From Gibsons to Garth Brooks’, National Cowboy Museum’s “The Guitar” exhibit showcasing variety of instruments
Curator Don Reeves show the artwork on a Gibson Elvis Presley tribute guitar on The guitar is part of the new exhibit “The Guitar: Art, Artist and Artisans” opening today at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. (Photo by Chris Landsberger/The Oklahoman)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Exhibit brings music to the eyes
The only instrument whose master players gain “god” status takes center stage this weekend at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.
The special exhibition “The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans” opens today, showcasing about 50 instruments, from historic models dating to the 19th century to elaborately tuneful tributes to music legends. The public is invited to a free preview of the exhibit from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the museum.
Guest curator Don Cusic hopes the show captures the imaginations of museum visitors, just like guitar-slinging heroes from Elvis Presley and The Beatles to Brad Paisley and Kings of Leon have ensnared the passions of music-loving teenagers.
“Guitars are cool,” said Cusic, a professor of music business at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. “The guitar is the most popular instrument in America; more people play the guitar than any other instrument. …
“The guitar is the basis of most of the records made today and what you hear on the radio.”
Just as the instrument’s musical influence runs the gamut from country and folk to rock and pop, the exhibit offers a wide range of specimens, from elaborately decorated Gibsons paying homage to Elvis, B.B. King and Les Paul to guitars played by country music stars Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Brooks & Dunn, Lynn Anderson, Eddy Arnold and Marty Robbins.
“Some of these guitars are used like a canvas for an artist,” said Don Reeves, the museum’s McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture. “Then, there’s the high artistic craftsmanship in the creation of some of these guitars, as well as the music these musical artists make.”
The exhibit includes millions of dollars worth of instruments and traces the iconic relationship between cowboys and guitars. Reeves pulls on thin cotton gloves as he gingerly lifts a simple wooden C.F. Martin, a rare early model from about 1840.
“Cowboys did not ride up the Chisholm Trail with these strapped on their back. The rough life a cowboy did not lend itself to this. What you had at most of the cowboy ranch dances were the banjos and fiddles. At the time, this was much more popular down in Mexico,” he said.
The show also includes new Gibson acoustic guitars that recreate historically significant models like the now-scarce Super 400 arch body.
“It was the guitar that Roy Rogers made famous as a singing cowboy,” Reeves said. “A lot of people when they think of the American guitar, they think of cowboys. They think they go together. What really created that were the singing cowboys of the 1930s and the 1940s on radio and then … movies and television.”
Many artists use the guitar as a canvas to honor the connection between cowpokes and the instrument. The Gibson Western Sky model is decorated with polychrome carvings of a bucking bronco and climbing roses, while El Reno resident Bobby Boyles, owner of Oklahoma Vintage Guitar, has loaned a Washburn on which he painted a praying cowboy.
On the other hand, Muscogee Creek artist Dru WhiteFeather honors his American Indian heritage through his artistic guitars adorned with paintings, tooled leather and beadwork.
Dallas artist Amanda Dunbar, 27, explores her love for bling through her line of Precious Rebels guitars, which are encrusted with colorful Swarovski crystals she painstakingly places to create intricate designs. A dozen of her guitars are arranged in a large shimmering chandelier that is a centerpiece of the show.
“I kind of like to bridge that gap between fashion and music and visual arts and sound and light,” said Dunbar, who plans to visit the exhibit, in a phone interview. “I just have such an appreciation for music that it just seemed like a really cool idea.”
Of course, no guitar exhibit would be complete without featuring favored instruments played by Oklahoma music stars. Gill loaned the museum the first guitar he ever remembers seeing, which belonged to his late father Stan, while Keith contributed a worn acoustic model he used as an up-and-comer playing the club scene. From Brooks, the exhibit includes a Takamine with his signature sound hole shaped like a guitar body.
“I am excited to have anything of mine in the Cowboy Hall of Fame. I believe I have a career because of the men and the women who wear the hat. This is truly an honor,” Brooks said in an e-mail.
On exhibit
“The Guitar: Art, Artists and Artisans”
Where: National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63.
When: today-May 9.
Preview: A free public preview is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Information: 478-2250 or www.nationalcowboymuseum.org.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup
Here is a preview of events happening in Oklahoma this weekend (Aug. 7-9):
- NORMAN – See the movie “Night at the Museum” Friday at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave. Doors will open at 7 p.m., and visitors will have access to museum galleries from 7 to 8:30. Galleries will close at 8:30 when the film begins in the museum’s Great Hall. Some seating will be provided, but visitors are welcome to bring pillows or blankets to make for more comfy seating on the floor if they would like. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Information: 325-4712 or www.snomnh.ou.edu.
- TULSA – Hear Keith Urban and Sugarland at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: www.bokcenter.com.
Billy Squier
- NORMAN – Hear Billy Squier at 8 p.m. Friday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 West Hwy 9. Information: www.riverwind.com. Or hear him play “The Stroke,” “Lonely Is the Night” and more at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave. in Thackerville. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- Catch the Hush Hush Commotion CD release show with Vannadine, Berkeley to D.C. and Kidnap in Color at 8 p.m. Saturday at Bricktown Live, 103 Flaming Lips Alley. Information: 236-4143 or www.ticketstorm.com.
- Experience new art, refreshments and wine tastings at the monthly Paseo Gallery Walk from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and noon to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Paseo Arts District. Information: www.thepaseo.com.
Lee Roy Reams plays Adolf Hitler in “Springtime for Hitler” from the Mel Brooks musical “The Producers.” Lyric Theatre is staging the musical. (Photo provided to The Oklahoman courtesy of The Muny, St. Louis)
- See Lyric Theatre’s staging of ”The Producers” at 8 p.m. Friday and 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker Ave. Information: www.lyrictheatreokc.com.
- THACKERVILLE – Hear Journey at 9 p.m. Friday at WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- Watch Ghostlight Theatre Club’s production of “Glengarry Glen Ross” at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the theater, 3110 N Walker in the Paseo Arts District. Information: www.ghostlighttheatreclub.com.
A sign announces the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival. (Photo by Steve Sisney/The Oklahoman)
- RUSH SPRINGS – Take in a parade, rodeo, free watermelon and more all day Friday and 7:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. Saturday at the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival in and around Jeff Davis Park. Information: (580) 476-9348 or http://home.flash.net/~mvincent/Festival.htm.
- Take in live music, vintage cars and bikes and kustom culture at the third annual Okie Twist-off Friday and Saturday. The event starts with the free pre-party with 3 Balls of Fire from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at The Prohibition Room, 1112 NW 23, No. 102, followed at 10 p.m. by the bar crawl at The Blue Note Lounge, Sauced Annex and Galileo. The Okie Twist-Off Car and Bike Show and Music Festival will be from noon to last call Saturday at 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39, featuring Psychocharger, The Fortune Tellers, Glister and more. Information: www.okietwistoff.com.
Crooked X
- TULSA – Hear Coweta rockers Crooked X at 7 p.m. Saturday at Flytrap Music Hall, 514 E Second. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
- TUTTLE – Check out the annual Tuttle Round-Up Club Rodeo featuring bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, team roping, barrel racing, mutton busting, calf scramble and breakaway roping. Events begin at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Schrock Park Arena, W Hwy 37, on the west side of town. Information: (405) 381-5410.
- ANADARKO – Take in a parade, arts and crafts, tribal dancing and more as the annual Anadarko Indian Exposition continues Friday and Saturday at the Anadarko Fairgrounds. Information: (405) 933-0171 or www.anadarko.org.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup
Crooked X
Here’s a list of some of the events happening around Oklahoma this weekend (July 17-19):
- TULSA – Listen to Oklahoma’s own Crooked X at the Flytrap Music Hall, 514 E Second St., at 7 p.m. Friday. Information: (918) 794-0238.
- Doors open at 8:30 p.m. Friday for Butcher Jones with Bleed The Sky at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Information: www.conservatoryokc.com
- Get in on the laughs at the first Improv Festival Oklahoma. Performances are at 7, 8:30 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at City Arts Center, State Fair Park. Workshops for beginners and advanced improvisers are offered both days. Information: www.festival.reddirtimprov.com.
Wade Bowen
- The Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E. Sheridan Ave., keeps it country Friday night when Wade Bowen plays there with Modern Day Drifter. Information: www.wormydog.com
- Eric Devries, Gene Williams, Tom Skinner and Greg Jacobs will play together Friday night at The Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley Ave. Information: www.bluedoorokc.com
Travis Linville
-NORMAN – Oklahoma singer-songwriter Travis Linville will play Friday night at The Deli, 309 White St. Information: www.thedeli.us
- The Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave, hosts the English Indie rock band Gomez with The Republic Tigers at 7 p.m. Sunday. Information: 677-9169 or www.diamondballroom.net.
Early Beat
- NORMAN – Local band Early Beat, along with Followed By Static and PVC Street Gang, will perform at The Opolis, 113 N Crawford, at 9 p.m. Friday. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
- MOORE – Those interested in acoustic, rock and pop music will enjoy the Kanaga CD release party Saturday at Dan McGuinness Pub, 1003 SW 19. Information: www.danmcguinnesspub.com
- Attend John Fullbright’s CD release party at The Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley Ave, at 8 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.bluedoorokc.com
Cory Morrow
- Listen to more great country music Saturday night when Cory Morrow will be at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan Ave. Information: www.wormydog.com.
