Archive for the ‘Music’ Category

[Sony A700 | CZ 135/1.8 | f1.8 @ 1/500 | ISO 6400 | handheld]

Only a week ago, wildfires threatened the survival of Medicine Park.  Past perils and hardships have not destroyed the determined spirit of Medicine Park residents.  This past 4th of July weekend they carried on with their 103rd Birthday Celebration.  All firework displays were canceled due to the extreme drought and 100+ temperatures across all of Southwest Oklahoma, but that didn’t stop the celebration in Medicine Park.  Live bands were performing throughout the weekend.  I checked the schedule of performances to see who would be there Sunday night.  Scheduled to begin at 7:00 PM, was “The Brothers Dupree”, and then at 9:00 PM, was someone called “Miss Blues”.  I had never heard of them so I Googled the name and “missblues.com” showed up.  After scanning quickly through the site, I knew I’d have to drive out to hear Miss Blues.

It was worth the drive and a lot more!  Unbelievably good and incredibly entertaining is the best way I can describe it.  Miss Blues is 76 years old and has been singing the blues for 68 years.  The band she fronted this evening was comprised of some of the best musicians I have heard in one group.  They were amazing.  The group of assembled to hear Miss Blues was small but what it lacked in size, it made up in appreciation.  It didn’t take long for everyone realized this was a rare treat for Southwest Oklahoma.  In fact, Mike Cappucio, a member of The Brothers Dupree, stayed for the performance and may have appreciated these performers more than anyone.  They were only scheduled to play a couple of hours, but I left at 12:45 AM, and Miss Blues was still going strong.

WHAT A SHOW!  WOW, WOW, WOW!

(more pictures to follow shortly)

Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy have a unique sound.

Erin came to visit Mike and me over the Memorial Day Weekend.  Every Memorial Day Weekend, Medicine Park reverberates with the sound of Red Dirt Music during the “Mayor’s Red Dirt Ball”.  After examining the list of bands performing over the weekend, my bet was that the best music would be heard Sunday evening.  Two groups were were scheduled to perform, Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy, 7:00–9:00 PM, and Brandon Jenkins, 9:30–11:30 PM.

We pulled into the old Medicine Park High School baseball field about 7:20 PM, and had no difficulty finding a parking spot.  From there, we only needed to walk the 300 yards, or so, down a blacktopped street and across the old bridge spanning Medicine Creek to be at Medicine Park’s “Main Stage”.  As we walked, we listened to the sound of music carried on the refreshing evening breeze. Read the rest of this entry »

Lawtonian Samantha Rose is a rising star.

[Sony A700 | CZ 135 - 1.8 | f2.2 | 1/8000 | ISO 400]

2010 MacArthur graduate, Samantha Rose is making a name for herself as a rising young singing talent.  She appeared in the Wine Garden at the Arts for All Festival in Lawton, OK., this weekend.  The enthusiastic crowd welcomed her warmly and appreciated her clear voice and distinct style.

Ali Harter performs in Lawton. (click picture for more)

Ali Harter

Red Dirt, Country Blues, Country Folk, Outlaw, or whatever you want to try to tag her with, Ali Harter must be tagged as unique, talented, pretty, and Okie through and through.  Last night was my first time ever to hear her music but it won’t be my last.  I bought her CD titled, “No Bees, No Honey”, released on March 13, 2010.  I ‘ve already listened to it three times and have my earphones on right now listening to a fourth time through.  Unique is the best word I have to describe her music; it is definitely her own.  She is only 25, yet her sound is so much more mature than that!  Visiting with her afterwards she told me her early childhood idol was Bonnie Raitt.  I’m a huge Bonnie Raitt fan myself, but not once during her live solo performance did I ever say to myself, “Self, you know what?  She kinda sounds like Bonnie Raitt!”  But,that could just be me.  But the connection  I do think exists between Ali Harter and Bonnie Raitt is each Read the rest of this entry »

Sonny Nevaquaya plays at Medicine Park's 102 B-Day Bash

“59 & 102″

What do they have in Common?

Medicine Park and I both celebrated our birthdays on Saturday, July 10.  For Medicine Park it was their 102nd, having been founded on July 4, 1908, and for this Baby Boomer it was my 59th.  Well, since I consider my “birth day” as the most important day of my life, I make it a personal celebration whether anyone else gives a hoot, or not!  Since it occurs most often during the work week, I always take leave on my birthday.  This means I nearly always spend the day by myself, but that’s okay because this is something special I do for myself; it’s a gift to myself.  However, when my day falls on the weekend and there’s a big celebration going on somewhere, I’m not opposed to glomming on and letting someone else help me celebrate.  Well, with Medicine Park celebrating its 102nd Birthday Bash, six days late,  on Saturday, July 10, and Sherry offering to take me out to dinner for my 59th, I couldn’t let such an opportunity go to waste.  (Oh by the by, did I mention the best birthday gift I’ve ever received was when my son, Brandon, was born on my birthday in 1978?  I mean, after that everything else falls short… right?) Read the rest of this entry »

Andi sings smooth jazz!

A real treat for me was my first exposure to “The Right Mix Band” during Arts for All Festival last weekend.  I really enjoy smooth jazz as well as other types of jazz, but I have to buy it on CD, online, or use internet radio, because we don’t have a radio station in Southwest Oklahoma dedicated to that genre.  I have to tell you I was not disappointed in what I heard.  For one and a half hours I sat on the grass, swayed with the beat, and took pix with my 135/1.8, to my hearts content.  It was so sweet!  The band consists of Andi and Carlos Messina, Austin Box, Joe Cook, Jerhamy Bennett, and the drummer whose name I didn’t catch.  I’m definitely going to keep my eyes and ears open for another opportunity to catch another performance.  I strongly encourage you to do the same!