The OKPOP Radio Hour

🔥OKPOP Radio Hour GOES METAL🔥 Mitch Gilliam is one of Tulsa’s most beloved raconteurs. A scribe, a musician, a teacher and musical hierophant, his true love is the sledge-hammer beats teeming under frenetic guitar blasting from his band Blind Oath. But don’t let the metal facade fool you. Gilliam approaches music like any other fan with a guitar and a dream, and his efforts have encouraged many young musicians and fans. The metal scene in Tulsa has a rich history and today, thanks to venues like The Vanguard Tulsa, The Whit, and The Soundpony Bar, metal is thriving with a diverse mix of sub-genres, from black metal and death metal to thrash and metalcore. If you wanna get your face melted, check out the 2 Minutes To Tulsa heavy metal festival at Cain's Ballroom, and learn more about it in this week’s podcast 🎧 Use the link below and find more links in the comments! . . . #OKPOP #OKPOPRadioHour #OKPOPcast #OklahomaMetal

In Oklahoma, where the wind can sometimes sweep down the plains at terrifying speeds, folks will flip their televisions on to find Travis Meyer from KOTV Tulsa’s News Channel 6. This week, he joins the OKPOP Radio Hour to talk about Oklahoma’s wicked weather, how he chased storms and his dreams, and answers questions you’ve always wanted to know but daren’t ask! Garrett and Meg get right down into this weeks ‘cast, recorded at the lovely Griffin Studios just around the corner from ye ole OKPOP. Locals will wannna catch Travis Meyer’s upcoming weather special, “Ahead of the Storm,” airing Thursday, March 30 at 6:30pm wherever you tune in to KOTV!

This week on the OKPOP Radio Hour… GETTIN’ THE BAND BACK TOGETHER! Tulsa’s own Hank Hanewinkel III wears many musical hats. His indie rock group Nuns recently released their third album, Hallucinations, to rave reviews. Years before, when they were just kids, Hank and his sister rocked their way across Oklahoma as The Red Stripes, a White Stripes cover band that got the attention and approval of Jack White himself. On April 1, the band will reunite at The Vanguard for a live performance celebrating the 20th anniversary of the White Stripes’ album Elephant. Look for event info in the comments! EVENT PAGE: https://www.facebook.com/events/2091885294337083

This week on the pod we have a must-listen interview for all our Leon Russell fans! Bill Janovitz, author, musician and founding member of Buffalo Tom, has written a captivating new book about the life and times of Leon Russell. Janovitz worked closely with the OKPOP team during his research phase, and many photos from our collection are featured in the book. Janovitz's insightful and intimate narrative takes us on a journey through Russell’s remarkable career, from the humble beginnings in Oklahoma to his collaborations with some of the biggest names in rock and roll history. Bill also talks about his time with Buffalo Tom, the time he played Fenway Park with Pearl Jam, and much, much more.

It’s another BIG popcast on the ol’ OKPOP Radio Hour featuring a true force to be reckoned with, Teresa Knox. Best known for resurrecting the legacy of Leon Russell’s The Church Studios, and continuing the tradition of the Harwelden Mansion, she talks to us about her journey from a gal with moxie who made her own way as an entrepreneur and has grown to be one of the biggest cheerleaders of Tulsa and it’s rich musical history. Also, The Church will be hosting author Bill Janovitz who will be signing and discussing his remarkable compendium of Leon Russell’s life and career. Janovitz will be our special guest next week on the OKPOP Radio Hour!

It’s the big Bob Wills OKPOPcast! First, we hope y’all have marked your calendars for the Bob Wills Day at the Capitol, celebrating the birthday of Bob Wills. Also, the Very OK Podcast will be recording LIVE with a panel of Bob Wills experts. In this pod, we also talk about how the Bob Wills collection was the beginning of OKPOP, in many ways. And, we also get to speak with Grammy Award-winning, fiddle player Jason Roberts is a giant among Western Swing aficionados, and is the perfect guest to speak to about his upcoming show at Cain’s Ballroom. Ahh-haaa!

Jen Loren, the senior director of Cherokee Film Office, stopped by the OKPOP Radio Hour to talk about how filmmaking has grown, especially for Native voices. Emmy-award winning Loren is pivotal in creating original content for Cherokee Nation on Osiyo: Voice of the Cherokees, now in its 8th season. Cherokee Film Office not only focuses on Native voices telling their stories, but also helps others do the same thing, to continue to see the film and TV industry thrive in Oklahoma.

