Best Bets for Jan. 20-22, 2012: Pat Green, “The Addams Family,” Bona Fide Villains & OKC Improv
Bona Fide Villains
Here are my picks for the Best Bets for entertainment happening in Oklahoma City this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. SHAWNEE — Hear Texas country star Pat Green at 7 p.m. Saturday at Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.
2. Make a call on “The Addams Family” during the first national tour of the Broadway musical at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: (800) 869-1451 or www.celebrityattractions.com.
3. Listen to Oklahoma indie bands Bona Fide Villains and Ghandi Hospital at 10 p.m. Friday at VZD’s, 4200 N Western. Information: 524-4203 or www.vzds.com.
4. Laugh at the premiere performances of One State Two State Red State Blue State and Off-Book: Musical Morsels at 10 p.m. Saturday during the latest OKC Improv showcase at Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker. Information: 343-1570 or www.okcimprov.com.
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What to do in Oklahoma on Jan. 14, 2012: Laugh at loud at OKC Improv at Ghostlight Theatre Club
Today’s featured event:
Laugh at loud tonight during the latest OKC Improv showcase at Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker in the Paseo Arts District.
At 8 p.m., students from Casady High School will showcase their razor sharp short-form chops, followed by boundary-crossing comedy of The Big O. The darling dames of themed comedy, The MiDolls, will close out the 8 p.m. show. Hoofer Scott Hynes also will be performing improvised tap dance numbers throughout the show.
At 10 p.m., two Tulsa-based groups take the stage: the top-secret short form comedy of Operation Improv, followed by improvised medical sitcom Best Medicine. The 10 p.m. show closes out with the nefarious comedy of Villain: The Musical as they create an entire one-act musical where the bad guy is always the main character.
For more information, go to www.okcimprov.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
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What to do in Oklahoma on Jan. 8, 2012: Laugh at comedian Kyle Kinane at City Arts Center
Kyle Kinane
Today’s featured event:
Laugh out loud as stand-up standout Kyle Kinane, along with comedians Cameron Buchholtz, Zach Smith and Spencer Hicks perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at City Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd. at State Fair Park.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
Kinane, one of Variety’s “Ten Comics to Watch” in 2010, has appeared on “Conan” and “Last Call with Carson Daly” and is bringing a world premiere with him.
The show will include the debut of the three-minute cartoon short “Bastard Road,” based on the comic created by writer Brian Winkeler, of Yukon, and artist Dave Curd, formerly of Edmond. Kinane and comedian Brian Posehn provide the voices, according to NewsOK.
The comic, about the post-apocalyptic wanderings of an amnesiac warrior, has appeared in the award-winning “Popgun” series of graphic novel anthologies from Image Comics. Eric Sandhop, of Oklahoma City, drew the comic in the most recent anthology, “Popgun” Vol. 4.”
Winkeler said he and Curd are currently pitching “Road” as an animated series and are at work on a 60-page graphic novel featuring the characters aimed at a summer release.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Best Bets for Jan. 6-8, 2012: Hear Damn Quails, Kyle Kinane, OKC Philharmonic and the Thunder
The Damn Quails
Here are my picks for the Best Bets for entertainment happening in Oklahoma City this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. Hear Norman-based duo singer-songwriter duo The Damn Quails at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Doors open at 6 p.m., and Brandon Clark Band will open. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
2. Laugh out loud as stand-up standout Kyle Kinane, along with comedians Cameron Buchholtz, Zach Smith and Spencer Hicks perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday at City Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd. at State Fair Park. Doors open at 7 p.m. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
3. Listen to pianist Andrew von Oeyen and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic play Beethoven, Handel and Rimsky-Korsakov for their program “Commoners and Kings” at 8 p.m. Saturday at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: 842-5387 or www.okcphilharmonic.org.
4. Cheer the Oklahoma City Thunder to victory over the Houston Rockets at 7 p.m. Friday and the San Antonio Spurs at 6 p.m. Sunday at Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno. Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.thunder.nba.com.
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OKC Improv kicks off third year with shows, workshops starting this weekend
Twinprov
OKC Improv, Oklahoma’s premier showcase for the best local and regional improvisational comedy and theater, kicks off its third year this weekend with new shows, classes, and workshops.
