Video: Elton John-Leon Russell documentary opens Tribeca Film Festival; Kings of Leon doc “Talihina Sky” screens tonight
The 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival launched Wednesday night with the world premiere of director Cameron Crowe’s Elton John and Leon Russell documentary “The Union.”
The documentary chronicles the British pop star’s efforts to reconnect with and revive the career of the Oklahoma music icon, who was John’s idol in the early days of his career. England’s “Rocket Man” and Oklahoma’s “Master of Space and Time” hadn’t spoken in 38 years when John reached out to the Tulsa Sound pioneer.
Following the free, outdoor screening of “The Union” set at the World Financial Plaza, not far from where the World Trade Center Towers once stood, John gave a live performance including his classic hits “Tiny Dancer,” Your Song” and, of course, “Rocket Man.”
Elton John at the screening of "The Union," which opened the Tribeca Film Festival Wednesday night. (AP photo)
Since John had never before been filmed in his composing process, “The Union” is billed as an unprecedentedly candid portrait of one of the world’s most popular and successful entertainers.
“I’ve never had a song filmed when I’m writing it, but Cameron’s such a friend, I trusted him,” John told MTV News in the video posted above. “New York City is my favorite place to play. I’ve played 62 shows at Madison Square Garden, I’ve played at Radio City, Central Park, Shea Stadium, Fillmore East. It’s been a very important city in my musical career and probably the most exciting city in the world.”
EW.com’s Joseph Brannigan Lynch reports that Crowe’s doc “turned out to be a pleasantly affecting surprise. What could have merely been a music doc about two aging rockers recording a late-career album was instead a heartfelt, decades-belated love letter from Elton John to his early career idol and one of his greatest influences, Leon Russell.”
“Ultimately, Cameron Crow’s The Union is a lovely and simple thing: it’s about one of rock’s most respected icons using his enormous celebrity to orchestrate a long-overdue reappraisal of his musical icon and one of the pivotal, under-appreciated voices in rock songwriting,” Lynch writes on EW.com.
He also notes that the film illustrates John’s impressive ability to pay a compliment: At one point, John says of Russell, “He never takes a bad picture. But when you look like God, I suppose you don’t.” Love it! And I can’t wait to see “The Union.”
Among the stars who joined John on the red carpet for “The Union” screening were Martin Scorsese, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Anna Kendrick, Rainn Wilson, Denis Leary, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Zoe Kravitz, ?uestlove and David O. Russell, according to MTV.com. Crowe reportedly couldn’t attend because he is working on his upcoming movie “We Bought a Zoo” and a Pearl Jam doc, according to The Hollywood Reporter, while Russell is currently on tour in Australia and New Zealand, according to his website.
“The Union” also screened this afternoon and was set to show tonight and Saturday.
Another rock doc with Oklahoma ties also is screening tonight at Tribeca: “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” is being shown as a work-in-progress tonight, Friday, April 28 and 30.
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 would attend the backwoods family reunions that are said to anchor the film.
The film centers on the Followill boys – brothers Nathan (drums), Caleb (vocals, guitar) and Jared (bass) and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) – and their struggles to reconcile their strict religious upbringing with their rock ‘n’ roll career and lifestyles.
Check out the trailer below, and to read my full column about the musical films showing at Tribeca, click here.
-BAM
Video: Elton John/Leon Russell, Kings of Leon documentaries playing at Tribeca Film Festival
A pair of influential musical acts with Oklahoma ties will grab the cinematic spotlight as the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival opens tonight in New York City.
The festival begins tonight with the world premiere of director Cameron Crowe’s Elton John and Leon Russell documentary “The Union.”
The documentary chronicles the British pop star’s efforts to reconnect with and revive the career of the Oklahoma music icon, who was John’s idol in the early days of his career. England’s “Rocket Man” and Oklahoma’s “Master of Space and Time” hadn’t spoken in 38 years when John reached out to the Tulsa Sound pioneer.
