Rich with Talent

Thanks to the advance of technology and explosion of the different social media platforms, artists now have different ways at their disposal to get their music heard and to build their fan bases. 

These very circumstances were how I first heard the name Tyler Rich a little over three years ago. When the California native signed to Big Machine Music and The Valory Music Co. for both a publishing AND recording deals at the end of 2017, I’ll admit to being very excited for him. I’ve lost track of the amount of times I’ve listened to all his released music including his self-titled EP that came out in September 2018 and the success that the incredible love song "The Difference" found on country radio made my face hurt from smiling so much. When my go to country station, 98.5 KVOO, plays his current single "Leave Her Wild" I can’t resist the urge to turn it up and sing along. 

Tyler Rich and Ben Jindra

I am telling you all this in hopes to effectively illustrate exactly how excited I was when KVOO announced Tyler Rich as the next artist in their acoustic Ladies Lock In concert series. A concert series that I’ve told you about in prior pieces. A series that brings newer country artists to the 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar at the River Spirit casino for an acoustic set and meet and greet for the female listeners of the radio station. Something I hope they don’t stop doing any time soon.

Rich was originally scheduled to perform back in May; however, the show was put on hold due to the unprecedented flooding of the Arkansas river. I for one was holding my breath hoping for a reschedule. A reschedule that was able to take place this past Tuesday, Aug. 20^th. It was the first time Rich had ever played in Oklahoma and I already can’t wait for him to return.

Tyler Rich

Despite not having a friend to go with me, I ended up making two new ones who also came solo to the show. As we were getting to know each other before Rich took the stage, Amber, half of KVOO’s morning show came up to our table to see how we were and get to know us. I found this particularly noteworthy because she went up to EVERY table. She did not pick and chose which listeners to connect with, but went out of her way to connect with each one of them. It wasn’t necessarily something that is common practice. So, it definitely had this long-time listener smiling before Tyler Rich even took the stage with his bass player Ben Jindra. A smile that never faded the entire night.

Bassist Ben Jindra

When Rich took the stage, he admitted the set list for the night wasn’t planned out. So, we were treated to various songs that just felt right in the moment including such songs as “Turn It Up,” “Made for a Small Town,” and “Feels Like Home” as well as “Adrenaline,” “11:11,” “Billie Jean,” and “The Difference” from his self-titled EP. When Rich started singing his current radio single “Leave her Wild” several jumped up and started dancing along to every note. It was definitely a cool moment to be hold.

Rich’s seemingly natural ability to tell stories, impressive gift of improvising, and the camaraderie with his equally talented bass player elevated the entire night to one not soon forgotten. After just a glimpse of the skill and talent Rich (and his bassist) bring to a live show, I am already hoping a venue here in Tulsa steps up to book a show with the full band. As it is sure to be incredibly Rich with Talent.

Breaking the Mold

Sometimes change is not swift, but rather slow and steady. If you are a fan of country music you understand female voices can seem a little rare on the radio. There are talented female artists out there though and slowly they are making their way to the air waves. One such example, climbing the charts and digging their way into the hearts of millions is all female trio Runaway June. While you count the years it has been since an all female trio has been on the country music charts, let me tell you what one local country radio station did this last week.

Runaway June Album Cover

That station is 98.5 KVOO in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and they have an on-going concert series titled Ladies Lock-In. Now I have written a few pieces about prior shows and how they are acoustic sets just for their female listeners. The artists/bands for those prior shows have been incredible in their own ways. All bringing different things to the table and also all have been male. That is until the show on July 10th, 2019. On that date, KVOO dispensed with their normal Ladies Lock-In concert mold, just like country stations in general are doing slowly and they brought Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland, and Jennifer Wayne, the trio Runaway June, to the 5 O’clock Somewhere Bar inside the freshly reopened, post-flood River Spirit Casino for one of the funnest, most relaxing, music centered, inspiring acoustic shows I have been to in a long time.

The crowd was not only treated to early singles such as "Lipstick" and "Wild West," a song the trio told the crowd would always hold a special place in their hearts, but also several songs from their recently released, incredible debut album Blue Roses like "Head Over Heels," "Fast As You," "I Am Too," "I know The Way," and their current chart climbing hit "Buy My Own Drink." 

Runaway June Performing

The fun did not stop with the crowd singing and literally dancing along to Runaway June's original songs though. The trio also treated everyone to several covers that included Sara Evans' "Suds in the Bucket," Keith Urban's "Someone Like You," and Dixie Chicks' "Let 'er Rip." 

At one point in the show, I had to slip away to grab a drink (due to a LOT of singing) and, I noticed people gathered outside the bar and one of them stopped me to ask, "Who are those ladies? Because they are fantasic." Smiling, I responded, "That's Runaway June and I couldn't agree more." I look forward to what lies ahead for these three. Because it is sure to be incredible and I can't wait to see where KVOO goes from here with this concert series. Since Runaway June so throughly broke the mold!

Runaway June Meet and Greet Photo

2017 Musical Recap

It was a bit hard for this music blogger to get to as many shows as she would have liked thanks to an unavoidable hip surgery, but it was still a great year music wise.

