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Don’t Stop Believin’ in Rock in America

A Tulsa Today Special Review

Monsters of 80’s rock rolled into the BOK Center Wednesday night to a crowd that ranged from 6 – 60 years old.

Journey and Night Ranger, two heavy weight acts known for hard rocking anthems as well as amazing power ballads set the stage on fire with blistering sets that had eyes widened and jaws dropped.

Night Ranger opened up the night with a hard-edged offering that could only be described as amazing.

From the opening song “This Boy Needs to Rock,” it was clear that this veteran band has not lost a step in its 25 plus years.
They put together a superb live show that included all the Night Ranger hits and a few cool cover tunes thrown in for good measure.

During the break of “This Boy” they launched into the Deep Purple hit “Highway Star” which erupted fans.

Lead Singer/Bassist Jack Blades was as rowdy as ever and roamed the stage with swagger and attitude, taking the time to speak to the crowd and to have fun with his band mates.

Lead Guitarist Brad Gillis tore up the stage with amazing licks and solos that seemed to come out of nowhere.

Drummer/Singer Kelley Keagey shined on his signature songs “Sister Christian” and “Sentimental Street,”  taking time away from the drum kit to walk around and interact with the audience.

These are guys that love what they do and have a great time doing it.

Blades spoke to the less than capacity crowd saying, “Our friends at KMOD asked if we were going to do any Damn Yankees songs tonight.

So, for them, here is a Damn Yankees song!”

This led into “Coming of Age” a huge hit in the early 90’s off the self-titled album featuring guitar legend Ted Nugent.

Blades also added, “Ted told me to say “Hi” to all the hunters here in Oklahoma!”

Another stand out of NR was after the song “Secret of My Success.”

The band stated that “every band worth its salt has a “Na, Na” song–which led into several songs that included the “Na, Na’s”  including a Bryan Adams staple and what Blades mentioned was one of the best, “Hey Jude.”

Finishing their set with “(You Can Still) Rock in America,” Blades again had the audience in a frenzy with his movements and shouts of, “Let the world know that we still rock in America!”

After a short intermission, the lights went out and silhouettes came onto the stage showing that Journey had indeed arrived and were ready to take their place and keep the party going.

Neal Schon started into a solo that seemed a little odd to start the show with but was met with great reaction.

That gave way to the now infamous synth riff of “Separate Ways (World’s Apart)”  emerging from behind Jonathan Cain’s keyboard/piano set up as he strutted out with new Lead Singer Arnel Pineda, with Cain stating, “The thrilla’ from Manila!”

From the first note, he sounded very similar to former singer Steve Perry.

This kid has some serious energy and put everything he had into this show.

Like a pinball, he shot all over the stage, leaping and crouching and playing to the crowd like he had been doing it for many, many years.

This reviewer has seen the classic Journey line up before, once in 1982 and again in 1987.

Honestly, at times, this current lineup had me asking, “Steve who?”

All of the Journey hits that have now become classics where done with a new passion and energy thanks to Pineda.

Along with the old stuff, they also did new tunes from the multi-platinum selling disc “Revelation” that had a classic feel with a new edge to them.

Quintessential favorites “Open Arms” and “Faithfully” had those in attendance on their feet singing along.

It was very cool to hear the voices even over the music at times.

The band was recently honored for having the “Most Downloaded Song,” which is their infamous tune, Don’t Stop Believin’"

Congrats boys, well deserved and hard earned!

Without a doubt, this is a band that is still in its prime.

They put on a heavy show that takes you on roller coaster ride from hard driving rock to the now legendary power ballad made famous by bands like Journey, REO Speedwagon and Styx.

As I was heading out of the arena, I overheard one show-goer say, “This was the show that Aerosmith should have done.”

True, it was a great concert that pulled no punches and never went over the top trying to reach for past greatness.

These two bands are very comfortable in their skin.

After several years and albums, this show proves why they are still forces in the music industry.

About the writer:
Ernie Osborn is a California transplant that has been around the music business much of his life. He has been in bands and currently plays guitar/sings when called upon to do so.