Performances will take place at 8 and 10 p.m. Saturdays, Jan. 7-Feb. 4 at Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker. Tickets are $10 each. $5 for improvisers and improv students. Admission is free if for those celebrating a birthday at the show. Many shows sell out so reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made via eMail at okcimprov@gmail.com or by calling 343-1570. For more information go to www.okcimprov.com.
2011 was an incredible year for OKC Improv. In addition to selling out more than half their shows, classes continue to grow with current and former students forming new groups. Their first semester teaching at Casady High School was a huge success that culminated in two stellar performances and participation in the 2011 Oklahoma Creativity Forum.
OKC Improv’s artistic directors, Buck and Clint Vrazel, represented Oklahoma for the first time at seven different festivals around the country and were recognized by OKCBiz’s “Forty Under 40″ for their innovative leadership and imp,act on the arts community in OKC. OKC Improv also was honored with the distinction of being accepted onto the Oklahoma Arts Council’s Performing Artist Roster.
OKC Improv is looking to make 2012 an even better year, kicking things off with an ambitious five-week run of shows featuring 29 different acts, including four OKC debuts and three world premieres. Austin, Texas-based duo Jorak and Jorak Do Movie will reenact a movie with their distinct Russian flair on Saturday.
OKC Improv hosts two Tulsa-based troupes to the stage on Jan. 14: short-form troupe Operation: Improv and improvised medical sitcom Best Medicine. On Jan. 28, Seattle-based improviser and puppeteer Elizabeth Westermann (Puppet Crush) will be joined on stage by Twinprov for OKC’s first ever puppet improv performance. Westermann will be teaching a workshop on puppet improv from noon to 3 p.m. the next day, Jan. 29.
World premieres include the politically charged One State Two State Red State Blue State made up of Kellen Hodgeson and Tim Huckeby (Ballpark Theater Co., Remote Control), Off-Book: Musical Morsels, a new musical improv project from the cast of Villain: The Musical, and narrative improv super troupe Ballpark Theater Company under the direction of Kyle Gossett (Twinprov, Villain: The Musical).
The upcoming run also will include the return of popular acts such as comedy nerd-pop-folk-rock-hip-hop band The Memepunks, boundary-crossing foursome The Big O, the darling dames of themed comedy The MiDolls, short-form troupes Take-One Productions, Casady Improv, and Homemade Fireworks, Rory Littleton’s one-man show “It’s Momma,” improvisational Shakespeare troupe Fortune’s Fools, playfully inventive husband-and-wife duo Red Letters, the improvised Broadway stylings of Villain: The Musical, the idiosyncratically explosive comedy of C-4, and the nationally acclaimed musical comedy of Twinprov.
OKC Improv is working through a new session of weekly improv classes for adults continuing through Feb. 4 at Ghostlight Theatre Club. The Level 1 class will take place at noon, Level 2 at 2 p.m. and Level 3 at 4 p.m. There will be a Level 1 (Week 1) recap at 11 a.m. Saturday for those who missed the first class in this session on Dec. 31. The first class attended is free; cost is $10 for each additional class. To enroll call (405) 343-1570 or email okcimprov@gmail.com. For more information on classes and workshops go to www.okcimprov.com.
In addition to the normal Saturday Level 1-3 improv classes, OKC Improv will be hosting a series of five advanced workshops on Sundays starting this weekend through Feb. 5 from noon to 3 p.m. at Ghostlight.
Shane McClure (Everybody and Their Dog, Fortunes Fools) will get things started this coming Sunday with a “Stage Combat” workshop (cost $20) followed by “Building a Show” taught by Buck and Clint Vrazel on Jan. 15 (cost $25). OKC Improv Managing Director Eric Webb will teach a workshop on “Management and Publicity” on Jan. 22 (cost $20). Seattle-based improviser and puppeteer Elizabeth Westermann (Puppet Crush) will teach “Puppet Improv” on Jan. 29 (cost $30). For the first time in more than a year and a half, Buck and Clint Vrazel will teach their nationally acclaimed “Freestyle Rap” workshop here in OKC on Feb. 5 (cost $25). Limited spaces are available. To reserve a seat in any of the advanced workshops call (405) 343-1570 or email okcimprov@gmail.com.
