The Story behind “A Song For You” by Leon Russell

The Story behind “A Song For You” by Leon Russell Leon Russell’s melancholy ballad, “Song for You,” is a well-known classic. This poignant composition, the first track on his self-titled debut album, recorded at Sunset Sound in LA in early 1970, continues to connect with people of all ages. The haunting melody and soulful lyrics capture…

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Tommy Lokey: Consummate Jazzman at The Church Studio

Although few in the current Tulsa music community would know his name, but in his day, Tommy Lokey was a local legend. Today, you can find a few 1970’s Shelter Records publicity photos of a seven-man funk band that included him. Tommy is the sole white guy, with a wild mane of dark hair and…

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Charlie Wilson to Receive a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Charlie Wilson to Receive a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Tulsa, Oklahoma native funk and R&B artist Charlie Wilson, a powerhouse vocalist and pianist with the Gap Band and later a solo career, and an original Shelter Records artist, will be recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on January…

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Tom Petty’s Journey at The Church Studio

The most important years during the Leon-era history of Tulsa’s Church Studio were 1972–1976. During that time, a wide variety of artists recorded there, some important in music history, others less so. Tom Petty has a story at The Church Studio before he and The Heartbreakers found worldwide success. Both Denny Cordell and Leon Russell…

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Casii Stephan Records “A Song For You” at The Church Studio

Casii Stephan, a soul pop/rock artist originally from Minnesota and now based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is known for her emotive vocals and intricate melodies. Casii’s music, often compared to artists like Florence Welch and Fiona Apple, is characterized by its theme of hope. Her success includes multiple awards and recognition in the music industry, and…

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The Fairchild 660 Audio Compressor at The Church Studio

The Church Studio, with its rich history and legendary recordings, has long attracted musicians seeking high-quality sound. To elevate this sacred space even further, we’ve included a vintage piece of analog audio gear, the Fairchild 660 Audio Compressor, known as the “holy grail” of outboard gear. Originally, a church built in 1915, The Church Studio…

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Mike Prado, Audio Engineer, Joins The Church Studio Team

Q&A with Mike Prado 1. What was your first impression of The Church Studio? I was blown away by the revitalization of The Church Studio.  During my career; I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to work in a lot of commercial studios, cutting-edge educational studios and unique home studios. I even tracked at The Church with…

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BONUS: MEET THE “FROM THE CHAMBER” TEAM

We are proud to introduce the first episode of our very own podcast “From The Chamber.” Inspired by the rare and exquisite subterranean echo chambers housed beneath the legendary Church Studio. We’ll be taking a deep dive into everything music with all of your favorite recording artists, producers, engineers, and other notable music connoisseurs. Our mission is simple: to deepen our listeners’ understanding and appreciation of brilliant music and the masterful art of capturing it! 

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The Magical Sounds of The Church Studio’s Legendary Neve 8068

Neve is one of the most well-known names in sound engineering and music production. Neve consoles, famed for their craftsmanship and unequaled sound quality, have been at the heart of many classic albums. Its warm analog sound and ingenious design have made it a highly sought-after piece of gear among recording engineers and artists all…

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The Benefits of Recording in a Professional Studio

In today’s music industry, recording has evolved significantly. With the rise of home recording, many artists now have the opportunity to create music in the comfort of their own homes. However, there are undeniable advantages to recording in a professional studio. Let’s explore the benefits of working in a professional studio setting and why it…

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A Journey Through Time: The Enchanting History of Reverb

A Journey Through Time: The Enchanting History of Reverb  by Nancy Ruth  Reverb is one of the most intriguing and vital effects in the world of music production. This amazing auditory phenomenon may take listeners to otherworldly regions while adding depth, texture, and a feeling of space to musical compositions. This blog takes us on…

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The Top 10 Shelter Records Artists You Need to Know

Shelter Records holds a significant place in music history, having launched the careers of numerous talented artists and contributing to the development of iconic sounds. Founded in 1969 by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell, Shelter Records quickly became known for its diverse roster of musicians and its commitment to nurturing artistic creativity. In this blog…

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The Tulsa Sound: The Definitive Definition by Ann Bell

The Tulsa Sound: The Definitive Definition by Ann Bell I was privileged to be born in 1950, in the Great State of Oklahoma, and the Great City of Tulsa. Growing up I learned very quickly just how blessed I was to be an Okie and for many reasons. The people are such loving, laid-back, God-fearing…

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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 was the same day that Cale re-recorded a new version of “After Midnight” (at Cordell’s request, some say Ashworth’s), and also added “Don’t Go To…

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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 lot is recorded about his formative childhood years. Who was young Claude Russell Bridges?

