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
Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, other Oklahomans to compete for Grammy glory Sunday night
Thompson Square (AP file)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Oklahomans to compete for Grammy glory Sunday night
BAM: Country duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, are relishing their first chance to win one of the music industry’s most prestigious prizes.
Keifer and Shawna Thompson just couldn’t wrap their heads around the big news: The couple, who make country music under the moniker Thompson Square, had just become Grammy nominees.
“I’ll tell you what, “When we found that out, we just about lost our minds. That’s the big enchilada there. It doesn’t get any bigger than Grammys,” said Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson during a recent phone interview.
In a week, he and his wife will play an eagerly awaited hometown show at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami. Before they head back to Oklahoma, though, the couple will be part of “Music’s Biggest Night”: the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, which will air live from Los Angeles from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
“We’re definitely gonna go,” said Keifer Thompson. “Are you crazy?”
Thompson Square 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.
Oklahoma nominees
The couple is hardly the only nominee with Oklahoma ties.
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.
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.”
Thrilling nomination
Thompson Square was enjoying a rare night off when the Grammy nominations were announced Nov. 30.
“I decided to stay in and was in my pajamas, watching, I’m sure, some reality show. … Keifer and I both had forgotten that they were announcing the nominees that night, and about 10 o’clock our manager called and was like, ‘Is your husband there?’ and I know … when he wants to talk to both of us, it’s either really good news or really bad news,” she said.
“He told me about it, and all I could do was just say ‘What?’ over and over again. I was like, ‘What? You’ve gotta be kidding me.’ I thought he was joking. We finally got a hold of Keifer — he was out with some of his buddies in downtown Nashville — and his response was exactly the same. He just kept saying ‘What? What?’ like he couldn’t understand. It wasn’t processing.”
“It’s just crazy to think you’re in that kind of game,” Keifer added. “It feels good, though. We’ll take it.”
Grammy Awards Live Blog
Follow along with Brandy McDonnell’s live blog of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday here at BAM’s Blog at blog.newsok.com/bamsblog.
Thompson Square
When: 9 p.m. Feb. 17.
Where: Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd., Miami, OK.
Information: (918) 542-7140 or www.buffaloruncasino.com.
-BAM
UPDATED: Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Thompson Square, Vince Gill, Kings of Leon, Charlie Wilson among Oklahomans nominated for 2012 Grammys
Blake Shelton (AP file)
UPDATED at 4 p.m. Thursday: With a new quote from Vince Gill.
UPDATED at 4 p.m. Friday: A few more nominees with Oklahoma ties have been brought to my attention. I try to get them all the first time, but there’s so darn many talented musicians and producers from our fair state, it can be a bit of a challenge!
A version of this story will appear in Friday’s The Oklahoman.
Oklahomans earn Grammy nominations
Country stars Blake Shelton, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, rockers Kings of Leon and R&B singer Charlie Wilson are among the artists with state ties who will compete for golden gramophones in 2012.
Country stars Blake Shelton, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill, rockers Kings of Leon and R&B singer Charlie Wilson are among the recording artists with Oklahoma ties to earn 2012 Grammy Award nominations.
Producer Ryan Tedder and contemporary Christian group Gungor also will be in the running when the 54th Annual Grammy Awards air live from Los Angeles on Feb. 12 on CBS.
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.
“It’s one thing to be acknowledged by the Grammy voters for one of your songs, but to have two songs nominated, and the album that their both off of, is an emotional experience. I may never have something like this in my career again and I’m darn well going to enjoy it!” Shelton said in a statement, after colorfully crowing about the nods on his popular Twitter feed.
Carrie Underwood (AP file)
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 competitisons.
Underwood also is featured on legendary crooner Tony Bennett’s “Duets II,” nominated for best traditional pop vocal album.
Hot new 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.
“We both could not believe the news of our Grammy nominations,” said Keifer Thompson in a statement. “When our manager told us we really thought he was playing some sort of sick joke on us. We can’t thank the Grammys enough for such a prestigious honor!”
“If I’m asleep please don’t wake me up, ’cause this is a dang good dream!!” added his wife and musical partner, Shawna Thompson.
The best country song competition also includes the latest ballad from Vince Gill, “Threaten Me
Vince Gill (AP file)
with Heaven,” which the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred star penned with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and Will Owsley. Gill told The Oklahoman earlier this year that his feelings about the love song have morphed since Owsley committed suicide last year.
“We were great friends and palled around together a lot. He was a great guitar player and a great songwriter and a really gifted musician and I learned a lot from him,” Gill told The Oklahoman.
Gill, who already has earned the most Grammys of any male country artist with 20, said in a statement that the nomination will help the song stand as a lasting tribute to Owsley. It is Gill’s 41st Grammy nomination.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled for my late friend Will,” Gill said. “This would have meant the world to him.”
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 this year’s deadCenter Film Festival, will contend for best long-form music video.
Charlie Wilson (AP file)
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.”
“I am so humbled,” Wilson said on Facebook. “Thank you to all my fans for the support and love and sticking with me. I am so happy right now!”
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.”
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.
