Weekend Warmup for Dec. 25-27, 2009
Rodney Carrington
- SHAWNEE — Laugh at Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington at 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday at Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.
- Hear Aranda with Taddy Porter at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E Sheridan. Information: 601-6276 or www.wormydog.com.
- NORMAN – Listen to Aron Holt (of Mama Sweet) and Camille Harp at 10 p.m. Friday at The Deli, 309 White Street. And check out the usual Hosty Solo at 10 p.m. Sunday at The Deli, 309 White Street. Get there early or you’ll have to stand outside. Information: www.thedeli.us.
American Banjo Museum (Photo by Jaconna Aguirre/The Oklahoman Archives)
- Get free admission to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, American Banjo Museum, Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum and Oklahoma City Museum of Art from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday during the Oklahoma City Community Foundation Free Museum Sundays. Information: www.downtownindecember.com.
- Check out the other Downtown in December events and attractions, including the Devon Ice Rink, Chesapeake Snow Tubing at the Brick and Wimgo Holidays on the Canal. Information: www.downtownindecember.com.
- TULSA – Hear The Panda Resistance and Stone Trio at 10 p.m. Saturday at The Colony, 28 and Harvard. Information: www.myspace.com/pandaresistanceband.
The Thunder’s Nick Collison (Photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman Archives)
- Watch the Oklahoma City Thunder play the Charlotte Bobcats at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.thunder.nba.com.
- NORMAN – Take advantage of free admission at the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Saturday-Dec. 30. Information: www.ou.edu/fjjma.
- Create works of art with your child at Drop-In Art from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. This week, families can make paintings based on the works of Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky. Information: www.okcmoa.com.
Boyz II Men
- THACKERVILLE – Hear Boyz II Men along with Morris Day and the Time at 8 p.m. Saturday at WinStar World Casino. Information: www.winstarworldcasino.com.
- TULSA – Check out the Johnny Polygon Day After Christmas Party at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Marquee, 222 N Main Street. Information: http://www.myspace.com/themarqueetulsa or www.ticketstorm.com.
- Listen to Tweezer, Bristol Park, Mansion and Euclid Crash at 8 p.m. Saturday at The Conservatory, 8911 N Western. Information: www.conservatoryokc.com.
- BAM
Trace Adkins talks music videos, military tributes and more, playing Oklahoma City Saturday
A version of this story appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
‘Shine All Night Tour’ to illuminate city
Trace Adkins, Martina McBride bringing show to Ford Center
Trace Adkins has reached the point in his career where having fun takes priority when it comes to accepting new projects.
Lately, fun opportunities have been lighting up the country music superstar’s life: He starred with his family and real-life soldiers in one music video and rocked with Oklahoma country artist Blake Shelton in another. His Southern attitude and large likeness were turned into a comic book character. And he recently embarked on the co-headlining “Shine All Night Tour” with fellow singing sensation Martina McBride.
The tour will illuminate Oklahoma City’s Ford Center Saturday night. Adkins, a big-voiced baritone towering 6-foot-6-inches tall, and McBride, a 5-foot-2-inch-tall powerhouse soprano, make an intriguing touring team, although they’re not exactly sure how they were matched.
“You know, managers talk to one another and come up with plans and ideas. And then they tell us, and we go, ‘Yeah, that’s a good idea. Let’s do that,’” Adkins said in a phone interview while driving to his Brentwood, Tenn., home.
“I think we have a great deal of respect for one another. I can sing lower than she can, so I got that going for me,” Adkins said in a phone interview while driving to his Brentwood, Tenn., home.
Both singers have singular voices and successful careers dating back to the 1990s. Fans can expect each star to perform a full set of hits against a dynamic production.
“She’s a cool lady, and you know, you’re not gonna find a better singer in this business. There’s not one. So, it’s a treat just to get to hear her sing every night. It’s pretty amazing,” Adkins said.
“Martina, she’s Mom. We go out on the weekends and she’s got her kids with her and it’s a whole family deal out there. So, it’s a lot different from touring with Toby (Keith) this summer and then going out with Martina. It’s a little different vibe.”
Although Adkins has his share of awards, platinum albums and No. 1 hits with “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing,” “Ladies Love Country Boys” and “You’re Gonna Miss This,” he has taken the opening slot on the co-headlining tour.