Charlie Redd has been a mainstay on Tulsa stages for decades as a vocalist and bass player for Full Flava Kings. Charlie stopped by the OKPOP Radio Hour to talk about his musical journey, from playing in his family’s bands, to his own band in middle school, to his big break that came while he was working a shift at Red Lobster. Decades later, he’s still learning new tunes and keeping the crowds hopping with his charismatic stage presence and funky grooves. He’s also put together a cool song with an animated video called “Tulsa Hills” that explores unique areas of Tulsa. Check out the video here: https://youtu.be/IIhZlo4ZDbA

Actor, playwright, Grammy *and* Emmy award winning Tulsa native, Tim Blake Nelson, blesses the OKPOP Radio Hour with riveting repartee about growing up with a family of voracious readers, his time in Tulsa, then we dive into his acting roles and first novel, “City of Blows.”

American humorist, self-proclaimed “mirth maker,” writer, reporter, and bagel aficionado, Barry Friedman, blessed the OKPOP Radio Hour with his presence recently. We laughed; we cried; we laughed at jokes we probably shouldn’t have then cried again, but THAT is the magic or Barry—you buy the ticket and what a dang ride! His new book, Jack Sh*t, is a love letter to his charmingly idiosyncratic father, who recently passed away. He’ll be at Magic City Books for an in person event celebrating his new book, Thursday. February 2 at 7:00pm in the Algonquin Room at Magic City Books. Links to Barry’s other writings and musings at barrysfriedman.substack.com or www.friedmanoftheplains.com.

Luke Dick - if you don't know the name (shame on you!), you have definitely heard his work. One of Oklahoma’s most prolific music writers in the biz, he works with folks like Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, and even has a Grammy nomination this year for Miranda Lambert's album, "Palomino." But this multi-faceted auteur has his own albums, and own alter-ego band, Hey Steve! He sat down with the OKPOP Radio Hour before his gig at Mercury Lounge and chatted about growing up in Oklahoma, his music inspiration, and his critically-acclaimed documentary, "Red Dog," which is a love letter not only to his family, but Oklahoma itself. You can't help but feel that Okie influence in his music, taking listeners on a ride from slow-burning, heartfelt tunes with a tinge of honky-tonk, to gleefully absurdist high-energy, sing-along jams. Watch out, y’all, Luke Dick is gonna take over the world one day…

IT’S HERE! The OKPOP Radio Hour’s LIVE podcast recorded on the 45th anniversary of the Sex Pistols show at Cain’s. If you made it out to the event, THANK YOU! If you weren’t able to make it, you can still be part of the action by clicking that link below or snagging this ‘cast wherever you pick ‘em fresh. OKPOP will be doing more of these so STAY TUNED, be sure to subscribe and catch a hot, fresh popcast EVERY dang Wednesday. This episode wouldn’t have been possible without a collection of punk rock angels - our panel John Holmstrom (founder PUNK Magazine), Larry Shaeffer (Little Wing Productions / previous owner of Cain’s Ballroom), Ted Cohen (Warner Bros. marketing for Sex Pistols tour), and Scott Munz (then-manager of Cain’s Ballroom). The stories and the insight you shared were pure magic. And our sponsors, Cain’s Ballroom, The Outsiders House, Little Wing Productions, Tate Wittenberg, Steve Higgins, Zachary Matthews, and OKPOP’s own Tyler Mann.

As we prepare for OKPOP Radio Hour’s LIVE podcast recording for the 45th anniversary of the Sex Pistols show at CAINS BALLROOM, we sit down with drummer David Blue, whose Bartlesville-based band named “Bliss” opened for the Sex Pistols. He takes us through the night—from the protesters out front to meeting the punk rockers themselves.

