Tickets to Bon Jovi Tulsa show go on sale Nov. 16
Rockers Bon Jovi have announced that their 2010-2011 “The Circle World Tour,” promoted by AEG Live, will stop April 13 at the BOK Center in Tulsa.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 16 and can be purchased at the BOK Center Box Office and all Tickets.com outlets, phone at (866) 7BOKCTR or online at www.bokcenter.com.
Ticket prices are $29.50, $59.50, $99.50 and $129.50. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges and event time and date are subject to change.
The GrammyAward-winning band will spend much of the next two years on the road, performing 135 shows in 30 countries.
With the grounds of New Meadowlands Stadium as their backdrop, the band’s Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora, David Bryan and Tico Torres recently announced their two-year global trek with an exclusive performance for a group of more than 5,000 lucky contest winners, fan club members, and on-site construction workers currently building the venue. Following in the footsteps of their hugely successful “Lost Highway Tour” — Billboard’s No. 1 top-grossing tour of 2008 — Bon Jovi will draw fans around the world into “The Circle,” with a residency at London’s O2 Arena in June 2010 before returning to America in the fall for an additional nationwide leg, and further dates well into 2011.
The Nov. 10 release of the band’s new album, “The Circle,” and subsequent world tour, provides a powerful reassertion of Bon Jovi’s commitment to the rock ’n’ roll that has been the band’s indelible signature since it began more than 26 years ago.
For more information on the tour, go to www.bonjovi.com.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 7, 2009
Today’s featured event:
TULSA — Listen to country star Alan Jackson and up-and-coming band Gloriana at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver.
For more information, call (866) 726-5287 or go to www.bokcenter.com
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup for Nov. 6-8, 2009
Rodney Atkins
Here is a list of events happening this weekend (Nov. 6-8) around Oklahoma. For more information, go to www.wimgo.com.
- NORMAN – Catch country star Rodney Atkins at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: www.riverwind.com.
- SHAWNEE — Hear “American Idol” David Cook, who has Tulsa ties, at 7 tonight at Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.
- Take in art, food and music at the sixth annual Girlie Show from 8 to midnight tonight and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein. Information: www.thegirlieshow.net.
Classical Mystery Tour
- Watch the Oklahoma City Philharmonic perform with Beatles tribute band Classical Mystery Tour at 8 tonight and Saturday at Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: 842-5387 or www.okcphilharmonic.org.
- TULSA and THACKERVILLE — Listen to country star Alan Jackson and up-and-coming band Gloriana at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the BOK Center, 200 S Denver. Information: (866) 726-5287 or www.bokcenter.com. Or catch Jackson in concert at 9 tonight at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- See new art – from small works exhibits to a container show – during the monthly Paseo Gallery Walk in the Paseo Arts District. Hours are 6 to 10 tonight and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Information: 525-2688 or www.thepaseo.com.
- Hear Chevelle with Halestorm and After Midnight Project at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave. Information: www.diamondballroom.net.
Billie Letts
- SHAWNEE - Hear Tulsa author Billie Letts (”Where the Heart Is”) give the keynote address at the 2009 Red Dirt Book Festival on today and Saturday. Letts will speak at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Raley Chapel at Oklahoma Baptist University. Multiple writing workshops, special programs and panel discussions with authors and editors will be included in the two-day book festival that’s sponsored by Pioneer Library System. The festival opens at 9 a.m. today. Letts and other featured authors will close out the festival with a book signing at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Geiger Center on OBU’s campus. To register for the free festival (which is required) or get more information, go to www.reddirtbookfestival.org.
- Listen to Billy Joe Winghead, Bloody Ol’ Mule, the Starkweather Boys and more from noon Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday at “Drumming for Derek,” a benefit for Oklahoma City drummer Derek Dugger, who has brain cancer. The event will be at 66 Bowl, 3810 NW 39 Expressway. Information: 946-3966.
- MIAMI – Catch the Casey Donahew Band in concert at 7 tonight at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
“Frankenstein”
- Watch Oklahoma Children’s Theatre and TheatreOCU’s production of “Frankenstein” at 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. today, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in Oklahoma City University’s Burg Theatre, 2501 N Blackwelder. The production is recommended for middle school and high school students. Information: www.oklahomachildrenstheatre.org.
