Kings of Leon and JD McPherson to play Austin City Limits Festival
Kings of Leon
Two acts with Oklahoma ties – Kings of Leon and JD McPherson – will perform at this year’s expanded Austin City Limits Festival, organizers revealed today.
The festival in Austin, Texas, expands to two weekends this year, Oct. 4-6 and 11-13, at Zilker Park.
Other acts on the loaded lineup include Depeche Mode, The Cure, Muse, Atoms For Peace, Vampire Weekend, The National, Artic Monkeys, Phoenix, Lionel Richie, Wilco, Eric Church, D’Angelo, Queens of the Stone Age, fun., Kendrick Lamar, Tame Impala, The Shouting Matches, Jimmy Eat World, Kaskade and The Mavericks.
To see the full lineup, click here.
-BAM
Kings of Leon finish recording new album, to be released in September
Grammy-winning rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma City and Talihina ties, are planning to release a new album in September.
Kings of Leon bassist Jared Followill has confirmed that the band has finished recording their sixth LP, which is being sequenced, reports Rolling Stone.
“I thought we were going to make a really mature album but I’m amazed how youthful it sounds,” Followill said. “It’s like a mix of ‘Youth & Young Manhood’ and ‘Because of the Times,’” he said, referring to the group’s first and third LPs.
The still-untitled album will be the followup to the Nashville-based family band’s “Come Around Sundown,” which was released back in 2010.
Since, Nathan and Caleb Followill have both become fathers, while Jared became engaged and released the debut EP of his Smoke and Jackal side project with longtime friend Nick Brown.
The band is mostly touring in Europe this summer but has a few U.S. dates planned, including playing the Hangout Music Fest in Gulf Shores, Ala., in May and the Governor’s Ball in New York City in June.
In addition, the quartet will release on May 14 “The Collection Box,” a five-CD, one-DVD box set.
It will include all five previous KOL albums – all featuring bonus tracks previously only available on international pressings – as well as the 2009 concert film “Live at The O2 London, England” in a collectible box.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: Kings of Leon, The Shins, Tom Petty to headline Alabama’s Hangout Music Fest
Kings of Leon (AP file)
Kings of Leon (which has Oklahoma ties), The Shins, Tom Petty, Passion Pit, Public Enemy and Kendrick Lamar are among the top acts playing the fourth Hangout Music Fest, according to HitFix.com.
The Gulf Shores, Ala., event, which takes place May 17-19, also will feature Trey Anastasio Band, Ellie Goulding, Best Coast, The Roots, Delta Ray, BassNectar, The Breeders, Bloc Party, Gov’t Mule and another three dozen acts.
Here is the Hangout Music Fest’s announcement featuring a resurrection of Tony Clifton, a seedy lounge comedian created by the late Andy Kaufman.
For more information, go to http://hangoutmusicfest.com.
-BAM
Kings of Leon to receive star on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame Friday
Kings of Leon (AP file)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Music City, Inc. has announced that it will induct Grammy-winning rock group Kings of Leon, which has Oklahoma ties, into the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by Gibson Guitar.
The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Friday in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The induction ceremony, which is sponsored by Great American Country (GAC), is free and open to the public. Durango Boot Company and Black River Entertainment also are supporting sponsors of the event.
“The Music City Walk of Fame was created to recognize artists who have made contributions to all music genres and who have a strong connection to Nashville,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, in the news release.
“Kings of Leon was created and discovered in Nashville, and the band still proudly calls the city home. They are a perfect example of what this project is all about — local musicians who transcend genre to produce great music loved by all.”
The Music City Walk of Fame, created in the fall of 2006 on Nashville’s Music Mile, is a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have made significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration.
In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Matt Pelham of fellow Nashville-based rock band The Features credited the Kings of Leon with helping to bring Music City’s thriving rock scene out of the shadow of its venerable and well-known country music establishment.
“I think the fact that we came out of Nashville almost hurt us at that time (in the mid-’90s) more than helped us,” Pelham told the AP. “I think they automatically had the association with country music and I also felt there was sort of this shadow over Nashville.”
“To be honest, when Kings of Leon came along, I think they sort of broke through that stereotype or whatever was holding it back. I think they definitely broke through something and a lot of doors opened up for bands in Nashville,” he added.
