Oklahoma celebrities tweet through the tornadoes
Greyson Chance (Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman Archives)
Celebrities with Oklahoma ties used Twitter to voice their concerns, reassure fans they were safe and request prayers for the state as a deadly tornado outbreak swept through Tuesday. At least five were killed, dozens were injured and many homes and businesses were destroyed as multiple twisters tore through Oklahoma.
Like many affected by the storms, Okie celebrities used social media to communicate during the outbreak.
Here’s what some of the high-profile Oklahomans posted on Twitter Tuesday night as the storms rolled through:
I am safe! Thanks all for the tweets. Please pray for Oklahoma.
- Edmond teen music star Greyson Chance (@greysonchance)
Now I’m in Oklahoma bracing for bad weather. Everybody stay safe.
- Owasso country star Trisha Yearwood, who had spent the day at St. Mary’s School in Cortland, N.Y., promoting music education. (@TYcom)
I hope everyone in Oklahoma is staying safe!! We’re thinking about you all!
- Oklahoma City-based rockers Hinder, who will play the Memorial Day weekend Rocklahoma festival in Pryor. (@hindermusic)
doing good, been lookin off the front porch tryin to see one
- Rodeo champ, “The Amazing Race” contestant and Ada resident Cord McCoy, tweeting to a follower who inquired about his family’s safety (@CordMcCoy)
I’m praying for all the people and animals in MO today and for the rest of the victims of these natural disasters.
- Country music star and Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, extending her prayers to the victims of Joplin, Mo.’s devastating tornado earlier this week. (@Miranda_Lambert)
The Oklahoma City Thunder were in Dallas, where they’re playing Game 5 of their Western Conference Finals series with the Mavericks tonight, but they were still thinking about their fans back
James Harden (Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman Archives)
home:
I’m in Dallas really concerned wit this tornado talk in OKC……
- Eric Maynor (@EMaynor3)
Praying for everyone in OKC!!..hope those tornadoes don’t hit too crazy!!!!
- James Harden (@JHarden13)
Praying for everyone back in Oklahoma, that this storm won’t be to bad.
- Byron Mullens (@byron23james)
Praying everything goes well with everything in Oklahoma with all these tornado warnings in effect right now…….
- Daequan Cook (@DcookIsBack)
Blake Shelton (AP file)
And country music star Blake Shelton (@blakeshelton), who coincidentally will be playing tornado benefit shows with tonight and Thursday in Durant, tweeted last night, “Hang on my Oklahoma and Kansas friends!!!! This is rough!!!!”
Shelton and fellow Oklahoma star Reba McEntire will perform the back-to-back benefits at Choctaw Event Center as part of the relief effort for the tiny Atoka County town of Tushka, which was hit April 14 by a deadly EF3 tornado.
It’s been a tough spring, but these shows should bring hope as well as funds to southeastern Oklahomans.
Shelton, a prolific Twitter user, also tweeted today a warning for those who will be attending tonight’s concert: “To all the people coming to see me and @Reba tonight in Durant, Ok… Although this is a benefit for tornado relief, I may be drinking..”
Look for my review of the show in the wee hours of Thursday here at BAM’s Blog and at NewsOK.
-BAM
Video: Greyson Chance performs “Unfriend You” on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show”
Edmond teen music sensation Greyson Chance will release his first album “Hold on ‘Til the Night” on Aug. 2.
A year after he signed with Ellen DeGeneres’ boutique recording label eleveneleven, Chance, 13, returned to her daytime talk show in an episode airing Monday (today) to announce the release date for his hotly anticipated debut.
He also performed his second single from the album, the heartbroken power ballad “Unfriend You,” on Monday’s episode, to the delight of teenage girls in the studio audience of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The single is currently available on iTunes.
Chance skyrocketed to fame in last spring after a YouTube video of him performing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” at an April 2010 school talent show went viral. By May 27, 2010, he was making his second appearance on DeGeneres’ show, when she announced he would be the first artist signed to her label, distributed by Geffen/Interscope.
Fueled by unexpectedly soulful musicianship along with his viral-video good fortune, Chance has spent the past 12 months or so working on the album and touring in preemptive support of it, earning more than half a million followers on Twitter and 700,000-plus likes on Facebook, playing Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin’s inauguration festivities and even performing at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
“I’m so thrilled to be a part of it, and I love that you really get so much joy out of it and really love doing it,” DeGeneres said.
On Monday’s episode of her show, DeGeneres and Chance revealed they have another high-profile gig in mind for the bright young star: the musical TV series “Glee.”
“I would totally love to be the kid who’s just like jammed in the locker on ‘Glee’ or like the janitor. I would just love to be on ‘Glee,’” Chance said with a laugh.
“Let’s get you another role … but that’s a start. But I think you’d be great on ‘Glee,’” DeGeneres said, asking for help starting a Facebook campaign to get the teen on the popular Fox show.
