Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert prepare to wrap joint tour
Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton (Associated Press photo)Â
I’ve brought you interviews with both Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert this year, since country music’s newest power couple has been hot throughout 2008.
Here’s a link to another story, from McClatchy-Tribune Information Service, about the couple, who live on neighboring farms in Tishomingo.
Shelton and Lambert embarked this fall on a short co-headlining tour. They will wrap the tour on New Year’s Eve in Green Bay, Wis., and from what they’ve told me in recent interviews, they aren’t planning another joint tour for awhile.
It’s a shame the dual tour never came to Oklahoma, but the artists perform here separtely fairly often and are worth catching live if you have the opportunity.
-BAM
Q&A: Miranda Lambert
Miranda Lambert performs “More Like Her” at the 2008 CMA Awards. (Associated Press photo)
Over the past year, country music star Miranda Lambert has settled into her new home near Tishomingo, earned an Academy of Country Music Award for her album “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and toured with her boyfriend and new neighbor, fellow country star Blake Shelton.
As 2008 winds down, so does Lambert’s tour schedule. But she’s planning a pair of shows this weekend in her adopted home state: She will perform tonight at Firelake Grand Casino and Saturday at Miami’s Buffalo Run Casino.
Lambert talked about working on her upcoming album, her holiday plans and making Oklahoma home in an e-mail interview.
Q: Can you please give us an update on your new album? Are you working on songwriting or recording for it? When are scheduled to see it?
A: I was just in Nashville starting to record. … But I’ll probably go back and record some more sometime in February. I’m taking my time with the writing process and am still enjoying working the current record. I probably will have something ready in the fall, we’ll see!
Q: Your song “Gunpowder & Lead” was recently certified gold; the album
“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” was declared gold earlier this year. What do those
distinctions mean to you?
A: It’s incredible!! I was thrilled when the album went gold, and now the single and the ringtone of “Gunpowder & Lead” both have been certified gold. …well, I feel like I got a Christmas present a little early! I’m grateful to my fans, and I love that the song hit that milestone.
Q: Your performance of “More Like Her” was widely praised as a highlight of last month’s CMA Awards. Was it important to you to perform something that didn’t play into people’s perception of you as a “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”?
A: I think a lot of my fans who have the record know that there is a softer side, a bit of a vulnerability there. … But for some folks who don’t know all of my music I think it was good for them to see that side. When I wrote the song I was sort of scared to put it on the record. I was thinking, ‘Crap, I’m really putting myself out there,’ but so far fans have responded well and I think that I was really ready to do a more stripped-down performance at the awards.
Q: Though you were raised in Texas, do you consider yourself an Oklahoman? What is your favorite part about living in Oklahoma, besides being close to Blake Shelton?
A: Well, I must say, I absolutely love Oklahoma. I still have my home in Texas, too, but Oklahoma sort of represents the next phase of my life. I bought the farm and with all of my animals there I really feel as though it’s my sanctuary. … It’s a good state to come home to after all of the touring I’ve done this year. And seeing as Blake travels so much, if we didn’t live in the same state we’d probably never see each other!
Q: You and Shelton are planning a New Year’s Eve show in Wisconsin; any other holiday plans you’d like to share? Or other upcoming projects you’d like to mention?
A: Well, over the holiday I tend to “nest” - I love baking and cooking and having friends and family over. We’ve already got like five days worth of family celebrations planned. As for 2009 … I’ve got a few things in the works. … Stay tuned, I think it’s going to be a great year!
In concert
Miranda Lambert
When: 7 tonight.
Where: Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd., Shawnee.
Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd., Miami.
Information: (918) 542-7140, ext. 2200, or www.buffaloruncasino.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup
The Oklahoma City Ballet production of “The Nutcracker” features Stephanie Foraker as Sugar Plum Fairy, center, and Gracie Singer, left, and Liza Cameron. (Photo by Jim Beckel/The Oklahoman)
Arts
- Oklahoma City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: Watch the Oklahoma City Ballet perform the holiday favorite “The Nutcracker” at 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center, 201 N Walker. Information: 848-8637 or www.balletoklahoma.com.