 

Cherokee National Holiday plans array of music

Friday, 07 August 2009
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.–Music lovers will have a variety of offerings this year during the 57th Cherokee National Holiday.

The award-winning Cherokee National Youth Choir will perform in concert at the Crescent Valley Baptist Church at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3.  The church is located off Highway 62 south, at 25641 S. Crescent Valley Rd.

"I would like to invite everyone to the Cherokee National Youth Choir’s Holiday concert; we will be singing songs from our newest CD, ‘Learning as We Sing,’ which should be released in early September, hopefully in time for the Cherokee Holiday," said Mary Kay Henderson, director of the Cherokee National Youth Choir.

"We will also include old favorites such as ‘Orphan Child’ and ‘One Drop of Blood.’

The Holiday will also offer several chances to hear some great gospel singing over the remainder of the Labor Day weekend. Friday and Saturday evening events will take place under the red, white and blue tent just west of the Cherokee Nation Complex.

The first chance to hear and even participate in some gospel singing will be Friday night, Sept. 4, beginning with the open mic night. Sign-in is at 6 p.m. Singing will begin at 7 p.m. and all groups are invited to come and participate in the fellowship.

Saturday Sept. 5, beginning at 5:30 p.m., several featured groups will sing. New Creations, Lively Stones, Native Voices and the Drywater Family will perform, with special guests the Crabb Family Revival from Hendersonville, Tenn. following their performances.

On Sunday morning another opportunity to hear gospel singing will take place at the worship service that begins at 10 a.m. at the Sequoyah chapel on the campus of Sequoyah Schools. Music will be led by Norman and Janie Carey, and Rev. Jim Foreman and Kathryn Foreman will speak.

In addition to these exciting events, the public is also invited to come by earlier on Saturday to listen to the Holiday fiddlers contest that starts at 1 p.m., at the Talking Leaves Job Corps gymnasium located at 5700 Bald Hill Rd.

The Cherokee National Holiday has been held since 1953 to commemorate the anniversary of the signing of the 1839 Cherokee Constitution. With its exciting array of entertainment, cultural and athletic events, it has grown into one of the largest festivals in Oklahoma, attracting more than 90,000 visitors from across the world.

This year’s theme is elohi nusdidanv degadelaquasgesdi ("I learn from all that I observe"), reflecting the Cherokee Nation’s long held belief in education as a means to uplift individuals and their communities. The 57th Cherokee National Holiday is a smoke-free event. For more information about the Cherokee National Holiday, please call (918) 453-5536 or visit http://holiday.cherokee.org.

All music events are free and open to the public.

Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 )

I-44 Ground Breaking

Friday, 07 August 2009
TAHLEQUAH, Okla.– The widening project to improve traffic flow on the I-44 corridor at 193rd E. Ave. is now officially underway.

Today, the Cherokee Nation and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation held a ceremony to break ground on this highly anticipated project.

"The Cherokee Nation values its partnership with the state of Oklahoma," said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

"Together we have moved projects forward that may not have gotten off the drawing board for years if this partnership wasn’t in place. This intersection has been called ‘dysfunction junction’ for a very long time, and the community has desperately needed this expansion for years. We are glad that our combined efforts will help east Tulsa and Catoosa continue to grow."

The Cherokee Nation provided nearly $12 million in right-of-way and funding donations to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. These contributions helped advance the start date of theI-44/193rd E. Ave widening project by two years.

"This is a high priority project, and we are very pleased to start it two years ahead of schedule," said Gary Ridley, director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. "We appreciate everyone’s patience with us while we work to improve the safety and traffic flow in this area."

The project will widen I-44 from four lanes to eight at this intersection, and widen 193rd E. Ave. between Cherokee St. and Admiral to six thru lanes with auxiliary lanes.

A functionally obsolete bridge on westbound I-44 and a structurally deficient bridge on eastbound I-44 will also be replaced at this location. New entrance and exit ramps will also be constructed, including a protected turnaround for westbound SH-66 to eastbound I-44.