DeGeneres has been the subject of a local Facebook campaign of her own. The Facebook campaign “Let’s Make Ellen Our #1 Thunder Girl” has so far put on a flash mob dance tribute and convinced Mayor Mick Cornett, who has been a guest on DeGeneres’ show in the past, to record a video plea for the talk-show host to support the Oklahoma City NBA team. DeGeneres responded last week on her show’s official Facebook that she is rooting for the Thunder in its playoff run.
The Thunder will play Game 4 of its Western Conference Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m. Monday night at the Oklahoma City Arena.
Greyson Chance will perform The National Anthem before tipoff.
-BAM
Greyson Chance to release debut album Aug. 2, hopes to appear on “Glee”
Edmond music sensation Greyson Chance appears on the May 26, 2010, episode of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" to announce his signing with the talk-show host's boutique label eleveneleven. Chance returned to the show in an episode airing Monday to announce his debut album "Hold on 'Til the Night," will be released Aug. 2.
Edmond teen music sensation Greyson Chance will release his first album “Hold on ‘Til the Night” on Aug. 2.
A year after he signed with Ellen DeGeneres’ boutique recording label eleveneleven, Chance, 13, returned to her daytime talk show in an episode airing Monday (today) to announce the release date for his hotly anticipated debut.
He also performed his second single from the album, the heartbroken power ballad “Unfriend You,” on Monday’s episode, to the delight of teenage girls in the studio audience. The single is currently available on iTunes.
Chance skyrocketed to fame in last spring after a YouTube video of him performing Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” at an April 2010 school talent show went viral. By May 27, 2010, he was making his second appearance on DeGeneres’ show, when she announced he would be the first artist signed to her label, distributed by Geffen/Interscope.
Fueled by unexpectedly soulful musicianship along with his viral-video good fortune, Chance has spent the past 12 months or so working on the album and touring in preemptive support of it, earning more than half a million followers on Twitter and 700,000-plus likes on Facebook, playing Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin’s inauguration festivities and even performing at the White House Easter Egg Roll.
“I’m so thrilled to be a part of it, and I love that you really get so much joy out of it and really love doing it,” DeGeneres said.
On Monday’s episode of her show, DeGeneres and Chance revealed they have another high-profile gig in mind for the bright young star: the musical TV series “Glee.”
“I would totally love to be the kid who’s just like jammed in the locker on ‘Glee’ or like the janitor. I would just love to be on ‘Glee,’” Chance said with a laugh.
“Let’s get you another role … but that’s a start. But I think you’d be great on ‘Glee,’” DeGeneres said, asking for help starting a Facebook campaign to get the teen on the popular Fox show.
DeGeneres has been the subject of a local Facebook campaign of her own. The Facebook campaign “Let’s Make Ellen Our #1 Thunder Girl” has so far put on a flash mob dance tribute and convinced Mayor Mick Cornett, who has been a guest on DeGeneres’ show in the past, to record a video plea for the talk-show host to support the Oklahoma City NBA team. DeGeneres responded last week on her show’s official Facebook that she is rooting for the Thunder in its playoff run.
The Thunder will play Game 4 of its Western Conference Finals series against the Dallas Mavericks at 8 p.m. Monday night at the Oklahoma City Arena.
Greyson Chance will perform The National Anthem before tipoff.
-BAM
UPDATED: Greyson Chance to perform on “Ellen DeGeneres Show,” sing at OKC Thunder game today
Edmond teen music star Greyson Chance will perform today on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and at the Oklahoma City Thunder-Dallas Mavericks game. (Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman Archives)
UPDATED: Greyson announced on today’s episode of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” that he will release his debut album Aug. 2. To read more, click here. To see the video of his performance of “Unfriend You,” click here.
Teen music sensation Greyson Chance of Edmond will be all over the place today.
Chance will appear today on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” where he will perform his new song “Unfriend You.” The singer/songwriter/pianist, 13, also promised on Twitter (@GreysonChance) that he will “make a very special announcement” and reveal important information about his upcoming debut album, “Hold on ‘Til the Night.”
Chance last year became the first artist to sign with eleveneleven, DeGeneres’ boutique label distributed by Geffen/Interscope.
“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” airs at 9 a.m. weekdays on KOCO-5 in Oklahoma City.
In addition, Greyson confirmed on Twitter over the weekend that he will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” tonight at the top of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Western Conference Finals playoff game versus the Dallas Mavericks. Game 4 in the series tips off at 8 tonight at the Oklahoma City Arena. For more information, go to www.theokcarena.com.
Greyson tweeted that he is “Very excited to be back in OK!” The young musician has been dividing his time among Edmond, Los Angeles and the road while recording his album and touring.
