Photo gallery: “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” L.A. premiere
“The Twilight: New Moon” star Kristen Stewart wore a long, pale, glamourous gown at Monday’s premiere in Westwood, Calif. (Associated Press photos)
“The Twilight Saga: New Moon” Week continues here on BAM’s Blog with a photo gallery of moments from Monday night’s glitzy premiere in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
“Twilight” star Kristen Stewart eshewed her usual mini-dresses and Converse shoes for a long, gray-stitched gown, though she kept her a few of signature grunge-goth flourishes, including her dark eyeliner and disheveled updo. According to MTV.com, Stewart’s gown was by Oscar De La Renta.
Robert Pattinson lived up to his heartthrob title in a black Gucci suit with his usual stubble and mussed hair. And 17-year-old Taylor Lautner also looked quite the movie star in his blue Calvin Klein suit and spiked locks.
Check out these Associated Press photos of the cast and other celebrities at the premiere:
Robert Pattinson smiles on the red carpet.
Taylor Lautner grins at the hordes of “Twihard” fans thronging the red carpet.
Lautner and Stewart show off their red carpet finery.
Dakota Fanning, who plays mean vampire Jane, wore a short lacy Valentino dress.
Ashley Greene, who plays Alice Cullen, signs autographs for fans. She wore a long red Prabal Gurung gown.
See more photos after the break.
Reba McEntire, George Strait featured on Country Weekly cover
Longtime country music stars Reba McEntire and George Strait are featured on the cover of the Nov. 23 issue of Country Weekly magazine, on sale now.
The story, titled “Still Going Strong,” coincides with the superstars’ recently announced plans to tour together in 2010. The tour will kick of Jan. 22 in Baltimore and stop Feb. 20 at Tulsa’s BOK Center. McEntire was raised in Chockie, OK.
This cover story takes a close-up look at both stars and explores why Strait and McEntire keep riding high long after many others have faded into the sunset.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood, Leona Lewis to perform at “CNN Heroes” gala
Carrie Underwood (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma country music star Carrie Underwood and British singer Leona Lewis will perform at the third annual “CNN Heroes: An All Star Tribute,” CNN announced today.
The gala honors everyday citizens who are making a difference in their communities and beyond. Hosted by CNN anchor Anderson Cooper from the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, the program will air globally on Thanksgiving, at 8 p.m. Nov. 26 on CNN/U.S., CNN International and CNN en Español.
Celebrities scheduled to present include Nicole Kidman, Kate Hudson, Neil Patrick Harris, Pierce Brosnan, Dwayne Johnson, Eva Mendes, Randy Jackson and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Additional appearances will be announced in days to come.
The Top 10 CNN Heroes, as selected by the Blue Ribbon Panel, were unveiled by Cooper on CNN last month. The public will select the CNN Hero of the Year via voting at www.CNN.com/Heroes, which concludes at 5 a.m. Thursday. During the Nov. 26 broadcast, the Top Ten Heroes will each be awarded $25,000, and CNN will reveal the CNN Hero of the Year, who will receive an additional $100,000.
This Year’s Blue Ribbon Panel judges included Sir Elton John, Colin Powell, Mariane Pearl, Shakira, Wallis Annenberg, Tavis Smiley, Ted Turner, Tory Burch, Kirk Cameron, Whoopi Goldberg, Malaak Compton-Rock, Rossana Rosado, and Masi Oka. In its third year, the CNN HEROES initiative garnered a record number of nominations – more than 9,000 – and a record number of online votes for CNN Hero of the Year, surpassing 2 million votes.
For more TV news, check out Penny Soldan’s TV blog at http://blog.newsok.com/television.
-BAM
Carrie Underwood continues TV blitz
Checotah native Carrie Underwood is continuing her huge TV blitz in support of her new album, “Play On,” which is currently sitting at No. 1 on the multi-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as on Billboard’s Country Albums list. The “American Idol” winner also has the No. 1 country song in the land with the album’s lead-off single “Cowboy Casanova.”
Today The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
Nov 18 The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Nov 19 Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Nov 22 American Music Awards
In addition, the country star’s first-ever “Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special” will air at 7 p.m. Dec. 7 on FOX.
For more TV news, check out Penny Soldan’s information-packed blog at http://blog.newsok.com/television.