“Martina’s been around. She deserves that; she’s earned that. She’s a big star, man. You know, won female vocalist of the year I don’t know how many times. She’s a big deal, so I don’t have a problem at all going out in front of her.”
Adkins, 47, got to show his family side while making the heartfelt video to his latest hit “All I Ask for Anymore.” The video depicts a military homecoming and features his wife, five daughters, granddaughter and son-in-law, along with members of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and their families.
“Given the subject of the song, I just thought that was appropriate,” he said. “I don’t know how many videos I’ve done, but this day, having all those members of the 101st Airborne and their families there, and my family was there, and we just all spent the day hanging out together. It was just one of the most pleasurable videos that I’ve ever done. It was a very cool experience.”
The song represents the his latest tribute to the troops. Adkins sang his powerful “Til the Last Shot’s Fired” with West Point Glee Club at the April 5 Academy of Country Music Awards and performed song again to close the National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol. He made a United Service Organization tour last year to Iraq and Afghanistan.
“It’s just an important issue. There aren’t many more important. We need to support those men and women because they’re on the front lines and protecting us and our freedoms and our way of life. They should be paid the respect that they’re due. And I try to make sure that I do my part and make sure that I do that and remind people to do that.”
The Louisiana native notched another memorable music video experience when he and Shelton put together the uproarious featurette for their duet “Hillbilly Bone.” The raucous country pride theme, available digitally Dec. 22, will be the title track of Shelton’s upcoming record, due out next year.
“Blake’s one of my favorite people in this business. Any time I get to work with him, hang out with him, we always enjoy that and have a lot of fun with it,” Adkins said, adding, “The funniest stuff was cut out, really.”
Adkins, who also plans to release a new album in 2010, ventured into new territory when he became Southern hero Luke McBain for a four-part comic book series. “Luke McBain #1” was released last month through 12 Gauge Comics; copies of the premiere issue are on sale at Adkins’ shows.
The singer, who doesn’t consider himself a comics fan, said the character developed out of a meeting he took with writer David Tischman and publisher Keven Gardner.
“I thought it was flattering, and they ran a couple of scenarios by me and they wanted to get reactions from me, what would I say and do in those situations. And then a couple of months ago, I get a comic book in the mail. I mean, I had pretty much just forgotten about it, you know,” he said with a laugh. “It’s flattering and it’s a little embarrassing, but it’s fun.”
Fun has taken precedence for the country star since an inspiring conversation with Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington, his co-star in the hilarious 2007 music video “I Got My Game On.” The comic has reached a place in his career where the only question he asks when presented a new opportunity is “Does it sound like it’ll be fun?”
“It’s not how ‘much money am I gonna make,’ or ‘how much time’s gonna be involved’ or ‘where do I have to go?’ The only question that you need to ask is ‘does it sound like it’s gonna be fun?’ And if the answer to that question is yes, then go do it,” Adkins said.
In concert
“Shine All Night Tour” starring Martina McBride and Trace Adkins
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Where: Ford Center, 100 W Reno.
Information: (800) 745-3000 or www.okfordcenter.com.
-BAM
New Christmas CDs get the holidays ringing
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
State celebs spice Christmas CDs
Comedians Rodney Carrington and Kathy Griffin, groups REO Speedwagon and Sugarland and singers Andrea Bocelli and Sting are among the array of recording artists ringing in the holidays this year with seasonal CDs.
Rodney Carrington, who lives in Tulsa, gets surprisingly serious with “Make It Christmas,” which blends classics such as “Winter Wonderland” with new material like the touching military tribute “Camouflage and Christmas Lights.” But the musically inclined comic spikes the album with a bit of his cheeky humor with “The Presents Under the Tree (Better Be for Me).”
Newcastle singer-songwriter Kylie Morgan, 14, is releasing her album “Christmas with Kylie Morgan” Monday on local label Land Run Records. All proceeds from the rollicking seven-song collection will benefit the American Cancer Society. She plans to release her first non-holiday record next year.
Chockie native Reba McEntire makes a stellar duet partner for Andrea Bocelli on his rendition of “Blue Christmas,” one of the traditional favorites on the Italian tenor’s “My Christmas.” His first holiday album features collaborations with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mary J. Blige and the Muppets, too.
