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
Kings of Leon cancel U.S. tour due to illness
Kings of Leon (AP file)
Grammy-winning rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma ties, have canceled their entire U.S. tour following a disastrous show Friday in Dallas. In the announcement on KingsofLeon.com, the family band says that frontman Caleb Followill is suffering from “vocal issues” and exhaustion:
We are so sorry to say Kings of Leon are canceling their entire US tour due to Caleb Followill suffering from vocal issues and exhaustion. The band is devastated, but in order to give their fans the shows they deserve, they need to take this break. Unfortunately, the US dates cannot be rescheduled due to the band’s international tour schedule. Tickets will be refunded at point of purchase. Tickets purchased online or via phones will be automatically refunded. The band will resume touring in Canada at the Rogers Center in Vancouver, BC, on September 28th. That show was originally schedule for September 14th.
On Sunday, the Associated Press reported that the band – brothers Caleb (vocals, guitar), Nathan (drums, vocals) and Jared (bass) Followill and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) – had promised a redo for Dallas fans after the lead singer left the stage mid-show and didn’t return. The band on Sunday announced plans to return to Dallas on Sept. 21 to make up for Friday’s mid-show cancellation, but now the group is saying it won’t resume touring until Sept. 28.
Nathan Followill apologized and reassured fans about the future of the band this afternoon on Twitter @doctorfollowill:
“Bummed about the tour not happening. So sorry 4 all the fans. We just need some rest. Thanks 4 understanding. WE ARE NOT BREAKING UP!”
During Friday’s show at Gexa Energy Pavilion, lead singer Caleb Followill repeatedly complained that it was too hot and that his voice was suffering because of it, reports the AP.
“My voice is completely 100 percent gone,” he said, according to the AP report.
After a few more songs, he announced to the audience: “I’m gonna go back stage for a second, I’m gonna vomit, I’m gonna drink a beer and I’m gonna come back out and play three more songs.”
But he never came back out, leaving the rest of the band to announce the abrupt end of the show to a booing audience. Sunday’s statement released by the band said Caleb “suffered from heat exhaustion and dehydration … causing his vocal chords to seize,” according to the AP.
The other members took to Twitter to apologize to fans and vent their frustrations.
“So sorry Dallas, your heat got the best of a few of us. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience of all this bull—-. We’ll be back soon,” Nathan Followill tweeted Friday
“Not so good morning 4 me today,” he posted on Twitter Saturday. “Ashamed & embarrassed by last night’s fiasco. Can’t apologize enough, utterly gutted. A million I’m sorrys.”
Jared Followill also tweeted an apology and indicated that more than just the record heatwave blanketing the Southwest was affecting the band.
“Dallas, I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am. There are internal sicknesses & problems that have needed to be addressed. No words,” he tweeted Friday @youngfollowill.
He added Saturday on Twitter, “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.”
Jared Followill again took to Twitter today to express his disappointment, apologies and joking reassurances.
“Utterly depressed. It’s completely out of my hands. Family has to come 1st. If bass solos & backing vocals were more popular, I’d be there,” he tweeted.
“Thanks to all my friends, family, & fans. I’m not going to stop working. I’m going to spend time writing songs and looking to the future.”
In another tweet, he wrote “Don’t jump to conclusions guys. We’re not breaking up. BRB (Be right back). Just got a text from Nathan….. Ummm…. Eesh. So about what I just said…….”
Quickly followed by, “Kidding! Kidding! Not breaking up.”
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, Aug. 21 on Showtime and air repeatedly through the end of August on Showtime, Showtime Showcase and Sho 2.
The band has been touring in support of its fifth album, “Come Around Sundown,” released in fall 2010. It is the follow-up to the group’s breakout 2008 album “Only By the Night,” which spawned the smash singles “Sex on Fire” and “Use Somebody” and won the quartet four Grammys.
Kings of Leon played an April show at Tulsa’s BOK Center; no other Oklahoma shows were listed on the band’s 2011 tour schedule.
-BAM
“Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” to premiere Aug. 21 on Showtime
The warts-and-all documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” will premiere at 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 21 on Showtime and air repeatedly through the end of August on Showtime, Showtime Showcase and Sho 2.
“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 last month during the opening night of the deadCenter Film Festival in Oklahoma City.
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
Video: Beyonce performs Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” at Britain’s Glastonbury Festival
Beyonce closed out Britain’s venerable Glastonbury Festival Sunday night with what Billboard.com has deemed a “career-defining set.” The R&B/pop songstress performed for an estimated 175,000 people for more than 90 minutes and even appeared via satellite on the BET Awards.
Her set included her solo hits like “Single Ladies,” “If I Were a Boy,” “Telephone” and “Irreplaceable”; Destiny’s Child favorites like “Survivor,” “Independent Women” and “Jumpin’ Jumpin’”; and pieces of various covers, including Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughtta Know” and the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams.”
The cover that seems to be getting the most buzz the day after is her medley of Oklahoma/Tennessee rockers Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire” and R&B superstar Prince’s “The Beautiful Ones.”
Check out the KOL part of that mash-up in this YouTube video, and if you are a guy or are watching with one nearby, you’re advised to have your fire extinguisher handy.
-BAM
