What to do in Oklahoma on Oct. 28, 2008
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Today’s featured event:
TULSA – Hear Oklahoma-Texas band Cross Canadian Ragweed with Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights at 8:30 tonight at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main. Doors open at 7 p.m.
For more information, go to www.cainsballroom.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
New releases for Oct. 13, 2009
Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips (Photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman Archives)
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips release today their first-ever double-album “Embryonic,” which promises to make the world a little more weird – but in a good way.
Brandon Jenkins
Also, red dirt rocker Brandon Jenkins, who grew up in Tulsa but now lives in Austin, Texas, releases his new album, “Brothers of the Dirt,” which as the title suggests, features collaborations with fellow red dirt artists, including Cody Canada, Stoney LaRue and Mike McClure.
“Drag Me to Hell,” Sam Raimi’s (the “Spider-Man” movies) return to the horror genre, is among the new films on DVD this week.
In books, Irish author Eoin Colfer (”Artemis Fowl”) picks up where the late, great Douglas Adams left off with “And Another Thing…,” a sixth book in the legendary “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” series.
Stephenie Meyer (Associated Press photo)
And as the anticipation for the movie sequel “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” builds, “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer releases a collector’s edition of “New Moon” and her “Twilight Saga Journals.”
The soundtrack for “New Moon” will be released on Friday.
Here is a list of this week’s new CDs, DVDs and books from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
The Flaming Lips, “Embryonic.”
Brandon Jenkins, “Brothers of the Dirt.”
Bob Dylan, “Christmas in the Heart.”
David Archuleta, “Christmas From the Heart.”
Neil Diamond, “A Cherry Cherry Christmas.”
Barry Manilow, “In The Swing of Christmas.”
Five For Fighting, “Slice.”
Jack Bruce, “Seven Moons Live.”
Various artists, “The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack” – releasing Friday.
DVDs
American Violet
Drag Me to Hell
The Haunted Airman
Jackass: The Lost Tapes
Land of the Lost
Legend of the Seeker: The Complete First Season
Married… With Children: Complete Eleventh Season
Natural Born Killers
The Proposal
Books
“Dog Days (Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series No. 4)” by Jeff Kinney
“And Another Thing… (Hitchhiker’s Guide Series No. 6)” by Eoin Colfer
“Chronic City” by Jonathan Lethem
“Deep Kiss of Winter” by Kresley Cole
“Dracula: The Un-Dead” by Dacre Stoker
“Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters” by Chesley B. Sullenberger
“Jamie’s Food Revolution: Rediscover How to Cook Simple, Delicious, Affordable Meals” by Jamie Oliver
“Moon River and Me: A Memoir” by Andy Williams
“New Moon: Collector’s Edition” by Stephenie Meyer
“Nine Dragons” by Michael Connelly
“Pursuit of Honor” by Vince Flynn
“Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul: How to Create a New You” by Deepak Chopra
“Twilight Saga Journals” by Stephenie Meyer
-BAM
BAM Column: Miranda Lambert, Flaming Lips, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith releasing fall CDs
Miranda Lambert
From Tuesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Fall offers must-have new music
For Oklahoma music fans, fall holds the promise of fantastic new offerings.
The year has already seen the release of big-time albums from Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Samantha Crain, Rodney Carrington and St. Vincent, all artists with state ties. Even the late Woody Guthrie had a four-disc box set, “My Dusty Road,” released last month.
But even more major records from Okies are still to come this autumn, starting today.
If the title is any indication, firebrand Miranda Lambert will keep on rebelling against the country music establishment with her third album, “Revolution,” which drops today. The Tishomingo singer-songwriter already has notched one stunning brokenhearted ballad, “Dead Flowers,” from the new record.
Toby Keith
Norman star Toby Keith has raised eyebrows and raced up the charts with “American Ride,” the title track of his new album, due out Oct. 6. Last week, the single reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Songs chart. Riding the momentum of the politically charged video, the song has become his most buzz-worthy track since the 2001 hit “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue.”