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Steve Ripley’s Red Dirt Roots Part 1

Steve Ripley: 1950-2019 Oklahoma Music Legend, Owner of The Church Studio, member of The Tractors It’s comforting to know that after you’re gone, a part of you will remain. Steve Ripley left behind an artistic legacy that will have an impact long after his passing. Many people were impacted by his compassion and ingenuity. Red…

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GUEST BLOG: Rusty Russell’s Recording Studio Experience

The genesis of our project at The Church Studio was a bit different than most; four high school friends from Wichita (classes of ’73, ’74), and ’75) had spent years in the big music-center cities of Nashville & L.A. Between us, we’d toured with many “name” artists, recorded a great deal (as players and/or engineers),…

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Play it Back: A Private Tour of the Church Studio

The stone building at 3rd and Trenton first caught my attention in December of 2019. I had just moved into an apartment on the east side of downtown Tulsa, and I began to regularly pass by what is now (or rather, again) the Church Studio. During that time amid restoration, each subtle change prompted me…

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The Showman’s Hats

Leon Russell’s distinctive style, both vocally and instrumentally, made him one of the great singer-songwriters of all time. A unique pianist, composer, singer, song craftsman, and showman. He collected a lot of items and the most well-known were his canes and of course his hats. Those items certainly became a big part of his great…

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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 you tell us a little about yourself? I’m a New Yorker! I was in retail for 38 years and have been retired 10 years. I’m…

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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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Leon Russell: ‘Going Back To Tulsa One More Time’

Every once in a while, you get hit with something big that you never saw coming. Such is the case with my discovery of Leon Russell. As I’ve come to find out, Leon’s music has always been part of my life. I just didn’t know it. And I’m not alone. Each year, I’m fortunate to have the…

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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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A Conversation with Chris Boosahda, Audio Engineer

The Church Studio is known for its impressive stone facade, multi-million dollar restoration, rare analog gear, and legendary history. The studio is also known for assembling an extraordinary team of dedicated professionals. We’d like to introduce you to one of the newest team members of The Church Studio; Chris Boosahda, Audio Engineer.    Chris!  Welcome…

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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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EPISODE 5 – JANA JAE

Jana has built a solid solo career, drawing upon her diverse musical background. Her one-of-a-kind style blends country fiddling, western swing, bluegrass, pop, and the classics, producing thrilling performances and critical acclaim. Jana got her big break at a Buck Owens concert in Redding, California when she was invited to take the stage and play “Orange Blossom Special.”

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EPISODE 4 – PHIL CLARKIN

We had so much fun with the talented and inspiring photographer, Phil Clarkin. Phil has a diverse photography and video background and is known for his work with national and international musical acts. His passion leads to the capture of moments in time that will last forever. We are all grateful for that passion!

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EPISODE 3 – HORTON RECORDS

Today in the podcast studio, we are exposed to an emerging business model for the music industry; a non-profit record label called Horton Records.   Two signed artists–music heroes Jesse Aycock and Paul Benjamin– along with founder and President; Brian Horton join the From the Chamber team to discuss a plethora of relevant topics including a very special new project, “BACK TO PARADISE: A Tulsa Tribute to Okie Music.”

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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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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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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!

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EPISODE 10 – RYAN & RYAN

Today we sit down with the dynamic piano duo Ryan & Ryan, comprised of world-class pianists Donald Ryan and his son Barren. What we want to know is what does it really take to become a world-class musician? What’s it for Barren to follow in the footsteps of such an accomplished musician as Donald? Ryan & Ryan give us their unique perspectives on all of these questions and much more in the information-packed episode of From The Chamber.

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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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