How does an Oklahoma kid start playing the bass in a few cover bands to playing stadium-sized crowds with country superstar LUKE COMBS? We ask OKPOPcast guest Mat Maxwell to share his story about making it in the biz. This is an excellent show for all y’all musicians out there who wanna forge a path. Click that link below and give it a listen! . . . #OKPOP #OKPOPcast #MatMaxwell #OklahomaMusicians #LukeCombs

Some dads work in a bank—but what if your dad robbed banks for work? Oklahoma Author Susan Parrott talks with us about her new book about her father, Charles Parrott-Bank Robber. She spent 8 years collecting interviews, records and personal letters about her father’s remarkable run as a bank robber with a Robin Hood heart. You won’t wanna miss this fascinating interview on this edition of the OKPOPcast! Link to the book: Catch Me Or Kill Me: The Saga Of Charles Parrott-One Of America's Best Bank Robbers https://a.co/d/18N5QAM . . . #OKPOP #OklahomaWriter #OklahomaStorytelling

🖤THIS POD’S FOR THE 90s KIDS🖤 For the IKON kids. For the kids who sweated it out at Cain's for a summer show. Davit Souders narrated our musical lives in the 90s, whether on the radio or through the shows he brought to Tulsa with his Diabolical Productions. On today’s OKPOPcast, he shares how he got his start as the voice of Tulsa Public Schools announcing the day’s lunch as a youngster, to hanging out on the radio waves, and bringing some of the most memorable shows to town—the guy’s got THE stories! And we only scratched the surface in this diabolical episode. . . . #OKPOP #OKPOPcast #DavitSouders #DiabolicalProductions

Debbie Campbell had a versatile and memorable voice and stage presence, starting her career at the age of 15 with the Kandy Kanes. Later, she hit it big with the band Buckwheat, but eventually settling down in Tulsa, Okla. where she not only contributed to the Tulsa Sound, but produced solo recordings that covered genres from jazz to country. Her stepson, Lynz Floren, joins us to talk more about his podcast that will share more about her life and career.

Larry White may be an Oakland, California import, but these days he’s a bona fide Oklahoman. Larry chats with the crew about working with some of the most legendary folks in the music and film biz, from (hey, hey, we're) The Monkees to a couple of little bands called Red Hot Chili Peppers and REM. Maybe you’ve heard of ‘em? Larry regales us with tales about runnin’ around California with folks like Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Ringo Starr, Pete Townsend, and David Cassidy during the heyday of Laurel Canyon. He also talks about how he came to manage local beloved band BRONCHO, the dynamic duo Desi & Cody, and his upcoming project with Jeremy Charles. 

Buckle up for a LEGENDARY OKPOPCAST!! Larry Shaeffer joins us to talk about his journey from a “school bus boy,” to an early promoter working out of a barber shop, to purchasing Cain’s Ballroom and putting on some of the most iconic shows in the country! He talks to us about some of his more memorable, like Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis and, of course, The Sex Pistols. You won’t wanna miss this trip down memory lane with one of the most important forces Tulsa’s music history.

This week we invite OKPOP’s own Curator of Pop Culture, Mickel Yantz. He tells us about what the heck a curator of pop culture does (it’s a lot!), and we nerd out over comic books, superheroes, and the importance of pop culture in the world.

The OKPOPcast crew is back with another insanely insightful episode! OKPOP’s Director of Storytelling, Ryan Allen, joins the pod to explain what exactly a director of storytelling does (it’s a lot!), takes us behind the curtain on the exhibit design process and the approach to creating a fun yet impactful museum experience.

Digital Editor of TulsaPeople Magazine Tim Landes stopped by to get a sneak peek of the museum and some special items in the vault. We dig into local music, lore, and about Led Zeppelin’s hidden album.

Celtic punk pioneers take on the subtle punk of Woody Guthrie’s words. Ken Casey chats with the OKPOP crew with special guest Deana Stafford McCloud with Museum Collective about the new album which features the lyrics of Guthrie and special appearances by the Turnpike Troubadours.

We’re feelin’ kookier and spookier than usual in this episode! So we invited our friend Teri French—Tulsa’s own haunted history expert—to chat about Oklahoma ghost stories, and we talk about our outing to Cain’s Ballroom and Tulsa Little Theater. Meg and Garrett also talk about their favorite scary movies and other famous Okie news.

OKPOP has solved one of the most enduring celebrity animal mysteries: is the *real* Mister Ed buried in Tahlequah, OK? We have answers! Then, JD McPherson crashes the pod with a surprise visit, and which means we are now officially best friends with one of Oklahoma’s finest musicians.