Also on Oct. 6, country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will offer new bonus content on a limited edition re-release of its “Greatest Hits Vol. 1.”
Flaming Lips
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips will deliver something new on Oct. 13: their first-ever double-album, “Embryonic.” The Lips performed “Convinced of the Hex” recently on “The Colbert Report” and debuted last week the video for “I Can Be a Frog.” If these tracks are any indication, we can expect many surreal delights from the Lips’ latest project.
Carrie Underwood
And recent Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee Carrie Underwood is sure to delight her legion fans with the Nov. 3 release of her hotly anticipated third album “Play On.” The Checotah native put out the first single, “Cowboy Casanova,” as a digital track last week, and it took only 24 hours for the sassy cautionary tale to crack iTunes’ top five list.
The fall is still young, so we may see more Oklahoma artists adding to the list of autumn’s must-have albums. Hopefully, state music lovers have been saving their pennies.
-BAM
Cross Canadian Ragweed, Flaming Lips pay tribute to Bettie Page
Bettie Page (Associated Press file photo)
In an interesting case of cross-genre coincidence, two disparate Oklahoma bands are paying tribute to legendary 1950s pinup model Bettie Page with their new music efforts.
As I mentioned here on the blog earlier this month, red dirt rockers Cross Canadian Ragweed tell the story of Page’s life and death in the song “Pretty Lady,” from the band’s new album “Happiness and all the Other Things.” Page died in December 2008 at the age of 85.
The song has a bluesy outlaw country vibe that seems to suit Page’s life story and makes the track my favorite on Ragweed’s stellar new album. You can see the band perform it live in this YouTube video:
Even better, see the alt-country rockers play it live and in person today at the Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam at Oklahoma City’s Zoo Amphitheatre.
Psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips are other Oklahoma band illustrating the continuing influence of Page, who has a huge cult following. The Lips released earlier this week the video for their playful song “I Can Be a Frog,” on which Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs provides the animal noises. The video features a dancer with a distinctive Page look and sensibility:
The Flaming Lips "I Can Be A Frog"
“I Can Be a Frog” will be included on the Lips’ double-album “Embryonic,” due out Oct. 13.
It’s an interesting concurrence of ideas – and further evidence of Page’s lasting mark on pop culture – that two Oklahoma bands with such different aesthetics found inspiration from the “Pin-up Queen of the Universe” at practically the same time.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Sept. 26, 2009
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Today’s featured event:
Hear great music for a good cause at the Sixth Annual Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam featuring Ragweed, Tesla, the Toadies, Randy Rogers Band, Stoney LaRue and more. The music starts at 3 p.m. today at the Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50. Gates open at 1:30 p.m.
For more information, go to www.zooamp.com
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Cross Canadian Ragweed talks new album, this weekend’s Family Jam
Cross Canadian Ragweed
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Cross Canadian Ragweed invites rockers to Oklahoma City Zoo Amp
Family Jam: Mixing red dirt with rock
Not surprisingly, a strong lineup of Oklahoma and Texas bands will be featured Saturday at the Sixth Annual Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam.
But people expecting an all-red dirt extravaganza will be taken aback.
“We’ll have the usual suspects … but we’re trying to make it a leaning more toward rock this year,” said Cross Canadian Ragweed frontman Cody Canada.
To accomplish that goal, Ragweed has invited hard rock band Tesla, which includes Idabel-bred singer Jeff Keith, and reunited alternative rockers the Toadies, who are based in Fort Worth, Texas.
They will be joined by many of Ragweed’s red dirt fellows: Stoney LaRue & the Arsenals, Randy Rogers Band and Seth James also will make music on the Zoo Amphitheatre’s two stages.
