The End of the Year: From The Managing Editor

The end of the year marks a milestone for The Oklahoma Reviews and our team of talented writers, editors, and photographers. It was our first in existence. A year of trying our hardest to promote independent music that we love so dearly. A year to cover big events and festivals all over the United States. We covered shows in the United Kingdom and some of the biggest albums and musicians of the year. However, our goal is to always provide a voice for the smaller labels and independent musicians. We want to continue to build a following that allows us to distribute music that might otherwise not be widely known. Good music is everywhere. We want to showcase it. 

I want for OKR to be a trusted source for people to discover these artists. To do that, we need music fans to help us distribute our content to their friends and friends of friends. We need you to talk about the music, to go to the shows, to buy the merchandise. Our team has compiled a personal list of their top albums and shows of the year. For me, that is far more difficult to do, as every single thing we have published is personal and means a great deal to me. So please, go to our website. Scroll to the bottom and have a look at what we have published in the past year. Click on an artist that you may not be familiar with and discover some new-to-you artists. We love every single one of them and hope to bring you even more in our second year here at OKR. 

Sean Payne, Managing Editor

theoklahomareviews.com

The Albums:

theoklahomareviews.com/home/2019/12/16/best-of-2019-the-albums

The Songs:

theoklahomareviews.com/home/2019/12/16/best-of-2019-the-songs

Favorite Performances of 2019

Stephanie Blackburn, Oklahoma Reviews Writer/Editor

Shane Smith and the Saints - Mile0Fest, Durty Harry’s, Key West, Florida: Durty Harry’s exploded from Bennett’s first pull across the strings. Fully thrust into the spotlight at Mile0Fest as a last-minute addition to the line up, Shane Smith and the Saints gave unbelievable performances of “Coast” and “All I See is You.” They had the whole place jumping and the ground shaking with a community of music lovers, and I will forever keep that night in my heart! 

Mike and the Moonpies with Jamie Lin Wilson - Roostertail Music Festival, Madison, Indiana: As the Friday night headliner, Mike and the Moonpies came out on the stage to a crowd where many knew them, and some asked, “What’s a Moonpie?” Oh boy, did they know by the second song, as Omar ran around banging his bass and jumping off the drum riser…and when the band played “Steak Night at the Prairie Rose” everyone was singing along. When Jamie Lin Wilson emerged from the back and collaborated with them on several songs, it was truly special to witness their friendship and talent shared on the Roostertail stage. 

Brent Cobb/Whiskey Myers - Ogden Theater, Denver, Colorado: There wasn’t much downtime between Brent’s fiery set and them bursting out with the heavy hitting “Frogman,” rolling into one amazing song after another, highlighted by the best version of “Bitch” I’ve heard this year. That night, Denver and the Ogden got a dose of high-octane energy they won’t soon forget. 

Ian Noe - Songbyrd Cafe, Washington, DC: In the dark, storied basement venue in Adams Morgan, Ian calmly walked on stage, out of the side green room, and growled his signature growl as he lit the stage up with his full band performance. “Letter to Madeline” and “Dead on the River (Rolling Down)” just resonated off of the four dimly lit walls and instantly became part of the history and fabric of the venue. 

Morgan Wade - The Camel, Richmond, Virginia: Morgan’s shows are always incredible, whether she plays with a full band, as a duo or solo, on an indoor stage or an outdoor festival. In this small, dark venue, she sang with all of her heart out as she belted out “Bleed” and “Crossing State Lines.” Her talent is immeasurable, and her star rises higher with every song she gives us. Recording her next album under the guidance of Sadler Vaden, I can’t wait to see what is up next for this fantastic singer/songwriter and fellow Virginian! 

Jolene Horihan, Oklahoma Reviews Writer/Editor

Paul Cauthen - Red Rocks, Morrison, Colorado: That big baritone voice filled the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater the way those rock formations were intended. There was not a person in attendance that wasn’t moving and grooving when he launched into “Cocaine Country Dancing!” Whether it's an intimate listening room or a giant amphitheater, Paul delivers the most memorable of experiences. For this particular show, he was a supporting act for Cody Jinks. I can’t wait for the day he is headlining his own show at Red Rocks and we get to hear a full set of his songs.

