Monthly Archives: February 2009

Props From KFOR-TV’s Linda Cavanaugh in American Way Magazine

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American Way: City Game, Cowboy Style

Oklahoma City recently joined the NBA family with the relocation and rebranding of the Seattle Superonics. Now known as The Thunder, the team plays its 41 home games in the heart of our home town.

In light of this event, American Way magazine has showcased the city in two separate articles across its last two issues. The first article, in its February 1st issue, includes “what to do and see” recommendations from several local personalities including civic leaders, business owners, and media. From French bistros to dive bars and “cowboy museums” to crew style rowing, the list of recommendations provides a great cross section of the varied cultural and lifestyle attractions available in the city.

Which brings us to Linda Cavanaugh, a long time resident and Oklahoma City media personality who serves as an anchor on KFOR-TV’s news channel 4 . When it comes to western wear, Linda proclaims “Langston’s is it.” Specifically, she is directing readers to our Stockyards City store, which is just a short drive or trolley ride from downtown where the Thunder plays their home games at the Ford Center. Located in a historically renovated building, the store serves as both a retail store and tourist attraction. With many western themed businesses in the Stockyards, run by skilled craftsman with a passion for western culture and lifestyle, Stockyards City is actually a great place for all things western.

For a more in depth look at the NBA in Oklahoma City, the latest issue of American Way magazine contrasts the NBA’s newest venue with one of its most revered, New York’s Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks. Titled City Game, Cowboy Style, the piece is an enlightening and in depth look at two very different markets that are now linked by one great game. It certainly has convinced me to make sure I catch a game at the Garden soon, if for nothing else, for the hot dog on the way in. (Speaking of, anyone think we can get those guys at Coney Island on Main Street to open a stand outside the Ford Center?…)

American Way Magazine

Music Shot Through The Heart On Valentine’s Day

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Well, another weekend spending all my hard earned money has came to an end. This time it is with great pleasure I get to write a review for The Bart Crow Band. If you don’t own either of their albums, then go buy one right now.

This special event was a holiday that Rooster doesn’t celebrate: St. Valentine’s Day. I’m sure of that(lol). What can I say that I haven’t said before about the Bart Crow Band? They are worth every penny no matter where they are playing. Webster’s Dictionary defines love as the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration for the Bart Crow Band. The love is their music. Love, no pun intended, on Valentines day is what you get when you attend a Bart Crow Band show. Devotion and admiration from the band, to the fans taking requests, and jammin out with a crowd favorite Tom Petty cover too.

To end the night, Bart rattled four maracas, in what can best be described as jiving’ to the mellow acoustic set. Bart does make you feel his passion for music. He writes to those Texas sounds that made him famous. The show was a riot from start to finish. The crowd went wild for everyone’s favorite “Wear My Ring” and, of course, I was jammin’ to my favorites “Drifting In The Wind”, “Hollywood”, and “Walk on By”. 

It was a great show as I was pleased. I can still remember the first time I heard The Bart Crow Band, just like my first taste of Jack Daniels.

With that, my friends, I’m headin’ off into the sunset until next time.

Our official pilot shoot is coming up on the 28th of this month with No Justice at The Wormy Dog, so I hope to see everyone there. Let’s sell the place out!

- Rooster

Casey Donahew Band Surprise

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After another weekend out and about for Red Dirt: Live, I caught another Kevin Fowler show which was as good as expected. Maybe the routine needs a little revamping but Fowler’s music is amazing. The night after is what caught my eye.

The Wormy Dog usually books one big draw for the weekend, a great acoustic show for the week, and a band that will ensure at least 300 to 400 people, but it’s not always like a sold out Randy Rogers Show, Eli Young, Wade Bowen or Stoney show where people are lined up at the door to get in. The night after a triple crown Kevin Fowler night, I arrived at the Wormy Dog just in time to catch a few of the songs from the opener, Jesse Jennings Band. The Jesse Jennings band is in no way related to one of the greatest musicians of all time, Waylon Jennings, to my knowledge. They were not too bad from what I caught. Much to my surprise it was more packed than the Kevin Fowler show!

I’m not one to lie and will admit before this show, I knew little of Casey Donahew and his laid back crew. I have had a lot of request for RD:L to do something on these guys for a while, so I did a phone interview that went well. I learned a lot about these guys and their music, so I figured it was time to check out their show. It stood out in my mind how crowded it was and, despite the frat party it was, I enjoyed the show. They had fun with a Vanilla Ice cover and rocked a Kid Rock song (Casey is huge fan) that had the elbow to elbow crowd swaying. “Stockyards” from their debut album, Lost Days, was a big fan favorite along with “White Trash Story” and the big hit that landed them on the Texas Music Charts Best of 2008 “Crazy”. The crowd was in it for the whole show. I didn’t ever see a fan not singing to any of their songs.

They are a young band full of energy and budding talent. If you enjoy a crowd filled with ladies and a few frat guys then Casey Donahew is the show for you. I would pay money to see them again and I am interested in seeing how their next album will turn out.

Anyway it’s Sunday so I’m going to drift off into the sunset, whiskey in hand. I might even try some of those girl fruity drinks but it’s unlikely and, gentlemen, unless it’s a Mexican beer, stop fruiting it!