Ragweed’s members — Canada, drummer Randy Ragsdale, guitarist Grady Cross and bassist Jeremy Plato — select the Family Jam lineup, tapping musical compatriots and bands they admire for the benefit concert.
“It’s one of those gigs that you look forward to it the day after it’s over. You know, it’s like what are we gonna do next year. It’s a big one for us; we’re thinking about it all the time,” said Ragsdale by phone before a recent Memphis, Tenn., show.
The Oklahoma-Texas quartet likens the Family Jam to an iPod set on shuffle.
“It’s not really based on a genre or anything like that. It’s more based on just good music, you know, what we like to listen to,” said Ragsdale, who lives in Yukon. “We try to mix it up.”
In the 1990s, he and his bandmates were fans of the Toadies. Ragweed formed in 1994, the same year the alt-rockers released their platinum debut album “Rubberneck.”
The members of Ragweed also grew up on the ‘80s and ‘90s blues-metal of Tesla, who played the 2008 Rocklahoma festival in Pryor.
“We’ve known their music since we were kids. But we met them a few years ago in Wisconsin at a rock fest, and we talked to them about doing our Oklahoma gig. And of course, they’re all about Oklahoma,” Canada said in phone interview this summer. “And Oklahoma likes Tesla.”
This year’s Family Jam also will feature three artists who played integral roles in Ragweed’s new album, “Happiness and All the Other Things,” released last month. Mike McClure produced the album and co-wrote several songs, Stephanie Briggs played piano and helped pen some tracks, and Brandon Jenkins co-wrote the song “Drag.”
The record reached No. 10 on the country album charts and No. 33 on the Top 200 Albums list with first-week sales of more than 15,000.
“That’s what you want to see. That’s what we’re going for is to try to keep this thing going, keep the wheels turning, so it’s good to feel like you’re kind of doing something right for sure,” Ragsdale said. “Instead of keeping it (the music) hard-rocking fast, heavy energy, it’s more or less based on tones and melodies. So, I like it. It’s been awhile since we’ve done that kind of stuff.”
Ragweed will mark 15 years together in October, and an anniversary deluxe limited edition of the album is available. Since they started as teenagers, Ragsdale and his bandmates have been in Ragweed about half their lives.
“Whenever I really think about it, yeah, it seems like a really freaking long time,” he said with a laugh. “But we’ve been doing what we love. We’ve been lucky enough to be able to just go play and do what we like to do. … If I can pay bills and be happy doing what I’m doing, than I’m doing something right.”
He also feels like the band is doing something right with the Family Jam, which raises funds for Mandi’s Ministries, a charity named for Ragsdale’s sister, who died in a 2001 car accident. She was 9 years old.
The nonprofit raises money for children’s causes. Funds from this year’s concert will go to further improvements on the special needs T-ball field the group helped build in Yukon. Ragsdale’s son, J.C., 9, has special needs, and his wife, Ashley, started the Yukon Spirit League so their boy and other special-needs children could play ball.
“It’s going strong and we plan on still trying to fund that and make it better,” he said. “We’ve got kids driving down like from almost Kansas, like from Ponca City and stuff like that, to play in this thing. So it’s a really cool deal.”
In concert
Sixth Annual Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam
Who: Cross Canadian Ragweed, Tesla, Toadies, Brandon Jenkins, Mike McClure, Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers Band, Seth James, Stephanie Briggs.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday. Gates open at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50.
Information: 364-3700 or www.zooamp.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for Sept. 25-27, 2009
Taylor Swift (Associated Press photo)
Here is a list of events happening around Oklahoma this weekend (Sept. 25-27). For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- TULSA — Hear country starlet Taylor Swift, with Kellie Pickler and Gloriana, at 7 p.m. Sunday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.
- Take in small artworks by 150 Oklahoma artists, live music and food at the 12×12 Art Show & Sale at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Fred Jones Industries Building, 900 W Main. The event is the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s sole fundraiser. Information: 879-2400 or www.12×12okc.org.
