Best Bets for Feb. 10-12, 2012: Chris Young, Alabama, “The Firebird,” Children’s Miracle Network benefit show
Chris Young
Here are my Best Bets for entertainment happening around the state this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more options, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. Listen to up-and-coming country star Chris Young, with special guests the Lost Trailers, at 7 p.m. Friday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern. Information: 677-9169 or www.diamondballroom.net. (Look for my review of the show in the wee hours of Saturday here on BAM’s Blog.)
2. Watch Oklahoma City Ballet’s production of Stravinsky’s stunning “The Firebird” at 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 848-8637 or www.okcballet.com.
3. NORMAN — Hear Pretty Black Chains, Burning Hotels, Crown Imperial and BradChad Porter perform at a Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network at 9 p.m. Friday at the Opolis, 113 N Crawford. Information: www.starlightmints.com/opolis.html.
4. WINSTAR — Catch reunited Country Music Hall of Famers Alabama at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino, Interstate 35, Exit 1. Information: (800) 622-6317 or www.winstarworldcasino.com.
-BAM
Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, other Oklahomans to compete for Grammy glory Sunday night
Thompson Square (AP file)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Oklahomans to compete for Grammy glory Sunday night
BAM: Country duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, are relishing their first chance to win one of the music industry’s most prestigious prizes.
Keifer and Shawna Thompson just couldn’t wrap their heads around the big news: The couple, who make country music under the moniker Thompson Square, had just become Grammy nominees.
“I’ll tell you what, “When we found that out, we just about lost our minds. That’s the big enchilada there. It doesn’t get any bigger than Grammys,” said Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson during a recent phone interview.
In a week, he and his wife will play an eagerly awaited hometown show at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami. Before they head back to Oklahoma, though, the couple will be part of “Music’s Biggest Night”: the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, which will air live from Los Angeles from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
“We’re definitely gonna go,” said Keifer Thompson. “Are you crazy?”
Thompson Square received its first Grammy nod for best country duo/group performance for its breakthrough hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” which earned songwriters Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy a best country song nomination, too.
Oklahoma nominees
The couple is hardly the only nominee with Oklahoma ties.
Ada native Blake Shelton is nominated for best country album for “Red River Blue” and best country solo performance for the album’s chart-topping first single “Honey Bee.” The Tishomingo resident’s No. 1 hit “God Gave Me You,” written by contemporary Christian singer Dave Barnes, also earned a nod for best country song, an award presented to songwriters.
In addition, Shelton and The Band Perry will give a special performance with country legend Glen Campbell during the show, and Shelton’s wife and fellow country star Miranda Lambert will be a presenter, along with Chockie native Reba McEntire.
In the best country solo performance category, Shelton will compete against Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who is nominated for her emotional ballad “Mama’s Song.” The Recording Academy this year consolidated many Grammy categories, so solo country artists are longer separated into male and female competitions.
Underwood also is featured on legendary crooner Tony Bennett’s “Duets II,” nominated for best traditional pop vocal album. Underwood, a five-time Grammy winner, and Bennett, who has 14 golden gramophones plus a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, are set to perform together on the awards show.
Vince Gill earned his 41st Grammy nomination in the best country song category with “Threaten Me with Heaven,” which the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred star penned with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and the late Will Owsley. Gill already has earned the most Grammys of any male country artist with 20.
Four-time Grammy winners Kings of Leon, who have ties to Oklahoma City and Talihina, are nominated for best rock album for their fifth studio effort, “Come Around Sundown.” Plus, Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” which opened 2011’s deadCenter Film Festival, will contend for best long-form music video.
Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, former frontman of the Gap Band, is nominated for best R&B performance for his hit “You Are,” from his 2010 solo album “Just Charlie.” In addition, Wilson, his wife Mahin Wilson and their fellow songwriters Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr. and Wirlie Morris share a nomination for best R&B song for “You Are.”
For the second straight year, Christian worship group Gungor, which is fronted by former Tulsan Michael Gungor, is celebrating a nomination for its new album. The group’s 2011 album “Ghosts Upon the Earth” earned a nod in the new best contemporary Christian music album category. Gungor’s 2010 release “Beautiful Things” was nominated last year in the now-eliminated best rock or rap gospel album division.
Best known as the frontman for pop band OneRepublic, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder is nominated for non-classical producer of the year for his work on several records, including Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” Jennifer Hudson’s “I Remember Me” and Adele’s “Rumour Has It.” Since he produced “Rumour Has It,” Tedder shares in the Adele’s nomination for album of the year for her smash “21,” too. (In addition, Tedder co-wrote “Rumour Has It” and another “21″ track, “Turning the Tables,” with Adele.)
Muskogee native Ester Dean also has a share of an album of the year nomination as one of several producers on Rihanna’s “Loud.”
