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Charlie Christian
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Oklahoma’s music heritage can only be described as eclectic. From The Light Crust Doughboys and Woody Guthrie, to the Gap Band and The Flaming Lips, Oklahoma has produced an amazing array of musical styles and stars. Oklahoma’s early Jazz scene produced stars, like Charlie Christian and the Oklahoma City Blue Devils.
We can even claim our own Red Dirt genre, with bands like Red Dirt Rangers, The Great Divide, and Cross Canadian Ragweed, among others. The current crop of Country stars, like Reba, Garth, Vince, and Toby, are descended from the likes of Wanda Jackson and Roger Miller. Bob Dunn, from Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, is considered the father of the electric guitar, even though you may have thought it was Les Paul. Dunn’s recordings with electric steel guitar were the first of their kind way back in the 1930s. Some Oklahoma musicians are bona fide legends, like Byron Berline, J.J. Cale, and Jesse Ed Davis.
It’s only fitting that the state’s music festivals reflect that diversity. Music lovers have a lot of choices this year to satisfy their musical cravings.
Jazz is served hot and twangy during the Guthrie Jazz Banjo Festival, May 27-29. Edmond celebrates during the Edmond Jazz and Blues Festival, May 28-29. The Charlie Christian International Jazz Festival swings into Oklahoma City, June 10-11. Norman’s Jazz in June Festival, June 23-25, has also become a central Oklahoma tradition. In addition, Wewoka holds the Cedar Street Blues and Jazz Festival, June 25 and Sapulpa is home to the 3rd Annual Royal Jazz Festival, July 28-30.
Tulsa’s spectacular Oklahoma Blues Festival, May 6-7, always features outstanding music. This year’s edition, spotlights Texas Blues legend Bugs Henderson, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, slide genius Roy Rogers, Blues harp slinger Norton Buffalo, and the Arc Angels. Blues fans all know that you reserve Labor Day Weekend for the annual trip to Rentiesville, where Oklahoma Blues stalwarts D.C. and Selby Minner blow it all out during the Dusk ‘til Dawn Blues Festival. Awfully big sounds come from this tiny town, Sept. 2-4.
Folk music, which covers a lot of territory these days, gets its due at several events around the state. The biggest might be the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, held in his hometown of Okemah, July 13-17. The festival brings performers from all over the world to celebrate the life and music of America’s troubadour. This year’s lineup includes Jimmy LaFave, Terri Hendrix, with Texas music legend Lloyd Maines, Bob Childers, the Red Dirt Rangers, and many others. Pawnee is the site of the Pawnee Folk and Springfest, Apr. 23. Acousticadia brings traditional music to Lake Arcadia in Edmond, June 10-11, with pickers like Ricky Skaggs, Steve Spurgin, and Edgar Cruz. Grove’s American Heritage Music Festival, June 9-12, features fiddle and clogging contests. The Beavers Bend Folk Festival and Craft Show, Nov. 11-13, spotlights regional folkies on everything from banjos to washboards.
Bluegrass may be another form of folk music but this music genre has its own spotlight in Oklahoma and may be the state’s most popular form of musical entertainment. Bluegrass with world flavor fills the air at the Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival in Guthrie, Sept. 29-Oct. 1. Suzie Boggus headlines this year’s event but bands from as far away as the Czech Republic and Japan will also play. Bluegrass is a family affair at two festivals, when the Sanders Family Bluegrass Festival takes place in McAlester, June 8-11, and the Dyson Family Bluegrass Festival unfolds in Sayre, Oct. 7-9. Wynnewood hosts three Bluegrass festivals, the Arbuckle Mountain 4th of July Bluegrass Jam, June 26-July 4, the Arbuckle Mountain Bluegrass Festival, Sept. 11-17, and the Arbuckle Mountain Fall Bluegrass Jam, Oct. 16-22. Duncan hosts two, the Spring Bluegrass Festival Apr. 21-24, and the Fall Bluegrass Festival, Sept. 22-25. Other Bluegrass events include Skyline Bluegrass Festival in Muldrow, May 5-7, Grant’s Blue Grass Festival in Hugo, Aug. 3-6, and Midwest Bluegrass Festival, Aug. 26-27, in Shawnee. If you like your Bluegrass with a bowl of red, check out the Bluegrass & Chili Festival, Sept. 8-10, in Claremore.
Hot Country duo Big and Rich are just some of the featured performers at the state’s largest Country Music event, Country Fever, in Pryor, June 9-12. George Jones, Charlie Daniels and Montgomery Gentry will also be there.
If Western Swing is your thing, Pawhuska hosts the Bob Wills Festival, Sept. 10. Western Hills Guest Ranch, Wagoner, has the Oklahoma State Fiddlers Jam, Aug. 18-20, and the Western Swing Weekend, Nov. 3-5.
Some musical events stand alone, defy description, and beg to be seen and heard just because they exist. Central Oklahoma Ringers and Directors presents CORD Festival 2005, Nov. 19, at Mustang United Methodist Church in Mustang. This festival features more than two hundred bell ringers from twenty bell choirs in Oklahoma shaking their stuff. The Neosho River Harp Festival, Sept. 22-24, at the First Christian Church in Miami, promises more than just angelic melodies. Enthusiasts say you haven’t really heard Jazz until you’ve heard it on the harp. A concert is scheduled on Saturday night.
Gospel lovers will find plenty to love at Septemberfest, Sept. 9-10, at Dripping Springs State Park, Okmulgee. For Gospel with a twist, try the Cherokee Heritage Gospel Sing & Hog Fry, May 21, in Tahlequah at the Cherokee Heritage Center. Many songs will be sung in the Cherokee language.
Dulcimer World Champion Russell Cook’s Master Works Dulcimer Shop in Bennington produces some of the finest instruments in the world. Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Cook hosts the Master Works Sawdust Dulcimer Festival, where some of the finest dulcimer players in the country come to play, share licks, and jam. Beginners can learn from the best at one of the many workshops scheduled or those who love the music can bring a lawn chair and just soak up the crystal-clear melodies.
Finally, on a classical note, Oklahoma has two outstanding events for the cultured crowd. It’s Mozart, and more at the OK Mozart International Festival in Bartlesville, June 10-18. Acclaimed artists perform with the Solisti New York Orchestra, conducted by Ransom Wilson. There is more to this festival than you might assume, so it is best to experience it for yourself. Tulsa’s Amadeus Piano Festival, June 20-July 1, features two weeks of events and bills itself as “the ultimate piano experience”. The Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble is featured artist this year. Guest artists are duo pianists Kirk Whipple and Marilyn Morales.
The air in Oklahoma literally sizzles with music year-round. Find out about these events and more on the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department Web site, www.TravelOK.com, or speak with a travel counselor at 1-800-652-6552.
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