- DEL CITY — Share an evening with servicemen and women at Vets Fest 2009, featuring Ronnie Kaye and Mike Black and the Stingrays, from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at American Legion Post 73, 5000 SE 24. The event raises funds for the Oklahoma Women Veterans program. Information: 833-4140.
Gary Allan
- Catch PRCA bullriding followed by .38 Special in concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday during the Oklahoma State Fair’s “Rockin’ Bulls” at Jim Norick State Fair Arena. At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, “Bulls & Brawn” will feature more bullriding action plus music by Gary Allan. Information: 948-6700 or www.okstatefair.com.
- Also at the Oklahoma State Fair, hear Boyz II Men at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Black Stone Cherry at 8 p.m. Saturday on the Toyota Stage at State Fair Park. These performances are free with outside gate admission. Information: www.okstatefair.com.
- THACKERVILLE – Or, catch Gary Allan at 9 p.m. Friday at WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave. The casino will feature singer-songwriter Jonny Lang in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
Cross Canadian Ragweed
- Hear Cross Canadian Ragweed, Tesla, Toadies, Brandon Jenkins, Mike McClure, Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers Band, Seth James and Stephanie Briggs Saturday at the Sixth Annual Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam at the Oklahoma City Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50. Gates open at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, and the music starts at 3 p.m. The concert is a fundraiser for Mandi’s Ministries. Information: 364-3700 or www.zooamp.com. (Look for my story on the event Friday.)
- CHICKASHA — Listen to country singer Gene Watson at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Chickasha High School Performing Arts Theatre, 101 John P. Cowan. Information: (405) 243-7252.
- CHOCTAW – Raise awareness about cancer at a fundraising event hosted by Choctaw restaurant Bandana Red’s, 14030 SE 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. All proceeds will benefit Ally’s House and the St. Anthony Hospital Cancer Institute. Activities will begin at 9 a.m. with a two-milewalk for cancer awareness starting at Old Germany Restaurant, 15920 SE 29, and ending at Bandana Red’s. Free hamburgers, hot dogs, hot links, chips and drinks will be served. The event also will feature face painting and inflatables for kids, a motorcycle and antique car show and an auction. Live music will be provided by Shawna Russell, Mitch Cason and the Big Idea, Brother Outlaw, Jack Rowdy, Darlin Darla and New Hope Cowboy Gospel, and Ty England will make a special appearance. Information: 869-0303.
Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers
- TULSA – Hear The Avett Brothers with Samantha Crain & the Midnight Shivers at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main. Information: www.cainsballroom.com.
- MIAMI – Listen to the Randy Rogers Band at 8 p.m. Friday at Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
- Take in live music by local bands, a children’s arts activity area hosted by Wilson Elementary PTA, and delicious food, wine and beer from restaurants around Oklahoma City during the 14th Annual Mesta Festa from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday in Mesta Park, at NW 18 and Shartel in the historic Mesta Park Neighborhood. Information: www.mestapark.org.
Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey
- TULSA – Hear Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey at 9 p.m. Friday at The Marquee, 222 N Main. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
- DEL CITY - Take in dog/owner pet contests, door prizes, a silent auction, an Elvis impersonator, children’s game and live music from the Rainy Day Six Band and The Boxer Rebellion at the second annual Hawgs for Hounds, a fundraising event for the nonprofit Red Dirt Boxer Rescue. Hawgs for Hounds will take place rain or shine from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Ray Trent Park, adjacent to the Del City Dog Park. Friendly, well-behaved pets are welcome at the event. A motorcycle run will begin at 9:30 a.m., with registration starting at 8 a.m. Information: www.reddirtboxerrescue.com.
- See fine Western saddles, bits, spurs, braided rawhide and exquisite silver work by 20 talented gear makers from the United States, Canada and Argentina at the Traditional Cowboy Arts Association Annual Exhibition and Sale at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63. The exhibit is scheduled to open Saturday and will run through Dec. 6. Information: www.nationalcowboymuseum.org. (Look for my story on the event Friday.)