Beginning in November 2009, Crowe (“Almost Famous,” “Jerry Maguire”) documented the entire writing and recording process behind John and Russell’s 2010 collaborative album “The Union,” which was produced by T Bone Burnett. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, earned a Grammy nomination and sparked the intended resurgence of Russell’s career, including a long overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the Lawton native.
“The Union” also will screen Thursday and Saturday during the festival, which runs through May 1.
The new rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” also has been selected for this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock doc will be shown as a work-in-progress Thursday, Friday, April 28 and 30.
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 would attend the backwoods family reunions that are said to anchor the film.
In this NewsOK video, Angi Bruss looks into the Oklahoma-connected rockumentaries, which are among the many musical docs screening at Tribeca this year. To read my full column on “The Union” and “Talihina Sky,” click here.
-BAM
Elton John/Leon Russell, Kings of Leon documentaries playing at Tribeca Film Festival, opening tonight
The 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival opens tonight with the world premiere of director Cameron Crowe's "The Union." The documentary chronicles the efforts of British pop star Elton John, left, to reconnect with and revive the career of Oklahoma music icon Leon Russell, right, John's idol in the early days of his career.
From Wednesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
BAM Column: Oklahoma music stars step into cinematic spotlight at Tribeca Film Festival
The 10th annual festival opens tonight with the premiere of the Elton John and Leon Russell documentary “The Union,” and “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” is showing as a work-in-progress during the event.
A pair of influential musical acts with Oklahoma ties will grab the cinematic spotlight as the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival opens tonight in New York City.
The festival begins tonight with the world premiere of director Cameron Crowe’s Elton John and Leon Russell documentary “The Union.”
The documentary chronicles the British pop star’s efforts to reconnect with and revive the career of the Oklahoma music icon, who was John’s idol in the early days of his career. England’s “Rocket Man” and Oklahoma’s “Master of Space and Time” hadn’t spoken in 38 years when John reached out to the Tulsa Sound pioneer.
Beginning in November 2009, Crowe (“Almost Famous,” “Jerry Maguire”) documented the entire writing and recording process behind John and Russell’s 2010 collaborative album “The Union,” which was produced by T Bone Burnett. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart, earned a Grammy nomination and sparked the intended resurgence of Russell’s career, including a long overdue induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the Lawton native.
Since John had never before been filmed in his composing process, “The Union” is billed as an unprecedentedly candid portrait of one of the world’s most popular and successful entertainers.
A live performance by John will follow the free, outdoor screening, which is a way of thanking the New York City community for its ongoing support of the festival. “The Union” will premiere tonight at the North Cove at the World Financial Plaza, not far from where the World Trade Center Towers once stood. Actor Robert De Niro, producer Jane Rosenthal and her entrepreneur husband Craig Hatkoff founded the Tribeca Film Festival in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to help revitalize downtown Manhattan.
“The Union” also will screen Thursday and Saturday during the festival, which runs through May 1.
Members of the band Kings of Leon, from left, Jared Followill, Nathan Followill, Matthew Followill and Caleb Followill, pose for a portrait last October in New York. "Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon," about the band, will screen as a work-in-progress at this year's Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. (AP file)
The new rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” also has been selected for this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock doc will be shown as a work-in-progress Thursday, Friday, April 28 and 30.
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 would attend the backwoods family reunions that are said to anchor the film.
The film centers on the Followill boys – brothers Nathan (drums), Caleb (vocals, guitar) and Jared (bass) and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) – and their struggles to reconcile their strict religious upbringing with their rock ‘n’ roll career and lifestyles.
The brothers spent most of their childhood in the 1980s and ’90s roaming the Bible Belt between Memphis and Oklahoma City, riding in a purple ’88 Olds with their itinerant Pentecostal minister dad, Leon, and their mother, Betty Ann. Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band, which recently received the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, is now based in Tennessee.