The OKPOPcast is poppin' off yet again! This episode we chat with OKPOP's new and shiny team member, Tyler Mann, who brings experience as a pro cinematographer/filmmaker to our happy family. The crew also digs through Rolling Stone Top 100 TV Shows of All Time, shaming each other for not watching "The Wire," and hot takes about the show that took the top spot.

This week, your OKPOPcast crew—featuring team member, Kolby Webster—speaks with Mylrell Miner, whose journey from prison to filmmaking has led to the creation of Bromont Program, which creates space for BIPOC voices by providing film industry instruction alongside real resources to those impacted by incarceration. Truly a remarkable guy and project, Oklahoma is lucky to have him here! And we can’t help but talk more about Tulsa State Fair, and our obsession with JAMN That's Good jam, proudly made right here in Oklahoma.

On a very special edition of the OKPOPcast, WE HAVE BREAKING NEWS! Well, it *was* breaking news when Mr. Sterlin Harjo, showrunner and local legend, announced that Reservation Dogs has been picked up for season three! We like to think he called us to tell us first, though 💕 Harjo also talks about Native voices in film, and what makes Oklahoma so dang special. Country music chanteuse, Sunny Dean, also talks about how bangin’ Tulsa is and offers interesting insight as to why Okie art just hits different.

Chef Nico Williams pops by the pod to talk about her wild ride on Hulu’s new show, Chefs vs Wild. Dropped off in the middle of nowhere, she had to survive the elements then create a gourmet meal from foraged items. Nico, renowned for her indigenous cooking, also dishes about her biz, Burning Cedar Indigenous Foods. Our own Joey Duffy also talks about being on tour with Tulsa’s buzziest band, CLIFFDIVER.

This week we are giving folks the real talk, the hot goss, and all the BTS deets about OKPOP you’ve wanted to know, but are afraid to ask. From how the idea started to when doors will open, executive director Jeff Moore pours out all that pipin’ hot tea. Speaking of tea, we also chat about our gal Liz, the Queen, and her tie to “Oklahoma!”

VERY IMPORTANT INTERVIEW. The nation’s 23rd Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry stopped by to speak about the nature of creativity, and reveals what she knows about aliens. Harjo will be performing at the upcoming 10 year anniversary at Guthrie Green. We also catch up folks on OKPOP news both in and outside the museum.

In this jam-packed episode, we talk OKPOP news, then Jeremy Charles stops by to talk about his latest music project, then we round it out with our own archivist, Mark Dempsey, about a very special guitar in our collection.

Iconic Tulsa musician Ann Bell stopped by with her old partner in crime, Jim Sweney, to talk about getting her start in music as a high schooler, having Leon Russell as a roommate, and making music with another Tulsa legend, Jim Sweney. They’ll be joining forces for a special reunion show at Maggie’s Music Box this weekend.

Your trusty OKPOP hosts Meg, Garrett, and Jarrod take you on yet another thrill ride! We chat about the new OKPOP curator; we are closer to “moving that bus!” - the Bob Wills bus is closer to being seaworthy (road-worthy?); and we interview OKPOP’s own director of fun and war, Joey Duffy, about his band CLIFFDIVER that is currently touring the country.

The OKPOP Radio Hour RETURNS for a full Season 3 with your hosts Meg Charron and Jarrod Gollihare. This week we welcome to the podcast OKPOP newbies Angela Evans and Garrett Weindorf to the family. We say goodbye to family member and new Mayoral Chief of Staff, Blake Ewing- as well as to recently passed Oklahoma legend Clu Gulager. We talk all things Rez Dogs and current pop culture news, and of course- give some OKPOP sneak peak deets. We’re back, baby!

OKPOP Radio Hour podcast host Meg Charron interviews musician Lukas Nelson of Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real. The interview took place in November 2021 before a packed out Cains Ballroom show. Lukas and band are playing the OKC Diamond Ballroom on Sunday, July 31st. For more info on OKPOP and for full episodes of the pod, visit www.OKPOP.org.

Meg and Blake follow up with John Cooper of the Red Dirt Rangers about the upcoming Red Dirt Relief show at Cain’s Ballroom this Friday night at 7 pm LIVE from the Cain’s Facebook page. Donate today to the Red Dirt Relief Fund at www.reddirtrelieffund.org.