"This project has come at the right time with the Hard Rock rebranding of our Catoosa casino, which will attract even more local and national travelers along I-44," said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Entertainment, which operates Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa and Cherokee Casinos. "ODOT has been very accommodating to us and thorough at planning the massive project, while maximizing traffic flow in the process."

At least two lanes of I-44 and two lanes of 193rd E. Ave. north of I-44 will remain open in each direction between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Mon.-Fri.

Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 )

Dr. Coburn to host town meetings

Friday, 07 August 2009
WASHINGTON, Aug. 7 — The office of Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., has issued the following news release:

U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. will be holding a series of town hall meetings in Oklahoma throughout August. Dr. Coburn will take questions and address important issues for Oklahoma and the nation at each event.

"I encourage everyone to attend and participate in these town halls. These settings provide not only a chance for Oklahomans to hear my views on current events but also gives me the opportunity to hear directly from the people who I am representing in Washington," said Dr. Coburn.

Muskogee Town Hall

Thursday, August 13, 2009

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

NSU-Muskogee Auditorium

2400 W Shawnee

Muskogee, OK 74401

Sallisaw Town Hall

Thursday, August 13, 2009

2:30 PM-3:30 PM

Carl Albert State College (Sallisaw Campus)

Stites Multipurpose Room

1601 S. Opdyke

Sallisaw, OK 74955

Webbers Falls/Gore Town Hall

Thursday, August 13, 2009

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

First Baptist Church – Fellowship Hall

120 McCorkle street

Webbers falls, OK 74470

Broken Arrow Town Hall

Friday, August 14, 2009

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

The Main Place

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

1800 S. Main Street

Broken Arrow, OK 74012

Jenks Town Hall

Friday, August 14, 2009

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Jenks City Hall

211 North Elm

Jenks, OK 74037

Bristow Town Hall

Thursday, August 20, 2009

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Bristow City Hall

Bristow Court Room

110 W 7th Ave.

Bristow, OK 74010

Bartlesville Town Hall

Thursday, August 20th 2009

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Bartlesville Community Center

Community Hall

300 SE Adams

Bartlesville, OK 74003

Downtown Oklahoma City

Monday, August 24, 2009

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Chase Bank building lobby

100 North Broadway, NW Corner of Main and Broadway

Oklahoma City, OK 73102

Del City Community Center

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

4:00 PM -5:00 PM

Del City Community Center – Main Community Hall

4505 SE 15th

Del City, OK 73115

Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 )

Tribe leaders join in Energy Consortium

Friday, 07 August 2009
PAWHUSKA, Okla.– The Osage Nation, a federally-recognized Native American tribe, has issued the following news release:

On July 21, tribal and Alaskan Native business and government leaders, all of which with significant involvement in renewable and electric transmission issues, met in Washington D.C. and formalized creation of the Indian Country Renewable Energy Consortium (ICREC).

This group of leaders from across Indian Country represents interests in renewable and transmission development, projects, investment and green job creation and is taking affirmative steps to ensure that Indian Country has a voice in the critical national dialogue regarding the emerging green economy generally and renewable energy and infrastructure development specifically.

"We are united in trying to bring the right kinds of opportunities to Indian Country," said the newly elected Consortium Board President, Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray, who went on to say, "as governments and businesses, we are seeing extraordinary and positive change happen before our eyes, and we will make sure that this time around Indian Country will take a more active role in leading that change."

The Consortium’s primary goal is to present solutions to the obstacles which have inhibited renewable energy and transmission development to date as it can provide credible, ground-truthed, experienced policy leadership.

Tribal government, tribal corporation and Alaskan Native Corporation members all have active renewable development initiatives underway ranging from wind, solar and biomass projects to transmission projects to manufacturing proposals to green jobs training. They are also, by necessity, on the forefront on climate change issues, as ICREC Board Vice President, Chris McNeil, CEO of Sealaska Corporation, states, "Alaska Natives are at ground zero of climate change and energy crisis.