OKC Improv is dedicated to the art of improvisational comedy and theater. In addition to producing regular shows featuring the best local and regional improv acts, the organization works to raise awareness and understanding of improv among audiences and practitioners through publicity, outreach, and education including ongoing classes and workshops.
See the schedule for OKC Improv’s winter run after the break.
Oklahoma City’s Opening Night rings in New Year with an array of entertainment
Ravi Riyanto, 8, of Norman, Okla., participates in Opening Night activities at the Cox Convention Center on Friday, Dec. 31, 2010, in Oklahoma City. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman Archives
From Saturday’s The Oklahoman.
Opening Night rings in 2012 with an array of entertainment
The alcohol-free, family-friendly event will spread 40 performers across eight different downtown venues, with nonstop entertainment starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. A world-famous magician, a local roller derby squad and musicians of practically every sonic preference are on the bill for the venerable year-end bash.
“What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?” asks the old song by Oscar-winning composer Frank Loesser.
For downtown Oklahoma City party-goers who choose to ring in 2012 Saturday at Opening Night, the better question might be “what aren’t you doing New Year’s Eve?”
A world-famous magician, a local roller derby squad and musicians of practically every sonic preference are on the bill for the venerable year-end bash along with improv comedians, an Elvis impersonator and a hypnotist.
Presented by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, the alcohol-free, family-friendly event will spread 40 performers across eight different downtown venues, with nonstop entertainment starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.
The children’s area inside the Cox Convention Center will feature live entertainment, hands-on art projects, face painting and an inflatable obstacle course, plus it will serve as headquarters for the event-wide scavenger hunt.
When it comes planning out the celebration, organizers aim to provide a wide variety of entertainment.
“We have performers all across downtown. With musicians and theater and dance, there’s really just a little bit of something for everyone,” said Opening Night Director Christina Foss.
About 60,000 people rang in 2011 at last year’s Opening Night.
The Opening Night Finale Ball is moved from its storage location on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011, in Oklahoma City by crews from Allied Steel Construction Co., for its final preparations before it is moved into the downtown Oklahoma City. The ball will be lifted during the countdown to welcoming in the new year as the grand finale of Opening Night activities. The ball is decorated with 5,000 lights, a mirror ball, weighs 3000 pounds and is 10 feet tall. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Grand finale
The recent reopening of the renovated Myriad Botanical Gardens, coupled with ongoing downtown construction, prompted organizers to move this year’s finale from its traditional spot in Kerr Park to the new Myriad Gardens Grand Lawn.
“It’s just going to be beautiful for the fireworks and with the sightlines, and it’s a really good spot to gather thousands and thousands of people,” Foss said. “We’re very excited to have it there.”
At 11 p.m. Saturday, Smilin’ Vic and the Soul Monkeys will bring their high-energy fusion of rhythm, blues and soul to the finale stage. The year-end countdown will begin in earnest at 11:30 p.m. with a sound and light show involving police cars, fire trucks and a helicopter. To heighten the experience, lights will go out across downtown, including those in the Myriad Gardens, buildings and parking garages.
As the final seconds of 2011 tick down, the 10-foot mirrored and light-festooned ball will be lifted at least 15 stories above the crowd — while the ball drops in New York’s Times Square, the Opening Night ball rises to start the New Year on a literal high point — and colorful fireworks will burst in the air at the stroke of midnight.
The special exhibition "Chihuly: Northwest," opening New Year's Eve at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, recreates the Northwest Room at The Boathouse, which is Chihuly's studio in Seattle. On view through April 8, the exhibit features selections from famed glass artist Dale Chihuly's large collection of Pendleton trade blankets, along with American Indian-inspired glass pieces.
Artistic venue
“We did add a new venue — the Oklahoma City Museum of Art — this year, which will be fun,” Foss said. “I think that it’s going to be a very popular venue.”
Saturday night marks the museum’s first time to join in the Opening Night festivities, and it should be a bustling place.
The museum is marking the close of the special exhibits “Faded Elegance: Photographs of Havana by Michael Eastman” and “Poodles & Pastries (and Other Important Matters): New Paintings by Franco Mondini-Ruiz,” along with the grand reopening of its vast collection of Dale Chihuly glass art.