Ritch Henderson - Tumbleweed Music Festival, Lacygne, Kansas: After capturing everyone's hearts with his campground recitals the previous year, Ritch earned his time to shine on the big stage. With the crowd singing every word back to him, he was often overcome with emotion and gratitude. Tears of joy and pride soaked my face as Ritch delivered one of the most heartfelt performances I think I will ever witness in my life.

Justin Wells - Railbird Music Festival, Lexington, Kentucky: Playing a major festival to a hometown crowd has to be one of the most exhilarating experiences of an artist’s career; especially when it's on your birthday weekend! Justin and his band always bring the heat, but with the addition of Lee Carroll on keys that day, they were straight fire! The excitement coming off of that stage was palpable. The outlying crowd passing by couldn't help themselves from stopping to take in the performance. Old fans were reignited with enthusiasm and new fans were certainly made.

Tyler Childers/Robert Earl Keen/Town Mountain - Red Rocks, Morrison, Colorado: Each set of the night was incredible. Tyler joined Town Mountain on their set-opening song, “Down Low,” which was co-written by Childers and Jesse Langlais of Town Mountain. Robert Earl Keen was mesmerizing as usual and the crowd sang along to his extensive catalog. In a surprise showing, Tyler invited fellow musician and mentor, Laid Back Country Picker (David Prince), to open the set up with a few of his original songs. It was a beautiful moment and the crowd went wild. As if the lineup for this Red Rocks show wasn’t exciting enough, ending the night with one of the most iconic songs of our generation while having all members of all three bands on stage together, was completely mind-blowing. REK, Tyler Childers, and Robert Greer of Town Mountain, all took turns singing verses to Robert Earl Keen's classic, “The Road Goes on Forever.” The highlights of this performance were adoring a dancing Robert Greer and Rod Elkins passionately shaking his maracas. I was crying, laughing and singing at the top of my lungs!

Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle - Steam Engine Session Room, Irvine, KY: It was a birthday weekend for the books, but one of my favorite parts was seeing Buffalo Wabs and the Price Hill Hustle live for my very first time. The show was sold out before I knew it was even happening, but a dear friend came through for me with tickets for my sister and me. The Steam Engine was packed to the rafters and everyone was dancing and singing and stomping around so hard that I thought the floor would surely cave in! That’s pure, unadulterated happiness! The four-piece band packed a wallop of a performance that I would put up against any other band out there today.

Kerri McClinton, Oklahoma Reviews Writer/ Editor

Adam Hood - Fort Worth Live, Fort Worth, Texas: An amazing songwriter with a voice to match, and one of the friendliest, nicest people you’ll ever meet, in what was one of the coolest listening rooms in North Texas. Adam played a set for us on his way home from Steamboat, just a couple weeks before Mile0Fest. He’s a gifted storyteller and he’s always at ease with his audience and fans. I’m always so excited to get to see him live and hear the stories he tells about his songs and his life and family. He’s so genuine and warm. Don’t miss a chance to see him if you get one.

Amanda Shires with Carter Sampson - Tower Theatre, Oklahoma City: My first time seeing both Carter Sampson and Amanda Shires, and neither disappointed. They’re both phenomenal songwriters and amazing talents. I left this show feeling more psyched about music than I had been in a long time. 

Shane Smith & The Saints - Lava Cantina, The Colony, Texas: Outdoor shows during the Texas summers are notoriously hot, but this was a thousand times worth it. Shane Smith & The Saints never disappoint. They bring such good energy to their shows, they’re each incredibly talented, and I’ll be damned if they’re not all just as nice as they can be too. Bonus points for the trumpet on Hail Mary. ☺

Turnpike Troubadours with Vincent Neil Emerson - Choctaw Casino, Durant, Oklahoma: After a string of cancellations and amid other ongoing issues, I wasn’t sure this show would even happen. But it did. It was the last Turnpike Troubadours show I would see before the break up, and the boys were on fire. It was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen, and thinking back on it now brings mixed emotions: happy because I was there and I was able to get a ticket for my son, sad because it wasn’t long after when things went south, and a sense of grief for what could have been. I’m still processing what the loss of Turnpike means to the music community as a whole, and what it means to my immediate music family of Turnpike fans, as well as the band members themselves. This band and its fans changed my life in ways that are still unfolding and I will always love them for that.