Sugarland, the country duo of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, also offers their first holiday album, “Gold and Green,” which includes their own Christmas creations like Little Wood Guitar” and “Maybe Baby (New Year’s Day),” alongside old favorites “Holly Jolly Christmas” and “Silent Night.”
With “If on a Winter’s Night …,” Sting pays tribute to his favorite season with an enigmatically lovely collection of carols, lullabies and original compositions.
“Mannheim Steamroller Christmas — 25th Anniversary Collection” provides a two-CD retrospective in honor of Steamroller founder Chip Davis and his holiday mainstay’s silver anniversary.
Power ballad pros REO Speedwagon put a spirited rock twist on “Deck the Halls,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “The First Noel” and more on “Not So Silent Night.”
Bob Clark’s cinematic classic “A Christmas Story” debuted in theaters in 1983, but Carl Zittrer and Paul Zaza’s memorable, previously unreleased score finally makes its way onto CD this year as “A Christmas Story: Music from the Motion Picture.”
Singer-songwriter Neil Diamond delivers originals such as the title track, traditionals like “Joy to the World” and even Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” on “A Cherry, Cherry Christmas.”
Kathy Griffin roasts Maya Angelou, Justin Timberlake, T.I. and other celebs over her holiday fire with her new comedy album “Suckin’ It for the Holidays,” the rare Christmas CD to earn an explicit content warning.
Blue-eyed soul crooner Michael McDonald celebrates “This Christmas” with an amalgamation of old and new seasonal songs, while The Irish Tenors blend their voices for their “Christmas” album.
Country-pop novelty singer Ray Stevens serves up his first seasonal CD in more than a decade with “Ray Stevens Christmas” and re-releases his twisted 1997 album “Ray Stevens Christmas Through a Different Window.”
The remastered version of the 1963 album “A Christmas Gift for You from Phil Spector” provides the chance to celebrate with Darlene Love, The Ronettes and The Crystals. The re-release is intended to mark Love’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nomination; just try to ignore the tawdry taint of Spector’s murder conviction earlier this year.
British songbird Connie Talbot, 9, makes “Holiday Magic,” with her Christmas album, with a portion of the sales supporting the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots 2009 campaign, for which she is ambassador.
Nashville songwriting group The Song Trust, which includes country duo Joey+Rory, enlists youngsters to warble a mix of new and venerable holiday tunes on “Merry Kidsmas.” Part of the proceeds benefit the United Service Organization.
Richie McDonald, former lead singer of country group Lonestar, launches his solo career with the holiday offering “If Every Day Could Be Christmas.”
Contemporary acoustic guitarist Billy McLaughlin and his ensemble SimpleGifts rejoice in “A Small Town Christmas,” with mellow renditions of “Carol of the Bells,” “I Saw Three Ships” and other carols.
John Cowan, who was lead vocalist of New Grass Revival, puts his roots-music touch on “What Child Is This,” God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “Go Tell It on the Mountain” for his record “Comfort & Joy.”
Jazz pianist Chris Dawson shows off his fleet fingers on “Stridin’ Through Christmas,” which interprets classics like “Jingle Bells,” “Let It Snow” and “Jolly Old St. Nicholas.”
And even lawyers should have the chance at a merry Christmas. New York litigator/singer/songwriter Lawrence Savell, performing as The LawTunes, files his latest holiday music-comedy novelty CD, “Season’s Briefings.”
-BAM
BAM Column: Miranda Lambert, Flaming Lips, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith releasing fall CDs
Miranda Lambert
From Tuesday’s Life section of The Oklahoman.
Fall offers must-have new music
For Oklahoma music fans, fall holds the promise of fantastic new offerings.
The year has already seen the release of big-time albums from Reba McEntire, Brooks & Dunn, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Stardeath and White Dwarfs, Samantha Crain, Rodney Carrington and St. Vincent, all artists with state ties. Even the late Woody Guthrie had a four-disc box set, “My Dusty Road,” released last month.
But even more major records from Okies are still to come this autumn, starting today.
If the title is any indication, firebrand Miranda Lambert will keep on rebelling against the country music establishment with her third album, “Revolution,” which drops today. The Tishomingo singer-songwriter already has notched one stunning brokenhearted ballad, “Dead Flowers,” from the new record.
