Week-long grand reopening of Church Studio in Tulsa begins today

The week-long grand opening of the historic and renovated Church Studio in Tulsa begins today, which is exactly 50 years after music legend Leon Russell bought the property. Tours of Church Studio are available from March 1 to March 5 for a $5 donation, with tours costing $25 after that. The studio sits at 304 … Continue reading Week-long grand reopening of Church Studio in Tulsa begins today

Next phase of Oklahoma Music Trail to launch at Route 66 Heritage Festival

The next phase of the Oklahoma Music Trail will be launched this weekend at the inaugural Route 66 Heritage Festival in downtown Miami, Oklahoma. The trail currently is a well-developed website shepherded by Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, who also is Oklahoma's tourism chief and a big Route 66 advocate. The Joplin Globe had details on … Continue reading Next phase of Oklahoma Music Trail to launch at Route 66 Heritage Festival

Leon Russell’s Church Studio in Tulsa will reopen late this year

The Church Studio in Tulsa, once owned by late Oklahoma music legend Leon Russell, will reopen in late 2020 as a studio and museum, according to recent article in the Tulsa World. Teresa Knox, the owner of the facility, has been collecting Russell memorabilia and renovating the former church for months. The newspaper reported: Russell-related … Continue reading Leon Russell’s Church Studio in Tulsa will reopen late this year

Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90

Hal Blaine, a member of the Los Angeles-based Wrecking Crew of studio musicians who played drums on thousands of songs during the 1960s and '70s, died Monday. He was 90. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member played on albums by Frank Sinatra, Simon & Garfunkel, Neil Diamond, Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, the … Continue reading Hal Blaine, drummer on dozens of hit records, dies at 90

Leon Russell’s Church Studio named to National Register

Church Studio in Tulsa, once owned by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Leon Russell, recently earned a designation to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective Sept. 8, according to an email Friday from the National Park Service. It had been widely expected after its National Register submission to Washington … Continue reading Leon Russell’s Church Studio named to National Register

Memories of Leon Russell

A lot of Tulsa residents are glum today. That's because songwriter and session musician Leon Russell died in his sleep at age 74, it was announced Sunday. Russell was Tulsa's favorite musical son. He certainly became the city's most prominent musician during the rock era. The only Tulsa music artist who rivaled him was western-swing … Continue reading Memories of Leon Russell