In conjunction with “Illuminations: Rediscovering the Art of Dale Chihuly,” a new temporary exhibit titled “Chihuly: Northwest,” which recreates the Northwest Room at Chihuly’s famed Seattle studio The Boathouse, also will open Saturday at the museum.
Museum members will preview “Illuminations” from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, and the redesigned Chihuly exhibit will open to the public from 8 to 11 p.m. Admission will be free to those with Opening Night wristbands.
Plus, jazz bands Bruce Benson & Studio B and Maurice Johnson will play in the museum’s lobby, while OKC Improv will bring live comedy to its theater.
“It’s an opening, last call and members’ preview all in one for the museum,” said Leslie Spears, the museum’s communications manager. “Bruce Benson and Maurice Johnson are seen often performing on our roof terrace in the summer months. Additionally, this is the first time OKC Improv has performed in our theater. We look forward to the fun.”
GOING ON
Opening Night 2012
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Where: Eight venues downtown.
Admission: Wristbands are $10 the day of the event. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Wristbands are available at 7-Eleven stores, metro-area Homeland stores, MidFirst Bank locations, Science Museum Oklahoma or at the event.
Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
See the Opening Night 2012 schedule after the break.
Oklahoma City will ring in New Year Saturday with Opening Night 2012
A crowd gathers in downtown Oklahoma City for the Opening Night 2009 finale.
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Opening Night to ring in Oklahoma City’s New Year
The annual New Year’s Eve event will bring together 40 performers in eight venues across downtown Oklahoma City, and the grand finale this year will move to the renovated Myriad Gardens.
As the giant disco ball rises Saturday night at the culmination of Opening Night 2012, it will not only light the way to the New Year but also spotlight one of downtown Oklahoma City’s reinvigorated treasures.
“The big thing that is new is the change in the finale venue. For the past 25 years, we’ve had the finale at Kerr Park, and this year, we have moved it over to the Myriad Gardens,” said Opening Night Director Christina Foss. “The gardens are newly renovated and just look beautiful, and it’s really the perfect gathering space for people.”
As usual, Opening Night 2012 will transform downtown into a huge variety show, bringing together rock bands, roller girls, magicians and more to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Organized by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, the alcohol-free, family-friendly event will assemble 40 performers in eight different venues, with the festivities starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Party-goers can enter every venue with an Opening Night wristband, which are $8 in advance or $10 at the event, while children younger than 5 are admitted free.
Gardens showcase
The Myriad Botanical Gardens reopened earlier this year after undergoing a $42 million makeover, and coupled with ongoing downtown construction, organizers decided to move this year’s Opening Night finale to the new Grand Lawn.
At 11 p.m. Saturday, Opening Night headliners Smilin’ Vic and the Soul Monkeys will bring their high-energy fusion of rhythm, blues and soul to the finale stage. The year-end countdown will begin in earnest at 11:30 p.m. with a sound and light show involving police cars, fire trucks and a helicopter. To heighten the anticipation and experience, lights will go out across downtown, including those in the Myriad Gardens, buildings and parking garages.
As the final seconds of 2011 tick down, the 10-foot mirrored and light-festooned ball will be lifted at least 15 stories above the crowd. When the clock strikes midnight, an extravagant fireworks show will herald the New Year.
Along with the finale events, Edmond acoustic rocker Jamie Bramble will perform throughout Opening Night at the illuminated Crystal Bridge, which received a facelift as part of the renovation.
“It’s going to be a blast,” Foss said. “We hope that everyone will go through the gardens and see them. … It’s a really good opportunity to see all the new stuff that’s there.”
Old and new
The Oklahoma City Museum of Art will be showcasing both familiar and new exhibits Saturday as it becomes an Opening Night venue for the first time.
The museum is marking the close of the special exhibits “Faded Elegance: Photographs of Havana by Michael Eastman” and “Poodles & Pastries (and Other Important Matters): New Paintings by Franco Mondini-Ruiz,” along with the grand reopening of its vast collection of Dale Chihuly glass art.
Also, the museum will open Saturday night a new temporary exhibit titled “Chihuly: Northwest,” which will feature glass creations inspired by the American Indian basketry, along with selections from the Chihuly’s large collections of Pendleton trade blankets and images by renowned Western photographer Edward S. Curtis.