- Windsong Chamber Choir with Leona Mitchell: Hear famed Enid opera singer Leona Mitchell and the Windsong Chamber Choir perform “A Classic Christmas” at 3 p.m. Sunday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4400 N Shartel. Information: 413-9587 or www.windsongchoir.org.
- 15th Annual Native American Calendar Signing & Show: The Tribes 131 Gallery, 131 24 Ave. NW in Norman, is selling an American Indian art calendar featuring works by Charles Chapman; Benjamin Harjo, Jr.; Norma Howard; Troy Anderson; Wayne Cooper; Merlin Little Thunder; Dolores Purdy Corcoran; Dorothy Sullivan; Elena Carol Pate; Harvey Pratt; Brent Learned; Richard Ray Whitman; and Sherman Chaddlesone. The artists will be signing the calendar and showing their work from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at the gallery. Information: www.tribes131.com.
Maurice Prendergast’s “Under the Trees” from “American Impression: Paintings from the Phillips Collection” at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The museum is planning a Family Day for the exhibit Sunday.
Family
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s “American Impressionism” Family Day: See the exhibit “American Impressionism” at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Family Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the museum, 415 Couch Drive. Activities will include vaudeville performances, silent film screenings, mini tours and more. Information: 236-3100 or www.okcmoa.com.
- Oklahoma City Blazers hockey: See the Oklahoma City Blazers take on the Wichita Thunder at 7:10 tonight at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. The squad will face off against the Tulsa Oilers at 7:10 Saturday at Ford Center. Information: www.okcblazers.com.
 
Shiny Toy Guns
Music
- Shiny Toy Guns: Listen to electronica group Shiny Toy Guns, which includes Shawnee natives Jeremy Dawson and Chad Petree, at 7 tonight at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S. Eastern. Information: 677-9169 or www.diamondballroom.net.
- Miranda Lambert: Hear the Tishomingo country music star at 7 tonight at Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd., Shawnee. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com. Or hear her at 8 p.m. Saturday at Buffalo Run Casino, 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd., Miami. Information: (918) 542-7140, ext. 2200, or www.buffaloruncasino.com.
- Randy Rogers Band’s Toys for Tots benefit show: Bring a new, unwrapped toy or a $20 cash donation to Toys for Tots and hear the Randy Rogers Band for free at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Doors open at 6 p.m. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.Â
- Cross Canadian Ragweed: Listen to Cross Canadian Ragweed at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, Interstate 35 and State Hwy 9, in Norman. Information: www.riverwind.com.
Stoney LaRue
Statewide
- 13th Annual Red Dirt Christmas, TULSA: Celebrate a Red Dirt Christmas at Cain’s Ballroom with Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stoney LaRue and the Red Dirt Rangers at 8 p.m. Saturday at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main. Doors open at 7. Information: www.cainsballroom.com.
- Reverend Horton Heat, TULSA: Hear the Reverend Horton Heat with Nashville Pussy and Backyard Tire Fire at 8 tonight at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main. Doors open at 7. Information: www.cainsballroom.com.
Cirque du Soleil’s “Saltimbanco” last week at the Ford Center. (Photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman)
- Cirque du Soleil’s “Saltimbanco,” TULSA: Watch the amazing acrobatics and colorful whimsy of Cirque du Soleil’s “Saltimbanco” at 7:30 tonight, 3:30Â and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and 1 and 5 p.m. Sunday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: www.bokcenter.com.
- Micky & the Motorcars, RED ROCK: Listen to Micky & the Motorcars at 11 p.m. Saturday at 7 Clans Paradise Casino, 7500 Hwy. 177. Information: www.okparadisecasino.com.