- Rooster

LAZY-E RED DIRT FESTIVAL Recap

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After a wild weekend at the Red Dirt Music festival and a crazy night at the Wormy Dog Saloon, I am geared up for another weekend of Red Dirt and Texas music concerts.

The day started at 4pm with local Stillwater musicians, Exit 174. And what a surprise, they got their start right there in the “Still” just like so many others we have come to know and love (CCR, Boland, No Justice). Mark McKinney was there laying down the law on partying, as usual, and setting the crowd straight on what is or isn’t a proper party foul.

The biggest surprise for me was the Jackson Taylor Band. He’s just a solid performer who rocked the Lazy E Arena, a real outlaw in the Texas music scene. (Note to self: bring some Jim Beam if you want to party with Jackson Taylor.)

Johnny Cooper stole the show for me. So much energy for such a young and already accomplished artist. Along with Cody Shaw, and the new line-up in the mix, Cooper has been working on a new album up in Nashville and he personally promised this one would turn some heads.

The Bart Crow Band made their performance like always, about the love they have for their music and their fans. They’re another local band… well, a band that started in none other than Stillwater, once again.

No Justice ended the night in a packed Lazy E arena floor. I was impressed with their light show. It was good to see Ordinary Outlaws and Nick Gibson as well as it had been a while since I had gotten to see them perform.

We should be posting interviews from Red Dirt Music Festival this week and, if you’re lucky, you might get to see me ride a mechanical bull for a whole 3 seconds. Till next time, I’m riding off into the sunset with my whiskey bottle in hand: “Quote the Rooster Never More”.

ALBUM REVIEW:
In honor of one of my favorite bands having recently played the Wormy Dog Saloon, I’m giving the latest Kevin Fowler scoop with his new single off his latest album Bring It On. “Cheaper to Keep Her” is climbing the Texas music charts. Released in 2007, this album is solid from start to finish and includes the 2nd most requested song of 2008 “Best Mistake I Ever Made”. The song gained him national recognition as well. With 13 solid tracks, if you have ever had that feeling you’re behind in the game of life just a little then “Long Line of Losers”, “What’s Your Point”, and “Slow Down” just may hit home for many. Then there those honky-tonk songs that Kevin Fowler seems to bring on every album “Me and the Boys”, “I Pulled A Hank Last Night”, “Honky Tonk Junkie” just makes you feel like throwing back a few brews. When Kevin Fowler takes the stage he doesn’t have to demand your attention because he has it already as soon as the first riff is played. Expect nothing less than perfection from a Kevin Fowler show with him dropping hits from start to finish. Last time Fowler was in town he was little under the weather and there is no way you could of seen that as he worked the crowd, flung the microphone around and he even busted out some classics.

**Don’t Miss No Justice at THE Oklahoma Red Dirt Destination, The Wormy Dog Saloon, on 2/28**

-”The Rooster”

PBR Bull Riders Autograph Party at Stockyards Store

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It’s PBR Time!
The PBR Express Classic is this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Ford Center in downtown Oklahoma City. To celebrate, we’ve teamed up with Ariat Boots to host this year’s autograph session. Come by our location in historic Stockyards City this Saturday from Noon until 2pm and meet some of the top bull riders in the world in person.

Need tickets?
We got ‘em. Come by the autograph session to receive 2 FREE ticket vouchers with every Ariat Boots purchase. This is only available at Langston’s in Stockyards City.

For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit the PBR Express Classic information page. In the meantime, check out PBR.TV, a very cool place to get the latest PBR news as well as watch the best rides and wrecks. Here’s the latest video:

New Feature: “The Rooster” Blogs All Things Red Dirt

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Our home state of Oklahoma has produced its share of musical talent over the years. From Woodie Guthrie to The Flaming Lips, Oklahoma has been home to many genre-defining artists that have reached the pinnacle of their field or even changed it forever. Whether they have been inspired by the state’s rustic geography, rugged individualistic culture, or laid back lifestyle, it has been typical for Oklahoma musicians to reinvent the sounds of the past to create something new for today.

One of the latest examples of Oklahoma’s musical ingenuity is found in what is known as Red Dirt Music. Much like its indie rock counterpart, sometimes it is easier to define it by what it is not than to try and nail down one or two characteristics of the genre that set it apart. While Red Dirt is always country music, it is not of the TOP 40 variety you hear in heavy rotation on your FM radio. While the latter seems to have worked hard to polish out or completely ignore its roots, Red Dirt embraces many forms of Americana that have influenced or been influenced by country music, including rock and roll, blues, dixieland, swing, bluegrass, and more. The result is country music that seems more genuine, more real, and more raw. Basically, it is country music with its soul still intact.

Modern Red Dirt has grown past its Stillwater, Oklahoma roots and is now a staple of thriving music scenes across Texas, Tennessee, and throughout the region. To keep up with this exciting and evolving genre, Tony “The Rooster” Brown has graciously agreed to blog about all things Red Dirt for us, including interviews, reviews, and trends while keeping us up to date on the events surrounding his show Red Dirt: Live that is currently in development. You can read Tony’s first post and all his subsequent posts in the Red Dirt: Live section. Take it away, Tony…