The Infamous Stringdusters, State Theatre, Greenville, North Carolina: I battled some decent pre-trip anxiety to make a four night run through North Carolina with my husband and one of my favorite people in the world for this show. There was a crowd of only about 150 people, and it was the first show I’d been to since getting involved with the Dusters online community. So many hugs were exchanged that night. The Dusters opened with the song that is kind of my mantra for dealing with anxiety, “It’ll be Alright,” played a first set full of favorites like “Get It While You Can,” a Danny Barnes tune, and “Y2K,” and then they came out and played an entire second set of nothing but Grateful Dead songs. It’s something that I’ll never forget and I’m still kind of in awe of the fact that I was there to be a part of it. Definitely my favorite performance of the year.

PS: This show is available for streaming and download through the Dusters on nugs.net.

Melissa Payne, Oklahoma Reviews Photographer/Writer

Vandoliers/Mike and the Moonpies - Mercury Lounge, Tulsa, Oklahoma: The show of the year. Hands down. The energy both bands brought to this sold out show was incredible. I can’t even pick a favorite moment. Was it Travis Curry in Elton John glasses sawing on the fiddle and playing it hot? Or Mike and the Moonpies covering Marshall Tucker Band’s, “Can’t You See?” with Mike on the bar. 

Jamie Lin Wilson - Mercury Lounge, Tulsa, Oklahoma: I’m partial to this show in part because it was my birthday, but you can never go wrong with Jamie Lin Wilson. Jamie at the Mercury Lounge is an even better combination. With a packed setlist and bringing in guests from the crowd to help sing “Oklahoma Stars," this show was the perfect sample of this blonde dynamo at work.

Paul Cauthen’s Big Velvet Review - Americanafest 2019, Nashville, Tennessee: I’ve never seen so many talented artists within one show. Everyone from Frankie Leonie, to Leah Blevins and Kendall Marvel to Cody Jinks showing up to sing with Paul and Sunny Sweeney. I don’t know how one venue hosted so much talent at one time. Paul Cauthen did a fantastic job of curating this show and I heard not a complaint from anyone in attendance. 

Dalton Domino - Mercury Lounge, Tulsa Oklahoma: I’d never had the chance to see Dalton Domino live and he earned a new fan that night. With his cut-to-the-core songwriting, his hilarious stories and his rendition of “Diamonds and Gasoline," it was a perfect night. Kaitlin Butts stopping in to sing two songs was a pleasant surprise and only added to an already fantastic show.

Allison Moorer - Woody Guthrie Center, Tulsa Oklahoma: A little bit different choice, as this was a combination of Allison reading from her new memoir, Blood, as well as singing songs off her new album of the same name. Allison’s stories and songs will give you chills, both good and bad, and she has interwoven both of these mediums in the best way possible.

Erin Reed, Oklahoma Reviews Writer/Coordinator

Turnpike Troubadours - Depot District Music Festival, Lexington, North Carolina: This wasn’t just my favorite performance of the year, it was my favorite memory. I could gush for hours about the 18-hour road trip from Minnesota to North Carolina, with another Turnpike fan I’d met briefly, only three months prior. I could recall every small detail from the mud on my shoes and the rain in my hair, to the first note Kyle Nix drew across that fiddle, and the emphatic cheers as Gabe Pearson drumrolled us into the opening line of "Good Lord Lorrie." I stood front and center for what would be my last Turnpike Troubadours show EVER surrounded by friends I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for that band.

Jason Isbell - The Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota: I’ve gotten emotional at concerts before, but nothing has literally taken my breath away like seeing Jason Isbell live for the first time. Isbell is without a doubt one of the greatest living songwriters. His voice can fill a hall as large and open as the Armory while still leaving you with a sense of intimacy. 

Mike and the Moonpies - Cowboy Bill’s, Key West, Florida:

When I think back on this show, the old adage “here’s to the nights we won’t remember with the friends we won’t forget” is the first thing that comes to mind. That night, Mike and the Moonpies turned a little dive bar full of strangers into people that have practically become family to me. And while many of the details are a little fuzzy, I can clearly recall the feeling of being brought together by the most badass band on the honky tonk scene, over cheap beer and getting the claps right during “Beaches of Biloxi.”

The Mavericks - State Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Dynamic. Energetic. Lively. It’s not often a band can open with one of their biggest hits (“All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down”) and continue to keep the crowd dancing and out of their seats for the next two hours. And the cherry on top of the best live show I’ve ever seen, was getting to take it all in with my dad. This is one show I would recommend to anyone 

Tyler Childers - Sunset Pier, Key West, Florida: I’ve been lucky enough to catch Tyler Childers live a handful of times since I was first introduced to his music. This show was different though. Just Tyler, his dry wit and guitar, on a pier over the ocean. 