Once the brothers and Matthew started the band, they dubbed themselves Kings of Leon in honor of Nathan, Caleb, and Jared’s father (Matthew’s uncle) and their grandfather, who were both named Leon. Since their colorful childhood was used to hype the band in the press, first in Great Britain and then Stateside, it’s no surprise that the documentary is in the works.
“The Union” and “Talihina Sky” won’t be the only rockumentaries showing this year at Tribeca. This year’s lineup looks particularly musical, with selected documentaries including “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of a Tribe Called Quest,” about the trailblazing hip-hop act; “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne,” about the heavy metal icon; “The Swell Season,” about the Oscar-winning duo from the movie “Once”; “Carol Channing: Larger Than Life,” about the Broadway star; “When the Drum Is Beating,” about Haiti’s celebrated big band Septentrional; and “Limelight,” about the rise and fall of Peter Gatien, once the king of the New York club scene and owner of legendary venues like The Limelight, Tunnel and Palladium.
Contributing: The Associated Press.
-BAM
Kings of Leon receive Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame’s Rising Star Award before Tulsa show
The Kings of Leon accept the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame's Rising Star award during a press conference Friday at the BOK Center in Tulsa. The family band is, from left, Nathan, Jared, Matthew and Caleb Followill. (Photo by Adam Wisneski/Tulsa World)
Rockers Kings of Leon received the Rising Star Award from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at Tulsa’s BOK Center Friday night before playing a concert at the arena.
The awards ceremony was followed by a near-sellout crowd of fans that filled the BOK Center later Friday night, reports Tulsa World music writer Jennifer Chancellor. The Grammy-winning band has sold more than 6.5 million albums in the U.S. and won four Grammy Awards since its debut in 2003.
The band includes the three Followill brothers – Caleb (vocals and rhythm guitar), Nathan (percussion) and Jared (bass) – and their cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar).
The family spent most of their childhood in the ’80s and ’90s crisscrossing the Bible Belt between Memphis and Oklahoma City, riding in a purple ’88 Olds with the brothers’ traveling Pentecostal minister dad, Leon, and their mother, Betty-Ann, in the ’80s and ’90s. 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.
“Me and Matt were born here. We’re all Sooners at heart,” Nathan Followill said as the bandmates hoisted their Rising Star trophies and smiled.
The band often mentions its Oklahoma ties. For instance, the title of their new rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of the Kings of Leon,” which will be shown as a special work-in-progress screening during the 10th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, is taken from a hidden track on the family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn is taken from an Oklahoma town whose welcome sign is glimpsed in the trailer.
“Wow, this is crazy,” said Caleb Followill after receiving his Rising Star Award statuette. “I mean, we had heard something was happening, but we didn’t know it would be this.
“It’s great. Oklahoma is always in our heart,” Caleb added. “We love it more all the time. … We’d love to buy homes here.”
To read more of Jennifer’s great story about Kings of Leon’s Rising Star honors and how Oklahomans feel about the band and its Sooner State ties, click here.
And congratulations to the Kings!
-BAM
Best Bets for April 8-10, 2011: Cody Canada & The Departed, Kings of Leon and the Easter bunny
Valery Kuleshov
1. Hear Oklahoma-Texas band Cody Canada & The Departed at 10 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Doors open at 6 p.m. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
2. Get a jump on Easter during the monthly Live on the Plaza art walk from 7 to 11 tonight in the Plaza District, NW 16 between Indiana and Blackwelder. The annual all-ages Easter egg hunt will start at 7 p.m. in front of Lyric on the Plaza, 1725 NW 16, and the Easter Bunny will be hopping through the district. Information: 367-9403 or www.plazadistrict.org.
3. Laugh at significant events that never happened as OKC Improv presents the premiere of Alternate History at 8 p.m. Saturday at Ghostlight Theatre Club, 3110 N Walker. The new long-form improv show is inspired by the work of Oklahoma writer Jeff Provine, who explores alternative history in his work. Information: 343-1570 or www.okcimprov.com.