Originally from Oklahoma, KOL’s Followill family has formed the record label Serpents and Snakes to help bands like The Features and Turbo Fruits gain wider exposure, according to the AP.
With the addition of Kings of Leon, the Music City Walk of Fame now boasts 61 stars.
A permanent sidewalk medallion with Kings of Leon’s name displayed in a star-and-guitar design will be installed in the sidewalk along the Music Mile. The group’s plaque will be inlaid in Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.
The Music City Walk of Fame is an official project of Music City, Inc., the charitable foundation of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau (NCVB), and is produced with the support of presenting sponsor Gibson Guitar and sponsors GAC, Durango Boot, Black River Entertainment, the City of Nashville and Metro Parks. Hard Rock Cafe, Nashville is the newest partner to the Walk of Fame. They will sponsor a Rock & Roll Star at the next induction ceremony.
Nominations are open to the public and are accepted in the categories of Artist, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer/Music Industry Executive. Application forms are reviewed by the Music City Walk of Fame anonymous selection committee.
Read KOL’s bio, provided Music City Walk of Fame, after the break.
Jared Followill’s side project Smoke & Jackal releases video for 1st single “No Tell”
Jared Followill of Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma City and Talihina ties but are now based in Nashville, Tenn., and Nick Brown of fellow Nashville band Mona have debuted the music video for “No Tell,” the first single from their new side project Smoke & Jackal.
The video is NSFW (not safe for work) because it contains nudity. If you want to watch it regardless, you can link to it here.
Smoke & Jackal will release the six-track “EP1″ on Oct. 15, according to NME.com. The pair began recording together earlier in 2012, and “No Tell” was written on the first night they collaborated at Brown’s own home studio in Nashville.
Jared Followill also said recently that his work on Smoke & Jackal’s EP has helped him prepare for Kings of Leon’s upcoming album, reports NME.com:
“Even doing the side project got my creative juices flowing again and just doing something completely different, I feel like it can bring more creativity to our band,” the KOL bassist said.
The Kings of Leon – along with Jared Followill, the band includes his brothers singer Caleb Followill and drummer Nathan Followill and their cousin, guitarist Matthew Followill – are apparently gearing up to make their sixth studio album, the followup to 2010′s “Come Around Sundown.”
“We’ve been meeting with producers every day so we’re starting to get the ball rolling on album six. I don’t know what I can say, but we’re definitely planning on starting the record some point in the near future,” Jared Followill said in a recent interview, adding,
“Caleb has been writing a lot, and yeah, I think it’s going to go really well.”
-BAM
Listen: Jared Followill’s new duo Smoke & Jackal releases first single, “No Tell”
Jared Followill of Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma City and Talihina ties but are now based in Nashville, Tenn., and Nick Brown of fellow Nashville band Mona have debuted the first single from their new side project Smoke & Jackal.
The single, titled “No Tell,” will be available Tuesday, according to the duo’s new Facebook page.
Smoke & Jackal will release the six-track “EP1″ on Oct. 15, according to NME.com. The pair began recording together earlier in 2012, and “No Tell” was written on the first night they collaborated at Brown’s own home studio in Nashville.
-BAM
Photo gallery: Oklahoma stars shine at the 2012 Grammy Awards
From left, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton sit together Sunday night at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles.
Several Oklahoma stars performed, presented or were nominated for awards during Sunday night’s 54th Annual Grammy Awards.
One of the most interesting offstage moments of the award show was the seating of country music power couple and Tishomingo residents next to pop star Lady Gaga, who was dressed in one of her usual outlandish outfits.
A caption contest featuring the photo posted above on Blake Shelton’s Facebook drew more then 16, 900 suggested cutlines. To read the winning entry, click here to go to Blake’s Facebook Wall.
