The OKPOP Radio Hour

Turns out the song was right - Pippi Longstocking REALLY DID come to our town! Actress and all-around adorable human, Tami Erin, stopped by the OKPOP Radio Hour to talk about playing the world's most beloved precocious red head, Pippi Longstocking. Tami's a proud Oklahoma transplant, with her own perch out at Grand Lake, and she's cooking up something fun for Memorial Day weekend! Find out all the deets in this week's pod!

It's a Valentine's Day OKPOPcast and this one is for the love birds out there

How many people do YOU know who are responsible for putting a GIANT SPACE COWBOY on Route 66? One that people come from ALL OVER THE WORLD to see?? We only know of ONE, and her name is Mary Beth Babcock! Now Mary Beth is about to welcome a NEW FRIEND at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 - a 19-foot SPACE COWGIRL named Stella Atom! We got ALLLL the info today in our interview with Mary Beth in this new episode of YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST, the OKPOP Radio Hour, available FOR FREE on Apple, Spotify and all other major podcast platforms!

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: We've HIT THE JACKPOT with a guest whose face you'll probably recognize if you've spent time in any of Oklahoma's many casinos! Karl Suggs was the inspiration for the Mr. Moneybags character featured on countless slot machines across our state and around the country. The story of how he got the gig is pretty WILD, and we BET you'll love hearing him tell it.

Brian Parton sizzled on the Oklahoma scene as the frontman for the rockabilly trio, Nashville Rebels, which eventually led him to a life performing in Colorado. But he's back in Tulsa, baby, and this week he's our special guest on the OKPOP Radio Hour. We talk about his decades-long career, opening for acts like Jerry Lee Lewis, and how his music has changed over the years. Give it a listen, folks, wherever you get your pods.

Our guest today is Bill Courtney, a Tulsa transplant and former NYPD detective who has his own true crime podcast: The Proffer Podcast: True Crime Stories, Hosted by NYPD Detective Bill Courtney. We covered A LOT of ground - from a famous and deadly rap feud, to organized crime's dealings with some of entertainment's biggest names. Bill has a couple of live podcast tapings soon here town. Look for the info in the comments, and check out the OKPOP Radio Hour podcast - available for free on Apple, Spotify and all other major podcast platforms!

For over twenty years, Chase Kerby has been a mainstay of the OKC music scene. He's fronted a number of bands including The City Lives, Defining Times, and currently 3 piece indie-punk band Big Weather. He's also played guitar and piano for a number of artists ranging from Graham Colton to Sherree Chamberlain and is currently a long time member of Beau Jennings and the Tigers. In 2015 he appeared on NBC's The Voice as a member of Gwen Stefani's team. After his departure from the show he focused on crafting his unique blend of songwriting, ambience, and lyrical poetry for what will be his long overdue debut full length album coming in 2024.

It's the first OKPOP Radio Hour podcast of 2024, y'all!

It's our last podcast of the year, y'all! And we are putting a big ol' bow on 2023 with Joey Duffy. Not only does Joey bring the rizz* (“charisma,” don't ya know?) to the band CLIFFDIVER, he also is part of the OKPOP crew. We were stoked to sit down with him to learn more about his inspirational journey, and why he thinks OKPOP will empower that next generation of Oklahoma rock stars. You can't help but feel uplifted after sitting down with Joey, so give this episode a listen. It'll feel like a warm hug, we guarantee it!

Deonna Marie is an amazing singer and storyteller based in OKC. Deonna blends her beautiful voice with poignant stories that inspire. We met her after she shared her personal story recently at The Moth Mainstage event at Cain's Ballroom. This woman is an absolute STAR, and if you're not already a fan, you will be after you hear her interview.

Buckle up, Oklahoma! It's another

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: Tulsa Ballet Director Marcello Angelini and the beautiful Tulsa tradition that is The Nutcracker! Our conversation touched on many more topics, too, including Tulsa's world famous reputation for excellence in ballet, and the importance of evolution and risk-taking in creative endeavors. Marcello is a really funny guy, so lots of laughs were had by all. Give us a listen and be sure to get your tickets now for The Nutcracker - a magical show that brings Christmas dreams to life on stage!