Concert Summary
January - Chris Young
February - Drew Baldridge, Dylan Scott, Jerrod Niemann
March - William Michael Morgan
May - Jesse Joice, Casey James. Cannan Smith
June - Jon Wolfe, Sunny Sweeny, Tyler Farr
July - Kane Brown
September - William Michael Morgan
October - LANco
November - Midland

Favorite Full Band Show
- William Michael Morgan at the OKC State Fair
Favorite Acoustic Show
- LANco
Best Community Give Back Show
- KVOO Can Jam

Best Musical Moment
- William Michael Morgan dedicating Vinyl, my favorite song of his, to me the night before my hip surgery and wishing me good luck.
Best Musical Souvenir 
- My KVOO t-shirt
Best Meet and Greet
- Catching up with Stephen Whitfield the guitarist from Cannan Smith's band at my sixth Cannan show

Most Anticipated Performance
- Hearing my first steel guitar live (William Michael Morgan's band)
Most Anticipated Concert
- William Michael Morgan (Full Band)
Most Noteworthy Concert Moment
- Kane Brown, all I can say is the explosion from YouTube viral videos to a record deal is total warranted
Most Anticipated Album of the Year
- 27861 by Parmalee

Social Media Discovery of the Year
- Carter Winter
Breakout Artist of the Year
- Brett Young

Noteworthy Song of the Year
- Road Less Traveled by Lauren Alaina
Noteworthy Album of the Year
- Brett Young's Debut Album
Noteworthy "Life Lesson" Song of the Year 
- Drunk Girl by Chris Jansen

KVOO's All Access: Story Tellers featuring LANco

Tulsa's country radio station has a long history of not just giving back to the community but their listeners as well. October brought the birth of the All Access: Story Tellers concert series and it kicked off at The 5 o'Clock Somewhere bar inside The Riverspirit Casino with up and coming hit sensation LANco. You may recognize them from their Top 10 Hit "Greatest Love Story." A song that also broke onto the Billboard Hot 100 list. The show was free to any listener who wanted to come. KVOO also ran contests on their social media pages prior to the event for a chance to meet the band as well. A contest this music lover was fortunate enough to win.

Going into the show, I was only familiar with their singles "Long Live Tonight" and "Greatest Love Story." It was also my first time seeing them live. Most wouldn't think that combination makes good ingredients for a very fun night, but it's honestly one of my favorite 'night of live music' recipes. LANco proved exactly why too! The five-man band consists of frontman Brandon Lancaster, guitarist Eric Steedly, bassist Chandler Baldwin, Utility Player Jared Hampton, and drummer Tripp Howell and they kicked off the show with perhaps my favorite song from their self-titled EP, called "Trouble Maker." Their hour-long set continued on with other songs from their EP like "We Do," their singles, and some new tracks from their pending album including "Win Her Over." This highly energetic band seemed to entrance the hypnotized crowd, even more, when they broke into classic covers like "Dixieland Delight" by Alabama and "Better Man" by Brooks & Dunn. They had the audience singing along to every word all night and the dance floor completely occupied the entire time too. 

It wasn't just the music that was memorable about KVOO's first All Access: Story Tellers concert though. It was the atmosphere that the band created. Frontman Brandon Lancaster was utterly charismatic and hilarious between songs. Never once standing still and at times even holding the mic stand out for the audience as he got swept up in the crowd singing back to him. His bandmates matched his energy level, talent, and excitement movement for movement. It will definitely go down as one the best all-around shows this music nerd and concert junkie has ever been too. I can't wait to hear more from this band. Because something tells me this is just a glimpse of what they are capable of.

I highly look forward to the next installment in the All Access: Story Tellers series from KVOO

Ladies Invade The River Spirit

Image From KVOO website

Tulsa country music station KVOO has been pulling in some stellar acts for their acoustic ladies only shows at the 5 O'clock Somewhere bar inside the River Spirit Casino and Resort. All of them have produced happy enthusiastic fans, but nothing like on July 12th when Kane Brown took that stage. The crowd even spilled out into the casino with ladies stopping by the half-wall around the bar to enjoy the music.

Kane Brown built his fan base in a true grass roots fashion by posting covers on YouTube and Facebook before RCA/Sony added him to their roster. I was intrigued for this Ladies Lock-In because I was curious about what caused the obvious shine of this artist's rising star.

Brown played an hour set full of original hits and covers. From his self-titled debut album the crowd got treated to "Pull It Off," "Better Place," "Rockstars," "the emotionally charged "Granddaddy's Chair"Thunder in the Rain," and his current hit single "What Ifs." From his EP Chapter One, we also got "Used to Love You Sober" and "Wide Open." While he impressed with all his original songs, he  also showed just why he caught everyone's attention when he seamlessly covered varying ends of the country genre singing songs like Sam Hunt's current summer hit "Body Like A Backroad" to Randy Travis' "Three Wooden Crosses." 

The verdict from this music blogger is Kane Brown is extremely deserving of all the hype. Never judge a book by its' cover because you could be missing out on something wonderful. This young man has a voice beautifully suited for country music and I'm excited to see how he develops and grows as an artist.