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