Toby Keith
Norman star Toby Keith has raised eyebrows and raced up the charts with “American Ride,” the title track of his new album, due out Oct. 6. Last week, the single reached No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Songs chart. Riding the momentum of the politically charged video, the song has become his most buzz-worthy track since the 2001 hit “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue.”
Also on Oct. 6, country band Rascal Flatts, which includes Joe Don Rooney of Picher, will offer new bonus content on a limited edition re-release of its “Greatest Hits Vol. 1.”
Flaming Lips
Oklahoma City-based psychedelic rockers The Flaming Lips will deliver something new on Oct. 13: their first-ever double-album, “Embryonic.” The Lips performed “Convinced of the Hex” recently on “The Colbert Report” and debuted last week the video for “I Can Be a Frog.” If these tracks are any indication, we can expect many surreal delights from the Lips’ latest project.
Carrie Underwood
And recent Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductee Carrie Underwood is sure to delight her legion fans with the Nov. 3 release of her hotly anticipated third album “Play On.” The Checotah native put out the first single, “Cowboy Casanova,” as a digital track last week, and it took only 24 hours for the sassy cautionary tale to crack iTunes’ top five list.
The fall is still young, so we may see more Oklahoma artists adding to the list of autumn’s must-have albums. Hopefully, state music lovers have been saving their pennies.
-BAM
Rodney Carrington plans to follow “Loco” album with Christmas record
Tulsa comic Rodney Carrington plans to follow up his successful comedy album “El Nino Loco” with a non-comedic Christmas record, according to a Billboard.com story.
“El Nino Loco” is No. 3 on Billboard’s Top Comedy Albums chart for the second straight week, according to the story. Carrington said the album provided ”a way to write novelty songs that could potentially get played on the radio and also make music videos.”
“El Nino Loco” was produced by fellow Oklahoman Toby Keith and Steve Dorff. Carrington and Keith co-wrote and co-starred in the 2008 action-comedy film “Beer for My Horses,” and they teamed up again for the funny video to Carrington’s “If I’m the Only One.” The video also stars Jennifer Aspen and Nick Searcy, both from Carrington’s 2004 ABC sitcom “Rodney.”
“El Nino Loco” is Carrington’s eighth album. He has sold 2.2 million records, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
According to the Billboard.com story, the new album includes less blue humor than his previous records.
“I think different as I get older,” Carrington, 40, told the trade publication. ”I’ve done ‘Letter to My Penis’ and ‘I Think I’m Dancing With a Man.’ How many songs can you write about your d–k? At some point you realize you’re 40 and you have teenagers now. I don’t think that way anymore. That’s what they think about.”
The comedian’s next album will be a departure from his usual funny business. In August, he plans to release a Christmas CD with holiday standards like “O Holy Night” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
“It ain’t got a funny song on it,” he said in the interview. “It’s a big-band, Frank Sinatra-type Christmas record; something I’ve always wanted to do.”
“The Christmas record is as serious as I’m going to get,” he added. “I’m still touring, still telling jokes, still doing my thing.”
-BAM
Toby Keith raises $550,000 for Oklahoma charity Ally’s House
A version of this story also appears in Thursday’s The Oklahoman.
Toby Keith and friends raise $550,000 for charity
NORMAN – Despite the recession, country music superstar Toby Keith has helped get Oklahoma cancer charity Ally’s House more than half a million dollars closer to its goals.
The sixth annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic June 12-13 in Norman raised $550,000, his publicist announced Wednesday. This year’s take brings the event’s overall total nearly $3 million.
Ally’s House is a Norman-based nonprofit that helps Oklahoma children with cancer and their families. It is named for Allison Webb, the 2-year-old daughter of Scott Webb, one of Keith’s original bandmates, and his wife Linda Webb. Ally died in 2003 of kidney cancer; the Webbs and Keith founded the charity the following year.
“So many charity events have struggled in this economy,” said Linda Webb, Ally’s House executive director. “We are very pleased, and it’s really going to help us with all the exciting things that we have planned. … Toby’s support is a gift we never take for granted, and we appreciate it more than we can express.”