-BAM
Blake Shelton featured in Country Weekly
Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton is featured in the Dec. 15 issue of Country Weekly magazine, currently on sale.
The Ada native and Tishomingo resident reflects on his hot new album, “Startin’ Fires,” his romance with fellow country star Miranda Lambert and more in the interview.
“There was a time or two that I wasn’t so sure I’d be making my fifth album right now,” Shelton says in the interview, according to a news release. “But I think those ups and downs taught me a lot. You see a lot of people come out and they’re huge, and then they just screw it all up.”
He also talks about writing and performing with Lambert, who also lives near Tishomingo. They co-wrote and performed the funny duet “Bare Skin Rug” on “Startin’ Fires.”
“Miranda and I are so honest with each other, and have been for so long, that we don’t hurt each other’s feelings anymore,” he says.
He also says ”Startin’ Fires” represents his best, and most personal, work to date, according to the release.
I’ll have a Q&A with Lambert, who is performing Friday at the Firelake Grand Casino in Shawnee, later in the week. Keep an eye out for that.
-BAM
Expanded Q&A: Blake Shelton
Â
Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton released his fifth studio album, “Startin’ Fires,” on Tuesday.
I spoke with the Ada native about the album during CMA Week, when he was in Nashville, Tenn., attending the awards with his sweetheart, fellow country star and Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert. He also was keeping busy doing interviews and publicity for the album. He claimed it was “the longest week of my life.”
“Barack Obama did not have more to do than I do these past two days on the day before he got elected president,” he declared.
During the interview, we talked about “Bare Skin Rug,” the song he wrote with Lambert, the importance of his hit “Home” to his career, and the reasons he loves to play in Oklahoma. This Q&A is an edited version of the interview:
Q: I can understand that you would be quite busy with activities. You do have a new album coming out and that is pretty exciting because …
A: I’m freakin’ pumped about it.
Q: Well, that’s good. I understand that it was supposed to be released early next year but the folks at Warner Bros. were so excited about it that they moved it up?
A: Um hum. Well, I tell you what, it took us by surprise, Brandy, because you know, you try to time, you try to think ahead, which you can’t really do in the music industry anyway, of when would be the best time to release an album according to how much airplay the first single is getting.
And with this one, when we released it, we thought, well, you know, February, March would be about the right time, and then as we watched the single grow, it grew a lot faster than we thought it would, and I think that’s due to two things: You know, the success of “Home,” just being as big of a record as it was; you know, I was really coming with a lot more momentum than any of us thought. And then also this particular song, “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” is just really connecting with people in a bigger way than I anticipated. I thought it’d be one of those songs that took a little bit longer to grow on people, and it has a bigger, quicker reaction than that, which by God, I’m so thankful for that, because those songs are few and far between. …
Q: What do you think has made it connect so strongly with the fans? And what did you do different with the vocals? Because you sound terrific, not that you don’t always sound good, but you sound particularly strong.
A: Thank you. Well, thank you. You know, as far as the song being different, that was something that we did by design, just because I think me coming with a pop cover, that surprised people, and when it worked, I saw that as an opportunity for me to try to do some new things while the door was open and kind of reinvent myself a little bit and do some things I’ve always wanted to do but never felt like I could get away with. And “She Wouldn’t Be Gone” is the perfect song; it’s so different, not only for me but from anything else on the radio, which is a good thing, if you can get people to be interested enough to pay attention to something like that, you know.
As far as the vocal on it, appreciate you saying that. You know, I think it’s I’m singing it a little bit different - and hopefully better - for a couple of reasons. You know, it’s a song that the guy has basically lost the girl, and as you listen to the lyrics you know that, but throughout the song there’s just a little bit of hope that if he could just find her, he could fix everything and make it right. You know, but the odds are he’s probably not gonna find her, and it probably won’t happen, but he is not gonna give up. And so you hit those choruses and all that energy and the panic and the desperation that he’s going through really comes out in that chorus, and I think that’s why I’m able to sing such a sad song with so much energy and power, because the way it’s written. And I’ve never heard a song written quite that way.
