JOHN FORD COLEY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT

JOHN FORD COLEY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT John Ford Coley is an American singer, guitarist, pianist, actor, and author. He may be best well known as half of the Grammy nominated duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley. John has created many memorable hits such as: “Love Is The Answer”, “Gone Too Far”, “I’d Really…

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RITA COOLIDGE | LEGACY ARTIST MEMOIR EXPERIENCE

RITA COOLIDGE | LEGACY ARTIST MEMOIR EXPERIENCE December 3, 2022 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm CST You’ll be up close and personal to legendary artist, Rita Coolidge for this unique memoir experience. Known as “Delta Lady”—inspired by Leon Russell’s 1970’s song; Rita will share stories about her life, music, and career. Hosted by Teresa Knox in front of an intimate audience…

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KENNY LOGGINS | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT

KENNY LOGGINS | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT October 21, 2021 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CDT The Church Studio is redefining live music events – bringing a thrilling experience to a very finite group of 100 guests in the transcendent sanctuary of The Church Studio. The Church Studio, a legendary state-of-the-art recording studio, archive, and historic landmark has…

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Leon Russell’s Definitive Biography – An Exclusive Book Signing Experience

Leon Russell’s Definitive Biography – An Exclusive Book Signing Experience March 18, 2023 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm CDT $44.00 Author Bill Janovitz is publishing the definitive biography of legendary musician, composer, and performer Leon Russell, a profound influence on countless artists, including George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Willie Nelson,…

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WILLIS ALAN RAMSEY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT

WILLIS ALAN RAMSEY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT Willis Alan Ramsey is an American singer/songwriter with a super fan base among listeners of Americana and Texas country. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in Dallas, Texas. An alumnus of The Church Studio, Willis released the critically acclaimed album, Willis Alan Ramsey, in 1972 on the Shelter label. The album included “Muskrat Candlelight” which…

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AIR SUPPLY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT

AIR SUPPLY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT October 4, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CDT “Making Love Out of Nothing at All”“Even the Nights are Better”“Here I Am”“Every Woman in the World”“The One that you Love” “Lost in Love” Need we say more?? Australian soft rock duo, consisting of English-born singer-songwriter and guitarist Graham Russell and Australian…

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TAJ MAHAL | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT

TAJ MAHAL | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT December 8, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CST KENT BLAZY WITH SPECIAL GUEST STEVE ALLEN Kent Blazy is an American country music songwriter who calls Nashville, TN his home. His credits include several singles for Garth Brooks such as “Tomorrow Never Comes”, as well as singles by Gary Morris, Diamond Rio,…

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KENT BLAZY | LEGACY SONGWRITER CONCERT

KENT BLAZY | LEGACY SONGWRITER CONCERT December 8, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CST KENT BLAZY WITH SPECIAL GUEST STEVE ALLEN Kent Blazy is an American country music songwriter who calls Nashville, TN his home. His credits include several singles for Garth Brooks such as “Tomorrow Never Comes”, as well as singles by Gary Morris, Diamond Rio,…

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JIMMY WEBB | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT

JIMMY WEBB | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT March 10, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CST The Church Studio is redefining live music events – bringing a thrilling experience to a very finite group of 100 guests in the transcendent sanctuary of The Church Studio. Jimmy Webb will be here on March 10th from 5:30-8:30 PM. The Church Studio, a legendary state-of-the-art recording…

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“The Man In Bronze” Cinematic Premiere | Meet The Sculptor

“The Man In Bronze” Cinematic Premiere | Meet The Sculptor December 17 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm CST  |  $20.00 Event Date and Time: December 17th, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM CST GET TICKETS Event Overview: Join us at Circle Cinema for a special night hosted by The Church Studio! Enjoy the premiere of “The Man…

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BILL CHAMPLIN | LEGACY CONCERT SERIES

BILL CHAMPLIN | LEGACY CONCERT SERIES September 30, 2021 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CDT The Church Studio is redefining live music events – bringing a thrilling experience to a very finite group of 100 guests in the transcendent sanctuary of The Church Studio. The Church Studio, Tulsa’s premier state-of-the-art recording studio, archive and historic event center,…

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THE CHURCH STUDIO NAMED TO NATIONAL REGISTER

  Less than a year after the devastating passing of Leon Russell, The Church Studio has earned a respected, unique and highly desired designation to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective Sept. 8, 2017 as reported by the National Park Service. Although it wasn’t certain, It was expected after its National…

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A CHURCH, A CHAIR, A BOY AND A PRAYER

There comes a time in life when one is moved to reflect upon major events in his or her life as old friends, relatives, family members “cash in their chips” and depart the game of life. As the days, months and years come and go, the hectic responsibilities of life take the greater majority of…

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Leon, J.J., and the Super Dupers

Having grown tired of the fourteen-hour days in the recording studio playing on other people’s records, Leon Russell decided in 1965 to work for legendary producer Snuff Garrett, who was starting his own independent production company and record label, Viva Records. Snuff hustled the business and Russell handled the production chores, which included arranging, producing…

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EPISODE 9 – CORY WILLIAMS

To call this guest multi-talented would be an understatement. Cory Williams is a modern-day Renaissance man. You know him as a YouTube trailblazing pioneer; but he’s also a prolific music artist, video game developer, and professional wrestler!