Along with providing financial aid for families coping with pediatric cancer, the nonprofit is looking forward to cutting the ribbon later this summer on the renovated oncology unit at Children’s Hospital. Ally’s House gave $500,000 to build a new playroom, family resource room, room for infusion treatments and palliative care area there.
The charity also has secured land on the OU Health Sciences Center campus and is looking at designs for an actual Ally’s House, which would lodge pediatric cancer patients being treated at Children’s Hospital and their families. The plan is to offer housing similar to a Ronald McDonald House but specifically for children with cancer.
This year’s Golf Classic reached its second-highest total; the 2008 event raised $709,000.
“You hope that you continue to grow, but there is a little bit of recession going on right now. But I still expect it to be fantastic as always,” Keith told The Oklahoman before this year’s event.
“I really call on people hard to come forward and help our cause for these kids in Oklahoma but … I think I’m gonna have to beat them up a little harder this year I think,” he added with a laugh.
The two-day private event included a party, auction and celebrity golf tournament. Among those in attendance were comic Rodney Carrington, University of Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops, gymnast Bart Conner, and many others. race car driver Bobby Hillin, Jr.; basketball players Kevin Bookout, Kelly Newton and Nancy Lieberman; baseball stars Roger Clemens, Kevin Gross and Mickey Tettleton and football standouts Stephen Alexander, Rocky Calmus, Ray Childress, Dan Cody, Cedric Jones, Steve Owens, Trent Smith and Jason White.
In addition, Ally’s House recently received an almost $131,000 donation from Edmond Santa Fe High School, money raised during the school’s annual fundraiser Double Wolf Dare Week.
“Even though we have the support of Toby Keith, which is invaluable which other organizations would just die to have, the need is greater than any one person or one event,” Webb said. “Those kids were just tireless. … They take fundraising to a whole new level in terms of creative ideas.”
Ally’s House
For more information on Ally’s House, call 733-ALLY (2559) or go online to www.allyshouse.net.
-BAM
New releases
Rodney Carrington
Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington released his new album of humorous songs, “El Nino Loco,” the follow-up album to 2007′s popular “King of the Mountains,” today.
The album features several songs produced by fellow Oklahoman Toby Keith, who appears in the music video for “If I’m the Only One,” which is funny but just plain wrong.
The video is posted here from CMT.com:
Other CDs offered today include a collection of songs by the late George Harrison (which I’m currently listening to and loving), the new disc from the Jonas Brothers and the debut album from Street Sweeper Social Club.
In other Oklahoma-related entertainment news, the second season the TNT series “Saving Grace,” which is set in Oklahoma City but filmed in Los Angeles, is on available on DVD today. The series stars Holly Hunter as a fast-living Oklahoma City police detective who receives visitations from an oddball angel named Earl (Leon Rippy). The show’s creator, head writer and executive producer, Nancy Miller, grew up in Oklahoma City.
The third season of “Saving Grace” starts at 9 tonight on TNT.
Here is a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Rodney Carrington, “El Nino Loco.”
George Harrison, “Let It Roll: The Songs of George Harrison.”
Jonas Brothers, “Lines, Vines and Trying Times.”
Spinal Tap, “Back from the Dead.”
Hank Williams Jr., “127 Rose Avenue.”
Michael Bublé, “Michael Buble Meets Madison Square Garden” (Live CD/DVD set).
Street Sweeper Social Club, “Street Sweeper Social Club.”
Josh Groban, Idina Menzel and Adam Pascal, “Chess in Concert” (Live 2-CD set).
Incubus, “Monuments & Melodies” (2-CD limited edition set).
DVDs
Burn Notice: Season Two
The Cell 2
Everwood: The Complete Second Season
Family Guy: Volume Seven
Friday the 13th
Morning Light
Saving Grace: Season Two
The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season 2
The Seventh Seal
The Transformers: The Complete First Season
Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail
Books
The Angel’s Game by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen
Dune Road by Jane Green
Glenn Beck’s Common Sense: The Evolution of Thomas Paine’s Revolution by Glenn Beck
In the Kitchen by Monica Ali
Knock Out (FBI Series No. 13) by Catherine Coulter
L.A. Candy by Lauren Conrad
The Neighbor by Lisa Gardner
Queen Takes King by Gigi Levangie Grazer
A Rogue of My Own by Johanna Lindsey
Short History of Women: A Novel by Kate Walbert
Strangers: A Novel by Anita Brookner
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on Dec. 27
Today’s featured event:
SHAWNEE – Catch Tulsa standup comic/comedic musician Rodney Carrington at 7 and 9:30 tonight at Firelake Grand Casino, 1601 S Gordon Cooper Drive.