Q: I read in a news release that you like to sing songs about regret. Is there any particular reason? It’s kind of a weird thing to like to sing about.
A: Um hum. Well, you know, for me, regret is that one thing, that even though you end up getting over something, you can always look back at it and remember how you felt, you know, when you’ve done something wrong and wish could’ve changed it. Even when you get over it, you still know what that was like, and so when I say I like to say about it, because that’s an emotion that I can when I’m singing about it or thinking about it, I can feel what it was like all over again. So it’s a natural thing, as a country singer, when I’m singing about real life, it’s a natural thing for me to jump into and feel like I’m giving it everything I got because, you know, I can make myself feel that way.
Blake Shelton talks “Home” and making his in Oklahoma
Â
From Saturday’s Life section of The Oklahoman. Â
Oklahoma singer reinvents self
At home in Oklahoma, country star Blake Shelton is ‘Startin’ Fires’
The concept of home has possessed particular meaning the past few years for Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton.
The Ada native moved back to his home state from Nashville three years ago, setting up his homestead on a Tishomingo farm. His girlfriend, fellow country star Miranda Lambert, bought a year ago her own land just a few miles away.
And earlier this year, the couple recorded their first project together, a cover of Canadian crooner Michael Buble’s hit ballad “Home,” with Shelton taking the lead and Lambert singing harmony vocals.
The heartfelt love song became the fourth No. 1 hit of Shelton’s career - and much more.
“I think it was a statement to the country music industry that, ‘You know, look, damn it, I’m not going away. And I know it’s been a while between No. 1 hits, but this is still what I want to do with my life.’” Shelton said with a laugh during a recent phone interview from Nashville, Tenn., where he and Lambert attended the CMA Awards.
“I do other things sometimes like (last year’s reality TV special) ‘Clash of the Choirs’ and different little deals. … But my life and my passion will always be country music first and foremost. And I won’t stop at anything to be able to make my records and get ‘em in front of people.”
Not only did Warner Bros. re-release Shelton’s 2007 album “Pure BS” with “Home” as a bonus track, the hit also gave his career enough momentum that the label moved the release of his new album from early 2009 to this week. “Startin’ Fires,” Shelton’s fifth studio album, came out Tuesday.
Shelton puts in a powerhouse performance on the album’s lead single, the impassioned, heartbreaking ballad “She Wouldn’t Be Gone,” which has been steadily scaling the country charts. After the success of “Home,” the singer felt confident to try a different approach on the new song.
“I think me coming with a pop cover, that surprised people, and when it worked, I saw that as an opportunity for me to try to do some new things while the door was open and kind of reinvent myself a little bit and do some things I’ve always wanted to do but never felt like I could get away with. And ‘She Wouldn’t Be Gone’ is the perfect song; it’s so different,” he said.
He expressed gratitude that the song has connected so quickly with fans. The lyrics center on a man desperately searching for his departed lover with the hopes of setting their relationship right.
“You hit those choruses and all that energy and the panic and the desperation that he’s going through really comes out in that chorus, and I think that’s why I’m able to sing such a sad song with so much energy and power.”
The new album also features “Bare Skin Rug,” a hilarious tribute to hillbilly romance he wrote and performed with Lambert. They recorded it by the fire pit behind Shelton’s house - the same spot where they penned it - with flames crackling and crickets chirping in the background.
“We wanted to write a funny song because people’ve been pressuring us to do a duet for so long that we decided we were gonna write a duet that was kind of novelty and goofy. And we just kind of didn’t want to play into everybody’s hand of what they thought we should do as a country singing couple,” he said.
Shelton also celebrates the couple’s rural Oklahoma lifestyle on the album with the tracks “Green,” “Country Strong” and “Home Sweet Home.”