John McEuen
- NORMAN – Hear John McEuen of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band perform at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in Lions Park, 201 W Daws. The free show is the final in the 2009 Summer Breeze Concert Series sponsored by the Performing Arts Studio. Information: www.thepas.org. (See my review of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s new album “Speed of Life” on Friday.)
- Listen to Antsy McClain and Edgar Cruz at 9 p.m. Friday at The Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Information: www.bluedoorokc.com.
- Hear Gentle Ghost, Depth and Current and Feel Spectres at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at The Opolis, 113 N Crawford. Information: www.ticketstorm.com.
- Laugh along as Red Dirt Improv performs at 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday at the new IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan. Matt Donnelly, formerly of New York City’s Neutrino Video Project, will be sitting in with the local troupe. Information: http://www.reddirtimprov.com/calendar.html.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Oklahoma music videos
It’s been a big week on the Oklahoma music scene, with multiple state artists releasing albums or music videos or appearing on TV this week. Here’s the rundown in this week’s Wednesday Video Spotlight:
Singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist St. Vincent (AKA Tulsa native Annie Clark) released the music video for “Marrow,” from her album “Actor,” this week:
Also, “Twilight” author Stephenie Meyer announced on her Web site that St. Vincent and the indie band Bon Iver would collaborate on a song on the soundtrack for the hotly anticipated sequel “The Twilight Saga: New Moon.”
Oklahoma City based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips also released a new video this week. “I Can Be a Frog,” from the upcoming double-album “Embryonic,” features animals noises from Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Just watch it, it will make sense, for the Lips at least:
The Flaming Lips "I Can Be A Frog"
“Embryonic” is due out Oct. 13.
Tulsa-based Christian rock band Pillar released its new album, “Confessions,” on Tuesday. Check out this YouTube video of the band performing the song “Call to Action” from the album:
Also on Tuesday (well, early this morning technically), country music superstar Reba McEntire appeared on “The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson.” See her chat with Ferguson and performance of “Consider Me Gone” in these YouTube videos. (The first is worth watching not only to get a gander at Reba’s awesome boots, but also to hear Craig call the Oklahoma native the “ShamWow of country music.”)
Also, the music video to “Consider Me Gone” will premiere Oct. 2-4 on CMT and CMT.com, according to Reba.com.
And Oklahoma-Texas red dirt band Cross Canadian Ragweed posted on its Facebook today this YouTube video of the group performing “51 Pieces,” from the new album “Happiness and All the Other Things,” at last week’s Americana Conference in Nashville, Tenn. (And surely I’m not the only Ragweed fan still trying to get used to frontman Cody Canada’s new short hair, right?)
On Friday, I’ll have a feature with interviews from Canada and drummer Randy Ragsdale about Saturday’s big Sixth Annual Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam at Oklahoma City’s Zoo Amphitheatre. So be sure to look for that.
-BAM
Brandon Jenkins talks new album, Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam
From Wednesday Life section of The Oklahoman.
Brandon Jenkins rarely passes up a chance to make music with his fellows in the red dirt fraternity.
The singer/songwriter/guitarist will join Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stoney LaRue and Mike McClure on the bill of Saturday’s Sixth Annual Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam at the Zoo Amphitheatre.
On Oct. 13, he will release his new album, “Brothers of the Dirt,” featuring collaborations with Ragweed frontman Cody Canada, LaRue, McClure, Randy Rogers and Jason Boland.
“What we set out to do on this record was just try to include a lot of the red dirt guys, and not only the guys that I guess people know, like Randy and Stoney and Boland and all those guys, but we also tried to incorporate … a lot of the older guard Tulsa guys that really influenced me a lot, like Steve Pryor and Brad Absher and Ron Morgan,” Jenkins said over the phone while driving to a show in Manhattan, Kan.
