Oklahoma Historical Society
April 2, 2013

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Bob Wills @ the OKPOP
Wednesday, April 10, 7:30 PM (Doors open at 6:30PM) 
Oklahoma History Center
Oklahoma City, OK 
 
Oklahomans will be some of the first fans to experience, through new technology and contemporary artistry, the music of legendary Oklahoman Bob Wills during a live event at the Oklahoma History Center.

 

The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture (OKPOP) in conjunction with the Oklahoma Historical Society will host "Bob Wills @ the OKPOP" at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 10 at the Oklahoma History Center. The event is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Please RSVP to 405.522.5202 or [email protected]

 

The event will feature Wills' daughter, Carolyn Wills, talking about his career followed by a concert featuring his songs by Oklahoma artists The Red Dirt Rangers and Byron Berline. OKPOP experts will also show visitors how Wills original recordings are being digitized and re-mastered so they can be enjoyed at the museum through modern technology.

 

In 2011, the Bob Wills family donated an extensive collection of his work to the Oklahoma Historical Society. The collection includes 130 WWII-era rare radio recordings made on glass discs, more than 350 photographs, 35 reels of live performances, hundreds of letters, and promotional pieces along with other memorabilia including fiddles, clothing, awards, and personal items. These recordings have now been restored and digitized thanks to a grant from the Grammy Foundation and will be on display at the OKPOP when the museum is constructed.

 

"Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys had a repertoire of some 3,000 songs in more than 50 years in the music industry, including classics such as "Take Me Back to Tulsa," "Faded Love," and "San Antonio Rose," said Dr. Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society. "In 1935, KVOO and Tulsa became the voice of Western Swing, and the band made Cain's Ballroom headquarters for their daily radio show. Wills became known then as the "King of Western Swing". We are dedicated to preserving and sharing this legacy."

 

Contemporary musicians consider Bob Wills' music highly influential to the music they are creating today. Oklahoma's Red Dirt Rangers and fiddle master Byron Berline use Wills' music today in their shows and feel strongly that Wills has played a huge role in forming American music.

 

"Bob Wills is the quintessential American success story," said Brad Piccolo, lead singer for the Red Dirt Rangers. "He was born a sharecropper and went on to have the most popular band in the country. His influences are so great, that without him American music would not be the same. He cheered us up during the Great Depression and gave us an unmistakable beat to dance our worries away. Bob's stage presence, his sense of humor and impeccable rhythmic styles has caused many musicians to follow in his footsteps. He is to music what Henry Ford is to the automobile- you couldn't imagine one without the other. Bob Wills is still the king."

 

The OKPOP museum will be a 75,000-square-foot, four-story building dedicated to the creative spirit of Oklahoma's people and the influence of Oklahoma artists on popular culture around the world. The underlying theme of this innovative and interactive museum will be "Crossroads of Creativity," whether it is in the field of music, film, television, theatre, pop art, comic books, literature or humor.

 

With approval of the bond issue, the OKPOP Museum could open as early as 2017.

 

OHC Research Center Book Sale
Saturday, April 6, 2013, 10AM
Oklahoma History Center
Oklahoma City, OK
        

Join us Saturday, April 6, for the OHS Research Center Book Sale. This is your chance to shop genealogy books & periodicals, including out of print and hard to find items. Visitors can also browse many historical map and photograph reproductions. Don't miss it!

 

For questions please call 405.522.5225.

Rural Heritage Festival
Saturday, April 27, 2013, 10:00 AM
Cherokee Strip Museum
Perry, OK

Cherokee Strip Banner  
The Rural Heritage Festival provides an educational, and fun experience to the public that will increase awareness of the rural heritage of Oklahoma. Conducted throughout the day will be living history interpretations and various demonstrations to help visitors understand traditional skills and lifestyles associated with agriculture and rural communities. Antique tractors will be on display this year, along with blacksmiths, rope making, spinning, chuck wagon cooking, and a settlers' camp. Rose Hill School will be in session and students will wrap the MayPole.

The events held in Perry April 27th are designed for families and for people of all ages. We are celebrating our community heritage and welcome everyone to join us for the day full of fun, relaxation, and friendship.

CO-SPONSORS for the Rural Heritage Festival at the museum are the Oklahoma Historical Society and the Cherokee Strip Historical Society. The Museum's Rural Heritage Festival is held in conjunction with Perry's Spring Festival, sponsored by the Perry Chamber of Commerce. Spring Festival events will be held on the courthouse square.  For more information about the event please call 580-336-2405.

Oklahoma History Center

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Development Department

Oklahoma Historical Society

800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive

Oklahoma City, OK  73105

OHS EVENTS
  
4/20, "Songs of the American West Frontier and Settlement: Music of the Pioneers, Soldiers, Railroaders, Miners, Cowboys, Ranchers, and Homesteaders" talk by Dr. Sarah Chan, 10am, (580)463-2441 
  
From the Encyclopedia...

 

Learn about what the Chisholm Trail and a post office have in common in this entry.
Oklahoma
 Historical Society 
800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr.
Oklahoma City, OK 
 73105
  

 Nicole Harvey, Editor

[email protected]
(405)522-5202