For those who don’t have tickets, the Thunder game will air on ESPN.
It will be interesting to see if Ellen and Greyson chat on her show today about Oklahoma City NBA fans’ efforts to recruit her as a Thunder superfan. The Facebook campaign “Let’s Make Ellen Our #1 Thunder Girl” has so far put on a flash mob dance tribute and convinced Mayor Mick Cornett, who has been a guest on Ellen’s show in the past, to record a video plea for the talk-show host to Thunder up. DeGeneres has responded on her show’s official Facebook that she is rooting for the Thunder.
With the Thunder trailing the series 2-1, we need everyone to Thunder up!
-BAM
Video: Greyson Chance performs at White House Easter Egg Roll
Singer/songwriter/pianist Greyson Chance, 13, of Edmond, performed Monday at the annual White House Easter Egg Roll.
The teen music sensation performed the songs “Fire,” “Empire State of Mind,” “Unfriend You” and his single “Waiting Outside the Lines.” Check out his performance in this fan-shot YouTube video.
“This year’s been a pretty crazy year for me,” Greyson, who a year ago shot to fame as a YouTube sensation with his talent show performance of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi,” told the crowd at the White House.
“I’m working on my debut album. Actually it’s finished and it’s going to be coming out in late summer.”
He announced last week on “Good Morning America” that his debut album will be titled “Hold on ‘Til the Night.” He is previewing the song “Unfriend You” on his Facebook page.
The teen tweeted Monday, “Just met the President @BarackObama! What an amazing honor, he was so nice and humble. I was very nervous!!”
-BAM
Greyson Chance to perform today at White House Easter Egg Roll
Greyson Chance, 13, performs a hometown concert at Edmond Santa Fe High School on Feb. 19. (Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman Archives)
Edmond music star Greyson Chance, 13, will be among the performers today at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll.
Other performers include Willow Smith, Mindless Behavior, John Lithgow, Sesame Street, and Little Beats and DJ WillyWow. Colbie Caillat will sing the National Anthem.
A tradition in its 133rd year, the Easter Egg Roll is the largest annual public event at the White House, according to a news release.
The entire Easter Egg Roll event, including all of the headliner music acts and Storytime Stage readers, will be broadcast live on www.whitehouse.gov/live. A full schedule will be posted this morning so people from across the country will be able to participate in the event.
The Easter Egg Roll will have the theme of “Get Up and Go!” promoting health and wellness. The event will feature live music, sports courts, cooking stations, storytelling and, of course, Easter egg rolling.
All of the activities will encourage children to lead healthy and active lives and follow the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, a national campaign to combat childhood obesity. The White House will open its South Lawn for children ages 12 years and younger and their families.
The timing for this year’s event has been extended compared to previous years, with a start time of 7:30 a.m. Eastern and an end time of 6:20 p.m. According to the release, 30,000 people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia have received tickets to the event, distributed in five different groups. Each group of 6,000 guests will be able to spend two hours on the South Lawn.
Reading on the Storytime Stage will be Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and family; John Lithgow; Elmo, Maria and Gordon of Sesame Street; John Bemelmans Marciano; Kristi Yamaguchi; and Geena Davis.
Greyson announced Friday on “Good Morning America” that his debut album, which is in progress, will be titled “Hold on ‘Til the Night” and “it’s going to be out before school,” which presumably means late summer or early fall.
-BAM
Video: Greyson Chance announces album title, “Hold on ‘Til the Night,” on “Good Morning America”
Oklahoma teen music star Greyson Chance appeared on “Good Morning America” today to perform and talk up “Waiting Outside the Lines,” the lead-off single from his forthcoming album.
The Edmond youth revealed that his debut album, which is in progress, will be titled “Hold on ‘Til the Night” and “it’s going to be out before school,” which presumably means late summer or early fall.
The 13-year-old released the “Waiting Outside the Lines” EP this week, featuring the title track plus a remixed version he and Charice recorded, along with Greyson’s covers of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” and Augustana’s “Fire.” His video for “Waiting Outside the Lines” is the free video of the week on iTunes.
On Monday, Greyson will headline the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, which also will feature Willow Smith and Colbie Caillat. Past headliners include the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber.
The singer/songwriter/pianist rocketed to online stardom about a year ago after a YouTube video of him performing “Paparazzi” at a local talent show went viral and attracted the attention of TV host Ellen DeGeneres, who signed Greyson to her boutique label.
-BAM
Greyson Chance to perform Friday on “Good Morning America”
Greyson Chance (Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman Archives)
Teen music sensation and Edmond resident Greyson Chance will perform his debut single “Waiting Outside the Lines” Friday on ABC’s “Good Morning America.”
Greyson, who is working on his full-length debut album, released his “Waiting Outside the Lines” EP this week, featuring the title track plus his covers of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” and Augustana’s “Fire.” His video for “Waiting Outside the Lines” is currently the free video of the week on iTunes.
