Oklahoma music stars react online to Whitney Houston’s death
Whitney Houston (AP file)
As the sad news of Whitney Houston’s death Saturday in Beverly Hills, Calif., spread over the Internet, several musical talents with Oklahoma ties paid tribute to the former superstar on Twitter and Facebook:
Greyson Chance, Edmond-based singer/songwriter/pianist (on Twitter @GreysonChance):
RIP Whitney Houston. So devastating..she was a true performer. #Legend
Reba McEntire, superstar singer/actress who hails from Chockie (on Twitter @Reba):
Rest in peace, Whitney. (on Saturday)
I do think the Grammys tonight will be a wonderful way to celebrate Whitney’s career while paying tribute to her. (on Sunday before presenting at the Grammys)
Drummer Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma City and Talihina ties (on Twitter @doctorfollowill):
RIP Whitney Houston. So sad.
Drummer Zac Hanson of Tulsa-based trio Hanson (on Twitter at @hansonmusic)
So sad to hear that #whitneyhouston has passed away. What a great voice. Sad day for music. -Z
Charlie Wilson, Tulsa-born R&B star (on Facebook):
Whitney Houston’s voice touched so many generations and lived in the hearts of her fans like a true legend. Her music will continue to live with us for countless generations and she will be truly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing such a beautiful women. You left us too soon.
Country singer Bryan White, who was born in Lawton and raised in Oklahoma City (on Facebook):
Completely moved and deeply saddened at the loss of one of the most iconic voices in modern music. Whitney, you will be sorely missed and never forgotten. Blessings on your family …
Matt Stansberry, Edmond-based singer-songwriter (on Facebook):
So sad to hear about Whitney Houston. I was in LA staying at the same hotel and saw her just yesterday afternoon. So very very sad. I know they will honor her tonight at Clive Davis’s party and Sunday at the Grammys. We lost a legend.
-BAM
Greyson Chance to play cancer benefit concert Jan. 28 in Oklahoma City; tickets on sale Dec. 20
Greyson Chance (AP file)
Edmond teen music sensation Greyson Chance will be home for the holidays and headlining a cancer benefit concert Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Coca Cola Bricktown Events Center, 429 E California Ave. in Oklahoma City.
Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 20 for the all-ages show, presented by Edmond Santa Fe High School and Oklahoma City radio station KJ 103.
According to the show announcement, 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the Peggy & Charles Stephenson Oklahoma Cancer Center located on the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center campus in Oklahoma City. The Cancer Center provides cancer prevention, research, treatment and education.
Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. VIP passes will be available for $55 and include a backstage meet-and-greet with Greyson. Tickets can be purchased online starting Dec. 20 at www.stubwire.com or by phone at (877) 990-7882 (STUB).
Doors will open at 7 p.m. Jan. 28. The show will begin at 8 p.m.
Opening acts will include Edmond-based pop rockers At Long Last, and Oklahoma City jazz-pop musician Denver Duncan with local rapper Jabee.
Greyson, 14, raised $40,000 last year by performing two concerts and doing a meet-and-greet at Edmond Santa Fe High School as part of its annual Double Wolf Dare Week, which raised a total of $198,000 for charitable organizations, including Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Angels Foster Family Network
Greyson shot to fame in 2010 when his cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” became an Internet smash; the video has since garnered more than 45 million views on YouTube. His subsequent appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” prompted the TV host to ink the Oklahoma singer/songwriter/pianist to a record deal with eleveneleven, her boutique label distributed by Geffen/Interscope.
The teenager released his debut album, “Hold On ‘Til The Night,” in August. Greyson has performed on to two successful North American tours and played major events such as the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin’s inaugural festivities and Variety’s annual Power of Youth event. He even has guest-starred on two episode’s of Fox’s comedy series “Raising Hope.”
His music video for “Hold on ‘Til The Night,” the title track from his debut album, debuted Friday on “The Ellen Degeneres Show” and shares a message empowering youth to be themselves and embrace who they are:
-BAM
Video: Greyson Chance “Hold on ‘Til the Night”
Edmond teen music sensation Greyson Chance debuted today the music video for “Hold on ‘Til the Night,” the title track from his recently released debut album.
Greyson, 14, makes his return to the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in the episode airing today to talk about the concept behind the video. “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” airs at 4 p.m. weekdays on KOCO-5 here in Oklahoma City.
Greyson became an Internet sensation in 2010 when his cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” became a YouTube smash. It has since garnered more than 44 million views. Gaga also will be a guest on today’s episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” and it will be interesting to see if she and Greyson appear on air together. (There is a backstage photo of them smiling and posing together on the show’s website.)