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EPISODE 7 – Grady Nichols

If you haven’t heard of today’s guest, then we are thrilled to be able to introduce you to this exceptionally talented artist and all-around nice guy! Grady Nichols is an award-winning jazz instrumentalist known by most for his signature, lyrical approach to playing the saxophone.

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EPISODE 6 – “DANNY BOY,” DANNY O’CONNOR

Today we are talking with Danny O’Connor, aka “Danny Boy.” You may recognize him from the 90’s hip hop group House of Pain whose smash hit “Jump Around” put them at the top of the charts in 1992. Since then, there has been no shortage of ups and downs from his addiction struggles to his rise to a social media marketing mogul. 

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Rock of Ages: Tracing the Roots of the Tulsa Sound

By JOHN WOOLEY As nearly as anyone can tell, the Tulsa area first started rocking to live local guys back in early 1956, when Gene Crose put together a little group and played the rockabilly tunes “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Baby, Let’s Play House” and “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” for the Cadet Capers show…

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Rock of Ages: Making Waves

By JOHN WOOLEY MTV wasn’t even a gleam in an executive’s eye when Tulsa’s first wave of rock ‘n’ rollers hit. In fact, “Where the Action Is,” that fondly remembered Dick Clark-produced daily TV show, didn’t come along for almost a decade. Even the granddaddy of them all, Clark’s “American Bandstand,” didn’t go national until…

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OKIES ON RECORD #1

By Steve Todoroff We are starting a new monthly series here on the Church Studio Blog, where we will cover some of the early releases from the past where Oklahoma musicians appeared together in the studio, more often than not on other artist’s records. Starting us off is a popular rockabilly artist and songwriter from…

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Rock of Ages: The Race for Rock

Tulsa’s early rockers were black and white, and no one cared – as long as the racial mixing was on the stage By JOHN WOOLEY “I’m tellin’ you, I didn’t know segregation back then — in the Flamingo Club for sure,” states multiple music hall of famer and bluesman Flash Terry. Terry worked in that north Tulsa…

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Rock of Ages: ‘Rockin’ this Joint Tonite

Gambling, drinking, guns and bombs — Tulsa’s rock ‘n’ roll gigs of the 1950s felt like Wild West shows By JOHN WOOLEY   Before rock ‘n’ roll exploded in the late ’50s, there weren’t many places in Tulsa where a talented kid could play in front of a crowd. Tommy Crook, who left rock ‘n’…

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THE BILL DAVIS INTERVIEW

By Steve Todoroff It’s a late September night at the Sunset Grill, a combination cafe/night club in Tulsa where eager fans begin to cram themselves around tables near the vicinity of the dance floor. As they mingle about, a party-like atmosphere maintains them until that moment the band squeezes onto the tiny stage and starts…

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Pamela Thompson Pickett: You Will Be Missed!

By:  Ann Bell Nicholson Pam was born to parents, Eula Mae and Jeff Thompson. They were Tulsa residents. She was an only child. She was born on December 31, 1951 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pam graduated from Bishop Kelley High School and then the University of Oklahoma. While a student in Norman OK, Pam joined a…

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Eric Clapton Gets Arrested!

The year was 1975. Eric Clapton had just flown into Tulsa, Oklahoma to perform.  News of Eric’s arrival was quickly known for he had gotten arrested! The Church Studio talked with John Southern, a photojournalist and local musician, that captured the infamous photo of Eric Clapton in Jail.  From a first-hand perspective, check out what…

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LEON RUSSELL PERFORMS AT DUKE UNIVERSITY in 1971

Leon Russell 1971

We absolutely love our Church Studio family and the fantastic stories they share with us. In this photo series, we are featuring a series of photographs taken by photographer, Ric Carter. Our good friend, American Roots musician, and Leon Lifer; Bill Lyerly, introduced us to Ric. Thank you, Bill! Why are these pictures special? Well,…

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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT – BILL AVERY

Bill Avery, Leon Lifer and a Church Studio volunteer, is a dedicated, knowledgeable, and fun-loving ambassador for the Church and for Leon’s legacy. Although he lives in New Jersey, we have been fortunate to have Bill travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and assist with concerts and book signings. Tell us about yourself. My name is Bill…

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TWENTIETH-CENTURY HONKY-TONK – Q&A with John Wooley

Music writer John Wooley is at it again! This time bringing us the incredible story of the historic Cain’s Ballroom‘s first 75 years with his new book, TWENTIETH-CENTURY HONKY-TONK.  The Church Studio had the opportunity to catch up with John last week and chat about the new book. Read our quick Q&A below!  CS: Why…

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5 Questions with Conor Culpepper

  As you may have seen on our Facebook, The Church Studio recently partnered up with one of our Studio Row businesses, High Dive, to produce STAGE DIVE. Every Monday evening, High Dive will open its doors(and stage) to upcoming singer-songwriters for an Open Mic. The event is designed for anyone that wants to share…

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2019: FOLLOW US TO THE CHURCH LEON BUILT

  Dear Friends, The long and winding road to The Church continues and 2019 was a true testament to that. While construction on The Church Studio moves forward, our team spent 2019 working on our online presence and working closely with the community by paying tribute to our city’s rich music history while preparing a…

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2018: Year in Review

Jan 2019 Newsletter Dear Friends, 2018 has been a year of growth, community and resilience for our organization. Our team has been busy with multiple projects, including the renovation of the historic Harwelden Mansion and the construction in Studio Row, which have all been equally demanding and challenging, yet extraordinarily worthwhile. Throughout the year, one…

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