Red State Blues by The Red Dirt Rangers

About the time I have completely written off Oklahoma as hopeless and a no man’s zone, I run across something gives me a glimmer of hope that all is not lost in my native state.

The Red Dirt Rangers are hugely popular in Oklahoma, especially around the Stillwater region.  It always amazes that bands like this are not bigger nationally.   We heard them perform this song Thursday night at the Woodyfest in Okemah, OK.

Download as PDF

We Need Woody Guthrie and Jimmy LaFave

Last weekend Robin and I made a pilgrimage to the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The reason for this pilgrimage was because Jimmy LaFave was going to be playing there. Jimmy is at the top of my list of favorite musicians.  I have been listening to him for 20 years, and if I do not have all of his CDs, I have the vast majority. His music speaks to me on so many levels.  The fact that he is not more famous than he is, says more about the music industry Continue reading “We Need Woody Guthrie and Jimmy LaFave”

Download as PDF

Ribbon of Highway Endless Skyway: Tribute to Woody Guthrie

woodytributeI’ve had this CD a while, and I have listened to it a couple times.  Those times had been when there were other distractions going on, so I was not really paying that much attention to it.  I was definitely not paying attention to Bob Childers narration.

I recently took a road trip and listened to both CDs all the way through with out interruption.  Most of the music I knew and was familiar to me. Woody’s prose that was narrated was new to me.  I came away with a new and deeper appreciation of the music of Woody Guthrie and of Woody Guthrie as a man.

It did get me to wondering how Woody would be received in the Oklahoma of today.  Would he have the same iconic stature Continue reading “Ribbon of Highway Endless Skyway: Tribute to Woody Guthrie”

Download as PDF