- TULSA – Hear Rob Zombie with Nekromantix and Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Brady Theater, 105 W Brady Street. Information: www.bradytheater.com.
- See a Tribute to Woody Guthrie at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Also, hear Don Conoscenti at 9 tonight and John Fullbright at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Blue Door. Information: www.bluedoorokc.com.
- Watch Red Dirt Improv perform “Music, Mayhem, and Mamet” starting at 7 tonight at IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan. Information: www.reddirtimprov.com.
-BAM
Vince Gill talks Will Rogers, musical diversity and more before receiving Sunday award
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Oklahoma musician Vince Gill to receive Will Rogers Spirit Award in Tulsa
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Vince Gill considers humorist/cowboy/social commentator Will Rogers “the coolest Okie in history.”
So, it’s fitting that the Oklahoma-born country music star is traveling from Nashville back to his home state this weekend to receive the 2009 Will Rogers Spirit Award from the Rotary Club of Will Rogers. The club, along with members of Rogers’ family, will present the award to Gill during a gala Sunday night at Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa.
“We look for somebody who exemplifies the spirit of Will Rogers,” said gala committee member Lucy Cravens. “He’s raised a lot of money for a lot of different organizations.”
The “roast and toast,” themed “Oklahoma Swing” after the Gill hit, will feature friends and colleagues of the star performing and speaking in his honor.
For Gill, 52, getting an award named for Rogers, who famously declared “I never met a man I didn’t like,” is a great compliment.
“I don’t know that they’re actually comparing you to (Will Rogers), but you do hopefully some decent things for people and live life for other people instead of just yourself. And that’s all I’ve ever really tried to do is if somebody needs a hand up, you give it to ‘em. And if somebody needs you to help out, you help ‘em out. That just seems like a commonsense way of life,” Gill said in a phone interview from his Nashville home. “That to me comes from where I’m from.”
The Country Music Hall of Famer and his wife, fellow singer Amy Grant, are known for lending their talents to an array of philanthropic projects. The couple this year hosted a concert in Washington, D.C., to benefit Challenge America, a charity working with injured veterans. Since 1993, Gill has hosted his own pro-celebrity golf tournament, “The Vinny,” to support junior golf programs.
He has been busy this year working with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He not only serves as president of the museum’s board of officers and trustees, he also is the creator and driving force behind its “All for the Hall” fundraising initiative.
“I asked everybody to just when they’re playing out there and they’re doing 125 shows a year, just say, hey, while we’re in Omaha, we’re going to play for free and just take the proceeds from that show and give it to the hall of fame,” he said. “Because it was always my belief that the reason I ever played music was because of how much I loved it. It was never how much I could get out of it.”
On Oct. 1, Gill joined Emmylou Harris, Dwight Yoakam, Melissa Etheridge and others in Los Angeles for the third annual “All for the Hall” guitar pull, in which the musicians traded off playing new and favorite songs.
A few days later, Gill and fellow star Keith Urban co-hosted the sold-out “We’re All for the Hall” benefit concert at Nashville’s Sommet Center. The event, which also featured Taylor Swift, Faith Hill and Brad Paisley, raised more than $500,000.
“It created a tremendous amount of attention and I think it’ll be like dominoes. I think that it’ll inspire a lot of other people to do the same thing,” Gill said.
The 20-time Grammy winner finds inspiration in working with musicians and singers from across genres. He will perform with rock band Daughtry on the Country Music Association’s 43rd Annual CMA Awards, which will air Nov. 11 on ABC. They will play their country-rock collaboration “Tennessee Line,” featured on the band’s new album “Leave This Town.”
He said frontman Chris Daughtry asked him to lend his voice to the song after a mutual friend, singer-songwriter Richard Marx, suggested it.
“Not everything I do is country, you know. I’ve worked with Barbra Streisand, I’ve worked with Ralph Stanley, I’ve worked with Daughtry, I’ve worked with Mark Knopfler,” Gill said.
“That creates its own versatility, being willing to go play bluegrass with Del McCoury and then sit down at a jazz piano with Diana Krall and rock as hard as you want with Mark. … It’s just an open mind is all that’s created all those kind of relationships. And I’m prouder of that anything I’ve accomplished my own. The reason I learned to play music was to play it with other people.”
Former Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker praised the Oklahoma native for his musical generosity, noting that Gill sang on his debut country album last year.