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: TEAM GALAXY & THE DIABOLICAL DAVIT SOUDERS! Davit (yes - DaviT with a T!) is a true Tulsa treasure, and our second returning guest here on the OKPOP Radio Hour! As owner of Diabolical Productions, and through his work at venues like Cain's Ballroom, he's been responsible for some of Tulsa's biggest concerts of the last few decades. Davit is also a massive cheerleader for local music, helping boost Oklahoma artists through his radio and podcast shows Home Groan and Hometown Heroes. Davit's back this week to talk about his ever-evolving all-star holiday band, Team Galaxy, which has become something of a Tulsa tradition. Watch for them December 9th in the annual Tulsa Christmas Parade. Davit will be the one windmilling the microphone around like “The Who's Roger Daltrey!

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: COMEDIAN DUKE DURANT! Duke Durant is a Tulsan, a teacher, a Navy veteran, and a father of five. He's also a hilarious comedian. Duke was kind enough to talk with us recently about his life and work, and no topic was off the table. In this intimate conversation, he tells us about his time in the service, what inspires his comedy, and how a coworker tricked him into getting into standup in the first place. Give us a listen, and be sure to check out Duke live at 8pm on December 22nd at the Tulsa Alumni Bar, 7204 E. Pine Street!

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR PODCAST... A major milestone! Our first returning guest, Chef Nico, is back to RIP THE LID OFF of a pretty amazing story she's been keeping quiet about for some time now: she was Leonardo DiCaprio's personal chef for six months during the filming of Killers of the Flower Moon, right here in Oklahoma! Nico joins us to spill the proverbial beans about her (at the time) TOP SECRET gig, and shares some of Leo's favorite foods. You also HAVE TO hear her story sad and hilarious story about the "GOODBYE PIE" she made for him when the film wrapped. Give us a listen, friends, and be sure to follow Chef Nico and her non-profit, Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness! https://www.burningcedar.org/

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR PODCAST:Eric Himan is a man of many talents. Not only is he a gifted singer/songwriter/performer, he's also responsible for putting on some of Oklahoma's coolest events. We chat with him about how he came to meet and tour with his musical hero, Ani DiFranco. We also talk creativity, and what makes Oklahoma such a special place for artists and fans alike. As always, give us a follow and listen to the OKPOP Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts!

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: THE MOTH & THE ART OF STORYTELLING! If you like a good story, you'll love The Moth. For more than 25 years, The New York City-based non-profit has shone a spotlight on the craft of storytelling through their weekly podcast, publications, and live events. One of those events, The Moth MainStage, is coming to Tulsa's historic Cain's Ballroom on November 8. In this week's episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour podcast, Michelle Jalowski, a director and producer at The Moth, gives us a preview and discusses the important role of storytelling in pop culture. Click and give us a listen! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts!

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: TULSA TERRORS! Our guests Bryan Crain and John Wooley are two excellent storytellers who've teamed up again for a new documentary called TULSA TERRORS! In the mid-1980s, Tulsa was ground zero for the direct-to-home-video movie explosion, and for the next 20 years area filmmakers aimed a variety of horror, fantasy, and science-fiction features right at the heart of that market. Some made it. Some fell short. But all of them were created with an earnestness and passion that belied their budgets. TULSA TERRORS tells the story of those movies, in the words of the moviemakers themselves and others who were on the scene for a revolution that will never be repeated. Don't miss the television premiere of TULSA TERRORS Halloween night, October 31, on RSU-TV KRSU!