The video of “Hold On ‘Til The Night” gives Chance an opportunity to empower his generation to be themselves and embrace who they are. Shot entirely in black and white, Greyson has a young and fresh take on a clean and simple concept: using real kids (not actors) that he found through schools and shoot a stylish, gritty piece, combining strong singing sequences of Chance with shots of Chance and the kids. The video is all about being real and connecting with the viewer – encouraging them to be themselves and speak their minds.
Chance recently took to Twitter (@greysonchance) to share this insight with his fans: “I am so happy and excited for you all to see this video. It is different from anything I have ever done. I shot the video all in black and white and created something that was more artsy and uplifting…I don’t want to give too much away, but I can tell you this video is about lighting up a new generation. It is coming very soon everyone! Get prepared for the video of ‘Hold On ‘Til The Night’!!”
-BAM
Video: Behind the scenes of Greyson Chance’s “Hold on ‘Til the Night” music video, debuting Friday on “Ellen DeGeneres Show”
In anticipation of the upcoming premiere of his newest music video for “Hold on ‘Til the Night,” the title track from his recently released debut album by the same name, Edmond’s own teen music sensation Greyson Chance is taking fans behind the scenes with this sneak peek at the making of the video.
“Hold on ‘Til the Night” will premiere Friday on “The Ellen Degeneres Show with a special appearance from Greyson, 14, who will talk about the concept behind the video. The video also made available on VEVO Friday, and I’ll get it posted here on BAM’s Blog just as soon as I get the chance.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” airs at 4 p.m. weekdays on KOCO-5 here in Oklahoma City.
The video of “Hold On ‘Til The Night” gives Chance an opportunity to empower his generation to be themselves and embrace who they are. Shot entirely in black and white, Greyson has a young and fresh take on a clean and simple concept: using real kids (not actors) that he found through schools and shoot a stylish, gritty piece, combining strong singing sequences of Chance with shots of Chance and the kids. The video is all about being real and connecting with the viewer – encouraging them to be themselves and speak their minds.
Chance recently took to Twitter (@greysonchance) to share this insight with his fans: “I am so happy and excited for you all to see this video. It is different from anything I have ever done. I shot the video all in black and white and created something that was more artsy and uplifting…I don’t want to give too much away, but I can tell you this video is about lighting up a new generation. It is coming very soon everyone! Get prepared for the video of ‘Hold On ‘Til The Night’!!”
-BAM
Video: Greyson Chance returns to “Raising Hope” tonight
Edmond teen music sensation Greyson Chance is set to return to the TV comedy “Raising Hope” in tonight’s episode, airing at 8:30 p.m. on Fox.
Greyson, 14, will reprise his role as the younger version of the series’ protagonist, Jimmy Chance (Lucas Neff). The singer/songwriter/pianist initially appeared on “Raising Hope” on the second-season premiere back in September. He performed part of a great cover of Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle” that was so well received he subsequent released a full rendition of it. (See the video below.)
Tonight’s episode is titled “The Men of New Natesville,” and here is the synopsis:
Burt encourages Jimmy to be more of a daredevil. So when Jimmy’s co-worker, Frank, invites him to a house party, Jimmy jumps at the chance to unleash his bolder side. As Jimmy and his new pal spend more time together, they discover they shared a common high school bully. In a series of flashbacks, Jimmy and Frank look back at their unhappy high school years as Young Jimmy (guest star Greyson Chance) and Young Frank. But when the two try to take down their old nemesis, they’re surprised to learn that the bully has changed
Cast: Lucas Neff as Jimmy; Martha Plimpton as Virginia; Garret Dillahunt as Burt; Shannon Woodward as Sabrina; Cloris Leachman as Maw Maw. Guest Cast: Baylie Cregut as Hope; Rylie Cregut as Hope; Todd Giebenhain as Frank; Jennifer Hasty as Tammy; Bret Loehr as Tommy; Elijah Nelson as Young Frank; George Sharperson as Bus Driver; Greyson Chance as Young Jimmy.
Greyson appeared Monday on the Los Angeles Fox affiliate’s “Good Day LA” to talk about his return to “Raising Hope,” his recent tour of Asia and to hint at a possible project with Lady Gaga. The Edmond teen became an Internet sensation in 2010 when his cover of Gaga’s “Paparazzi” became a YouTube smash. It has since garnered more than 44 million views.
-BAM
Greyson Chance makes Billboard’s “21 Under 21″ list again
Greyson Chance
For the second year, Edmond singer/songwriter/pianist Greyson Chance, 14, has made Billboard’s “21 Under 21,” its annual list of music’s most powerful minors.
The teen music sensation is ranked No. 15 on the trade publication’s list. He was listed at No. 9 last year, when his voice-and-piano cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” went viral on YouTube, leading to his signing as the first artist on Ellen DeGeneres’ boutique label eleveneleven.
Billboard.com this year has dubbed Greyson “the thinking man’s Justin Bieber.”