Here are some of the photos the Associated Press captured of Oklahoma stars at the Grammys:
Tulsa native Ryan Tedder celebrates winning a Grammy as one of the producers of Adele's "21," which was named album of the year. (AP)
Checotah native Carrie Underwood performs with legendary crooner Tony Bennett during the Grammys. (AP)
Country duo and nominees Thompson Square - Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson and his wife Shawna - arrive at the Grammys. (AP)
Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, presents at the Grammys. (AP)
Glen Campell, Reid Perry of The Band Perry and Ada native Blake Shelton perform during a tribute to Campbell. (AP)
Carrie Underwood arrives at the Grammys. (AP)
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
UPDATED: 2012 Grammys: Most Oklahoma nominees have to settle for the honor of being nominated
Ryan Tedder (AP file)
UPDATED 10:48 p.m. Monday: Here are a couple more Grammy accomplishments by Oklahoma music stars, courtesy Oklahoma Rock Newsblog.
British singer-songwriter Adele won six awards – sweeping the record, album and song of the year categories – while rockers the Foo Fighters earned five prizes when the Grammy Awards were handed out tonight in Los Angeles. To read my live blog, click here.
Best known as the frontman for pop band OneRepublic, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder shares in Adele’s album of the year win as one of the producers of “21.” (In addition, Tedder co-wrote “Rumour Has It” and another “21″ track, “Turning the Tables,” with Adele.)
Tedder also was nominated for non-classical producer of the year for his work on several records, including Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” Jennifer Hudson’s “I Remember Me” and Adele’s “Rumour Has It.” But Paul Epworth, who also worked with Adele along with Foster the People, won the producer prize.
Some Oklahomans were in the spotlight during the Grammy Awards: Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton performed with The Band Perry and Glen Campbell in a tribute to Campbell, who is retiring from touring to cope with his Alzheimer’s disease. Checotah native Carrie Underwood performed with legendary crooner Tony Bennett before they presented the new artist award to Bon Iver. Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, and Shelton’s wife Miranda Lambert, a Texas native who now calls Tishomingo home, were presenters.
Underwood is among the various artists who collaborated with Bennett on his “Duets II” album, which won the best traditional pop vocal album.
Oklahoma City native The World Famous Tony Williams and Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, helped rapper Kanye West win three Grammys. Vocals by Williams and Wilson were featured on West’s “All of the Lights,” which won best rap song and best rap/sung collaboration.
Also, the album containing “All of the Lights,” titled “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” won best rap album. Williams’ vocals were featured on the album tracks “Dark Fantasy,” “Gorgeous,” “Runaway,” “Hell of a Life” and “Lost in the World,” according to Oklahoma Rock Newsblog.
For the most part, though, the 2012 Grammy nominees with Oklahoma ties had to settle for being nominated tonight:
- Muskogee native Ester Dean shared in an album of the year nomination as one of several producers on Rihanna’s “Loud,” but the prize went to Adele and her collaborators for “21.”
- Shelton was nominated for country album of the year for “Red River Blue,” but trio Lady Antebellum won a surprise victory in the category with “Own the Night.”
- Shelton was nominated for “Honey Bee” and Underwood for “Mama’s Song” in the best country solo performance, but singer-songwriter Taylor Swift won for “Mean.”
- Vince Gill earned his 41st Grammy nomination in the best country song category with “Threaten Me with Heaven,” which the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred star penned with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and the late Will Owsley. Also, Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy were nominated for writing Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” and Dave Barnes was nominated for penning Shelton’s “God Gave Me You.” But Taylor Swift won the country song category, again with “Mean.”
- Country duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, received its first Grammy nod for best country duo/group performance for its breakthrough hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.” But The Civil Wars scored the Grammy for “Barton Hollow.”
- Four-time Grammy winners Kings of Leon, who have ties to Oklahoma City and Talihina, were nominated for best rock album for their fifth studio effort, “Come Around Sundown.” The Grammy went to the Foo Fighters’ “Wasting Light.”
- Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” which opened 2011’s deadCenter Film Festival, contended for best long-form music video. The prize was awarded to James Moll, the video’s director, and James Moll and Nigel Sinclair, producers, for “Foo Fighters: Back and Forth.”
- Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, former frontman of the Gap Band, was nominated for best R&B performance for his hit “You Are,” from his 2010 solo album “Just Charlie.” The award went to Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Is This Love.” In addition, Wilson, his wife Mahin Wilson and their fellow songwriters Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr. and Wirlie Morris shared a nomination for best R&B song for “You Are.” But “Fool For You,” written by Cee Lo Green, Melanie Hallim and Jack Splash, became the winning song.