4. Listen to the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and pianist Valery Kuleshov perform “Progressive Madness” at 8 p.m. Saturday at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: 842-5387 or www.okcphilharmonic.org.
5. TULSA — Hear rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma City ties, and Band of Horses at 7:30 tonight at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on April 8, 2011: Hear Kings of Leon and Band of Horses in Tulsa
Kings of Leon (AP file photo)
Today’s featured event:
TULSA — Hear rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma City ties, and Band of Horses at 7:30 tonight at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Video: Trailer for new documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” debuts
Grammy-winning multiplatinum rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma ties, have unveiled the trailer for their new rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of the Kings of Leon,” which has been selected for this year’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York City.
Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock doc will be shown as a special work-in-progress screening during the 10th annual festival, set for April 20 to May 1 in lower Manhattan.
The title of the film is taken from a hidden track on the family band’s 2003 debut album, “Youth and Young Manhood,” which in turn in taken from an Oklahoma town whose welcome sign is glimpsed in the trailer.
The film centers on the Followill boys’ – brothers Nathan (drums, vocals), Caleb (vocals, guitar) and Jared (bass) and first cousin Matthew Followill (lead guitar) – struggles to reconcile their strict religious upbringing with their rock ‘n’ roll career and lifestyle.
The brothers spent most of their childhood in the ’80s and ’90s crisscrossing the Bible Belt between Memphis and Oklahoma City, riding in a purple ’88 Olds with their traveling Pentecostal minister dad, Leon, and their mother, Betty-Ann, in the ’80s and ’90s. Caleb and Jared were both born in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., while Nathan and Matthew were born in Oklahoma City. The band, which is playing Friday at Tulsa’s BOK Center, is now based in Tennessee.
Once the brothers and Matthew started the band, their colorful background was used to hype them, first in the British press and then in the United States. They named themselves Kings of Leon in honor of Nathan, Caleb, and Jared’s father (Matthew’s uncle) and grandfather, who were both named Leon.
The documentary looks very intriguing, and it will be interesting to see if “Talihina Sky” can rival The Flaming Lips chronicle “The Fearless Freaks” as the most fascinating rock doc about a band with Oklahoma ties.
But “Talihina Sky” won’t be the only rockumentary with an Oklahoma connection at Tribeca this year.
The world premiere of director Cameron Crowe’s (“Almost Famous,” “Jerry Maguire”) Elton John/Leon Russell documentary “The Union” will open the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by American Express.
A performance by John will follow the free, outdoor screening to kick off the festival’s 10th edition and thank the New York City community for its ongoing support. “The Union” will premiere on Wednesday, April 20 at the North Cove at the World Financial Plaza.
“The Union” is an unprecedented and personal look at the creative life of John and the remarkable collaborative album he made with Oklahoma music icon Russell, produced by T-Bone Burnett. Begun in November 2009, the filming captures the entire writing and recording process of the heralded album John recorded with his early-career idol.
Never before filmed in his composing process, John’s creation of “The Union” is billed as an extremely candid portrait of one of the world’s most treasured artists and performers, and his extraordinary journey of the heart — one that sent him to powerfully reclaim and reinvigorate the life and musical career of Russell, to whom John hadn’t spoken in more than 38 years.
-BAM
Kings of Leon documentary, Tim Blake Nelson film added to New York’s Tribeca Film Festival
Kings of Leon
The 2011 Tribeca Film Festival has added two more films to its feature lineup, both with Oklahoma ties: a world premiere of Tony Kaye’s drama “Detachment” and a work-in-progress screening of Stephen C. Mitchell’s “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon.” The 10th edition of the festival will take place from April 20 to May 1 in lower Manhattan.
“Detachment” is the latest absorbing, multi-layered character study by Tony Kaye (“American History X”), chronicling the intertwining lives of several high school teachers, administrators and students. Adrien Brody leads a star-studded cast that includes Tulsa-born and bred actor Tim Blake Nelson, Christina Hendricks, Lucy Liu, James Caan, Marcia Gay Harden, Blythe Danner, William Petersen and Bryan Cranston.
