Oklahoma singer-songwriter Keith Anderson and his record label, Columbia Nashville, have parted ways, CMT.com is reporting.

Anderson, who was born and raised in Miami, released his second album, “C’Mon,” in 2008 and reached No. 2 on Billboard’s country charts with the ballad “I Still Miss You.”

His 2005 album, “Three Chord Country and American Rock & Roll,” which was released on Arista Nashville, was certified gold.  His other singles include “Pickin’ Wildflowers,” “XXL,” “Every Time I Hear Your Name,” “Sunday Morning in America,” She Could’ve Been Mine.” His single “Podunk” included a video filmed…

Joe Don Rooney (Associated Press photo)

Rascal Flatts Week continues here at BAM’s Blog, as the band, including guitarist Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will play a show Friday at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, OK. That venue is just three miles from Picher.

Rooney did a special conference call with Oklahoma and Missouri media last week to talk about the homecoming show, his family and his music. I’ll have much more from the interview and other information about the band in the coming days.

Among the topics of conversation last week…

Reba McEntire (Associated Press photo)

NASHVILLE – The 2009 CMA Music Festival, recently named “the country’s premiere Country Music festival” by the New York Times, is planning a full range of experiences for fans, with more than 100 hours of live music, celebrity events, family activities, and more. The event, now in its 38th year, will take place over four days – June 11-14 in downtown Nashville.

CMA Music Festival is a celebration of the relationship between the fans and the artists, and this connection is vividly demonstrated at the Greased Lightning…

1. “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma,” David Frizzell and Shelly West. Current Oklahoma country music stars Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, sweethearts who live on neighboring Tishomingo farms, do a really great version of this heartfelt ballad, as…

Oklahoma City Ballet (The Oklahoman Archive photo)

Arts

- American Indian Mural Painting: The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63, is opening Saturday a new exhibit of “American Indian Mural Painting in Oklahoma and the Southwest.” http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/.

- Oklahoma City Ballet: See the first production of the newly named Oklahoma City Ballet, “Stars of American Ballet,” at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 848-8637 or http://www.balletoklahoma.com/.

- Magic Lantern Celebration on Paseo: Celebrate Halloween in artistic fashion from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the Paseo Arts District. Information: www.thepaseo.com.

Edgar Cruz (The Oklahoman…

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

Oklahoma native’s path may lead to stardom
Road takes Keith Anderson to Nashville 

Standing on stage at Oklahoma City’s Zoo Amphitheatre, country singer-songwriter Keith Anderson starts talking about the time-honored tradition of cruising Main Street on Friday nights.

“It doesn’t matter where we go – New York, Florida, Nebraska … wherever – everybody knows about dragging Main if they’re from a small town,” said Anderson, before launching into his mischievous down-home hit “Pickin’ Wildflowers.”

The Miami, OK, native made his share of spins around Main and then…

Montgomery Gentry, from left, Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, in an archive Associated Press photo.

Concert review: Country stars close Zoo Amphitheatre’s season with a party

A fun-loving duo, smoldering heartthrob and Oklahoma native on a homecoming tour closed the Zoo Amphitheatre’s concert season Friday night with a fittingly raucous country-rock party.

With the lineup of Montgomery Gentry, Gary Allan and Keith Anderson, Country Fest 2008 promised to fire up the crowd of about 8,500 fans with a steady fuel of drinking songs, brokenhearted ballads and rebel anthems.  

But the fall temperatures…

Up-and-coming country singer Keith Anderson experienced one of the greatest football Saturdays of his life last weekend.

A Miami, OK, native, Anderson played baseball at and graduated from Oklahoma State University. The Cowboys beat then-No. 3 ranked Missouri last Saturday, a feat that moved OSU up in the polls to No. 8.

As Anderson also noted, in-state rival the University of Oklahoma lost to big rival the University of Texas.

“That was one of the great college days of my life: OU gets upset and OSU upsets No. 3, and now we’re in the…

From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.  

Oklahoma native returns for shows

Rising country star Keith Anderson is returning to Oklahoma today for a show in his hometown and concerts at two of the state’s historic venues.

“I can’t wait,” Anderson said in a phone interview earlier this week from Florida. “To get back to Oklahoma is always one of the coolest things I can do. … I’ve got tons of family coming out to all three of those shows.”

Anderson, 40, will be special guest tonight at Country Fest 2008, featuring Montgomery…