“Vince is the coolest guy on the planet,” Rucker said. “There’s not a lot of people who are the real deal … and Vince is the real deal.”
Going on
The Rotary Club of Will Rogers’ 2009 Gala “Oklahoma Swing”
What: Honoring Will Rogers Spirit Award winner Vince Gill.
Benefiting: Proceeds will go in part to Blue Star Mothers of America Inc., Oklahoma Chapter 1.
When: 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main, Tulsa.
Cost: $125 for individual tickets.
Information: (918) 749-6661 or www.willrogersrotary.org.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 5, 2009
Today’s featured event:
EL RENO – Hear country band Sawyer Brown at 7:30 tonight at Lucky Star Casino – Concho, 7777 N Highway 81.
For more information, go to www.luckystarcasino.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
George Strait, Reba McEntire bringing tour to Tulsa’s BOK Center in 2010
George Strait
Reba McEntire
“King of Country” George Strait is taking along Oklahoma country music star Reba McEntire on his 2010 tour, with a stop planned in February at Tulsa’s BOK Center.
The tour will kick off Jan. 22 in Baltimore, according to a news release from Strait’s publicist. The pair will Feb. 20 at the BOK Center; the sale date or ticket prices for the Oklahoma show have not yet been announced.
The country superstars performed together for the first time in many years for a sold-out crowd June 6 at the Cowboy’s Stadium inaugural event in Dallas. The show, which also featured Oklahoma star Blake Shelton and Lee Ann Womack, sold out in less than an hour. It was hailed by the Dallas Morning News as “an extravaganza” that “showcased Strait at the pinnacle of his musical game,” and Ft. Worth Star Telegram wrote “Reba McEntire’s performance was a breathtaking master’s class in effortless brilliance.”
With 57 No. 1 hits, 33 multi-platinum albums and countless sold-out shows year after year, Strait holds the record for the most Country Music Association wins and a record 17 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominations.
“I can’t wait to get back out there and perform some of my new favorites from Twang along with hits the fans already love,” Strait says in the release. “And with my friend Reba, we will make it a really spectacular night.”
Strait’s latest album, “Twang,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart. This is the fourth time in Strait’s career that a new release has debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and his 13th time debuting at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart. It has become a critically acclaimed album and received rave reviews in USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, People, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Houston Chronicle, The Dallas Morning News, The Boston Globe, Billboard and many more.
Strait co-wrote three songs on “Twang,” including the debut single, “Living for the Night.” The current single and title track of the album sits at No. 22 on Billboard and Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart.
At last year’s CMA Awards, George became the artist with the most CMA Awards in history with an album of the year win for “Troubadour” and single of the year for “I Saw God Today.” This year, he has four CMA nominations - nods for entertainer of the year, male vocalist of the year, video of the year for “Troubadour” and vocal event of the year for “Everything But Quits” with Womack - going into the Nov. 11 awards show.
His platinum-selling “Troubadour” was named best country album at the 51st Grammy Awards in February, and Strait was the fifth artist ever to receive the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade honor in April. Strait also has won 19 Academy of Country Music Awards including entertainer of the year.
With a career spanning more than 25 years, Strait has the most No. 1 singles of any artist in history, including Elvis Presley, with 57 to date. He has sold more than 67 million records, and with 33 platinum or multi-platinum albums to his name, he has the most RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) platinum certifications in country music and the third in all genres, behind The Beatles and Elvis .
One of the most successful female recording artists in history, McEntire, who grew up in Chockie, has sold more than 55 million albums worldwide, earned 33 No. 1 singles and was recently recognized as the biggest female hitmaker in country music history by Billboard, Mediabase and Country Aircheck.
The Oklahoma native is the winner of 15 American Music Awards, 12 ACM Awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, seven CMA Awards and two Grammy Awards.
McEntire’s new album, “Keep On Loving You,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart – her first solo studio album to do so. With 11 No. 1 albums, she holds the record as the female artist with the most No. 1 albums in the history of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
The superstar also recently scored her third consecutive Top 10 single of 2009, as her new song “Consider Me Gone” jumped into the Top 10 this week on both the Billboard country singles and the USA Today/Country Aircheck Chart powered by Mediabase) charts.
In November 2008, McEntire signed with The Valory Music Co. reuniting her with multimedia entertainer and industry leader Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Records and sister label The Valory Music Co.
For more information on the tour, go to www.georgestrait.com or www.rebamcentire.com.
See the full list of 2010 tour dates after the break.
What to do in Oklahoma on Nov. 3, 2009
AFI
Today’s featured event:
TULSA - Hear California rockers AFI with Gallows at 7 tonight at Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main.
For more information, go to www.cainsballroom.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
College football for Oct. 31, 2009
OSU quarterback Zac Robinson has taken to printing the words “Press on” in his eye black this season. (Photo by Bryan Terry/The Oklahoman)
After a scary-tough football season, I’m hoping that none of my favorite teams gets spooked during today’s Halloween games.
My Oklahoma State Cowboys will face a daunting task as the No. 3 Texas Longhorns come to Stillwater today. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. and air on ABC.
The No. 13 Cowboys will be pressing on - the message QB Zac Robinson’s has been printing in his eye black the past few weeks – after the NCAA played a nasty trick on the Cowboy Nation this week. The NCAA declined to reinstate All-American wide receiver Dez Bryant, prompting OSU to appeal to the NCAA Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee.
The University of Oklahoma Sooners are pressing on with a home game against Kansas State at 6 p.m. today. The game will air on Fox Sports Net.
It will be the first game in which Landry Jones will officially hold the title of starting quarterback, after Heisman winner Sam Bradford opted this week to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
The Florida Gators, the defending national champs and the traditional favorite of the McDonnell family, will try to keep their top ranking and undefeated season today as they face the Georgia Bulldogs at home in Jacksonville, Fla. The game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. today and air on CBS.
Go teams!
-BAM
Winter Jam bringing Christian artists to Tulsa’s BOK Center
Third Day
TULSA – The Winter Jam 2010 Tour, featuring Third Day, NewSong, Tenth Avenue North and more, will play the BOK Center at 7 p.m. Feb. 25, the venue announced today.
Tickets will cost only $10 at the door. No tickets required.
According to a news release, Christian music’s largest annual tour, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular, will hit 44 cities beginning in January and is slated to feature some of the top artists in Christian music.
Hosted for the 15th consecutive year by Grammy-nominated NewSong, the tour will also include multi-platinum Reunion recording artist Third Day; internationally-renowned Inpop recording artist Newsboys; Dove Award-winning Reunion recording artist Tenth Avenue North; acclaimed Flicker recording artist Fireflight; and guest speaker Tony Nolan.
Winter Jam 2010 will kick-off Jan. 8 in Chattanooga, Tenn., stopping in Atlanta; Cincinnati; Oklahoma City; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Birmingham, Alabama; Wichita, Kansas; Nashville, Tennessee; Champaign, Illinois; and Des Moines, Iowa, among other cities, before concluding March 28 in Louisville, Kentucky. Admission is $10 at the door, and in addition to the main show artists, the Tour will include a Pre-Jam Party with Sidewalk Prophets, Robert Pierre and Revive.
“Our vision has always been to bring together great music, the Gospel message, and a low admission price in some of the biggest venues in the country,” said Eddie Carswell, NewSong founding member and Winter Jam creator, in the release. “We want families and youth groups to enjoy a night of top-notch entertainment that serves a greater purpose.”
“This year’s Winter Jam line-up is a great mix of some of the most respected artists in Christian music along with some of the brightest new acts,” said Roy Morgan, owner, Premier Productions, producer of Winter Jam, in the release. “We are honored to continue our partnership with NewSong for another year of excellent music and ministry.”
The Winter Jam 2009 Tour Spectacular ranked among the largest tours in the world, according to Pollstar’s First Quarter Attendance Chart. Earlier this year Winter Jam received the GMA Impact Award, which is presented to “the non-artist individual or organization that has made the most significant impact on the gospel music industry over the last two or three years.” In addition, Winter Jam 2009 was voted both “Concert of the Year” by Gospel Music Channel viewers and “Best Tour” in the CCMmagazine.com Readers’ Choice Awards.