-BAM
Photo gallery: 2009 CMA Awards red carpet
Carrie Underwood smiles on the CMA Awards red carpet. (Associated Press photos)
Several of country music’s biggest stars donned their sparkling best to walk the carpet at Wednesday night’s CMA Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. Check out these Associated Press photos of some of the music luminaries.
Carrie Underwood wore sparkling silver for the first of her many gowns for the evening.
Duet partners Chris Daughtry and Oklahoma native Vince Gill walked the red carpet together.
Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert went with a long black gown for the red carpet and a short white dress for her performance.
Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles picked a black red carpet gown, too.
Oklahoma native Reba McEntire also went with basic black.
Keith Urban and his movie-star wife Nicole Kidman get affectionate on the red carpet.
See more photos after the break.
Photo gallery: More from the 2009 CMA Awards
Teen star Taylor Swift took home four awards, including entertainer of the year, at Wednesday night’s CMA Awards. (Associated Press photos)
The Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards took place Wednesday night at Nashville’s Sommet Center. It was a huge night for 19-year-old starlet Taylor Swift, who won four trophies, including entertainer of the year, to the outrage of many country purists and the delight of her legions of fans.
Here are some of the memorable moments from the awards show. All photos are from the Associated Press.
Martina McBride and George Strait sing “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” as a tribute to recently inducted Country Music Hall of Famer Barbara Mandrell.
Barbara Mandrell makes a speech at the awards show.
Darius Rucker accepts the best new artist award.
Sugarland performs the ballad “Keep You.”
Tim McGraw’s performance was his first at the CMA Awards in four years.
See more photos after the break.
Photo gallery: Carrie Underwood performs “Cowboy Casanova” at the 2009 CMA Awards
Carrie Underwood and a bevy of beautiful backup dancers perform “Cowboy Casanova” at the Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards Wednesday night in Nashville. (Associated Press photos)
Along with co-hosting Wednesday night’s CMA Awards, Checotah native Carrie Underwood put in one of the showstopping performances of the night with her sexy rendition of her new No. 1 hit “Cowboy Casanova.” Check out these sexy Associated Press photos of Underwood singing and strutting her stuff in an outrageous outfit.
-BAM
Photo gallery: Oklahomans at the 2009 CMA Awards
For the second year, Brad Paisley and Checotah native Carrie Underwood co-hosted the CMA Awards at the Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. (Associated Press photos)
The Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards took place Wednesday night at Nashville’s Sommet Center. It was a huge night for 19-year-old starlet Taylor Swift, who won four trophies, including entertainer of the year, to the outrage of many country purists and the delights of her legions of fans.
Although Oklahoma’s stars went home winless, they represented our state quite well, with several of them performing and Checotah native Carrie Underwood c0-hosting the show. Check out these Associated Press photos of Okies in action at the CMAs; I’ll put pictures of Underwood’s sexy performance of her new hit “Cowboy Casanova” in the next blog post.
Soon-to-split duo Brooks & Dunn (which features former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn, center) asked ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons, right, to join them for their final CMA Awards performance.
Oklahoma native Vince Gill performs “Tennessee Line” with rock band Daughtry.
Reba McEntire performs her latest hit, “Consider Me Gone.”
Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert rocks the show with “White Liar.”
Carrie Underwood does her co-hosting duties.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for Nov. 13-15, 2009
Wade Bowen
Here is a list of activities happening around Oklahoma this weekend (Nov. 13-15, 2009). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- Listen to Wade Bowen with Granger Smith at 9:30 tonight at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Information:601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
- Hear Edmond-based indie pop group Smarty Pants play a reunion show with Euclid Crash, Student Film and Little League Hero at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Information: www.conservatoryokc.com.
- TULSA – Catch country star Darius Rucker in concert at 7 tonight at Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino’s Osage Event Center, 951 W 36 St. N, Tulsa. Information: (918) 699-7667 or www.milliondollarelm.com/event-center.
Curious George
- Watch the antics of an inquisitive monkey when “Curious George Live!” swings into the Cox Convention Center at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. today, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.coxconventioncenter.com.
- Hear singer/songwriter/pianist Vienna Teng and Alex Wong with Suzanna Choffel at 8 p.m. Sunday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Or hear Big Smith at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Door. Information: 524-0738 or www.bluedoorokc.com.