“Armed with classical training, a way-beyond-his-years voice and a knack for emotional songwriting, Greyson Chance has built upon the overnight success he gained when his cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Paparazzi’ earned 43 million YouTube views,” is Billboard.com’s assessment.
Greyson released his debut album “Hold On ‘Til the Night” in August. Inspired by Snow Patrol and Coldplay, the album featured the singles “Waiting Outside the Lines” (9 million YouTube views) and “Unfriend You” (6 million YouTube views). He will try to widen that audience even more with an upcoming “massive touring block,” according to Billboard.com.
The Oklahoma teen has ties to two other youths on the “21 Under 21″ roster: He toured with 14-year-old Aussie heartthrob Cody Simpson (No. 13 on the list) earlier this year, and he worked with 19-year-old Nick Jonas (No. 8 ) in the youngest Jonas Brother’s capacity as a songwriter.
Justin Bieber moves into top spot on the 2011 “21 Under 21″ since the previous No. 1, country music superstar Taylor Swift, turned 21 last December. Swift will play Oct. 15 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. For more information, go to www.chesapeakearena.com.
-BAM
Video: Ellen DeGeneres catches up with Greyson Chance
Greyson Chance, the 14-year-old Internet music sensation from Edmond, returned to “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in an episode that aired this morning and caught up with the TV host who helped him become an Internet sensation and signed him as the first artist to her eleveneleven record label.
A former student at Edmond’s Cheyenne Middle School, Greyson skyrocketed to fame in spring 2010 when a YouTube video of his piano-and-voice cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” went viral with the help of DeGeneres, Ryan Seacrest and Ashton Kutcher.
One month after “Paparazzi,” Greyson Chance was one of the most famous 12-year-olds in the world. Two months after his take on Gaga’s song hit the Internet, Greyson and his family were making a second home in California so he could record his debut album “Hold on ‘Til the Night,” which was released in August.
-BAM
Video: Greyson Chance to appear on season premiere of Fox comedy “Raising Hope” Sept. 20
Edmond teen music sensation Greyson Chance is set to guest star on the second season premiere of the TV comedy “Raising Hope,” airing at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20 on Fox. Check out this promo spot for Greyson’s guest appearance.
Greyson, 14, will play the younger version of the series’ protagonist, Jimmy Chance (Lucas Neff). Here is the synopsis for the episode, titled “Prodigy”:
When Jimmy watches a home video of himself as a 13-year-old, he discovers that he was a musical prodigy with a promising career as a singer and pianist until a horrible accident involving a golf putter rendered him talentless. Jimmy recruits Burt, Virginia and Maw Maw to help him rediscover his lost abilities.
The sitcom is about the efforts of 20-something single dad Jimmy to raise his infant daughter Hope – conceived during a one-night stand with a woman who was executed on death row shortly after the baby’s birth – with the help of his quirky, flawed family, including his mother, Virginia (Martha Plimpton); father, Burt (Garret Dillahunt); and great-grandmother Maw Maw (Cloris Leachman).
Plimpton and Leachman will compete for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series, respectively, at the 63rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, airing Sept. 18 on Fox.
-BAM
Greyson Chance performing National Anthem at U.S. Open tonight
Teen music sensation Greyson Chance, 14, of Edmond, will perform the National Anthem at 7:30 Eastern/6:30 Central tonight as part of the opening-night festivities of the U.S. Open, the final grand slam tennis tournament of the year. Fans can watch him perform live from Queens, N.Y., on ESPN2.
-BAM
Best Bets for Aug. 19-21, 2011: Hear “Smooth Jazz Under the Stars,” see “1934,” get Black Canyon’s new album
Here are my top 5 picks for events happening around the Oklahoma City metro this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events happening around the state, go to www.wimgo.com.
1. Hear YouTube phenom Greyson Chance, 14, of Edmond at 6 p.m. Friday at Frontier City, 11501 N Interstate 35 Service Road. Information: www.frontiercity.com.
2. See the traveling exhibit “1934: A New Deal for Artists,” which originated at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, before it closes Sunday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.
3. Listen to “Smooth Jazz Under the Stars” featuring Al Jarreau, David Sanborn and Boney James at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Zoo Amphitheatre, 2101 NE 50. Gates open at 6 p.m. Information: 364-3700 or www.zooamp.com.
4. Celebrate Enid band Black Canyon’s new album “Battlefield Darlins” with a CD release show, featuring special guests Ryan Lawson and Blue Valley Farmer, at 10 p.m. Friday at VZD’s, 4200 N Western. Information: 524-4203 or www.vzds.com.
5. EL RENO — Catch ‘80s pop star Tiffany and Nashville, Tenn., singer-songwriter Billy Dawson in concert at 8 p.m. Friday at Gilmores Pub and Barefoot Bar, 112 S Choctaw Ave. Information: 295-1996.
-BAM