“Talihina Sky” is a billed as an energetic, behind-the-scenes look at multiplatinum rockers Kings of Leon, who had a remarkable rise from Pentecostal Southern roots to the top of the charts. The Grammy-winning family band, which is playing Friday at Tulsa’s BOK Center, includes Oklahoma City-born members Matthew and Nathan Followill
Tim Blake Nelson
“Detachment” will debut as part of the Spotlight section at the Tribeca Film Festival, while “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon” will be a special screening.
“We’re thrilled that we were able to include both of these films in the lineup,” said David Kwok, Director of Programming, in a news release. “Both complement the program well. ‘Talihina Sky’ caps off a strong year of music films, and ‘Detachment’ adds to the distinct dramas that we’re presenting, and it’s great that it’s set in New York and made here.”
Here is the more information on the films:
- “Detachment,” directed by Tony Kaye, written by Carl Lund. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Director Tony Kaye creates a unique and stylized portrait of the American education system seen through the eyes of substitute teacher Henry Barthes. Henry wanders in and out of students’ lives, imparting knowledge where he can in the short time he has with them. Then a new assignment places him at a failing public school run by Principal Dearden and alters his insular world. Henry’s stoic front is slowly chipped away by three women who impact his view on life: a student, a fellow teacher, and a teenage runaway.
- “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” directed by Stephen C. Mitchell. (USA) – Work in Progress, Documentary. Who are Kings of Leon? This energetic, behind-the-scenes documentary provides some fascinating insight for fans and non-fans alike. Known now as an all-American rock-and-roll band with millions of fans around the world, Kings of Leon remind us that they will never forget their strict Pentecostal upbringing or rough-and-tumble backcountry roots. In fact, that may just be what makes them unstoppable.
“Talihina Sky” won’t be the only music film with Oklahoma ties at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival: The world premiere of director Cameron Crowe’s (“Almost Famous,” “Jerry Maguire”) Elton John/Leon Russell documentary “The Union” will open the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival, presented by American Express.
A performance by John will follow the free, outdoor screening to kick off the festival’s 10th edition and thank the New York City community for its ongoing support. “The Union” will premiere on Wednesday, April 20 at the North Cove at the World Financial Plaza.
“The Union” is an unprecedented and personal look at the creative life of John and the remarkable collaborative album he made with Oklahoma music icon Russell, produced by T-Bone Burnett. Begun in November 2009, the filming captures the entire writing and recording process of the heralded album John recorded with his early-career idol.
Never before filmed in his composing process, John’s creation of “The Union” is billed as an extremely candid portrait of one of the world’s most treasured artists and performers, and his extraordinary journey of the heart — one that sent him to powerfully reclaim and reinvigorate the life and musical career of Russell, to whom John hadn’t spoken in more than 38 years.
“It’s a special opportunity to open our 10th festival in this distinct and unique way—not only are we inviting the community to join us for the world premiere of Cameron Crowe’s film ‘The Union,’ but to have Elton, whose music transcends generations, perform after is an extraordinary gift to our festival and more specifically the downtown community,” said co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival Jane Rosenthal in a news release.
“Cameron Crowe gives audiences unprecedented access into Elton John and Leon Russell’s artistic process in an emotional and realistic way.”
About the Tribeca Film Festival:
The Tribeca Film Festival helps filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote New York City as a major filmmaking center. It is well known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors.
Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 following the attacks on the World Trade Center, to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture, the Festival brings the industry and community together around storytelling.
The Tribeca Film Festival has screened more than 1,100 films from more than 80 countries since its first edition in 2002. Since inception, it has attracted an international audience of more than 3 million attendees and has generated an estimated $600 million in economic activity for New York City.