The 40th anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of Derek and the Dominos well-loved 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 bassist for Derek and the Dominos.
And, Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars are 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 collaborated on the compilation track, “Cooperate.”
Rapper Kanye West garnered a leading seven nominations for the 2012 Grammys.
-BAM
Wednesday Video Spotlight: “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” bonus feature
The rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” was released last week on DVD and Blu-ray. Revolver Entertainment has provided this sneak peek of one of the film’s bonus features.
“Talihina Sky,” which follows the band as it travels to a family reunion in Talihina, tells the story of the brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, who spent their childhood traveling the Bible Belt between Oklahoma and Tennessee with their itinerant Pentecostal preacher father, Leon. Despite their strict upbringing, they formed the rock band Kings of Leon in 1999 with their cousin, Matthew Followill.
Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group received in spring the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers attend an annual family reunion. The reunion serves as a catalyst to explore the band’s roots and the difficulties they faced growing up. Home movies, childhood photos and revealing interviews with family members — including a colorful group of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins — expose how the influence of their family has informed the creativity that drives Kings of Leon today.
The film made its world premiere as a work-in-progress at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in April and then screened this summer during the opening night of the deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City.
-BAM
Kings of Leon’s Jared Followill smashes car through neighbor’s garage door
The Kings of Leon are, from left, Nathan Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill and Caleb Followill. (AP file)
Jared Followill, bassist for rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma ties, apparently crashed his car into his neighbor’s garage earlier this week on a dare from Nick Brown of fellow Nashville, Tenn.-based band Mona.
Followill detailed their exploits in a series of posts on Twitter @youngfollowill:
“Ran my SUV through my neighbor’s garage door at 2am. Lucky me, I bought the house a couple weeks ago. Unlucky me, my hood is destroyed.”
“All the doors were locked & it seemed like the best option to get inside after @nickbrownMONA punched all the windows out & cut his hand.”
“I wasn’t drinking. It was a dare. I obliged my audience.”
Apparently, Followill already was planning to tear down the house and “started with the garage.”
“The house is going to be demolished in a couple of weeks. Why does the construction company get to have all the fun?” he tweeted.
No worries, it’s not like Followill will be walking: He posted today on Twitter a picture of the black 1970 GTO he just bought.
I guess that’s rock ‘n’ roll for ya.
Jared Followill and his brothers Caleb and Nathan who spent their childhood traveling the Bible Belt between Oklahoma and Tennessee with their itinerant Pentecostal preacher father, Leon. Despite their strict upbringing, they formed Kings of Leon in 1999 with their cousin, Matthew Followill.
Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group received in spring the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
But the band has experienced a bit of a rough year: As previously reported, Kings of Leon on Aug. 1 canceled their entire U.S. tour after frontman Caleb Followill left the stage halfway through a disastrous July 29 Dallas show during which he complained of the heat and problems with his voice.
-BAM
“Talihina Sky: The Story of the Kings of Leon” due on DVD, Blu-ray and iTunes Nov. 1
The warts-and-all documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and iTunes Nov. 1, according to the movie’s Facebook page.
“Talihina Sky,” which follows the band as it travels to a family reunion in Talihina, tells the story of the brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, who spent their childhood traveling the Bible Belt between Oklahoma and Tennessee with their itinerant Pentecostal preacher father, Leon. Despite their strict upbringing, they formed the rock band Kings of Leon in 1999 with their cousin, Matthew Followill.
Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group received in spring the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers attend an annual family reunion. The reunion serves as a catalyst to explore the band’s roots and the difficulties they faced growing up. Home movies, childhood photos and revealing interviews with family members — including a colorful group of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins — expose how the influence of their family has informed the creativity that drives Kings of Leon today.
The film made its world premiere as a work-in-progress at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in April and then screened this summer during the opening night of the deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City. It debuted Aug. 21 on Showtime and continues to air repeatedly on Showtime, Showtime Showcase and Sho 2. The band has released an extended trailer for the rock doc. To see upcoming air dates, click here.
As previously reported, Kings of Leon on Aug. 1 canceled their entire U.S. tour after frontman Caleb Followill left the stage halfway through a disastrous July 29 Dallas show during which he complained of the heat and problems with his voice.
My excellent colleague George Lang interviewed “Talihina Sky” director Stephen Mitchell about the rock doc during deadCenter. To read the interview, click here.
-BAM
See: Extended trailer for “Talihina Sky: The Story of the Kings of Leon,” debuting Sunday on Showtime
The warts-and-all documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” will premiere at 9 p.m. Sunday on Showtime and air repeatedly through the end of August on Showtime, Showtime Showcase and Sho 2. The band has released an extended trailer for the rock doc.
“Talihina Sky,” which follows the band as it travels to a family reunion in Talihina, tells the story of the brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill, who spent their childhood traveling the Bible Belt between Oklahoma and Tennessee with their itinerant Pentecostal preacher father, Leon. Despite their strict upbringing, they formed the rock band Kings of Leon in 1999 with their cousin, Matthew Followill.
Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group received in spring the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
The title of the film is drawn from a hidden track on the Grammy-winning family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from the Oklahoma town where the multiplatinum rockers attend an annual family reunion. The reunion serves as a catalyst to explore the band’s roots and the difficulties they faced growing up. Home movies, childhood photos and revealing interviews with family members — including a colorful group of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins — expose how the influence of their family has informed the creativity that drives Kings of Leon today.
The film made its world premiere as a work-in-progress at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City in April and then screened this summer during the opening night of the deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City.
As previously reported, Kings of Leon on Aug. 1 canceled their entire U.S. tour after frontman Caleb Followill left the stage halfway through a disastrous July 29 Dallas show during which he complained of the heat and problems with his voice.
My excellent colleague George Lang interviewed “Talihina Sky” director Stephen Mitchell about the rock doc during deadCenter. To read the interivew, click here.
For showtimes on Showtime for “Talihina Sky,” click here.
-BAM
Isaac Hanson criticizes Kings of Leon, documentary director Stephen Mitchell confident KOL will work out issues after tour cancellation
Kings of Leon
In a potential battle of family bands with Oklahoma ties, Isaac Hanson of Tulsa-based brother trio Hanson has taken Kings of Leon to task for letting down their fans.
As previously reported, Kings of Leon on Aug. 1 canceled their entire U.S. tour after frontman Caleb Followill left the stage halfway through a disastrous July 29 Dallas show during which he complained of the heat and problems with his voice. The band – brothers Caleb (vocals, guitar), Nathan (drums, vocals) and Jared (bass) Followill and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) – is set to resume touring Sept. 28 in Canada.
Although the official announcement cited Caleb Followill’s “vocal issues and exhaustion,” Jared Followill indicated there might be more to the cancellation, and Isaac Hanson told
Isaac Hanson
WENN he believes that there are underlying attitude issues:
“I have a hard time with musicians who act like p–cks because it just makes me mad. I just sit there and I go, ‘You know what, dude, no matter whether you’re in a band just surviving or you’re in a bus playing stadiums, one way or another you’re still among the rare breed of people that are actually getting paid to do it.’
“If you’re actually making a living doing it, man, pinch yourself every day, because it goes if you don’t love it… and people will eventually get pissed off.
“And I’m gonna call somebody out on it – the Kings of Leon guys are running some risks. They’re irritating people; you can’t do that too much. Eventually the bad boy image affects fans’ willingness to show up. Their fans will get bummed out.
“Everybody has their demons, everyone has their challenges… I’m a bit of a hothead in certain circumstances, but you gotta temper it because your fans are there and they’ve paid good money to see a show, and you gotta bring it. I don’t wash my dirty laundry in public, I do my dirty laundry backstage… I have flipped the bird at a few people that deserved it and told them to go ‘f’ themselves.”
On the night after the band’s Dallas disaster, Jared Followill posted on Twitter @youngfollowill, “I love our fans so much. I know you guys aren’t stupid. I can’t lie. There are problems in our band bigger than not drinking enough Gatorade.”
Isaac Hanson told WENN that if the Kings can’t sort out their problems, they could become an ill-fated family band on par with Oasis:
“They got that too and it hurt them ultimately, because it made it hard for people to have a lot of fun at their shows – because they were worried that Noel (Gallagher) was gonna get pissed off (and walk off)… But I don’t think that they (Oasis) necessarily didn’t finish shows.”
Stephen Mitchell (The Oklahoman Archives)
But Stephen Mitchell, director of the KOL documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” told MTV News that while he hasn’t spoken to the band since they scrapped their tour, he’s not worried about the band’s future:
“It’s a fabric of the band, the roots of the band, they’re family, and I think that’s a reason that they’ve been able to find a common ground to stick together and make five albums over, what, eight-plus years?” he said. “That’s really hard to do. There’s not many bands making two albums, let alone five, during that time … and I’m not a band spokesperson, I can’t speak for them, they make the great music, but I believe in them and I think the family side of it will be the same reason we end up seeing more great shows and hearing more great albums from them in the future.”
Even Jared Followill’s Twitter implications don’t have Mitchell fretting about his musical pals, the filmmaker told MTV News:
“I think some of the draw to these guys is that they are brothers and cousins; there’s a magnetism to that. … They say anything and everything to each other, and it is how they sort of work things out internally; they’re very vocal. And I had to learn a long time ago that they’re not yelling at each other, they’re just communicating, and it’s loud. And sometimes the stuff they say to each other … you’ve got to have some thick skin to be walking around with those guys.”
Brothers Caleb, Nathan and Jared Followill spent their childhood traveling the Bible Belt between Oklahoma and Tennessee with their itinerant Pentecostal preacher father, Leon. Despite their strict upbringing, they formed the rock band Kings of Leon in 1999 with their cousin, Matthew Followill.
Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band is now based in Tennessee, but the group received in spring the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
Their unusual upbringing and rise to musical stardom is the subject of the new documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” which premiered at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival and opened Oklahoma City’s deadCenter Film Festival. The rock doc will premiere at 9 p.m. Sunday on Showtime and air repeatedly through the end of August on Showtime, Showtime Showcase and Sho 2.
-BAM