“It’s an exciting time to be involved with Opening Night for the first time in our 10-year history … in downtown,” said Leslie Spears, the museum’s communications manager. “We’re thrilled to partner with our colleagues at the Arts Council of Oklahoma City and at the beautiful new Myriad Gardens.”
Museum members will preview “Illuminations” from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, and the redesigned Chihuly exhibit will open to the public from 8 to 11 p.m. Admission will be free to those with Opening Night wristbands.
From 11:30 p.m. to midnight, the museum’s Roof Terrace will host a champagne toast and viewing of the Opening Night fireworks. Tickets are $5 for guests and members, or free to patrons of the Museum Cafe’s annual New Year’s Eve Dinner.
In addition, two favorite jazz bands from the museum’s summer Roof Terrace concert series — Bruce Benson & Studio B and Maurice Johnson — will play in the museum lobby during Opening Night. OKC Improv will have improvisers performing throughout the event in the museum auditorium.
Nonstop entertainment
Once Opening Night starts Saturday night, the fun won’t stop until the next year rolls around. Famed musician David Thomas will conjure up his Vegas-style show World of Magic inside Cox Convention Center, the Ambassador’s Concert Choir will blend their voices at Leadership Square, and Tulsa band FM Pilots will rock Bank of Oklahoma.
The children’s area inside the Cox Center will offer art projects, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course and more.
“It’s always a lot of fun for families,” Foss said. “We have performers all across downtown. With musicians and theater and dance, there’s really just a little bit of something for everyone.”
GOING ON
Opening Night 2012
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday.
Where: Eight venues downtown.
Admission: Wristbands are $8 in advance, $10 the day of the event. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Wristbands are available at 7-Eleven stores, metro-area Homeland stores, MidFirst Bank locations, Science Museum Oklahoma or at the event.
Information: 270-4848 or www.artscouncilokc.com.
See the Opening Night 2012 schedule after the break.
Toby Keith to perform Saturday on Fox’s New Year’s Eve special
Toby Keith (AP file)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Toby Keith to perform on Fox’s New Year’s Eve special
The Oklahoma country music star is coming off a red-letter year highlighted by the viral success of his raucous party anthem “Red Solo Cup.”
Toby Keith will toast the arrival of 2012 with his “Red Solo Cup” as part of a nationally televised year-end bash.
The Oklahoma country music star will perform his popular party hit on the “American Country New Year’s Eve Live,” airing at 10 p.m. Central time Saturday on Fox.
Rodney Carrington
Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, who just played his annual post-Christmas stint at Shawnee’s FireLake Grand Casino, will host the holiday special with Rick Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell of the reality TV series “Pawn Stars.”
Country stars Joe Nichols, Rodney Atkins, Lauren Alaina and Eli Young Band also are set to musically ring in the New Year on the show, while comic Howie Mandel will make an appearance to share his New Year’s resolution and offer a sneak peak of his upcoming “Mobbed” series of specials.
For most of 2011, Keith experienced his usual excellent year: He was the highest-ranking country artist on Forbes’ roster of the World’s 25 Highest-Paid Musicians, his U.S. and European tours were blockbusters, and his annual album release, “Clancy’s Tavern,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard country album chart. The album’s first single, the flag-waving anthem “Made in America,” became one of the fastest-rising songs of his career as it bulleted to the top of the charts.
Overseas, the Norman resident embarked on his ninth United Service Organization Tour, and on the home front, he raised more than $650,000 for his Toby Keith Foundation at his eighth annual charity golf tournament and auction. Earlier this month, the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority approved the foundation’s plans to build the $8.5 million OK Kids Korral at NE 8 and Laird, where it will provide lodging for families with children undergoing cancer treatment at nearby facilities such as The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center.
The Clinton native opened several more of his I Love This Bar & Grill establishments, including new locations in Denver, Boston and Cincinnati, and successfully launched his own premium spirit brand, Toby Keith’s Wild Shot Mezcal.
But Keith’s fans will probably best remember 2011 as the year he toasted a familiar plastic beverage receptacle. Two months ago, he released online the music video for his raucous party anthem “Red Solo Cup,” and suddenly, Keith’s year became even more red-letter as the uproarious mini-movie went viral in a big way. Since its October release, the unedited version of the video has earned more than 7.7 million YouTube hits, and its popularity prompted Keith and his team to make it a single.