The 40th anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of Derek and the Dominos’ beloved 1970 album “Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs” earned a nomination in the best surround sound album category. The late Carl Radle, a Tulsa native, was the band’s bassist.
And, Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars is among the various artists featured on “All About Bullies … Big and Small,” nominated for best children’s album. The Allstars collaborated with fellow kindie rocker Secret Agent 23 Skidoo on the compilation track “Cooperate.”
Thrilling nomination
Thompson Square was enjoying a rare night off when the Grammy nominations were announced Nov. 30.
“I decided to stay in and was in my pajamas, watching, I’m sure, some reality show. … Keifer and I both had forgotten that they were announcing the nominees that night, and about 10 o’clock our manager called and was like, ‘Is your husband there?’ and I know … when he wants to talk to both of us, it’s either really good news or really bad news,” she said.
“He told me about it, and all I could do was just say ‘What?’ over and over again. I was like, ‘What? You’ve gotta be kidding me.’ I thought he was joking. We finally got a hold of Keifer — he was out with some of his buddies in downtown Nashville — and his response was exactly the same. He just kept saying ‘What? What?’ like he couldn’t understand. It wasn’t processing.”
“It’s just crazy to think you’re in that kind of game,” Keifer added. “It feels good, though. We’ll take it.”
Grammy Awards Live Blog
Follow along with Brandy McDonnell’s live blog of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday here at BAM’s Blog at blog.newsok.com/bamsblog.
Thompson Square
When: 9 p.m. Feb. 17.
Where: Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd., Miami, OK.
Information: (918) 542-7140 or www.buffaloruncasino.com.
-BAM
CD review: Pat Green “Songs We Wish We’d Written II”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Country
Pat Green “Songs We Wish We’d Written II” (Sugar Hill Records)
Back in 2001, Texas troubadours Pat Green and Cory Morrow paid tribute to “Songs We Wish We’d Written” with a well-received covers album featuring their take on the music of Waylon Jennings, Billy Joe Shaver, Steve Winwood and others.
More than a decade later, Green is again paying homage to an array of talented songwriters with “Songs We Wish We’d Written II.” The sequel, which just had its release date moved from Feb. 28 to May 8, also will mark the San Antonio native’s debut on Sugar Hill Records.
Like its predecessor, “Songs We Wish We’d Written II” benefits from Green’s desire to showcase his eclectic musical tastes. As expected, he and his band turn in respectful and respectable covers of fellow Texas country songsmiths: Green opens the album with Joe Ely’s “All Just to Get to You,” gets toes tapping with Jon Randall’s “Austin” and makes earnest romance with Liz Rose and Walt Wilkins’ “If I Weren’t for You.” He and Morrow reteam on a faithful version of Lyle Lovett’s “If I Had a Boat.”
Even more intriguing are Green’s countrified versions of hit pop and rock songs. His smooth Texas twang coupled with layers of piano and strings totally transform Tom Petty’s “Even the Losers” while still showing off the song’s strong bones. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Monte Montgomery helps Green put a country-blues spin on Warren Haynes “Soulshine” that complements the blues-rock renditions by the Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule.
Green and Collective Soul frontman Ed Roland turn the Georgia band’s smash “The World I Know” into a duet that features just a few subtle country flourishes, while he and fellow Texas country star Jack Ingram convert Todd Snider’s raucous rocker “I Am Too” into a rowdy boot-stomper.
For all the well-known songs featured on the covers CD, the highlight is the relatively obscure but finely crafted “Streets of Galilee” by up-and-comer Aaron Lee Tasjan, who more than holds his own swapping verses with Green.
— BAM
Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery nominated for ACM New Artist of the Year
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
Scotty McCreery
The Academy of Country Music and Great American Country has announced that Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery have been named nominees for this year’s ACM New Artist of the Year Award, which will be given out during the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
The awards show will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 1 on the CBS Television Network. For the second straight year, Oklahoma natives Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton will co-host the show.
Voting for New Artist of the Year will begin at www.VoteACM.com at 11 a.m. March 19 and continue until 7 p.m. Sunday, April 1, 2012, ending just before the live show starts.
The New Artist of the Year final nominees were selected by a combined vote of the fans and professional members of the Academy of Country Music. Professional member votes will be combined with fan votes to obtain the winner of the category.
Leading up to the show, fans can watch interviews and exclusive performances with the three nominees on GAC’s “ACM New Artist of the Year” special, premiering at 8 p.m. Monday, March 19 and re-airing multiple times until voting closes on April 1. Additional air times and dates can be found at GACtv.com/ACM.