Presented by Holt International, the Winter Jam 2010 Tour Spectacular is also sponsored by the American Bible Society, HearItFirst.com, Camp Electric, Premier Christian Cruises, All Access Merchandising, Texas TransEastern, Xtreme Conferences, and Wayne E. Bailey Produce.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
One of Christian music’s most highly regarded and successful bands, NewSong’s 28 years in ministry have yielded 17 albums; 20 No. 1 singles; and a Grammy Award nomination, among numerous other achievements. NewSong’s most definitive recording to date, “Give Yourself Away,” is slated to bow Nov. 24 on the band’s new label, His Honor Music (EMI CMG Distribution). Marking the official return of acclaimed vocalist Russ Lee to the group, the project is also NewSong’s first collaboration with one of Christian music’s most renowned producers, Charlie Peacock.
With 27 No. 1 singles, multi-platinum-selling rock band Third Day has played to sold out arenas around the world and earned numerous Grammy, Dove and American Music Awards. Their current CD, “Revelation,” captures the complexities of the Christian walk and features collaborations with Robert Randolph, Chris Daughtry and Flyleaf’s Lacey Mosely.
Achieving phenomenal success in two decades together, the Newsboys have earned five gold albums, sales exceeding 6 million records, 25 No. 1 radio hits, and a mantle of Dove Awards and Grammy nominations. Known for their groundbreaking tours, they have become one of the industry’s most iconic acts.
Recipient of the 2009 GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year, one listen to Tenth Avenue North, and it’s obvious they have a gift for expressing truth in a way that educates, enlightens, and entertains. Their songs echo the heart of the human condition and the Hope of the risen Savior. “Simply, our mission as a band is to know Christ and to make Him known.”
From the band known for the smash hit “Unbreakable,” Fireflight’s latest effort, “For Those Who Wait,” once again delivers Dawn Michele’s soaring vocals and the band’s signature melodic rock. The album will be available everywhere in February.
Tony Nolan’s passion is “helping people get connected to God’s great love and salvation.” As a tour pastor for various Christian artists, Tony has experienced over 100,000 public professions of faith in Christ. An innovative Gospel communicator, he uses his wacky humor to help people connect with God in a life-changing way.
For further information and a complete list of Tour dates, please visit www.jamtour.com.
-BAM
UPDATED: Weekend Warmup for Oct. 30-Nov. 1, 2009
Will Hoge
Here is a list of non-Halloween events going on this weekend (Oct. 30-Nov. 1) throughout Oklahoma. I posted my massive round-up of Halloween happenings earlier today on the blog. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
- Listen to singer/songwriter/musician Will Hoge at 10 tonight at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Or hear Mike McClure Band and Turnpike Troubadours at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
- Watch Oklahoma City’s Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls take on the Amarillo, Texas-based Route 66 Rollergirls in a banked-track roller derby bout at 8 tonight at the Cox Convention Center in downtown. Doors open at 7 p.m. Information: www.reddirtrebellion.com.
- See Red Dirt Improv engage other local improve troupes in a free jam session at 8 tonight at IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan. The performance is free but donations will be taken for IAO. Information: www.reddirtimprov.com.
- NORMAN — Hear country artist Tracy Lawrence at 8 p.m. Saturday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.
- NORMAN — View Oklahoma artist Deborah Kaspari’s paintings and sketches in the exhibit “Drawing the Motmot: An Artist’s View of Tropical Nature” at the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave. Information: 325-4712 or www.snomnh.ou.edu.
- NORMAN – Listen to the Hosty Duo at 10 p.m. Saturday at The Deli, 309 White Street. Information: www.thedeli.us.
Jack Ingram
- THACKERVILLE – Hear Jack Ingram at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- See Carpenter Square Theatre’s production of “Murderers” at 8 p.m. today and Saturday at Stage Center, 400 W Sheridan. Performances continue through Nov. 7. Information: www.carpentersquare.com.
- NORMAN – Hear Oklahoma City singer/pianist Marcy Priest from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Othello’s Italian Restaurant, 434 Buchanan Ave. Information: 503-7902 or www.marcypriest.com. UPDATED: The time of this show has been changed to 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday because of the Oklahoma-Kansas State football game.
Colourmusic
- STILLWATER – Catch Colourmusic with BrotherBear and Gentleman Auction House at 10 p.m. Saturday at The Vault Venue, 716 S Main. Information: www.myspace.com/vaultvenue.
- MIAMI – Hear Jackson Taylor at 7 tonight at Buffalo Run Casino. Information: www.buffalorun.com.
- Listen to Texas bluesman Paul Geremia at 9 tonight at the Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley. Information: www.bluedoorokc.com.
- BAM
