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

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.

Acoustic Heaven

In my little corner of this vast universe, few do country right better than radio station KVOO. In addition to playing the music listeners actually, want to hear, they do countless wonderful things for their listeners including some pretty amazing acoustic shows. Tonight there was one such show at the 5 O'Clock Somewhere Bar in Tulsa's River Spirit Casino Resort. It was another in their acoustic Ladies Lock-In concerts and the featured artist this time was Canaan Smith. I was intrigued to see if Smith would be playing any new music given the recent release of his new single "Like You That Way." 

It was an impressive set list full of new material like "Love & Learn" and "Chaos" as well as established hits like the number one song "Love You Like That" and my favorite "Mad Love." I have yet to walk away from a Canaan Smith show disappointed, and this performance was no exception. He engaged the crowd beautifully, never stopped smiling, and my head is still happily spinning from all the new songs. Having been to multiple shows, it was impressive to see how his sound has grown and evolved.

Photo Credit: Bridget Little

I'll just say one thing: Smith is still a fantastic songwriter, and whenever the date arrives I will happily be purchasing the follow-up to his terrific album Bronco. When the show was over Smith and even his guitarist Stephen Whitfield, took photos with every fan that asked. After tonight, I look forward to the next KVOO treat and when Canaan Smith returns to Tulsa.

MEET AND GREET

Canaan Smith 5/31/2017

Stephen Whitfield 5/31/2017

KVOO Valentine’s Hangover

The Tulsa radio station, 98.5 KVOO has been delivering a variety of country music for over 20+ years. In addition to talented radio personalities and phenomenal music, KVOO frequently runs contests to give back to their listeners and their Ladies Lock-In shows are one such event. It is a relatively new platform for this radio station and has already netted such acts as Parmalee, Granger Smith, and Chase Bryant. It’s a ladies only show with the single way in being to win your invites. The invite includes a +1 so you can bring a girlfriend AND the opportunity to meet the featured act. February being the month of love, KVOO put together an extra large Ladies Lock-In for the day after Valentine’s Day. This was the biggest Ladies Lock-In to date with an opening act named Brent Giddens as well as the featured artists Drew Baldridge, Dylan Scott, and Jerrod Niemann. 

If you asked the attending ladies whom they were there to see, the answers would have been widely varied. I had actually seen everyone live before. So I knew it would be a fun night. When the event opened at 7, every lady who wanted one was treated to a beautiful red rose. That we were later informed was not provided by the radio station KVOO, but rather Drew Baldridge himself. Local act Brent Giddens did a wonderful job warming up the crowd before Baldridge took the stage. I found out afterward that Giddens has an excellent EP out titled Tangled. Baldridge treated us to several songs from his debut album Dirt On Us including his current single “Rebound,” the adorable melody “Burnt Toast,” and up-tempo hit “Dance With Ya.” Drew Baldridge proved KVOO’s Valentine’s Hangover was not going to be just an “Everyday Night.” 

Dylan Scott was out next and he demonstrated one of my favorite parts of acoustic shows: the stories artists share before some of their songs. We learned two things that night. Scott’s songwriting inspiration is his wife and he loves her very much. He played us several songs from his self-titled album including newest single “My Girl,” “Ball Cap,” and “Crazy Over Me.” We also got to hear “Sleeping Beauty.” A song Scott just released an acoustic video for on Valentines Day. I think “Sleeping Beauty” left the biggest impression on me. Because the only other time I’ve heard the artist’s love for the person behind a song shine through so strongly was when I heard Chris Janson perform “Holdin’ Her” live.

Described by the amazing hosts of the evening as the best hugger in country music, the self-proclaimed half Okie, Jerrod Niemann was the final artist of the night. He opened with one of his songwriting credits that Blake Shelton cut called “You’ll Always Be Beautiful.”  Then he sang us several more songs including “Only God Could Love You More,” “Lover, Lover,” “God Made a Women,” and “Blue Bandana.” Not to mention his newest single, a duet with Lee Brice, titled "A Little More Love." The smooth, soulful style of Jerrod Niemann, the heartfelt ballads of Dylan Scott and the upbeat, movement inspiring style of Drew Baldridge blended perfectly for the perfect night of live music. All three gentlemen were extremely kind while taking pictures and signing autographs for everyone after the show.

With a pending hip surgery, this music lover doesn't think she could have asked for a better last concert before embarking on the pending road of rehabilitation. Check out all the links below to keep up with this amazing radio station and all the talented artists.

KVOO Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Brent Giddens Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify 

Drew Baldridge Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Snapchat: dbaldridge00  | Spotify | YouTube

Dylan Scott Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube

Jerrod Niemann Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube