Entertainment blogging from The Oklahoman's Brandy McDonnell

Oklahoma music stars react online to Whitney Houston’s death

As the sad news of Whitney Houston’s death Saturday in Beverly Hills, Calif., spread over the Internet, several musical talents with Oklahoma ties paid tribute to the former superstar on Twitter and Facebook:

Greyson Chance, Edmond-based singer/songwriter/pianist (on Twitter @GreysonChance):

RIP Whitney Houston. So devastating..she was a true performer. #Legend

Reba McEntire, superstar singer/actress who hails from Chockie (on Twitter @Reba):

Rest in peace, Whitney. (on Saturday)

I do think the Grammys tonight will be a wonderful way to celebrate Whitney’s career while paying tribute to her. (on Sunday before presenting at the Grammys)

Drummer Nathan Followill of Kings of Leon, who have Oklahoma City and Talihina ties (on Twitter @doctorfollowill):

RIP Whitney Houston. So sad.

Drummer Zac Hanson of Tulsa-based trio Hanson (on Twitter at @hansonmusic)

So sad to hear that #whitneyhouston has passed away. What a great voice. Sad day for music. -Z

Charlie Wilson, Tulsa-born R&B star (on Facebook):

Whitney Houston’s voice touched so many generations and lived in the hearts of her fans like a true legend. Her music will continue to live with us for countless generations and she will be truly missed by all of us who had the pleasure of knowing such a beautiful women. You left us too soon.

Country singer Bryan White, who was born in Lawton and raised in Oklahoma City (on Facebook):

Completely moved and deeply saddened at the loss of one of the most iconic voices in modern music. Whitney, you will be sorely missed and never forgotten. Blessings on your family …

Matt Stansberry, Edmond-based singer-songwriter (on Facebook):

So sad to hear about Whitney Houston. I was in LA staying at the same hotel and saw her just yesterday afternoon. So very very sad. I know they will honor her tonight at Clive Davis’s party and Sunday at the Grammys. We lost a legend.

-BAM

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UPDATED: 2012 Grammys: Most Oklahoma nominees have to settle for the honor of being nominated

UPDATED 10:48 p.m. Monday: Here are a couple more Grammy accomplishments by Oklahoma music stars, courtesy Oklahoma Rock Newsblog. 

British singer-songwriter Adele won six awards – sweeping the record, album and song of the year categories – while rockers the Foo Fighters earned five prizes when the Grammy Awards were handed out tonight in Los Angeles. To read my live blog, click here.

Best known as the frontman for pop band OneRepublic, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder shares in Adele’s album of the year win as one of the producers of “21.” (In addition, Tedder co-wrote “Rumour Has It” and another “21″ track, “Turning the Tables,” with Adele.)

Tedder also was nominated for non-classical producer of the year for his work on several records, including Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” Jennifer Hudson’s “I Remember Me” and Adele’s “Rumour Has It.” But Paul Epworth, who also worked with Adele along with Foster the People, won the producer prize.

Some Oklahomans were in the spotlight during the Grammy Awards: Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton performed with The Band Perry and Glen Campbell in a tribute to Campbell, who is retiring from touring to cope with his Alzheimer’s disease. Checotah native Carrie Underwood performed with legendary crooner Tony Bennett before they presented the new artist award to Bon Iver. Reba McEntire, who hails from Chockie, and Shelton’s wife Miranda Lambert, a Texas native who now calls Tishomingo home, were presenters.

Underwood is among the various artists who collaborated with Bennett on his “Duets II” album, which won the best traditional pop vocal album.

Oklahoma City native The World Famous Tony Williams and Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, helped rapper Kanye West win three Grammys. Vocals by Williams and Wilson were featured on West’s “All of the Lights,” which won best rap song and best rap/sung collaboration.

Also, the album containing “All of the Lights,” titled “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy,” won best rap album. Williams’ vocals were featured on the album tracks “Dark Fantasy,” “Gorgeous,” “Runaway,” “Hell of a Life” and “Lost in the World,” according to Oklahoma Rock Newsblog.

For the most part, though, the 2012 Grammy nominees with Oklahoma ties had to settle for being nominated tonight:

- Muskogee native Ester Dean shared in an album of the year nomination as one of several producers on Rihanna’s “Loud,” but the prize went to Adele and her collaborators for “21.”

- Shelton was nominated for country album of the year for “Red River Blue,” but trio Lady Antebellum won a surprise victory in the category with “Own the Night.”

- Shelton was nominated for “Honey Bee” and Underwood for “Mama’s Song” in the best country solo performance, but singer-songwriter Taylor Swift won for “Mean.”

- Vince Gill earned his 41st Grammy nomination in the best country song category with “Threaten Me with Heaven,” which the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred star penned with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and the late Will Owsley. Also, Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy were nominated for writing Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not” and Dave Barnes was nominated for penning Shelton’s “God Gave Me You.” But Taylor Swift won the country song category, again with “Mean.”

- Country duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, received its first Grammy nod for best country duo/group performance for its breakthrough hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not.” But The Civil Wars scored the Grammy for “Barton Hollow.”

- Four-time Grammy winners Kings of Leon, who have ties to Oklahoma City and Talihina, were nominated for best rock album for their fifth studio effort, “Come Around Sundown.” The Grammy went to the Foo Fighters’ “Wasting Light.”

- Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” which opened 2011’s deadCenter Film Festival, contended for best long-form music video. The prize was awarded to James Moll, the video’s director, and James Moll and Nigel Sinclair, producers, for “Foo Fighters: Back and Forth.”

- Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, former frontman of the Gap Band, was nominated for best R&B performance for his hit “You Are,” from his 2010 solo album “Just Charlie.” The award went to Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Is This Love.” In addition, Wilson, his wife Mahin Wilson and their fellow songwriters Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr. and Wirlie Morris shared a nomination for best R&B song for “You Are.” But “Fool For You,” written by Cee Lo Green, Melanie Hallim and Jack Splash, became the winning song.

- Christian worship group Gungor, which is fronted by former Tulsan Michael Gungor, earned a nod in the new best contemporary Christian music album category. Chris Tomlin won for “And If Our God Is For Us….”

Some Oklahoma talents did help others win Grammys tonight:

- The 40th anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of Derek and the Dominos’ beloved 1970 album “Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs” earned the best surround sound album Grammy. The late Carl Radle, a Tulsa native, was the band’s bassist.

- Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars is among the various artists featured on “All About Bullies … Big and Small,” named best children’s album. The Allstars collaborated with fellow kindie rocker Secret Agent 23 Skidoo on the compilation track “Cooperate.”

-BAM

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Live blog: 2012 Grammy Awards

7 p.m.: The 54th Annual Grammy Awards is getting off to an old-school star, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band and a symphony orchestra performing The Boss’ new anthem “We Take Care of Our Own.” The performance has everyone in the star-studded crowd on their feet. As billed, it’s a very uplifting anthem on the outside but with lots of pointed social commentary on the inside, so it’s hard not to join the chorus comparing it to “Born in the U.S.A.” Mostly I’m just happy to see that Springsteen still rocks at age 62. And I hope I’m as beautiful and cool as his wife and bandmate Patti Scialfa is when I finally grow up.

7:05: The Grammys have gone back to a host this year, and LL Cool J proves from outset that he was the right man for the job: “There’s no way around this: We’ve had a death in our family. So for me, the only thing that feels right is to open with a prayer for our fallen sister Whitney Houston.” Every head in the crowd is bowed as he thanks God for letting Whitney make music for the world and asking for peace for her mother and daughter.

Although he forgot to remove his admittedly cool hat, I applaud Cool J for his excellent delivery of the prayer, which is leading into a video of Whitney performing “I Will Always Love You” on the Grammys back in the early 1990s. Jennifer Hudson is going to perform the song tonight in honor of her. “Whitney we will always love you, and later tonight, we will remember you the best way we know how, with a song.” He’s encouraging everyone to remember the joy Whitney brought to the world and relish the joy of tonight’s awards.

7:09: Cool J welcomes back Adele, who will give her first live public performance since her vocal cord surgery, and hypes all the big performances coming up tonight. The slate ranges from Oklahoma country star Blake Shelton to Sir Paul McCartney of the Beatles, so it’s a wide range.

7:11: Bruno Mars may be a relative newcomer to the music scene, but he’s delivering another throwback performance, from his pompadour and gold jacket and bow tie to the old-school R&B sound of “Runaway Baby.” It’s a fun performance, with a big-time nod to the late James Brown, and it gets another standing O from the crowd.

7:15: Next up, Chris Brown is going to perform. Presumably, he hasn’t beaten up any girlfriends before the show this year, so I guess this is still on. It will be interesting to see if the crowd is as unenthused about this comeback performance as I am.

7:20: Before Chris Brown comes back, Alicia Keys at keyboards and Bonnie Raitt on guitar are paying tribute to Whitney Houston and now are going to perform in honor of the late Etta James, who died last month. They are singing “A Sunday Kind of Love,” and they are making it clear that they don’t need flashing lights, carefully choreographed dance moves or color-coordinated outfits to make a Grammy moment. It’s a beautiful but heartbreaking performance. Just don’t stop, ladies. The crowd is on its feet again.

7:24: Now the lovely ladies are presenting the award for best solo pop performance and my money is on Adele:

Someone Like You

Adele

Track from: 21

[XL Recordings/Columbia Records]

 

Yoü And I

Lady Gaga

Track from: Born This Way

[Streamline/Interscope/Kon Live]

 

Grenade

Bruno Mars

Track from: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

[Elektra]

 

Firework

Katy Perry

[Capitol]

 

F***in’ Perfect

Pink

[Jive Records]

7:26: Winner: Adele. She’s getting a standing O as she immediately gets choked up. She says “Someone Like You” changed her life even before anyone else heard it. “Seeing as it’s a vocal performance, I ought to thank my doctors I guess for bringing my voice back,” proceeding to do just that. Love her. She’s already won a trophy or two in the pre-telecast ceremony, too, so I’m betting she will need a wheelbarrow by the end of the night.

7:27: Chris Brown is singing “Turn Up the Music” while running and dancing all over a stack of brightly colored LED cubes as masked doctors in capes chase him. The crowd applauds and a few stand up but he’s the first non-standing O moment of the night.

7:30: Am I the only one just tickled that Lady Gaga has been seated next to country stars and Tishomingo residents Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton? It’s a good thing she’s past her meat-dress phase or Blake would be hunting up a fork and sitting in her lap!

7:35: Fergie and Marc Anthony are up to present, and can someone please toss a robe over Fergie? First, who brought back the transparent lace trend; was the world not tacky enough already? And do you really want to show the world your black underwear under your peekaboo red dress at the Grammy Awards? Way to keep it classy Fergie. Anyway, they’re gonna present best rap performance:

Otis

Jay-Z & Kanye West

Track from: Watch The Throne

[Roc-A-Fella Records/Def Jam]

 

Look At Me Now

Chris Brown, Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes

Track from: F.A.M.E.

[Jive Records]

 

The Show Goes On

Lupe Fiasco

Track from: Lasers

[1st & 15th/Atlantic]

 

Moment 4 Life

Nicki Minaj & Drake

Track from: Pink Friday

[Cash Money/Universal Motown]

 

Black And Yellow

Wiz Khalifa

Track from: Rolling Papers

[Rostrum/Atlantic]

7:37: Winner: “Otis.” Jay-Z is presumably still on daddy leave with his new baby girl – who as expected from any child of Beyonce is freakin’ adorable – but I’m wondering where Kanye is this fine evening. With him gone, the sense of impending disaster just isn’t as acute.

7:38: Oklahoma-born and bred superstar Reba arrives to praise the Grammys for bringing together musical artists from different musical genres like no other show. She’s introducing hot country star Jason Aldean and her pop-star pal Kelly Clarkson performing their smash duet “Don’t You Wanna Stay.” I’ve heard them sing this power ballad on a couple of different awards shows, and they’ve nailed it every time. But I wish we could’ve had more Reba on the show tonight.

7:46: Jack Black – in a red Western-style shirt – is talking about how he’s outside the Grammys because he is holding onto his indie cred. Dude, you made “Gulliver’s Travelers” into a comedy for 20th Century Fox, so no matter what you do with Tenacious D, you can never get that indie cred of which you speak back.

Anyway, just introduce the band, especially since it’s the Foo Fighters, who have already snagged four Grammys tonight. They’re performing “Walk,” they’re keeping rock relevant, and for that we thank them. Who knew that Dave Grohl would just keeping getting more awesome with each passing year? Incredible.

7:56: This is one of  the more intriguing cross-cultural matchups of tonight’s Grammys in my opinion: Rihanna with Coldplay. She’s getting it started in dance-party fashion as she coos “We Found Love,” and if she’s not thinking “suck it, Chris Brown, I don’t need you,” I’m thinking it for her. She’s got athletic backup dancers and real-life torch bearers and abs that you could crack concrete with, plus she’s now proving that she is just as good a dancer as her ex. I’m just wondering when we’re going to get to the Coldplay part of the performance.

8: The stage goes dark and Coldplay’s Chris Martin appears strumming an acoustic guitar and crooning “Princess of China,” which I think is a particularly pretty song. Rihanna returns to turn it into a duet, and even though the two parts of the much-hyped mash-up don’t really go together, she and Chris sound just lovely together. And now Coldplay is taking center stage in this medley to play their Grammy-nominated anthem “Paradise” against a backdrop of LED graffiti. Overall, I can’t really fault the quality of the performance, but I wish more had been done to actually integrate their divergent styles to make this something really special.

8:11: Mario Manningham and Victor Cruz of the Super Bowl-winning New York Giants and “NCIS” star Pauley Perrette, who is nearly as tall as they, are going to present the award for best rock performance. But first, Pauley compels Victor to give the crowd a bit of his salsa-style touchdown dance. Here’s an award that the Foo Fighters better win:

Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall

Coldplay

[Capitol Records/ EMI/ Parlophone]

 

Down By The Water

The Decemberists

Track from: The King Is Dead

[Capitol]

 

Walk

Foo Fighters

Track from: Wasting Light

[RCA Records/ Roswell Records]

 

The Cave

Mumford & Sons

Track from: Sigh No More

[Glassnote Records]

 

Lotus Flower

Radiohead

Track from: The King Of Limbs

[XL/ TBD Recordings]

8:14: Winners: Foo Fighters. “This is a great honor because this record was a special record for our band,” Dave says. “We made this record in my garage with some microphones and a tape machine.” Gotta love that. “To me this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of making music is the most important thing,” he says, extolling the virtues of learning your craft and declaring that music is not about sounding perfect, it’s about what goes on in your head and your heart. Preach it!

 

8:16: Dave refuses to be played off the stage, delaying the irony of having Ryan Seacrest follow the rocker’s earnest speech about keeping it real. This is the man who brought us the Kardashians, after all. Anyway, Seacrest is in the house to introduce a big moment: The 50th anniversary reunion of the Beach Boys. But not before Maroon 5 and Adam Levine’s falsetto takes on “Surfer Girl.” And now we’ve got Foster the People chiming in with “Wouldn’t Be Nice.” Wouldn’t it be nice if we’re finally going to get a Beach Boys reunion if the Beach Boys actually played it?

8:21: Finally, we’ve got the actual Beach Boys – well, the ones available to carry on – playing “Good Vibrations,” and the crowd is on its feet already. For all the drama and troubles this band has experienced over the decades, they still sound pretty darn good, even on those famous high notes. And unlike many reunited bands, I don’t see a bunch of 30-something ringers sharing the stage with a few graybeards. Now, they’re getting Maroon 5 and Foster the People involved on the last verse of their feel-good hit. And it’s not a train wreck, so that’s a good vibration for ya.

8:28: Are we actually having another snow-pocalypse here in Oklahoma, or is just the KWTV weather anchors loving the sound of their own voices and the look of their own weather maps? It’s so hard to tell sometimes …

8:30: The Trustee Awards this year go to the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs; musician, bandleader, composer, and arranger Dave Bartholomew; and recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder, who worked with jazz musicians such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk. They were just honored in a brief clip. The awards go to people who make significant contributions to music in a non-performing capacity.

8:31: Stevie Wonder gets a standing O just for showing up. He gives his love to Whitney and plays a bit of the Beatles’ “Love Me Do” on the harmonica, which gets people clapping along. I’d love to hear more of Stevie, but he’s introducing Paul McCartney, who will be performing with Joe Walsh and Diana Krall. Sir Paul is wearing a white dinner jacket and crooning his new romantic standard “My Valentine.” It’s lovely, especially with Walsh on guitar, but I’m just not sure I was ready for the cute Beatle to sing standards. I know he’s never gonna be able sing “When I’m 64″ without it being ironic again; still, I don’t know that I’m ready for him to not rock it up. But I can’t argue with the standing O since he sounded really good crooning.

8:36: The ever-cool Common and Oscar-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson salute Lifetime Achievement winner and R&B forefather the late Gil Scott-Heron before presenting best R&B album:

F.A.M.E.

Chris Brown

[Jive Records]

 

Second Chance

El DeBarge

[Geffen]

 

Love Letter

R. Kelly

[Jive Records]

 

Pieces Of Me

Ledisi

[Verve Forecast]

 

Kelly

Kelly Price

[My Block/Sang Girl/Malaco]

8:38: Winner: Chris Brown. He’s got a few people on their feet as he thanks God and the Grammys for the opportunity to perform and dedicates the award to his fans.

I demand a recount on behalf of Ledisi, who could sing this guy under the table.

8:39: Already two-time winners tonight, The Civil Wars arrive and cheekily thank all their opening acts tonight, “including that promising kid from Liverpool.” They proceed to amaze the crowd with their awesome harmonies on “Barton Hollow.” They’re there to warm the stage for fellow Grammy winner Taylor Swift, but they’ve made a pretty big impression with a very brief spotlight. Excellent work.

8:40: Taylor Swift is in straight-hair mode and is strumming her ganjo – that’s a banjo with a guitar neck – as she croons her Grammy-winning song “Mean” in her usual-for-this-number Depression-era garb. It’s one of my favorite of her songs, and she always sounds really good on it. She’s got the crowd clapping and singing along as she changes the lyrics to reflect her performing it at the Grammys. She’s really progressing on her awards show performances. Gotta love her getting so much acclaim out of a song designed to put down her critics. Talk about getting the last word.

8:44: And cue Taylor’s usual wide-eyed, lip-biting shocked face as she gets a standing O. It’s a well-deserved standing O, and I’m not saying she should take it for granted. But I’m just not sure that she should still be so surprised that people really, really like her.

8:50: Neil Patrick Harris is there and promising no naughty wisecracks as he presents song of the year. He says that’s hard for him, and a bit disappointing for me, I must admit. Here are the noms:

All Of The Lights

Jeff Bhasker, Stacy Ferguson, Malik Jones, Warren Trotter & Kanye West, songwriters (Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie)

Track from: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

[Roc-A-Fella; Publishers: EMI April Music, EMI Blackwood Music, Headphone Junkie Publishing, Please Gimme My Publishing, Very Good Beats/Hip Hop Since 1978]

 

The Cave

Ted Dwane, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford & Country Winston, songwriters (Mumford & Sons)

Track from: Sigh No More

[Glassnote Records]

 

Grenade

Brody Brown, Claude Kelly, Philip Lawrence, Ari Levine, Bruno Mars & Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Bruno Mars)

Track from: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

[Elektra; Publishers: Mars Force Music/Bughouse, Music Famamanem/Toy Plane Music/Art For Arts Sake/Late 80s Music/Westside Ind. Music/Studiobeat Music, Warner Tamerlane, Andrew Wyatt, Downtown DMP Songs, EMI April Music, Roc Nation Music]

 

Holocene

Justin Vernon, songwriter (Bon Iver)

Track from: Bon Iver

[Jagjaguwar; Publisher: April Base Publishing]

 

Rolling In The Deep

Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)

Track from: 21

[XL Recordings/Columbia Records; Publishers: Universal-Songs of Polygram/EMI Music Publishing]

8:51: Winner: Adele, who is just tearing it up tonight, as expected. She gets extra high-pitched and even more Cockney than usual – is that possible? yes, apparently – as she squeals her joy and gives much of the mike time to her producer.

8:52: The beautiful Kate Beckinsale joins LL Cool J to introduce a woman with a great work ethic “who can shoot fireworks out of her boobs.” Yep, must be time for Katy Perry. She starts out with big production and then a fake glitch before appearing in a glass cage and skin-tight metallic catsuit and blue hair. She’s belting “Part of Me” rather defiantly. Despite all the flame effects and Chippendales-inspired backup dancers and the fake-out production breakdown, Katy seems more connected to this performance than I’ve seen in the past. At least she’s not pretending she’s still young enough to need a fake ID.

8:57: Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley are going to present best country album, and Ran’s hubby Blake Shelton is in the running here. So rooting for him:

My Kinda Party

Jason Aldean

[Broken Bow Records]

 

Chief

Eric Church

[EMI Records Nashville]

 

Own The Night

Lady Antebellum

[Capitol Records Nashville]

 

Red River Blue

Blake Shelton

[Warner Bros. Records]

 

Here For A Good Time

George Strait

[MCA Nashville]

 

Speak Now

Taylor Swift

[Big Machine Records]

8:59: Winner: Lady A. “Wow, we did not expect this” Charles Kelley of Lady A says, and I have to say I didn’t expect it either.

It wasn’t the hottest album as far as radio play (that would be Aldean’s), and they weren’t the hottest stars in the race (Shelton). I didn’t think it was the best album in the category (dead heat between Church and Blake, since Pistol Annies weren’t nominated and Ran’s “Revolution” was released past the deadline), and it wasn’t the biggest seller (Swift) or the one from the most respected artist (King George). No disrespect to Lady A, since I’m a fan of them, but I wonder if everyone else kind of canceled each other out in this race. “Thanks for changing our lives here last year,” Kelley adds. He and his cohorts also thanked the fans first, in the great country tradition.

9:05: “The only Oscar winner who sang here with Cee Lo last year” is the rather odd intro for Gwyneth Paltrow, who in turn is going to introduce Adele’s highly anticipated comeback performance. “We’re so thrilled that singular voice of hers is back,” Gwyneth says, and I couldn’t agree more. Already a four-time winner tonight, Adele sounds as great as ever as she belts “Rolling in the Deep.” The whole crowd seems to be clapping along. Whatever else Karl Lagerfeld or any other small-minded jerk says, she looks absolutely beautiful out there in a her elegant black dress. And she is just glowing. No question this is her night.

9:16: Already a two-time winner tonight, Taylor Swift, who looks grown-up and lovely in her long sparkly golden dress, even if it really sounded like she just referred to “Alzheimer’s” as “old timers,”  pays homage to “Rhinestone Cowboy” Glen Campell and introduces The Band Perry playing a very bluegrassy version of “Gentle on My Mind.” Every time I see them, I can’t help but think that these kids are the real deal.

9:19: Looking handsome in a simple black suit, Oklahoma’s Own Blake Shelton gets big applause as he croons “Southern Nights.” He has such a great voice, and like the Perry sibs, he’s doing right by Glen Campbell. Still, I would have preferred Blake perform one of Campbell’s great hits written by Elk City native Jimmy Webb, such as “Wichita Lineman,” “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” or “Galveston.”

9:21: And here comes Glen Campbell himself, and he’s in an embellished cream-colored jacket as he sings “Rhinestone Cowboy” and encourages the crowd to help him out. He’s got the audience on their collective feet again, and I’m so glad that they’re doing this while he’s still able to get out there and really show how great he is. Blake and the Perry trio join him, and they sound terrific together. I love that Joe Walsh and his lady were caught on camera doing a two-step in the midst of Glen’s spotlight. “Thank y’all so much,” Glen says, asking “Do I go somewhere or just shut up?”

9:24: Along with Campbell, fellow country star George Jones as well as Diana Ross, the Allman Brothers Band, the late Antonio Carlos Jobim, the late Gil Scott-Heron and the Memphis Horns are the other Lifetime Achievement Award winners. I’m glad at least one of them actually got to spend some time in the spotlight tonight.

9:30: Checotah native Carrie Underwood, in a long, sparkle-coated gown, lavishes praise on legendary crooner Tony Bennett, who won another Grammy tonight for his album “Duets II,” which features Carrie on the standard “It Had to Be You,” which they are now singing together in gorgeous fashion. It’s another retro moment and another standing O for this year’s Grammys, but it’s hard to complain when it sounds this good.

9:33: Now Tony and Carrie are going to present best new artist. Here are the noms, which are kind of all over the map musically:

The Band Perry

Bon Iver

J. Cole

Nicki Minaj

Skrillex

9:34: Winner: Bon Iver, and indie rock fans everywhere just burst into tears of joy. Justin Vernon really looks uncomfortable, but at least he’s up front about it.

“It’s really hard to accept this award. There’s so much talent here on this stage and there’s so much talent that’s not here tonight,” he says. “When I started making music it was for the inherent reward of making songs, so I’m a little uncomfortable up here. But with that discomfort there’s a sense of gratitude.”

It’s an awkward little speech but at least he remembered to thank his parents and hometown of Eau Claire, Wisc., so well done there. And he thanked the voters, calling his win a “sweet hookup.”

9:38: Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow is telling about the Grammys’ charitable efforts and introducing the In Memoriam montage. Amy Winehouse, Heavy D, Steve Jobs, Dobie Gray, Johnny Otis, Gene McDaniels, Pinetop Perkins and Clarence Clemons are among those prominently featured, and naturally, Whitney Houston is the last pictured.

9:43: Dressed in somber black and visibly emotional, Jennifer Hudson is delivering the promised Whitney tribute, belting out “I Will Always Love You.” She gets a big standing ovation. She sounded great and managed to keep it together, which couldn’t have been easy. So well done there.

9:51: ?uestlove of The Roots joins LL Cool J to give a shout-out to the late “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius before introducing the Grammys’ much-hyped first dance performance featuring David Guetta, Chris Brown, deadmau5, Lil Wayne and Foo Fighters.

First up are Guetta with Lil Wayne and Chris Brown, and I’m really tired of Chris Brown at this point. There are comebacks and then there are blatant attempts to brainwash us into forgetting all about someone’s ugly past indiscretions, and this show’s crossing the line, people.

It’s a pretty fun groove, but so far it’s not worth all the fuss. Of course, the Foos haven’t played yet, and they pretty much make everything better.

9:57: Like right now, for instance. The Foos are rocking “Rope,” and I’m pretty sure deadmau5 is wearing his extra-fancy formal helmetry in honor of the occasion. My obvious rock bias aside, I really thought the Foos and the mouse (sorry, mau5) completely upstaged their collaborators.

10:04: The very handsome Drake is introducing one of the most beautiful, talented and driven women he has ever met in his life, his former bandmate Nicki Minaj. She’s in full-blown creep-out mode with her “Exorcism”-inspired rendition of “I Feel Pretty,” which she uses to lead into her debut of “Roman’s Holiday,” which has her throwing down while strapped to a kind of wall while nun-lookalikes in red habits dance around her and smoke plumes up from the stage. Now she’s levitating high above said stage while she mixes in a bit of “Come All Ye Faithful.” She gets a brief standing O, but I have to say that for me it was just the usual Nicki Minaj: really overdone and assaulting to the senses. I’m seeing a lot of style, such as it is, but not much substance.

10:10: Lady A – who want to go on record that winning this prize is pretty awesome – are going to present record of the year. And I’m betting we get to see Adele one more time:

Rolling In The Deep

Adele

Paul Epworth, producer; Tom Elmhirst & Mark Rankin, engineers/mixers

Track from: 21

[XL Recordings/Columbia Records]

 

Bon Iver

Justin Vernon, producer; Brian Joseph & Justin Vernon, engineers/mixers

Track from: Bon Iver

[Jagjaguwar]

 

Grenade

Bruno Mars

The Smeezingtons, producers; Ari Levine & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers

Track from: Doo-Wops & Hooligans

[Elektra]

 

Mumford & Sons

Markus Dravs, producer; Francois Chevallier & Ruadhri Cushnan, engineers/mixers

Track from: Sigh No More

[Glassnote Records]

 

Katy Perry

Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen & Sandy Vee, producers; Mikkel S. Eriksen, Phil Tan, Sandy Vee & Miles Walker, engineers/mixers

[Capitol]

10:12: Winner: Yep, it’s Adele. “Thank you so much. This is ridiculous,” she says. “I want to say thank you to every radio programmer and broadcaster for playing ‘Rolling in the Deep’ because you really helped it cross over.” She ends with a thumbs up.

10:18: LL Cool J says one of the first people who put him on TV happens to be a Lifetime Achievement winner tonight: Diana Ross, who gets a standing O and recalls when Cool J was “just a little kid.” She’s praising the show’s “fantastic energy” before praising Paul Epworth as producer of the year.

Now, she’s going to give album of the year … to Adele, most likely.

21

Adele

Jim Abbiss, Adele, Paul Epworth, Rick Rubin, Fraser T. Smith, Ryan Tedder & Dan Wilson, producers; Jim Abbiss, Philip Allen, Beatriz Artola, Ian Dowling, Tom Elmhirst, Greg Fidelman, Dan Parry, Steve Price, Mark Rankin, Andrew Scheps, Fraser T. Smith & Ryan Tedder, engineers/mixers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineer

[XL Recordings/Columbia Records]

 

Wasting Light

Foo Fighters

Butch Vig, producer; James Brown & Alan Moulder, engineers/mixers; Joe LaPorta & Emily Lazar, mastering engineers

[RCA Records/ Roswell Records]

 

Born This Way

Lady Gaga

Paul Blair, DJ Snake, Fernando Garibay, Lady Gaga, Robert John “Mutt” Lange, Jeppe Laursen, RedOne & Clinton Sparks, producers; Fernando Garibay, Bill Malina, Trevor Muzzy, RedOne, Olle Romo, Dave Russell, Justin Shirley Smith, Horace Ward & Tom Ware, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer

[Streamline/Interscope/Kon Live]

 

Doo-Wops & Hooligans

Bruno Mars

B.o.B, Cee Lo Green & Damian Marley, featured artists; Dwayne “Supa Dups” Chin-Quee, Needlz & The Smeezingtons, producers; Ari Levine, Manny Marroquin & Graham Marsh, engineers/mixers; Stephen Marcussen, mastering engineer

[Elektra]

Loud

Rihanna

Drake, Eminem & Nicki Minaj, featured artists; Ester Dean, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Alex Da Kid, Skylar Grey, Kuk Harrell, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mel & Mus, Awesome Jones, Makeba Riddick, The Runners, Sham, Soundz, Chris “Tricky” Stewart, Sandy Vee & Willy Will, producers; Ariel Chobaz, Cary Clark, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Alex Da Kid, Josh Gudwin, Kuk Harrell, Jaycen Joshua, Manny Marroquin, Dana Nielsen, Chad “C-Note” Roper, Noah “40″ Shebib, Corey Shoemaker, Jay Stevenson, Mike Strange, Phil Tan, Brian “B-Luv” Thomas, Marcos Tovar, Sandy Vee, Jeff “Supa Jeff” Villanueva, Miles Walker & Andrew Wuepper, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer

[Def Jam]

10:20: Winner: ADELE! And this final win seems to have finally shattered her composure: she is emotionally overcome and fighting back tears as she hugs all her producers, including Tulsa-born Ryan Tedder, and exclaiming, “Mum, gold is good! Mum, I love you and I’m sorry you’re not here.”

“This record is inspired by something really normal that everybody goes through – a rubbish relationship … and it’s really changed my life in the past year,” she says as she laughs and tries not to sob and wipes away “a bit of snot.” Great night for her, and she absolutely deserves it.

10:24: Instead of saying good night, Cool J promises to show us a good night, reintroducing Paul McCartney. Sir Paul is sitting at the piano to perform the wonderful Beatles cut “Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End.” Wow. He may be singing standards this year, but Macca has still got it, baby, as he races away from the piano and takes up his guitar and plays with an all-star band including Joe Walsh, Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl. The crowd is up again and dancing while these guys rock away the final moments of the telecast.

What a great finish to a night that had many more highlights than miscues. I wish more Okies had won, but at least they had the honor to be nominated.

Hope you enjoyed following my live blog of the 2012 Grammys. Remember, “in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

-BAM

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Blake Shelton, Thompson Square, Carrie Underwood and other Oklahomans competing for Grammys tonight

Several music stars with Oklahoma ties will be part of “Music’s Biggest Night” when the 54th Annual Grammy Awards air live from Los Angeles from 7 to 10:30 tonight on CBS. Follow my live blog tonight right here on BAM’s Blog.

Here are the Oklahoma nominees and performers to root for tonight:

Ada native Blake Shelton is nominated for best country album for “Red River Blue” and best country solo performance for the album’s chart-topping first single “Honey Bee.” The Tishomingo resident’s No. 1 hit “God Gave Me You,” written by contemporary Christian singer Dave Barnes, also earned a nod for best country song, an award presented to songwriters.

In addition, Shelton and The Band Perry will give a special performance with country legend Glen Campbell during the show, and Shelton’s wife and fellow country star Miranda Lambert will be a presenter, along with Chockie native Reba McEntire.

In the best country solo performance category, Shelton will compete against Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who is nominated for her emotional ballad “Mama’s Song.” The Recording Academy this year consolidated many Grammy categories, so solo country artists are longer separated into male and female competitions.

Underwood also is featured on legendary crooner Tony Bennett’s “Duets II,” nominated for best traditional pop vocal album. Underwood, a five-time Grammy winner, and Bennett, who has 14 golden gramophones plus a Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award, are set to perform together on the awards show.

Country duo Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson, received its first Grammy nod for best country duo/group performance for its breakthrough hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not,” which earned songwriters Jim Collins and David Lee Murphy a best country song nomination, too.

Vince Gill earned his 41st Grammy nomination in the best country song category with “Threaten Me with Heaven,” which the Norman-born, Oklahoma City-bred star penned with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and the late Will Owsley. Gill already has earned the most Grammys of any male country artist with 20.

Four-time Grammy winners Kings of Leon, who have ties to Oklahoma City and Talihina, are nominated for best rock album for their fifth studio effort, “Come Around Sundown.” Plus, Stephen C. Mitchell’s rock documentary “Talihina Sky: The Story of Kings of Leon,” which opened 2011’s deadCenter Film Festival, will contend for best long-form music video.

Tulsa native Charlie Wilson, former frontman of the Gap Band, is nominated for best R&B performance for his hit “You Are,” from his 2010 solo album “Just Charlie.” In addition, Wilson, his wife Mahin Wilson and their fellow songwriters Dennis Bettis, Carl M. Days Jr. and Wirlie Morris share a nomination for best R&B song for “You Are.”

For the second straight year, Christian worship group Gungor, which is fronted by former Tulsan Michael Gungor, is celebrating a nomination for its new album. The group’s 2011 album “Ghosts Upon the Earth” earned a nod in the new best contemporary Christian music album category. Gungor’s 2010 release “Beautiful Things” was nominated last year in the now-eliminated best rock or rap gospel album division.

Best known as the frontman for pop band OneRepublic, Tulsa native Ryan Tedder is nominated for non-classical producer of the year for his work on several records, including Beyonce’s “I Was Here,” Jennifer Hudson’s “I Remember Me” and Adele’s “Rumour Has It.” Since he produced “Rumour Has It,” Tedder shares in the Adele’s nomination for album of the year for her smash “21,” too. (In addition, Tedder co-wrote “Rumour Has It” and another “21″ track, “Turning the Tables,” with Adele.)

Muskogee native Ester Dean also has a share of an album of the year nomination as one of several producers on Rihanna’s “Loud.”

The 40th anniversary Super Deluxe Edition of Derek and the Dominos’ beloved 1970 album “Layla And Other Assorted Love Songs” earned a nomination in the best surround sound album category. The late Carl Radle, a Tulsa native, was the band’s bassist.

And, Oklahoma City kindie rock duo Sugar Free Allstars is among the various artists featured on “All About Bullies … Big and Small,” nominated for best children’s album. The Allstars collaborated with fellow kindie rocker Secret Agent 23 Skidoo on the compilation track “Cooperate.”

-BAM

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Thompson Square, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, other Oklahomans to compete for Grammy glory Sunday night

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 54^th 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 41^st 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 54^th 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

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Reba McEntire’s “All the Women I Am” GAC special premiering March 17

On a recent tour stop, Oklahoma country music superstar Reba McEntire brought along a film crew to capture all the hits, the energy, the dazzling production that are a part of her amazing live shows. The result is “All the Women I Am,” a 90-minute concert special premiering at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 17, on Great American Country (GAC).

Shot at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, La., the set list reads like a greatest hits and includes some of Reba’s signature tracks including “Is There Life Out There,” “I’m A Survivor,” “Does He Love You,” (with vocal assistance from The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry, who was one of the openers on the tour), “Turn on Your Radio,” “Strange,” “Somebody’s Chelsea” and the title track of her current LP, “All The Women I Am.”

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with GAC for this special,” says Reba, who hails from Chockie, in the announcement on Reba.com. “We had a blast out on the road with our new production this past fall, and I hope that all the fans who tune in enjoy it as much as we did.”

“All the Women I Am” was produced by Jon Small, a creative partner of Reba’s since the mid-‘80s who has produced and directed more than 18 music videos for the star.

“When Reba steps into the batter’s box, I know what I’m going to get,” says Small. “She’s the best female singer and the most professional artist, she’s got it all. Even after 27 years of working together, I still get so excited just watching her perform.”

It’s been more than 15 years since Reba’s last televised concert special.

Reba’s “All the Women I Am” tour made a stop last November at Tulsa’s BOK Center, and the star was kind enough to give me an interview in advance of the show. To read the interview, click here.

-BAM

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Reba McEntire added to presenters, reunited Beach Boys to perform on Grammy Awards

The Beach Boys — Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston and David Marks, who have not performed together live in more than two decades — will reunite on the Grammy stage and join with current Grammy Award nominees Foster The People and Maroon 5 for a special performance, CBS announced today.

Current nominees The Civil Wars, two-time Grammy winner Diana Krall, funk artist Maceo Parker and six-time Grammy winner Joe Walsh also have been added to the stellar lineup of performers for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

Two-time Grammy winner and Chockie native Reba McEntire, two-time Grammy winner Common, Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson (“Person of Interest”) and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Diana Ross will appear as presenters.

Hosted by two-time Grammy winner and “NCIS: Los Angeles” star LL Cool J, the Grammy Awards take place live from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show will air live on the CBS Television Network.

Three-time Grammy Award winners Maroon 5 are nominated in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Moves Like Jagger” (with Christina Aguilera).

The Civil Wars and Foster The People each have two nominations. The Civil Wars are up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for “Barton Hollow” and Best Folk Album for “Barton Hollow.” Foster The People have nods in Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Pumped Up Kicks” and Best Alternative Music Album for “Torches.”

Previously announced performers for Sunday’s Grammy Awards include Adele (in her first live performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery last fall), Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Tony Bennett and Checotah native Carrie Underwood, Chris Brown, Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Tishomingo resident Blake Shelton, Coldplay and Rihanna, deadmau5, Foo Fighters, David Guetta, Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt, Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, Paul McCartney, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry, Bruce Springsteen And The E Street Band, and Taylor Swift.

Aldean, The Band Perry, Civil Wars, deadmau5, Foster The People, Guetta, Minaj, Parker and Shelton will perform on the Grammy broadcast for the first time.

Previously announced presenters are Marc Anthony, Dierks Bentley, Jack Black, Drake, Fergie, Lady Antebellum, Tishomingo resident Miranda Lambert, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ryan Seacrest, Ringo Starr and Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson.

Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon.

Please make plans to follow my live blog of the Grammy Awards Sunday night here on BAM’s Blog.

-BAM

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Reba McEntire’s sitcom pilot “Malibu Country” picked up by ABC

It’s official: Oklahoma-born and bred actress/singer Reba McEntire is back in the television business.

ABC last week ordered two comedy pilots Wednesday, one of them McEntire’s half-hour, multi-camera, according to TheWrap.com.

“Malibu Country” reunites McEntire with “Reba” executive producer Kevin Abbott, who is writing the project. McEntire’s popular eponymous sitcom aired from 2001-07 on The WB, which became The CW during the show’s run. “Reba” has remained very popular in reruns on Lifetime.

The “Malibu Country” pilot will star McEntire as a woman who divorces her rock-star husband after he cheats on her and burns through most of her cash. Moving from Nashville to Malibu with her mother and three children, she attempts to revive her own singing career while keeping her kids from becoming spoiled by their new environment.

According to TheWrap.com, McEntire also will be an executive producer on the ABC Studios pilot, along with Mindy Schultheis, Michael Hanel, Pam Williams, Dave Stewart (of INXS fame) and Narvel Blackstock (Reba’s husband and manager).

An an interview last fall, McEntire, who hails from Chockie, told me she hopes to begin shooting the sitcom in August, and she is ecstatic about the chance to return to series television, mostly because she was never ready to leave in the first place.

“I was not ready to leave, absolutely not. We had lots more stories to tell on the ‘Reba’ show; we were devastated. We were the No. 1 sitcom on that network (The WB, which became The CW during the show’s run). And then we went into syndication with Lifetime, and I think more people have seen us on Lifetime than they did before when we were shooting. So it has had second and third life,” she said.

“I mean, when I sing ‘I’m a Survivor’ on our (live) show, the crowd goes nuts because they do love the ‘Reba’ TV show. And I thank them for that. … It was just a great experience for all of us.”

She is excited about the prospect of leading a new TV ensemble.

“That’s the most fun thing in the world. It’s just like playtime. You learn your lines and you get together and you do funny things. It’s great entertainment for us: We get to be funny, we get to bring joy into people’s lives, we get to put smiles on their faces. Again, take ‘em away from maybe the problems of their everyday life. (They) get to sit down for 30 minutes and laugh a little bit. That’s what I love about it.”

According to TheWrap.com, ABC also picked up the pilot to “Prairie Dogs,” a single-camera, half-hour comedy pilot about Neil, an uncool cubicle worker toiling at one of the coolest companies in the world. After being victimized by identity theft and discovering that the thief has created a much better life for himself than Neil has, he engaged the thief to help him turn his life around.

-BAM

---

Reba McEntire is still alive, despite Internet death hoax

Yes, Oklahoma-born and bred entertainment superstar Reba McEntire is still alive.

The Global Associated News issued a false report that McEntire, who hails from Chockie, had fallen more than 100 feet to her death from a mountain in Austria while filming a movie.

The following statement refuting the hoax was posted at Reba.com today:

Contrary to ludicrous reports, Reba has not passed away, nor was she even in Austria at the time of her alleged death. Global Associated News, who devised this latest celebrity hoax, is an entertainment site that generates ‘totally fake articles based on zero truth.’ Reba is alive and well, but would like to thank her loyal fans for their concern.

The Global Associated News also has created other death hoax stories about celebrities like Jeff Goldblum, Charlie Sheen and Tom Hanks,

-BAM

---

Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith and more earn ACM Award nominations

From Friday’s The Oklahoman.

Oklahomans nominated in every major ACM Awards category
Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Thompson Square and Rascal Flatts will represent the Sooner State when the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards are handed out April 1 in Las Vegas.

At least one Oklahoma star is nominated in every major category of this year’s Academy of Country Music Awards.

Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Thompson Square and Rascal Flatts will represent the Sooner State when the 47th annual ACM Awards are handed out April 1 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. For the second straight year, Oklahoma natives Shelton and Reba McEntire will co-host the show, which will air live on CBS.

Shelton, who lives in Tishomingo, is among the nominees for the top prize, entertainer of the year, along with Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney, who earned a leading nine nominations. For the fifth year, the entertainer award will be fan-voted, with balloting beginning March 19 at Ö www.VoteACM.com.

“The support I have felt this week is overwhelming,” Shelton said in a statement. “Thank you everyone for this honor.”

The Ada native will contend for male vocalist of the year, too.

Miranda Lambert, Shelton’s wife and fellow Tishomingo denizen, will compete for the female vocalist title, while her “Four the Record” is nominated for album of the year, an award she has won twice previously. with her 2007 release “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” and her 2009 effort “Revolution.”

Checotah native Carrie Underwood also will vie for the female vocalist honor, while she and Paisley share a vocal event of their year nomination for their chart-topping duet “Remind Me.”

Norman resident Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup” is more than just a cup, it’s a two-time nominee. The rowdy party anthem is up for single record of the year, earning Keith a double nomination as the song’s artist and producer. The star-studded viral video, which has notched more than 10 million YouTube views, got a video of the year nod.

Vince Gill, who hails from Oklahoma City, is a double nominee in the song of the year race as the artist and co-writer of “Threaten Me with Heaven,” the first single from his 2011 album “Guitar Slinger.” Gill wrote the poignant ballad with his wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and the late Will Owsley.

Trio Rascal Flatts, which includes Picher-bred guitarist Joe Don Rooney, is nominated for vocal group of the year.

Thompson Square, which includes Miami, OK, native Keifer Thompson and his wife Shawna, earned a nomination in the vocal duo category.

In addition, Thompson Square is among the eight semi-finalists for new artist of the year. Fan voting continues through 11 a.m. Monday to narrow the newcomer race to three finalists. Balloting to pick the new artist winner will resume March 19 at Ö www.VoteACM.com.

Among the industry awards, three Oklahoma music locales are nominated: WinStar World Casino in Thackerville for casino of the year; the Wormy Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City for nightclub of the year; and the BOK Center in Tulsa for venue of the year. Plus, Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill in Minneapolis, Minn., is nominated in the nightclub category.

Also, Cash and Carey (Natalie Cash and Jim Carey) of KWEN-FM in Tulsa are nominated for on-air radio personality of the year in the medium market category.

The academy announced the nominees Tuesday morning in its first-ever digital press conference, with singer Lionel Richie, actress Beth Behrs, TV personality Nancy O’Dell and TV journalist Michael Ausiello presenting the nominations via YouTube videos that were posted on the ACM’s Twitter and Facebook pages.

To see the full list of nominees, click here.

-BAM

 

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