- SHAWNEE – Hear comic Ralphie May at 8 p.m. Friday at Firelake Grand Casino off Interstate 40. Information: www.firelakegrand.com.
Scott H. Biram
- NORMAN – Scott H. Biram performs with El Paso Hot Button at 9 p.m. Saturday at The Opolis, 113 N. Crawford. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
- NORMAN – Blues and rockabilly fans will enjoy Hosty Solo at The Deli, 309 White St., on Sunday night. Mike Hosty’s weekly show starts at 10 p.m., but plan to arrive early. Information: www.thedeli.us
Eleni Mandell
- TULSA – The Marquee, 222 N Main St., will have Eleni Mandell at 7 p.m. Friday. Information: (918) 254-2500.
- Hear Marcy Priest at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Myriad Botanical Gardens in downtown. The show is part of the Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s Sunday Twilight Concert Series. Information: www.artscouncilokc.com.
- After Marcy Priest performs, see a free screening of the classic film “Casablanca” at 9 p.m. Sunday at the Myriad Gardens. The film is part of the gardens’ Screen on the Green program and will be shown on the gardens’ Activity Plaza, adjacent to the Crystal Bridge. Information: www.myriadgardens.com.
Gary Allen
-MIAMI- Country musician Gary Allan will be at Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd. at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
-See Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park perform George Bernard Shaw’s “Misalliance” today-Saturday at 8 p.m. on the Myriad Gardens Water Stage in downtown. Information: www.oklahomashakespeare.com.
- Share your tales about traveling and finding adventure on the road at Istvan Gallery and OKC StorySlam’s monthly story slam. Registration for the competitive storytelling event will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, with storytelling starting at 7:30 at Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave. Information: www.myspace.com/okcstoryslam.
- BAM and 3D
Weekend Warmup
Jimmy LaFave
Here is a list of events going on in Oklahoma the weekend of April 17-19. Have an entertaining weekend!
- Hear singer-songwriter Jimmy LaFave at 9 tonight at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Information: 524-0738 or www.bluedoorokc.com.
- See the terrific exhibit “Harlem Renaissance” before it closes Sunday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. The museum will offer Last Call Friday from 5 to 8 tonight with guided tours, live jazz, coffee seminars and more. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.
Ali Harter
- NORMAN – Celebrate Record Store Day 2009 with live music from the Evangelicals, Other Lives and El Paso Hot Button from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at Guestroom Records, 125 E Main. The Oklahoma City store, 3701 N Western, will have The Uglysuit, Ali Harter and Mayola performing from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Information: 701-5974 or www.guestroom-records.com.
- NORMAN – Catch New York-based indie rock band French Kicks with Mayola and Toil and Trouble at 9 p.m. Sunday at Opolis, 113 N Crawford. Information: www.okctickets.com.
- PRYOR – Listen to David Allan Coe, Jackyl, Crooked X and more this weekend at Bikelahoma 2009 at the Catch the Fever Festival Grounds. Gates open at 4 p.m. today and 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Information: (866) 310-2288 or www.feverfest.com.
- Share your tale when the OKC StorySlam and the Istvan Gallery present their monthly story slam tonight at the gallery, 1218 N Western Ave. The theme this month is “Good Intentions.” Registration begins at 7 p.m., and storytelling starts at 7:30. Information: www.myspace.com/okcstoryslam.
Stoney LaRue
- MIAMI – Hear Stoney LaRue at 8 tonight at Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd. Information: www.buffaloruncasino.com.
- Get in on Mad Maxx’s Spring Bash featuring Texas Hippie Coalition, xit 27, Seed of Doubt and Plow at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave. Information: www.diamondballroom.net.
- View the exhibit “Jack Hill’s Circle of Friends” at Paseo Art Space, 3022 Paseo, before it closes April 30. The gallery is open noon to 4 p.m. today and Saturday. The exhibit features a diverse collection of artworks by the late Jack Hill, one of my favorite Oklahoma artists, and his artistic friends. His collection includes work from talented artists such as Kay Orr, Regina Murphy, Winnie Hawkins, Sue Moss Sullivan, and Elaine Alsup. Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
- Listen to the Sugar Free All-Stars at 10 tonight at 51st Street Speakeasy, 1114 NW 51. Information: www.myspace.com/51speakeasy.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Feb. 9
Crooked X
Today’s featured event:
Hear rockers Blackstone Cherry with Coweta hard rock band Crooked X, Texas Hippie Coalition and Blank Stare tonight at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave. Doors open at 7 p.m.
For more information, go to www.diamondballroom.net.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