Randy Ruff, Oklahoma Reviews Writer

Whiskey Myers with Bones Owens - The Ritz, Raleigh, North Carolina: Warming up the evening, Bones Owens set the stage with thundering original blues rock, completely engaging a crowd clearly there for the headliner, which was more than impressive for the two-man outfit. Whiskey Myers walked out on stage to raucous approval from the crowd, and never let down. Cody Cannon’s palpable stage presence immediately commanded the audience’s attention only to see him continuously and gracefully relax it to allow dueling and collaborative lead guitarists John Jeffers and Cody Tate to dazzle with their fingers. Audience engagement and participation was intense on the night, and the band not only noticed, but fed off the energy.  

Vandoliers - Medicine Stone Music Festival, Tahlequah, Oklahoma: Slated to perform a late-night show after a full day of music and sun, the Vandoliers transformed a fading sleepy crowd into a mob of dancing fools. Chairs and cans went flying, bodies were clattering into one another (in so much as they can at a country music festival), and everyone was singing along with songs they probably didn’t know the words to. On the last day of summer in 2019 it truly felt like “the summer would never end.”

Charley Crockett with Kat Wright - Lime Kiln Theater, Lexington, Virginia: The perfect end to a long hot summer day. Kat Wright’s eight piece blue-eyed soul band from Vermont might well have carried the evening themselves, delighting the packed outdoor amphitheater. An opening act novelty to fans when he played this venue a year ago, Charley Crockett and the Blue Drifters returned as a headliner this year to a sold out mob of Virginians ready to feast on his brand of Gulf Coast boogie woogie.

Tyler Childers – Floyd Fest, Floyd, Virginia: Headlining Floyd Fest on the heels of the release of his fabulous new album, Country Squire, Tyler Childers delivered a flawless performance. Fans packed the main stage area hours before the set time, and by the time Tyler and the Food Stamps took the stage for their soundcheck, the atmosphere was reaching a fever pitch. Against a canvas of gently waving trees in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Childers’ lightshow dazzled an already spell bound audience.  

Margo Price with Drivin n Cryin – The Shoals Theater, Florence Alabama: Is there a better way to spend your birthday? The only elements about this show that were not absolutely perfect on this evening were the seated environment (for music that is nigh impossible to sit for), and the slightly shorter set times as a benefit performance. Regardless of those limitations, both bands delivered superior performances.

Derek Scudder, Oklahoma Reviews Writer

Chris Knight – Exit/In, Nashville, Tennessee: A rocking band in a historic venue, shortly after the release of the new album made for a great combination. CK was able to cut loose on some of the songs that he can’t do in quieter acoustic shows.

Robert Earl Keen - Peacemaker Festival, Ft Smith, Arkansas: The festival site along the Arkansas River was completely underwater earlier in the year from massive spring flooding, but everything cleared up just in time for the two-day event. Substituting for the Turnpike Troubadours, Robert Earl Keen delivered an outstanding performance, along with a solid Texas lineup of William Clark Green and Josh Abbott Band.

Josh Ward – Gruene Hall, New Braunfels, Texas: My first concert at the oldest dance hall in Texas certainly did not disappoint.  The sold-out show packed ‘em in for a hot August night but plenty of room outside was great for catching some air. 

Mike & the Moonpies - The Hummingbird, Macon, GA: I caught the last three shows of the “This Means Tour” as the Moonpies swung through the Deep South. Reckless Kelly was also in Macon this night and Mike Harmeier sat in with the boys during their show. Willie Braun returned the favor by coming to sit in with the Moonpies for a great cover of Merle Haggard’s “Think I’ll Just Stay Here & Drink.”

Cody Canada & the Departed - Port Aransas, Texas: - We were celebrating Cody’s birthday on the Gulf Coast with the breeze coming off the beach!  Cody was barefoot, wearing a Todd Snider t-shirt, and having a big time.

We hope you enjoyed all the fantastic music from 2019 as much as we did. Below is a Spotify playlist of some of our 2019 favorites for your listening enjoyment. As the year winds down, we at The Oklahoma Reviews are looking forward to bringing your attention to a lot more great music and artists in 2020.  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0LZ7COOZYyFZ5YZeGMNCoq