“I’ve never been happier, and that’s the God’s honest truth. And I’m so proud when I tell people where I live,” he said.
“You know, it’s just part of me. Oklahoma’s just a major, major part of the person I am, just the land and everything about it. The state of mind. It’s just who I am.”
-BAM
Blake Shelton on People’s sexiest list
Blake Shelton (Associated Press photo)Â
Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton has been dubbed a sexy, sexy man by none other than People magazine.
The magazine has named Australian actor Hugh Jackman its Sexiest Man Alive for 2008. But in the special Sexiest Man Alive issue that hits newsstands Friday, People also features several hot guys from the sports, music, film and TV arenas.
Shelton, the blue-eyed country crooner who calls Tishomingo home and Miranda Lambert his sweetie, is among the guys on this year’s list.
Others deemed sexy by People this year: Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, “No Country for Old Men” star Javier Bardem (minus the bowl haircut, naturally), “Mad Men” star Jon Hamm and James Bond star Daniel Craig.
For the full list, go to www.people.com.
-BAM
Oklahomans shine bright at CMA Awards
Oklahoma native Carrie Underwood emotionally accepts the female vocalist of the year awards at the 2008 CMA Awards. (Associated Press photo)Â
Oklahomans shine bright at CMA show
Carrie Underwood and Rascal Flatts continued their winning streaks at Wednesday night’s 42nd Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tenn.
The Country Music Association named Checotah’s favorite daughter its female vocalist of the year for the third straight time. Underwood has snagged the title every time she has been nominated.
“I just wanna say first off, Mama, it’s hard to sing when you’re in the second row crying,” she told her mother, Carole.
Underwood, who won just after performing her powerful hit “Just a Dream,” emotionally thanked God, her fans and the country music community.
For the first time, the 2005 “American Idol” winner co-hosted the awards show with Brad Paisley, who won the male vocalist of the year award for the second time.
Underwood also was nominated for album of the year for “Carnival Ride,” but the award went to George Strait’s “Troubadour.”
Trio Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, won the vocal group of the year title for the sixth straight year. Rooney noted it was his first opportunity to thank his son, Jagger Donovan Rooney, who was born May 31, in an acceptance speech.
Four other Oklahoma country stars were nominated for awards but were shut out.
Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, who performed her ballad “More Like Her,” was nominated for female vocalist, which went to Underwood, and single of the year for “Gunpowder & Lead,” which Strait won with “I Saw God to Day.”
Brooks & Dunn, which includes Tulsa Ronnie Dunn, was nominated for duo of the year, which Sugarland won, and album of the year for “Cowboy Town,” which went to Strait. Brooks & Dunn performed “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” with Chockie native Reba McEntire, who inspired the song.
McEntire and Kenny Chesney were nominated for musical event of the year for “Every Other Weekend,” while Owasso resident Trisha Yearwood and Josh Turner competed in the same category with “Another Try.” The prize went to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant for “Gone, Gone, Gone.”
Chesney won the top award, entertainer of the year, for the fourth time.
-BAM
Photo gallery: Highlights of the 2008 CMA Awards
Miranda Lambert performs “More Like Her” at Wednesday’s 42nd Annual CMA Awards. (All photos from the Associated Press)
From left, Kix Brooks, Reba McEntire and Ronnie Dunn perform “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”
Rascal Flatts accepts the vocal group of the year award for the sixth straight year.
Brad Paisley, left, and Keith Urban rock out on “Start a Band.”
George Strait accepts one of his two awards; he won album and single of the year.
Entertainer of the year Kenny Chesney perform “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven.”
(If you don’t click on the jump, you won’t get to see Kellie Pickler and Shania Twain.)