- Christian worship group Gungor, which is fronted by former Tulsan Michael Gungor, earned a nod in the new best contemporary Christian music album category. Chris Tomlin won for “And If Our God Is For Us….”
Some Oklahoma talents did help others win Grammys tonight:
- The 40th anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of Derek and the Dominos’ beloved 1970 album “Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs” earned the best surround sound album Grammy. The late Carl Radle, a Tulsa native, was the band’s bassist.
- Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars is among the various artists featured on “All About Bullies … Big and Small,” named best children’s album. The Allstars collaborated with fellow kindie rocker Secret Agent 23 Skidoo on the compilation track “Cooperate.”
-BAM
Blake Shelton, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood and other Oklahomans competing for Grammys tonight
Blake Shelton (AP file)
Several music stars with Oklahoma ties will be part of “Music’s Biggest Night” when the 54th Annual Grammy Awards air live from Los Angeles from 7 to 10:30 tonight on CBS. Follow my live blog tonight right here on BAM’s Blog.
Here are the Oklahoma nominees and performers to root for tonight:
Ada native Blake Shelton is nominated for best country album for “Red River Blue” and best country solo performance for the album’s chart-topping first single “Honey Bee.” The Tishomingo resident’s No. 1 hit “God Gave Me You,” written by contemporary Christian singer Dave Barnes, also earned a nod for best country song, an award presented to songwriters.
In addition, Shelton and The Band Perry will give a special performance with country legend Glen Campbell during the show, and Shelton’s wife and fellow country star Miranda Lambert will be a presenter, along with Chockie native Reba McEntire.
In the best country solo performance category, Shelton will compete against Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who is nominated for her emotional ballad “Mama’s Song.” The Recording Academy this year consolidated many Grammy categories, so solo country artists are longer separated into male and female competitions.
Underwood also is featured on legendary crooner Tony Bennett’s “Duets II,” nominated for best traditional pop vocal album. Underwood, a five-time Grammy winner, and Bennett, who has 14 golden gramophones plus a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, are set to perform together on the awards show.
Country duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, received its first Grammy nod for best country duo/group performance for its breakthrough hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” which earned songwriters Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy a best country song nomination, too.
Vince Gill earned his 41st Grammy nomination in the best country song category with “Threaten Me with Heaven,” which the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred star penned with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and the late Will Owsley. Gill already has earned the most Grammys of any male country artist with 20.
Four-time Grammy winners Kings of Leon, who have ties to Oklahoma City and Talihina, are nominated for best rock album for their fifth studio effort, “Come Around Sundown.” Plus, Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” which opened 2011’s deadCenter Film Festival, will contend for best long-form music video.
Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, former frontman of the Gap Band, is nominated for best R&B performance for his hit “You Are,” from his 2010 solo album “Just Charlie.” In addition, Wilson, his wife Mahin Wilson and their fellow songwriters Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr. and Wirlie Morris share a nomination for best R&B song for “You Are.”
For the second straight year, Christian worship group Gungor, which is fronted by former Tulsan Michael Gungor, is celebrating a nomination for its new album. The group’s 2011 album “Ghosts Upon the Earth” earned a nod in the new best contemporary Christian music album category. Gungor’s 2010 release “Beautiful Things” was nominated last year in the now-eliminated best rock or rap gospel album division.
Best known as the frontman for pop band OneRepublic, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder is nominated for non-classical producer of the year for his work on several records, including Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” Jennifer Hudson’s “I Remember Me” and Adele’s “Rumour Has It.” Since he produced “Rumour Has It,” Tedder shares in the Adele’s nomination for album of the year for her smash “21,” too. (In addition, Tedder co-wrote “Rumour Has It” and another “21″ track, “Turning the Tables,” with Adele.)
Muskogee native Ester Dean also has a share of an album of the year nomination as one of several producers on Rihanna’s “Loud.”
The 40th anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of Derek and the Dominos’ beloved 1970 album “Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs” earned a nomination in the best surround sound album category. The late Carl Radle, a Tulsa native, was the band’s bassist.
And, Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars is among the various artists featured on “All About Bullies … Big and Small,” nominated for best children’s album. The Allstars collaborated with fellow kindie rocker Secret Agent 23 Skidoo on the compilation track “Cooperate.”
-BAM
