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HELLO FRIENDS, WELCOME TO THE CHURCH STUDIO
Where homegrown talent rocked and continues to rock the music world.
THE CHURCH STUDIO
And how it started
The historic church was turned into a recording studio and home office to Shelter Records in 1972. Under Leon Russell's leadership, the stone structure served as a creative workshop for songwriters, musicians, engineers, and singers to collaborate, learn, and inspire.
THE TULSA SOUND
Rockabilly, Country, Rock 'n' Roll, and Blues
Although they had different musical gifts, Leon Russell and fellow Oklahoman JJ Cale, are credited for developing the “Tulsa Sound". This genre is described by many to be a laid-back style of blues, country, and rock that helped shaped Southern-style rock-and-roll. The most notable, non-Okie— example of the Tulsa Sound is Eric Clapton. Others believe the "Tulsa Sound" is more of a brotherhood or collaboration of creatives that honor those musical pioneers that came before them.
RESTORATION PROJECT
After Photos: Restoration completed in 2022
SUPPORT THE CHURCH STUDIO MUSIC FOUNDATION
RECENT BLOG POSTS
JJ Cale Finds Shelter
After shopping around for more than six months, Audie Ashworth and JJ Cale decided to sign with Leon Russell and Denny Cordell’s Shelter label, probably on June 5, 1971. This…
Leon Russell: The Early Childhood Years
Most of us know about Claude Russell Bridges playing the piano by ear at 4 years old and hitting the honky tonks around Tulsa at 14 – but not a…
Volunteer Spotlight: Sharon Johnson Caskey
Volunteers rock at The Church Studio! We love and appreciate the valuable role they play in our operations. Sharon Johnson Caskey is one of our talented volunteers. She not has…