This week on the OKPOP Radio Hour - a man putting a new shine on a true Tulsa gem. Our guest John Beasley is leading the charge to restore the city's historic Spotlight Theater. For more than half a century, the Bruce Goff-designed building at 13th and Riverside has been the home of The Drunkard, America's longest-running play. A major effort is now underway to restore the building. We talk with John about that project, the theater's history, and what makes it such an important part of Oklahoma's pop culture landscape. Give us a listen, and click the link below to find out how you can help ensure the Spotlight Theater is around for many more generations to enjoy! https://www.tulsaspotlighttheater.com/

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: TULSA'S OWN GRASS CRACK! This spirited band has delighted audiences near and far with their unorthodox take on bluegrass music. Their new release “The Hits” is the group's first album in more than a decade. In this episode, band members Nate Gray and Dan Riffe join Meg & Garrett to discuss the album, the band's history, Tulsa's ever-evolving music scene, and the city's early-'00s late night comedy show “Beef Baloney”. Be sure to check out Grass Crack's new album “The Hits” - available at the link below! https://grasscrack.bandcamp.com/album/the-hits?fbclid=IwAR3OA0wnP350lkCA1COfThTC6kbpYI_HIWs6Oy0VSSDqyMuTijcCB93aWZg

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: Photographer and filmmaker Patrick McNicholas! Patrick is the talented artist behind “Time Travel Tulsa”, a series of composite images made by combining historical photos of important Tulsa locations with new photos of the same locations as they appear today. His work is featured regularly in Tulsa People Magazine, and his “20 for 21” exhibit on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was displayed in the historic Greenwood District during the 100th anniversary of the massacre. Be sure to check out Patrick's work online at https://tulsapast.com/.

It's almost time again for one of Oklahoma's most beloved events - the 11 days of awesome that make up the TULSA STATE FAIR! This week on The OKPOP Radio Hour, Expo Square/Tulsa State Fair COO Amanda Blair joins us to talk about the history of the fair, what's new this year, and the pop culture traditions that keep more than a million people coming back year after year. The Tulsa State Fair runs September 28 through October 8th. You can get tickets, schedules and much more online at tulsastatefair.com.

Now in a special edition of The OKPOP Radio Hour: celebrating a Hollywood icon - Oklahoma's own James Garner! Ahead of tomorrow's event unveiling of new acquisitions to the OKPOP James Garner Collection, Garner's daughter Gigi joins us to talk about her father's life, career, and what it meant for him to be from Oklahoma.

Danny Boy O'Connor is many things - a proud Tulsa transplant, Executive Director of the Outsiders House Museum, and a former member of the hip-hop group House of Pain, just to name a few. He's also someone who has experienced the horrors of homelessness, and who wants to do whatever he can to help anyone else facing the same struggle. That's why he's teaming up with the Tulsa Day Center for a fundraiser called “The Big Showoff”. Submissions are open now for the statewide talent competition, which offers $10,000 for first place and $5,000 for second place. This week on The OKPOP Radio Hour, we get up close and personal with Danny about his past, and this project that, for him, is truly a labor of love. Tulsa Day Center Development Director Monica Martin joins us as well to talk more about the competition, and her agency's important work here in Tulsa. Give us a listen, and if you'd like to compete, be sure to submit your video to thebigshowoff.com by October 15th!

Our guest this week is the Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, historian, and native Tulsan, the great Carmen Fields. Carmen's new book, Going Back to T-Town, tells the story of her father Ernie Fields, a talented musician and businessman who navigated the hurdles of racial segregation during the Jim Crow era. It's an incredible story of success, disappointment and perseverance, and it's one not enough people have heard. We hope you enjoy our conversation with Carmen, and we hope you'll go see to your local bookstore to pick up a copy of her wonderful book.

Today we sat down with Tulsa comedian Mac Taylor as she dishes on all things comedy! Performing standup at the Blue Whale Comedy Festival and her self-titled comedy reviews, Taylor always has a spot-on interpretation of Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium, in her back pocket. We chatted about our shared love of Robin Williams and Mrs. Doubtfire and tour life with country star brother Zach Bryan. Find out what's coming up next for Taylor on the Oklahoma comedy scene!