The winner of the New Artist of the Year category will be awarded on the 47th Annual Academy of
Read more about the nominees after the break:
Reba McEntire’s “All the Women I Am” GAC special premiering March 17
Reba McEntire (AP file)
On a recent tour stop, Oklahoma country music superstar Reba McEntire brought along a film crew to capture all the hits, the energy, the dazzling production that are a part of her amazing live shows. The result is “All the Women I Am,” a 90-minute concert special premiering at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 17, on Great American Country (GAC).
Shot at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, La., the set list reads like a greatest hits and includes some of Reba’s signature tracks including “Is There Life Out There,” “I’m A Survivor,” “Does He Love You,” (with vocal assistance from The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry, who was one of the openers on the tour), “Turn on Your Radio,” “Strange,” “Somebody’s Chelsea” and the title track of her current LP, “All The Women I Am.”
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with GAC for this special,” says Reba, who hails from Chockie, in the announcement on Reba.com. “We had a blast out on the road with our new production this past fall, and I hope that all the fans who tune in enjoy it as much as we did.”
“All the Women I Am” was produced by Jon Small, a creative partner of Reba’s since the mid-‘80s who has produced and directed more than 18 music videos for the star.
“When Reba steps into the batter’s box, I know what I’m going to get,” says Small. “She’s the best female singer and the most professional artist, she’s got it all. Even after 27 years of working together, I still get so excited just watching her perform.”
It’s been more than 15 years since Reba’s last televised concert special.
Reba’s “All the Women I Am” tour made a stop last November at Tulsa’s BOK Center, and the star was kind enough to give me an interview in advance of the show. To read the interview, click here.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 9, 2012: Hear Ronnie Dunn in Tulsa or Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights in Oklahoma City
Ronnie Dunn
Today’s featured events:
CATOOSA – Hear country music star and former Tulsan Ronnie Dunn play at 8 tonight at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, 777 W Cherokee.
“Tulsa is a great music town – and it was a crazy town in the day,” said Dunn in the concert announcement. “So Tulsa was this crazy mix-match of music styles at the time, and it was all there and very much alive. Live music was really important, and the club scene there was hot.
“So for someone like me, it was the perfect place to learn your chops.”
Dunn cites all the musicians who lived in Tulsa in the late ‘70s, including Leon Russell and Eric Clapton, as an inspiration to launch his career in northeast Oklahoma.
After following Tulsa drummer Jamie Oldaker to Nashville, Tenn., Dunn submitted a demo that won the Marlboro Country Music Contest, which set in motion the events that led to the formation of Brooks & Dunn. Included on the demo were the future hits “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” and “Neon Moon.”
During his 20-year run as half of Brooks & Dunn, Dunn and musical partner Kix Brooks sold more than 30 million albums, charted 20 No. 1 singles, earned 27 Academy of Country Music awards, 17 Country Music Association awards and two Grammys. The collection of ACM and CMA awards are the most for any act in country music history.
Last June, Dunn, an Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame member, released his self-titled solo debut. The album peaked at No. 1 on the country charts and features the singles “Bleed Red” and “Cost of Livin’.”
For more information, go to www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com.
Since the Dunn show is sold out, here is another featured event:
Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights
Hear Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Lights at 7 tonight at the Conservatory, 8911 N Western.
In April 2010, the Dallas-based rock band released its major-label debut album “Pardon Me,” a collection of genuine throwback, blues-based rock ‘n’ roll reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and Lenny Kravitz.
Since, the Northern Lights have made their late-night TV debut on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” performed at the Bonnaroo and Austin City Limits festivals, headlined Relix magazine’s party at the South By Southwest Festival and covered Zeppelin’s “Bring It on Home” for Revolver, one of several magazines to feature the band.
The Northern Lights also have beamed onto television as shows like “Friday Night Lights,” “Criminal Minds,” “CSI: Miami” and “Boardwalk Empire” have featured their music.
For more information, go to www.conservatoryokc.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Cady Groves releases new EP “This Little Girl”
Emerging pop singer-songwriter Cady Groves, who grew up in Marlow, Cache and Yukon, released her “This Little Girl” EP Tuesday.
Featuring tracks including her popular first single “This Little Girl,” the digital EP will be available at all digital service providers and will include fan favorite track “We’re The Sh*t” as well as Groves remarkable cover of Adele’s “Someone Like You.” The physical version will be available www.cadygroves.com and will include the same tracks as the digital version with the addition of Groves duet “Oh Darlin’” with Plug in Stereo.
Groves, who was just spotlighted in Seventeen Magazine’s “Ultimate Guide To Music” will be joining her labelmates and friends Hot Chelle Rae in select North American markets in February and March.
Late last year Groves, who PopCrush named one of their “Artist to Watch in 2012” teamed with BUZZMEDIA to premiere the music video for “This Little Girl,” which features a cameo from Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton and is embedded up top along with an interview with Groves about the cameo.