Electricity in Alaska Native villages can cost as much as ten times that in the rest of the US. Renewable energy development is a key factor that could help create new and sustainable economies in our Alaska Native communities."

During last week’s Clean Energy Week, the White House hosted a historic afternoon meeting with Consortium tribal leaders and with the highest-level White House and Administration officials directly involved in federal renewable and transmission matters.

Kimberly Teehee, White House Domestic Policy Council, and Van Jones, White House Special Advisor on Green Jobs & Innovation, hosted the meeting. Other White House and Administration representatives included Carole Browner, White House Office of Climate Change and Energy, Heather Zichal, Deputy Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change, Assistant Secretary of Interior Larry Echohawk, and numerous other appointees and officials from the Departments of Energy, Interior, Agriculture and Office of Management and Budget. Jodi Gillette, White House Deputy Associate Director Intergovernmental Affairs was instrumental in coordinating the meeting.

"I expect the Consortium to play a critical role in ensuring that Tribes have a more substantive opportunity to lead in the development of renewable energy on their reservation and trust lands," according to Ross Swimmer, who represented Principal Chief Chad Smith of the Cherokee Nation.

Tribal governments and businesses have encountered a variety of obstacles ranging from difficult transmission access, long federal lease approval times, and ill-fitting financial incentives and are now seeking workable solutions.

These policy priorities are squarely in line with Nation’s and the Obama Administration’s strategic objectives and Consortium members, amongst its priorities, strongly support America’s energy independence and creating and keeping sustainable jobs. Consortium Secretary-Treasurer, Chairman Rick Hill of Oneida Nation, points out, "Indian Country will never export these jobs anywhere further than our surrounding communities.

We have more than a vested interest in keeping green jobs here – Indian Nations are not going anywhere."

ICREC membership is open to tribal governments, tribal businesses, Alaska Native Corporations, and tribal consortia supportive of the development of tribal renewable energy. The founding board includes Indian Country luminaries such as Chris McNeil, CEO, Sealaska Corporation, Chief Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation, Dan King, CEO, Dakota Futures Inc., Chairman Rick Hill, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and Chief Jim Gray, Osage Nation. Numerous other Tribes, tribal organizations and Tribal corporations have also joined and more are in midst of formalizing their membership.

"We are not a single issue consortium, nor are we limiting to ourselves to just development of renewable resources. Indian Country needs clean energy infrastructure to grow our economies, which will grow regional economies," stated the ICREC’s Executive Director, Tracey LeBeau (Cheyenne River Sioux).

"ICREC is now very active in Washington, finding areas of common ground and creating a supportive dialogue across diverse industry sectors. The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," said LeBeau.

ICREC’s General Counsel, Keith Harper (Cherokee), adds, "The emerging green economy is a once in a generation opportunity for this Nation and Indian Country, but to take full advantage, the policies in place must provide a level the playing field with other renewable energy players.

The Consortium is focused on making that a reality and we are heartened by the inclusiveness the Obama Administration has shown."

The INDIAN COUNTRY RENEWABLE ENERGY CONSORTIUM is a corporation headquartered in Washington D.C. and comprised of Tribes, tribally-owned corporations, Alaskan Native Corporations and intertribal organizations from across Indian Country.

ICREC’s Founding Board of Directors include: Board President, Chief Jim Gray, Osage Nation; Board Vice President, Chris McNeil, CEO, Sealaska Corporation; and Board Secretary/Treasurer, Chairman Rick Hill, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. Other founding board members include, Chief Chad Smith, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and Dan King, CEO, Dakota Futures, Inc. (Lower Sioux Indian Community). ICREC’s Executive Director is Tracey LeBeau, Partner, Red Mountain Energy and General Counsel is Keith Harper, Partner, Kilpatrick Stockton LLP.

For more information regarding the Indian Country Renewable Energy Consortium, please contact: Tracey LeBeau at tlebeau@IndianCountryREC.org or (602) 516-7543 or Keith Harper at kharper@kilpatrickstockton.com or (202) 508-584.

Last Updated ( Friday, 07 August 2009 )