This week on the OKPOP Radio Hour: Videographer and drone operator Todd Ruffin! As a former Tulsa TV news photojournalist, Todd had a front row seat to the best and worst that humanity has to offer. He witnessed history and documented the lives and stories of countless Oklahomans. These days, as the owner of his own drone photography business, Midwest Drone Productions, Todd has worked on several big productions, including the award-winning film, “Minari,” and the television hit, “Reservation Dogs.” He's also one of the nicest folks you'll meet. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as we enjoyed recording it.

GIDDY UP, FRIENDS! Today on a very special episode of The OKPOP Radio Hour: Ponyboy Curtis himself, actor and musician C. Thomas Howell! Tommy, as he likes to be called, is in Tulsa this weekend for a show Saturday at Venue Shrine (https://www.facebook.com/tulsashrine) with his band, The Pony Express. He'll also be at the Outsiders House Museum (https://www.facebook.com/theoutsidershousemuseum) Sunday from 11am - 1pm. Tommy was kind enough to talk with us yesterday about a number of topics, including: = Smoking cigarettes at 13 to land his first movie role working for Steven Spielberg in the 1982 classic E.T. = The clever psychological tactics he says Francis Ford Coppola employed to create real tension between the Greasers and Socs during the filming of The Outsiders = How he wound up getting punched FOR REAL during the film's "rumble" scene = His relationships with other members of The Outsiders cast, and with author S.E. Hinton = What drove him to pick up a guitar and write his first song - just THREE YEARS AGO! Give us a listen and STAY GOLD friends!

For this episode, we sweet talked the great Brad B-Rad Harris, Production Manager at Tulsa's historic Cain's Ballroom, into joining us. If you've been to a show or event at Cain's in the past 20 years or so, chances are Brad played a key role in making it happen. He's a true professional, and his love and respect for Cain's, the musicians who play there, and the fans who pack the place night after night are evident in his work. So tune in and enjoy this episode wherever you get your pods

An interesting (and also fun!) discussion with Erin Turner and Apvlvnev Piña about the effort to restore and contextualize the Route 66 landmark that is Ed Galloway's totem pole park near Foyil, OK. They will be hosting a discussion on Native representation and photography, monumentality as community and place, and cultural appropriation and tourism this week.

Today is the 46th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. It's really not possible to overstate Elvis' influence on popular culture. Decades after his death, he is still the best-selling solo artist of all time, and his influence goes way beyond music. Elvis left his mark on film, fashion and the very idea of celebrity. Elvis had many connections to Oklahoma, and we're pleased to share some of those with you in this very special episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour.

It's Wednesday and that means HOT NEW POD DROP!! We gotta say, this interview truly is one of the best we've ever done. We had the amazing opportunity to chat with our friend and Sand Springs ‘Sandite,' Sam Harris, to discuss his life and times and it's such an honest, raw, and inspiring conversation. We had some big laughs too! Sam is a pop-culture icon with his historic and legendary first WIN on the 80's TV talent show juggernaut “Star Search.” It was “American Idol” before there was “American Idol,” for you youngsters. Sam went on to be a star on the “Great White Way” (Broadway, babies), television, and film. He's also a fantastic writer and had big success with his book “HAM.” We adore this man and know you will, too, so take a listen to the OKPOP Radio Hour's latest pod with the man, the myth, the legend—Sam Harris.

Our guest this week is the very talented musician and author Barron Ryan. He's written a beautiful illustrates storybook for adults based on a touching true story of love, loss, and the power of music to connect us with those we cherish - even after they're gone. The book is called Honey, If It Wasn't for You, and, without giving too much away, the story goes something like this: Don Feagin wrote the words and Barron Ryan wrote the music. But this wasn't your average partnership. That's because Don died in 1981 - six years before Barron was born. As a young songwriter and composer, Feagin wrote music that would be heard around the world, but his favorite person to write for was his wife, Linda. The two were building a beautiful life together, but Don was living on borrowed time. They both knew that his disease, cystic fibrosis, would take him from this world far too soon. When Don died, Linda thought she had heard all the songs he would ever write… until a chance encounter paved a path to bring his lyrics and legacy back to life. It really is a remarkable story and a lovely book. Honey, If It Wasn't for You is available now on Barron's website: https://www.barronryan.com/get-the-book Barron made a music video to go along with the book, which you can watch here: https://fb.watch/madMswrcWN/ And be sure to check out Barron's book release event Sunday, August 20 at the TU Lorton Performance Center. https://www.facebook.com/events/258036206973452/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%5D%7D

