.newsok.com/staticblog.
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What to do in Oklahoma on May 2
This Hanson display is part of the “Another Hot Oklahoma Night” rock ‘n’ rock exhibit at Oklahoma History Center. (Photo by Paul Hellstern/The Oklahoman)
Today’s featured event:
Celebrate the grand opening of the new exhibit “Another Hot Oklahoma Night,” which explores and celebrates Oklahoma’s rock ‘n’ roll history.
The grand opening is today at the Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N Laird.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, the opening will feature live music by John Moreland & the Black Gold Band, Crocodile, The City Lives, The Oh Johnny! Girls, Mike Black and & the Stingrays, Ali Harter, Unmarked Cars, Camille Harp, Wes Reynolds, The Romantic Disaster, The Gunship, Rainbows Are Free, The Undecided and All But 1.
The festivities also will include a tie-dye area, rock star makeovers, “Guitar Hero” gameplay, rock star photo ops, and costume contests to pick the best ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s outfits.
Admission is free Saturday.
If you can’t make it Saturday, regular admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students and free for children younger than 5.
Personally, I can’t wait to see this exhibit. Kudos to the Oklahoma History Center and all others involved for finally recognizing Oklahoma’s talented rockers.
To read more about the exhibit, click here to read Gene Triplett’s preview story.
For more information, call 522-0765 or go to www.AnotherHotOklahomaNight.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
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