The top-15 hit has been covered on the cult favorite TV show “Glee” and spawned a holiday variation on the video, plus Keith performed it earlier this month on Fox’s American Country Awards after receiving the artist of the decade title as the country star with the most airplay over the past 10 years.
Keith has jokingly deemed “Red Solo Cup” “the most profound, intelligent thing I’ve ever done.”
“There’s nothing else out there like it, and it’s just one of those crazy things that happens sometimes in music,” Keith told The Oklahoman in a fall phone interview. “It’s just one of the craziest things we’ve ever done. And I’m having so much fun with it.”
-BAM
Comic Jeff Dunham gets engaged
The holiday season has gotten an extra measure of joy for popular comedian Jeff Dunham. He just became engaged to Audrey Murdick, who has been his girlfriend for the last two years.
Dunham asked Murdick to marry him on Christmas Day, and she immediately accepted. “We are so happy even the dummies are smiling,” Dunham said in a statement.
As of yet no date for the wedding has been set. Dunham has three daughters from his first marriage, Bree, Ashlyn and Kenna.
The engagement caps yet another banner year for Dunham that included his triumphant third tour of Europe (on which he set a number of venue records), his debut film appearance in the movie “Dinner For Schmucks,” his fourth TV special on Comedy Central, “Controlled Chaos,” which became the most-watched cable show on television the night it debuted in late September, and the recent airing on Bio of this two-hour life story, “Jeff Dunham: Birth of a Dummy,” which was the top-rated show ever on the network. His currently packing major venues across North America on his “Controlled Chaos” tour, and made his engagement public onstage the day after Christmas at an appearance at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Dunham will bring his “Controlled Chaos” tour to Tulsa for a Feb. 26 show at the BOK Center. For more information, go to www.bokcenter.com.
-BAM
Rodney Carrington to host, Toby Keith to perform on Fox’s “American Country New Year’s Eve Live”
Rodney Carrington
Toby Keith
Multi-talented Tulsa comedian and actor Rodney Carrington will stay up late to host the biggest celebration of the year and ring in 2012 on “American Country New Year’s Eve Live,” airing at 10 p.m. Oklahoma time on Fox.
Carrington, and co-hosts Rick Harrison and Austin “Chumlee” Russell of the reality TV show “Pawn Stars,” will help count down to 2012 during the year-end party featuring some of country’s biggest and brightest musical stars.
Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith will perform his raucous party anthem and latest top-15 single “Red Solo Cup” during the show.
Joe Nichols, Lauren Alaina and Rodney Atkins will rock the Las Vegas strip on the show. The year-end festivities also will feature a performance by Eli Young Band. Howie Mandel will make a special appearance to share his New Year’s resolution and offer a sneak peak of his upcoming “Mobbed” series of specials, airing Jan. 4, Jan. 11, Feb. 1 and Feb. 8 on Fox.
Carrington is a comedian, actor, singer and writer who has recorded eight comedy albums that have sold more than three million copies. His album “Morning Wood” has been certified gold and his “Greatest Hits” recently was certified platinum. Carrington starred for two seasons on his own TV sitcom “Rodney,” and co-wrote and co-starred with Keith in the feature film “Beer for My Horses.”
According to Pollstar, Carrington was one of the Top Five highest-grossing touring comedians in the past five years, and he consistently has been in the top 10 over the past 10 years. He regularly performs to sold-out crowds across the U.S. and Canada. On Monday and Tuesday, he planned his annual post-Christmas stint at Shawnee’s FireLake Grand Casino.
Harrison, who is currently starring on “Pawn Stars,” is the owner-operator of Las Vegas’ World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, a family business. Trained in the pawn business from the age of 13, Harrison was born a hustler. He dropped out of high school to sell fake handbags, and later, with enough money to partner with his father, he opened the Gold & Silver, where his son also works. Harrison is the author of “License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver.”
Russell stars on “Pawn Stars,” working at the World Famous Gold & Silver Pawn Shop for the Harrison family. Having been around the shop since he was a kid, Chumlee’s heart of gold makes him a pro at customer service, and he always wants to give his patrons the best deal.
-BAM