It's an OKPOPcast Double Feature! First, we have the latest installment from Joey Duffy's “Sound of Oklahoma” where he speaks with local lovebird+songbirds Desi & Cody. Then, we speak to Mike Ayling who has an interesting connection to The Master of Space and Time, Mr. Leon Russell. He shares some stories with us you won't wanna miss!

HOT POD ALERT - and we aren't just talking' about the weather, folks! July is TULSA MUSIC MONTH, and we have as our special guest Natalie Bowling from the Tulsa Film, Music, Arts and Culture Office - or "FMAC" if you're cool. Natalie chats with us about how important the music biz is here in Tulsa ($335 million impact! 4000 jobs! Fastest growing industry in Tulsa!), and how you can celebrate Tulsa Music Month to support our friendly local musicians.

Here it is, folks! This is the big one - our 50TH EPISODE of the OKPOP Radio Hour podcast! We're celebrating by looking back at some of our favorite moments from our little show. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: +Tulsa radio icon BRENT DOUGLAS resurrecting his Roy D. Mercer character to prank one of OKPOP's dear friends, +Little Wing Productions/Former Cain's Ballroom owner Larry Shaeffer! +Actor Tim Blake Nelson sharing what he thinks makes his hometown of Tulsa so special +Reservation Dogs Sterlin Harjo on the real reason he created his groundbreaking show +And MUCH MORE! Big thanks to all our guests and listeners, and we hope you'll join us over in our OKPOP Radio Hour Facebook group!

They just don't make ‘em like Annie Ellicott anymore. This talented Tulsan is an all around ENTERTAINER who's made a name for herself as a jazz singer, songwriter, performer and voice actor. In this week's episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour, Annie gives us a preview of her upcoming album "Happy Talk", and tells us how she went from playing Tulsa clubs with her dad to sharing the stage at Glastonbury with Jeff Goldblum! Give us a listen, and don't miss Annie Ellicott & The Lucky 7 live at Summer's Fifth Night - July 13th at Utica Square!

THE ELECTRICITY IS BACK, AND SO ARE WE! Bouncing back from Tulsa's big storm, your friends at the OKPOP Radio Hour return this week with a new episode... and a special guest - our very own Cinematographer Tyler Mann! This episode we are featuring our second "Sound of Oklahoma" segment, lovingly crafted by OKPOP's Joey Duffy. This week, Joey talks to Tulsa hip-hop artist Steph Simon, Executive Producer of Fire in Little Africa, a multimedia project commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. He also speaks about his Tulsa roots and the love he has for this community, and how the creative spark he had as a kid has transformed into the multifaceted, talented artist he is today. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and if you haven't already, be sure to join our OKPOP Radio Hour Facebook group. It's a place to share your love of pop culture, and the creative spirit that makes Oklahoma great.

Thursday, June 22 - Sunday, June 25 is the official ‘918 Tulsa Sound Weekend' at the Tulsa Driller's stadium! Meg, Garrett, and Jarrod sit down with Driller's Justin Gorski to chat about baseball, the contributors to the Tulsa Sound era, and so much more. Check it out!

⚡️BIG SHOW ALERT⚡️ This week's OKPOP radio features a remarkable Tulsan, Mr. Neil Wade, who's an animator and executive at Nickelodeon Animation and is responsible for some of the world's most beloved ‘toons. Neil gave incredible insight into what he does behind the scenes as the “content czar” managing series for Nickelodeon, but importantly he talks about how he got there. From Booker T., to architecture, to dropping it all and moving to Japan, he gives incredible insight for those who want a career in the arts. We had a great time and know you're gonna love it, so “toon” in and subscribe today!