-BAM
Kings of Leon to play Final Four music festival
Grammy Award-winning rockers Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma City ties, will headline a free three-day music festival during the men’s NCAA Final Four in Houston, according to the Associated Press.
The concert will take place at Discovery Green in downtown Houston on April 2, and “The Big Dance Concert Series” will include other artists to be named.
The group also will perform its song “The Immortals” in a music video that is part of CBS and Turner Sports’ marketing campaign for their new deal to have every NCAA tournament basketball game on TV nationwide.
-BAM
Early Grammy winners: Oklahomans have to settle for honor of being nominated
Kings of Leon (Associated Press file photo)
The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards will air live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles at 7 tonight. But only about 10 golden gramophones actually will be given out in the performance-heavy 3 1/2-hour telecast.
The vast majority of the awards in the 109 Grammy categories were handed out at the pre-telecast ceremony. And most of the contenders with Oklahoma ties will have to settle for the honor of just being nominated for a Grammy:
- Best country collaboration with vocals: The Grammy went to the Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson for “As She’s Walking Away.” Two stars with Oklahoma ties were nominated in this category: Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley and Jamey Johnson for “Bad Angel” and Lambert’s fiance and fellow Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins for “Hillbilly Bone.” Shelton still will be a presenter on tonight’s Grammy telecast.
Lambert also is nominated for country album of the year for “Revolution” and best female country vocal performance for her chart-topping ballad “The House That Built Me.” Those Grammys are scheduled to be handed out during tonight’s telecast, and Lambert is set to perform “The House That Built Me” during the televised awards show.
Also, Checotah native Carrie Underwood is nominated in the female country vocal performance category for her spiritual anthem “Temporary Home.”
- Best country song: Lambert’s hit “The House That Built Me” earned songwriters Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin a best country song nomination, but the award went to Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott for the Lady Antebellum smash “Need You Now.”
Douglas and Shamblin also are nominated in the multi-genre song of the year category, which will be handed out during the telecast.
- Best pop collaboration with vocals: Lawton-born and Tulsa-bred music icon Leon Russell shared a nomination with British pop superstar Elton John for “If It Wasn’t for Bad,” the opening track from their duet album “The Union.” The Grammy went to Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck and Oumou Sangare for “Imagine” from “The Imagine Project.”
- Best rock song: Kings of Leon, which includes Oklahoma City-born members Matthew and Nathan Followill, were nominated for best rock song for their pulsing single “Radioactive.” Neil Young won for “Angry World” from his album “Le Noise.”
- Best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals: Kings of Leon also was nominated in this category for “Radioactive.” The Grammy went to “Tighten Up” by the Black Keys.
- Best hard rock performance: Alice in Chains, which includes Jerry Cantrell, who has an Atoka ranch, is nominated for the band’s thunderous “A Looking in View.” But supergroup Them Crooked Vultures clinched the category with “New Fang.”
- Best rock or rap gospel album: Christian worship group Gungor, which is fronted by former Tulsan Michael Gungor, was nominated for best rock or rap gospel album for the album “Beautiful Things.” But the Grammy went to Switchfoot’s “Hello Hurricane.”
- Best gospel song: Gungor also was nominated in the best gospel song category for the title track to “Beautiful Things.” “It’s What I Do” by Jerry Peters and Kirk Whalum was the winning song.
- Best musical show album: Broken Arrow native Kristin Chenoweth stars in the Broadway musical “Promises, Promises,” which was nominated for best musical show album. But the Grammy went to “American Idiot (Featuring Green Day).”
- Best compilation soundtrack album for movies, TV or other visual media: Chenoweth also is featured on “Glee: The Music, Volume 1.” But the Grammy went to the soundtrack for the Oscar-winning film “Crazy Heart.”
- Best pop vocal album: Oklahoma City native Audra Mae co-wrote “Who I Was Born to Be,” the lone original song on Susan Boyle’s blockbuster “I Dreamed a Dream,” which is nominated for best pop vocal album, an award that will be handed out during the telecast.
-BAM