On Monday, Greyson will headline the annual White House Easter Egg Roll, which also will feature Willow Smith and Colbie Caillat. Past headliners include the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber.
The singer/songwriter/pianist, 13, rocketed to online stardom about a year ago after a YouTube video of him performing “Paparazzi” at a local talent show went viral and attracted the attention of TV host Ellen DeGeneres, who signed Greyson to her boutique label.
-BAM
Greyson Chance to perform Monday at White House Easter Egg Roll
Edmond teen music sensation Greyson Chance performs a concert at Edmond Santa Fe High School in Edmond on Feb. 19. (Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman Archives)
Edmond’s own teen music sensation Greyson Chance will be among the performers Monday at the 2011 White House Easter Egg Roll.
Other performers include Willow Smith, Mindless Behavior, John Lithgow, Sesame Street, and Little Beats and DJ WillyWow. Colbie Caillat will sing the National Anthem.
A tradition in its 133rd year, the Easter Egg Roll is the largest annual public event at the White House, according to a news release.
The Easter Egg Roll is set for Monday with the theme of “Get Up and Go!” promoting health and wellness. The event will feature live music, sports courts, cooking stations, storytelling and, of course, Easter egg rolling.
All of the activities will encourage children to lead healthy and active lives and follow the First Lady’s Let’s Move! initiative, a national campaign to combat childhood obesity. The White House will open its South Lawn for children ages 12 years and younger and their families.
The timing for this year’s event has been extended compared to previous years, with a start time of 7:30 a.m. Eastern and an end time of 6:20 p.m. According to the release, 30,000 people from all 50 states and the District of Columbia have received tickets to the event, distributed in five different groups. Each group of 6,000 guests will be able to spend two hours on the South Lawn.
The entire Easter Egg Roll event, including all of the headliner music acts and Storytime Stage readers, will be broadcast live on www.whitehouse.gov/live. A full schedule will be posted Monday morning so people from across the country will be able to participate in the event.
Reading on the Storytime Stage will be Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos and family; John Lithgow; Elmo, Maria and Gordon of Sesame Street; John Bemelmans Marciano; Kristi Yamaguchi; and Geena Davis.
Chefs Jacque Pepin, Art Smith and trainer Az Ferguson, Marcella Valladolid, Carla Hall and the White House Chefs will prepare healthy eating demonstrations in the Play with your Food station.
In the Eggtivity Zone, professional players and coaches from professional sports teams will teach kids how to play sports and show kids easy, fun ways to stay active and fit. Athletes participating in the Eggtivity Zone include Olympic stars Tyson Gay and Bryan Clay; Lorenzo Alexander with the NFL; DC United’s Bryan Namoff, Josh Wolff and Ben Olsen; the Washington Nationals Jim Riggleman, Adam Laroche and Ryan Zimmerman; along with Sean Casey and others.
Alana Beard and Crystal Langstrom from the WNBA, Nick Young from the Wizards, former basketball player Darryl Dawkins, and the Harlem Globetrotters will participate in basketball.
Chris Evert, Katrina Adams, Brian Vahaly, Mal Washington, Patrick Monroe and Chanda Rubin will be joining kids on the tennis courts, along with the Washington Kastles Mascots.
-BAM
Edmond teen star Greyson Chance raises $40,000 for charity with hometown benefit shows
Greyson Chance performs a concert Saturday at Edmond Santa Fe High School. Chance attended Edmond schools until last summer when he moved to California to pursue his music career. (Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman)
Oklahoma teen music sensation Greyson Chance, 13, brought in more than $40,000 between his two concerts and a meet-and-greet Saturday, reports Tricia Pemberton, one of my fine colleagues at The Oklahoman.
Greyson performed Saturday at Edmond Santa Fe High School for Double Wolf Dare Week, the school’s annual charity drive.
The Edmond-raised teen played to an audience of more than 500 people Saturday afternoon and almost 1,000 people Saturday night. In between, he met with about 250 fans during a meet-and-greet.
Ninety-five percent of the money raised for Double Wolf Dare Week will go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, an international nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness for children’s medical group, Tricia reports.
Five percent of the money will go to Angels Foster Family Network, which helps place foster children age 3 and younger. That charity is shared by all three Edmond high schools’ annual fundraising campaigns.
To read more about Greyson’s weekend shows and learn more about Santa Fe’s Double Wolf Dare Week, click here and go to Tricia’s story.
Greyson became a YouTube phenom after a video of his piano-and-voice cover of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” went viral last year. He now is touring with singer/actress Miranda Cosgrove (“iCarly”) and working on his debut album for eleveneleven, Ellen Degeneres’ boutique label distributed by Geffen/Interscope.
-BAM