- Listen to an evening of “Transformations” with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and renowned pianist Stephen Hough at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 842-5387 or www.okcphilharmonic.org.
Artworks by Suzanne Thomas wait to be set up for the new show, featuring the art of Thomas and Billy Reid, at Istvan Gallery at Urban Art, 1218 N. Western. (Photo by Nate Billings/The Oklahoman)
- See new work by Oklahoma City artists Suzanne C. Thomas and Billy Reid from 6 to 10 tonight at an opening reception and second anniversary celebration for Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave. Information: 831-2874 or www.istvangallery.com.
- NEWCASTLE – Take in American Indian dancing, storytelling, hands-on arts activities and more at the family-friendly American Indian Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Newcastle Public Library, 705 NW 10. Information: www.pioneer.lib.ok.us.
- Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder take on the L.A. Clippers at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Information: www.thunder.nba.com.
Julio Iglesias (Associated Press photo)
- THACKERVILLE – Hear crooner Julio Iglesias at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- Take in art, live music, new attractions and more at the monthly LIVE on the Plaza art walk from 7 to 11 tonight in the Plaza District, on NW 16 between Indiana and Blackwelder. Information: www.plazadistrict.org.
- NORMAN – Show your stuff at the Norman Public Library’s adult gaming night from 5:30-8:30 p.m. today in the Lowry Room of the library, 225 N Webster. Those 18 and older can join in the games including “Rock Band,” “Guitar Hero,” “Dance Dance Revolution,” “Halo 3,” “Left for Dead” and more. Game systems available will include Xbox 360, Playstation 2, and the Nintendo Wii. Information: 701-2620 or www.pioneer.lib.ok.us.
Craig Morgan
- MIAMI – Listen to country singer Craig Morgan at 8 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
- TULSA – Hear Dethklok, Mastodon, Converge and High on Fire at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady Street. Information: www.bradytheater.com.
- NORMAN – Catch Austin, Texas-based noise-rock trio Followed by Static with San Francisco’s Little Teeth at 8 p.m. Sunday at Universe City, 783 Debarr Ave. Information: www.myspace.com/universecitynorman.
-BAM
Darius Rucker follows CMA Awards win with parent-teacher conference, tonight’s Tulsa show
Darius Rucker accepts the best new artist of the year award at the 43rd Annual Country Music Awards Wednesday night in Nashville, Tenn. He will perform tonight at Tulsa’s Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino. (Associated Press photo)
Darius Rucker became the first black singer to win new artist of the year at Wednesday’s CMA Awards, joining Charley Pride as the only African-Americans to win major individual awards from the Country Music Association.
When I spoke with Rucker in a recent phone interview, he said his plans for after the CMA Awards would remain virtually the same regardless of whether he won or lost. He went into the show with two nominations; the male vocalist of the year trophy went to Brad Paisley.
“If I win, I’m gonna go out that night with my wife and some of our friends and go to a couple of parties and then I’m gonna get up and be on the 6 o’clock flight to go to my 14-year-old daughter’s school teacher’s conference she’s got. If I lose, I’m gonna go out with my wife and some friends and I’m gonna get up at 6 o’clock and go to my daughter’s teacher’s conference. Either way, I’ll be at that teacher’s conference,” he said.
The former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman told me he wasn’t sure until the nominations were announced that he could even compete in the best new artist category after his previous band’s 1990s success. And he didn’t think he would win anyway, saying he thought hot country act the Zac Brown Band had the new artist title all wrapped up.
Rucker, whose first country album, last year’s “Learn to Live,” has sold more than 1 million copies, took the CMA Awards stage Wednesday night to hearty cheers from the crowd and shouted, “What a year!”
“First of all, to the fans, thank y’all for accepting me,” he said. “And I think most importantly, to country radio, you took a chance on a pop singer from Charleston, S.C. Thank you so much for that!”
Rucker told me he is hard at work on his second country album, which he plans to release next year. He was hoping to start recording later this month or in December. When we spoke, he said he had just written a song a few days earlier with Paisley.
“We wrote a song that we’re going to do as a duet on my record that’s hilarious. That guy — hilarious. Too funny, really too funny. I mean, love hanging out with him,” Rucker said.
Rucker will perform at 7 tonight Osage Million Dollar Elm Casino in Tulsa. For more information, call (918) 699-7667 or go to www.milliondollarelm.com/event-center.
-BAM