In an unprecedented partnership, a set of BUZZMEDIA’s taste-making music sites and pop-culture destinations such as Idolator, PureVolume, Buzznet and JustJared unveiled a stream of exclusive interviews, photos and video leading up the premiere.
Signed to RCA Records last year, 22 year-old Groves, has been in the studio writing and recording songs for her full-length debut album which is due out later in 2012.
Check out some of Groves’ past videos here:
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Toby Keith thanks fans for making “Red Solo Cup” a top 10 hit
Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith has released a YouTube video thanking them for supporting his smash single “Red Solo Cup.”
“Red Solo Cup” started as a viral video, and it has become a country music phenomenon. The raucous party anthem has been certified platinum, according to CMT.com, and it is currently No. 10 on Billboard’s country songs chart. It has been viewed more than 11 million times on YouTube and has been covered on the Fox TV series “Glee.”
Now “Red Solo Cup” is in demand on apps and on backs.
“Proceed To Party” Red Solo Cup t-shirts were added to Toby Keith’s website store last week, selling out within a few hours, according to a news release.
The song is the Free Track of the Week on Tap Tap Revenge, the No. 1 best-selling app store music game of all time, according to the release.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Miranda Lambert making acting debut on tonight’s “Law & Order: SVU”
Country music star Miranda Lambert, who lives in Tishomingo, will make her acting debut as a guest star on tonight’s episode of the procedural drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”
“Law & Order: SVU” airs at 9 tonight on NBC (KFOR-4 in Oklahoma City).
Tonight’s episode is titled “Father’s Shadow.” To read NewsOK TV blogger Melissa Hayer’s review of the episode, click here.
In this Wednesday Video Spotlight, check out clips from the episode and an interview with Lambert about appearing on the show, which she calls one of her favorites.
Here is the synopsis of tonight’s episode:
Detective Benson (Mariska Hargitay) finds herself in danger when a rape investigation spirals into a hostage crisis. Harry Connick Jr., Miranda Lambert and Michael McKean guest star. An aspiring actress is found unconscious in Central Park with drugs in her system and evidence of sexual trauma. Detectives Benson (Hargitay) and Amaro (Danny Pino) pay a visit to the reality show producer (guest star McKean) for whom she had auditioned just before the attack, and stop him from assaulting another actress (guest star Lambert) on the casting couch. The detectives arrest the producer, but the situation turns dangerous when his distraught son takes drastic action in order to get his father out of jail. Meanwhile, Benson and Executive ADA David Haden (guest star Connick) grow closer. Also starring Ice-T (Detective Odafin Tutuola), Dann Florek (Captain Donald Cragen), Richard Belzer (Sergeant John Munch) and Kelli Giddish (Detective Amanda Rollins.) Special appearance by Linus Roache (Bureau Chief Mike Cutter.)
-BAM
Reba McEntire added to presenters, reunited Beach Boys to perform on Grammy Awards
The Beach Boys — Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks, who have not performed together live in more than two decades — will reunite on the Grammy stage and join with current Grammy Award nominees Foster The People and Maroon 5 for a special performance, CBS announced today.
Current nominees The Civil Wars, two-time Grammy winner Diana Krall, funk artist Maceo Parker and six-time Grammy winner Joe Walsh also have been added to the stellar lineup of performers for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.
Two-time Grammy winner and Chockie native Reba McEntire, two-time Grammy winner Common, Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson (“Person of Interest”) and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Diana Ross will appear as presenters.
Hosted by two-time Grammy winner and “NCIS: Los Angeles” star LL Cool J, the Grammy Awards take place live from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show will air live on the CBS Television Network.
Three-time Grammy Award winners Maroon 5 are nominated in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Moves Like Jagger” (with Christina Aguilera).
The Civil Wars and Foster The People each have two nominations. The Civil Wars are up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Barton Hollow” and Best Folk Album for “Barton Hollow.” Foster The People have nods in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Pumped Up Kicks” and Best Alternative Music Album for “Torches.”
Previously announced performers for Sunday’s Grammy Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall), Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Tony Bennett and Checotah native Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton, Coldplay and Rihanna, deadmau5, Foo Fighters, David Guetta, Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band, and Taylor Swift.
Aldean, The Band Perry, Civil Wars, deadmau5, Foster The People, Guetta, Minaj, Parker and Shelton will perform on the Grammy broadcast for the first time.
Previously announced presenters are Marc Anthony, Dierks Bentley, Jack Black, Drake, Fergie, Lady Antebellum, Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ryan Seacrest, Ringo Starr and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson.
Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.
Please make plans to follow my live blog of the Grammy Awards Sunday night here on BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