In the words of the one they call LIZZO, it's about

Trey Callaway--film and TV writer and producer--calls in to talk about how he got his start in the film industry, what it's like being a TV showrunner, what it was like working with fellow Okie Ron Howard, and to give his insight on the current writer's strike. Trey's worked with some people you might know--Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Tim Burton. Yeah we haven't heard of them either

How big a boy are ya? On the latest episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour, we're gonna find out! Brent Douglas, along with Phil Stone, hosted the Phil & Brent Show on KMOD where they'd have fun and spin tunes on the airwaves, but Brent caused a ruckus on the phone lines with his alter ego, Roy D. Mercer. What started as a fun way to fill the time between songs on the radio soon turned into a gold record. Brent talks about the inspiration behind Mr. Mercer, how the phenomenon of the 'country boy ass whoopin' got its start. We know you're gonna love it!

We get down and downright jazzy on the latest OKPOP Radio Hour episode featuring incendiary guitarist and composer, Chris Combs. We talk about COMBSY, a Tulsa band stacked with musical virtuosos who churn out lush, velvety, psychedelic soundscapes steeped in jazz, with wafts of pop, funk, blues, and rock. Chris gives us some insight into their newest album, his first guitar, and he is very kind as we attempt to wax philosophical about jazz. You won't get this content anywhere else but right here, The OKPOP Radio Hour, comin' at y'all hot every Wednesday wherever you get your pods. . . . #OKPOP #OKPOPRadioHour #ChrisCombs #COMBSY #OklahomaMusician #OklahomaGuitar #OklahomaJazz https://open.spotify.com/episode/0Edp74j4tM3XP0dkN9ifJt?si=4xEoSIoYTEy1cuFf3DWStQ

Derek Combs and Evan Hughes, a couple of true Tulsa Kings, join the OKPOP Radio Hour to talk about The Blue Whale Comedy Festival. It's gonna be bigger and better and funnier than ever in 2023! We also dig into Evan's origin story to figure out why he's such a sweetie pie

It's a totally tubular edition of the OKPOP Radio Hour! Two of Tulsa's most beloved party people, Lynn and Robbo, join the 'cast to talk about 80s Prom! Celebrating 20(ish) years, it's a celebration of all the movies, music and fashion from the raddest era for pop culture. In addition to putting together this fab sellout event Lynn and Robbo also own The Starlite cocktail bar on Route 66 where they are always having themed parties, karaoke nights, and, of course, so much dancing! Find info about the event in the comments, and check out this week's pod with the link below or wherever you get your 'casts.

What's the tea on this pipin' hot new episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour?

On this week's can't-miss episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour, we talk to Trait Thompson, the executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. OKPOP is actually a project of the Oklahoma Historical Society, and Trait has been instrumental in turning this idea into reality. Today, Trait talks about why he's excited about the OKPOP Museum and its mission; but he also takes us back in his own ‘history' to talk about how he found his way to the historical society. We dive deep into his favorite Saturday Night Live casts, and he even shares the romantic story about the night he proposed to his wife at Cain's Ballroom. (Awww!) It was such a blast talking to our bossman, and we think you'll get a kick out of it, too! Give it a listen with the link below or find it wherever you get your pods

Superman, Supergirl, The Flash, The Green Lantern—maybe you've heard of ‘em? Tulsa born and raised Sterling Gates has written for some of the most iconic superhero properties in the multiverse. His captivating storylines in comic books, graphic novels, animated series and televisions shows have captured the imaginations of fans everywhere. If you're a fan of superheroes and epic storytelling, you won't want to miss this episode OKPOP Radio Hour with Sterling Gates as our very special guest. He chats about growing up in his dad's bookstore in Tulsa, jamming with his metal band, and his new short film. Give it a listen with the link below or find it (and subscribe!) wherever you get your pods.