For more information, go to www.firelakegrand.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Weekend Warmup
The Radio City Rockettes and Santa Claus
Family
- “Radio City Christmas Spectacular”: See the Rockettes kick it out at 7:30 tonight, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday at the Ford Center, 100 W Reno. Information: 235-8288 or www.okfordcenter.com.
- The Oklahoman Holidays on the Canal: Take a free boat ride to celebrate The Oklahoman Holidays on the Canal from 6 to 9:30 p.m. today-Sunday D26-28 on the Bricktown Canal. Information: 236-3640 or www.downtownindecember.com.
- Children’s Hour: Take your family to the children’s hour from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, 1400 Classen Drive. The movie “Snow Buddies” will show at 3:15. Admission is free Sunday. Information: 235-4458 or www.oklahomaheritage.com.
- American Fidelity Free Museum Sundays: This weekend offers your last chance to take advantage of American Fidelity Free Museum Sundays at the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum and Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum. You and your family can get free admission to either institution from 1 to 6 p.m. Sunday. It’s part of Downtown in December. Information: 236-3640 or www.downtownindecember.com.
Rodney Carrington
Live entertainment
- Rodney Carrington: Catch Tulsa comedian Rodney Carrington at 7 tonight and 7 and 9:30 p.m. Saturdayat Firelake Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee. Information: 964-7263 or www.firelakegrand.com.
- Donny Vomit with Rainbows are Free: See sideshow performer Donny Vomit and Norman rockers Rainbows are Free at 9 p.m. Saturday at Opolis, 113 N Crawford, Norman. Information: www.starlightmints.com/opolis.html.
Stoney LaRue
Music
- Stoney LaRue: Hear Stoney LaRue at 8 tonight at Riverwind Casino, 1544 W State Highway 9, Norman. Information: 322-6464 or www.riverwind.com.
- Hosty Solo: See local one-man-band Mike Hosty play his regular 10 p.m. Sunday show at The Deli, 309 White Street. Information: www.thedeli.us.
Festival of Light in Chickasha. (Photo by John Clanton/The Oklahoman Archives from 2006)
Statewide
- Christmas lights displays, STATEWIDE: From Chickasha to Checotah, most communities are keeping their big Christmas lights displays up through the weekend, and some even into next week. For a list of some of the displays, go to www.travelok.com.
- Tulsa Oilers hockey: See the Oilers play Wichita at 7:35 tonight and Mississippi at 7:35 p.m. Saturday. Information: www.tulsaoilers.com.
-BAM
DVD review: “Beer for My Horses”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Country music star Toby Keith and musical country comic Rodney Carrington know what their fans like.
The Oklahomans co-wrote and co-starred in “Beer for My Horses,” a good ol’ boy action-comedy that takes its name but not its plot from Keith’s hit 2003 duet with Willie Nelson.
Set (but not filmed) in the Oklahoma hamlet of Mangum, the film follows a pair of sheriff’s deputies, tough guy and ladies man Rack (Keith) and his amiable, bumbling buddy Lonnie (Carrington). Rack’s finds new romance when his old flame Annie (Claire Forlani) moves back to town from the big city.
When Rack and Lonnie bust Mexican drug lord Tito Garza (Greg Serano), the criminal’s vindictive brother Manuel (Carlos Sanz) nabs Annie. He demands that the deputies bring his brother to Mexico and trade Tito for Annie.
Against the orders of the sheriff (Tom Skerritt), Rack, Lonnie and renegade deputy Skunk (Ted Nugent) take a wacky road trip south of the border.
The movie has its entertaining moments and features fun cameos from country music stars Nelson, David Allan Coe and Mel Tillis. But it also is packed with timeworn clichés from buddy-cop movies and road trip comedies.
DVD features: Two behind-the-scenes featurettes, blooper reel, CMT on Set featurette and a promotional video featuring Keith and the Ford Trucks in the movie.
- BAM