Born and raised in Tulsa, Jenkins got involved in the red dirt scene when he moved to Stillwater to attend Oklahoma State University in the late ‘80s. He moved to Austin, Texas, in 2002 but remains part of the red dirt brotherhood.
“I’m always asked over the years what red dirt meant, and to me, that’s what red dirt was — probably more the social aspect than the actual music. Because there’s so many different styles of music from mine to Bob Childers to Red Dirt Rangers and Jimmy LaFave,” he said. “The music’s not really the bond; it’s the brotherhood of us all working for a common goal, which I always thought of as the red dirt scene.”
For “Brothers of the Dirt,” Jenkins brought his buddies to Yellow Dog Studios in Austin. Along with writing or co-writing all 12 tracks, Jenkins also produced the album, so he was able to pick songs that best fit his pals’ skills and styles. The album ranges from the politically charged opener “Blood for Oil” to the 9/11 tribute “Out of Babylon” to the worldly ballad “We Could Go to Paris.”
“(I wanted) to give us a reason to get together. You know, we’re all seeing each other, passing, doing these shows. We don’t get to hang out a lot, we always say, well, we need to do a project. So, I say, hell, I’m just gonna do it,” he said.
“It was just a real cool experience, and shoot, I’m almost thinking I might have to do another one of these days, maybe ‘Brothers of the Dirt, Vol. 2.’”
“Brothers of the Dirt” is his first record on E1 Entertainment/Red Dirt Music Co. He said the label was supportive and didn’t put any stressful time limits or expectations on him, though his request to add “Blood for Oil” was initially rejected.
“The record was pretty much done before I even recorded that song. I had written it and had called the label, and was like ‘Man, I just wrote this song, I really think it needs to be on the record.’ And they were like, ‘No, it’s done, it’s finished.’ So I went into the studio and paid for myself to record that song. And then once they heard it, they decided they wanted to put it on there.”
The song became the album’s first single, a scathing critique not only of George W. Bush and the Iraq War but also of the partisan politics that continue to benefit powerful corporations instead of common people.
“I’ve always kind of leaned toward the Democrat side, and I guess just recently I’ve had just more of the awakening that the whole left-right paradigm is just kind of gonna be the destruction of us all. Really, we’ve got to figure out that it isn’t left or right or blue or red or whatever, they’re trying to make money off both sides … they’re all working for the green.”
When it comes to Saturday’s Family Jam, Jenkins said his three-piece red dirt power trio will put on a show reminiscent of “ZZ Top meets a Gov’t Mule.”
“We’re gonna rock their faces off,” he said. “That’s what cool about that show: There is it’s not only the red dirt stuff … then you got Tesla and the Toadies. So it’s going to be an interesting mix.”
In concert
Sixth Annual Cross Canadian Ragweed Family Jam
Who: Cross Canadian Ragweed, Tesla, Toadies, Brandon Jenkins, Mike McClure, Stoney LaRue, Randy Rogers Band, Seth James, Stephanie Briggs.
When: 3 p.m. Saturday. Gates open at 1:30 p.m.
Where: Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50.
Information: 364-3700 or www.zooamp.com.
-BAM
Friday Featured Track for Sept. 4, 2009
The song that has been on my brain the most this week:
- “Pretty Lady,” by Cross Canadian Ragweed, from the band’s new album “Happiness and All The Other Things.
Oklahoma-Texas country rockers Cross Canadian Ragweed released their seventh studio album this week, and I have not been able to stop listening to this song. Frontman Cody Canada penned it as a tribute to famed 1950s pinup model Bettie Page, who died in December 2008 at age 85.
The track’s meaty electric guitar and insistent piano give it a modern red dirt sound, but it also has a definite outlaw country vibe. It’s a song that I get a little something different from every time I hear to it, so, of course, I just keep listening.
And I can’t wait to hear Ragweed play it live.
-BAM
