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.
SUPPORT THE CHURCH STUDIO MUSIC FOUNDATION
RECENT BLOG POSTS
2021: Things are Rockin’ at the Church Studio
The Church Bulletin We’re getting so close, the wait is nearly over! Drywall is up, the greenspace to the west has a landscape plan, 22 miles of wiring is in…
Q&A with Johnny “Blues” McDonnell
We met with Johnny Blues McDonnell; New Yorker, old-school LeonLifer, die hard Leon Russell fan, and The Church Studio supporter and promoter to talk about all things Leon! Johnny! Can…
EPISODE 11 – MAT MAXWELL
Mat Maxwell is an industry go-to musician for both international touring and studio sessions. Although he is a multi-instrumentalist, he claims bass as his primary tool for musical expression. Currently, he is on tour with country music star Lauen Alaina of American Idol fame. We very much enjoyed getting this behind the scenes look at life on the road as a modern musician!