2008 CMA Awards winners list
Kenny Chesney (Associated Press photo)Â
Entertainer of the year
WINNER: Kenny Chesney
Brad Paisley
George Strait
Sugarland
Keith Urban
Carrie Underwood (AP)
Female vocalist of the year
Alison Krauss
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Taylor Swift
WINNER: Carrie Underwood
Brad Paisley (AP)
Male vocalist of the year
Kenny Chesney
Alan Jackson
WINNER: Brad Paisley
George Strait
Keith Urban
Lady AntebellumÂ
New artist of the year
Jason Aldean
Rodney Atkins
WINNER: Lady Antebellum
James Otto
Kellie Pickler
Rascal Flatts
Vocal group of the year
Eagles
Emerson Drive
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
WINNER: Rascal Flatts
Sugarland
Vocal duo of the year
Big & Rich
Brooks & Dunn
Montgomery Gentry
WINNER: Sugarland
The Wreckers
Single of the year
(Award goes to the artist and producer)
“Don’t Blink,” Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
BNA Records
“Gunpowder and Lead,” Miranda Lambert
Produced by Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke
Columbia Records
WINNER: “I Saw God Today,” George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville
“Stay,” Sugarland
Produced by Byron Gallimore, Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles
Mercury Nashville
“You’re Gonna Miss This,” Trace Adkins
Produced by Frank Rogers
Capitol Records Nashville
Album of the year
(Award goes to the artist and producer)
“Carnival Ride,” Carrie Underwood
Produced by Mark Bright
19 Recordings Limited/Arista/Arista Nashville
“Cowboy Town,” Brooks & Dunn
Produced by Tony Brown, Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks
Arista Nashville
“Good Time,” Alan Jackson
Produced by Keith Stegall
Arista Nashville
“Just Who I Am: Poets & Pirates,” Kenny Chesney
Produced by Buddy Cannon and Kenny Chesney
BNA Records
WINNER: “Troubadour,” George Strait
Produced by Tony Brown and George Strait
MCA Nashville
Jennifer Nettles (AP)
Song of the year
(Award goes to the songwriter and primary publisher)
“Good Time,” Alan Jackson
EMI-April Music/Tri-Angels Music
Recorded by Alan Jackson
“I Saw God Today,”
Rodney Clawson/Monty Criswell/Wade Kirby
Big Red Toe/Extremely Loud Music/Steel Wheels Music/Blind Mule Music
Recorded by George Strait
“Letter To Me,” Brad Paisley
EMI-April Music/New Sea Gayle Music
Recorded by Brad Paisley
WINNER: “Stay,” Jennifer Nettles
Jennifer Nettles Publishing
Recorded by Sugarland
“You’re Gonna Miss This,” Lee Thomas Miller/Ashley Gorley
EMI Blackwood Music/New Songs of Sea Gayle/Noah’s Little Boat Music/Songs of Combustion Music
Recorded by Trace Adkins
Alison Krauss and Robert Plant (The Oklahoman Archives)
Musical event of the year
(Award to each artist)
Josh Turner featuring Trisha Yearwood
“Another Try”
MCA Nashville
Reba McEntire and Kenny Chesney
“Every Other Weekend”
MCA Nashville
WINNER: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
“Gone, Gone, Gone”
Rounder Records
Sugarland featuring Little Big Town and Jake Owen
“Life In A Northern Town”
Mercury Nashville
Kenny Chesney duet with George Strait
“Shiftwork”
BNA Records
Brad Paisley and Andy GriffithÂ
Music video of the year
(Award goes to the artist and director)
“Don’t Blink”
Kenny Chesney
Directed by Shaun Silva
“Good Time”
Alan Jackson
Directed by Trey Fanjoy
“Stay”
Sugarland
Directed by Shaun Silva
WINNER: “Waitin’ On a Woman”
Brad Paisley featuring Andy Griffith
Directed by Jim Shea
“You’re Gonna Miss This”
Trace Adkins
Directed by Peter Zavadil
Musician of the year
Jerry Douglas - Dobro
Paul Franklin - Steel Guitar
Dann Huff - Guitar
Brent Mason - Guitar
WINNER: Mac McAnally - Guitar
-BAM
