The Oklahoma Today Podcast

Season 5, Episode 49: All Aboard Muskogee's Depot Green Christmas

We can't fully explain it, but there's something about trains that just goes really well with the Christmas season. The people of Muskogee realize this, which is why those who head to the town's Depot Green Christmas celebration throughout this month can enjoy a ride on the festive Christmas train, taking a tour of the beautiful Garden of Lights set up in Honor Heights Park. Rick Ewing from Muskogee Parks joins this week's show to talk about all the fun to be had in Muskogee this season, plus a few other recent developments in the town.

Also on this week's show, the editors declare when the holiday season officially begins, and podvents revives an old Hee Haw routine. You won't want to miss it!  

Season 5, Episode 48: Remembering the "Washita Love Child" Jesse Ed Davis

Those who have been paying attention might have noticed a recent movement in the cultural zeitgeist in remembrance of the great life and career of Norman-born musician Jesse Ed Davis. A good portion of those new attention paid toward a historically under-appreciated talent comes to use due to the work of historian and author Douglas Miller, whose book Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis is available for purchase now. Miller joins this week's episode of the podcast to talk about the immense musical legacy Davis left behind—having worked alongside the likes of Leon Russell, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and more—and the many coming tributes to JED which include tribute concerts, a new archival record of unissued songs, and an exhibition at the Bob Dylan Center curated by Joy Harjo.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss their ideal Thanksgiving dessert plate, and podvents lets us know where we can have an extravagant Thanksgiving meal without having to do any dishes afterwards. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 47: Hippo Hero Singer Gayla Peevey and the OKC Zoo Safari Lights

If you've already tuned in to one of those Christmas music stations on the radio, there's a good chance you have already heard the holiday classic "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" this year. Gayla Peevey, the Oklahoma-born original singer of the 1953 song, joins The Oklahoma Today Podcast this week as our featured guest. The song helped raise money to buy the OKC Zoo's first hippo, Matilda. Now the zoo is planning to build a statue a statue honoring Gayla and Matilda in the next year or two. We talked with Gayla about the honor, her history with the song, and even the Moo Deng sensation. Speaking of the OKC Zoo, Safari Lights is also now open for the season, and we got a sneak peek of that as well.

 

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss which exotic animal they'd want to find under their own Christmas tree, and Oklahoma Tourism's Kaitlyn Rivas joins us as a special guest host. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 46: Veterans Day Special at Fort Sill's National Field Artillery Museum

Happy Veterans Day, listeners! To honor the holiday we ventured out to Fort Sill—the 94,000 acre Army post near Lawton—for a visit to the National Field Artillery Museum. Fort Sill has a long history as an artillery school, so it makes sense to of the have artillery museum here. Gordon Blaker, director and curator for the museum, guides us through the collection (which also includes a steel beam segment from the World Trade Center and a fragment of the Berlin Wall) for our guest interview of the week. 

Also on this show, the editors talk about the veterans in their own lives, and podvents lets us know about a beloved Robin Williams classic hitting the Tulsa PAC stage. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 45: The Rise of Oklahoma's Zach Bryan

If you've seen the new November-December issue of Oklahoma Today, you've seen country music's newest superstar Zach Bryan on the cover. Bryan, born in Oologah, seems to have taken off on the national scene over night, and he's set for a homecoming victory lap in December headlining three straight nights at Tulsa's BOK Center. How has Bryan been able to climb so high so fast? That's exactly the question writer Preston Jones attempted to answer in his cover story. Jones joins the show to talk about what Bryan's rise might signal about the future of the music industry and what other Oklahoma acts he'd like to see take off in a similar fashion.

Also on this week's show, the editors share their favorite places to view fall foliage, and podvents sheds some light on proper cast iron care. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 44: Skeletal Halloween with the Museum of Osteology

On the outside we all look different, but on the inside all of us are propped up by a frame of collagen, calcium, and minerals forming the human skeleton. And it's not just us with the bones—most of the animals we see around us have them too. These graveyard greeters might have a grim reputation that often make them a symbol of Halloween, but Ashley Mason Burns-Meerschaert—director of operations and education at Oklahoma City's Museum of Osteology—joins the show today to explain why they might not be so scary after all, and give us a scoop on how to get involved with their Forensic Nights.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss some of their favorite Halloween costumes from the past, and podvents merges the worlds of fellow Wills, Rogers and Smith. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 43: Thundering Up with Andrew Schlecht

Another season of the Oklahoma City Thunder is upon us, and many are expecting big things from the team this year. Could this be the year the team brings home the state's first major pro sports championship title? Andrew Schlect of The Athletic and the Down to Dunk OKC Thunder Podcast joins the show as guest to tell us where to put our expectations and introduce the new faces in Thunder blue this season.

Also on this week's episode, the editors discuss their dream road trip with Rumble the Bison, and Ben bring The Price Is Right to podvents. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 42: American Stories with Beau Jennings

Our double header of podcasts featuring prominent Oklahoma-based musicians continues with Norman's Beau Jennings, who is set to release the new album American Stories and Major Chords with his band The Tigers this Friday. The Tigers have two release shows planned this week, starting at the Blue Door in Oklahoma City on October 18 and then heading up the turnpike to Tulsa's Mercury Lounge on October 19. Jennings also has recently entered the role of interim director of the Prairie House Preservation Society—and he discusses all the above on the show.

Also this week, the editors share the song that most reminds them of Oklahoma, and this week marks the first show recorded inside our beautiful new studio space. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 41: A Willing Spirit with Oklahoma City's Jabee

At this point, hip-hop artist Jabee is an Oklahoma City icon, but it's about time to take his profile to a more national level. Thankfully he is in good company to do just that. Earlier this year Jabee announced his signing to hip-hop's prestige indie music label, Mello Music Group. His first release with MMG, the eight-song mini-album The Spirit Is Willing But The Flesh Is Weak—featuring a guest verse by underground rap sensation Quelle Chris and production from the likes of Conductor Williams, Evidence, and Apollo Brown—debuted on streaming services this past Friday. Jabee, fresh off a West Coast flight following a marathon weekend at his Peace Needs OKC conference that included the legendary Chuck D as speaker, graced the Oklahoma Today Podcast with an interview previewing the new release.

 

Also on this week's episode, the editors get cute about their favorite at-home animals, and podvents shows us why Merle Haggard will now forever be an Okie in Muskogee. You won't want to miss it!

Season 5, Episode 40: Acting Natural with Theatre Crude Fringe Festival

For many, thoughts of stage performances churn up images of tear-jerking musical numbers, Shakespearean soliloquies, and highly structured dramas of literary significance. While this type of theater is awesome, the truth is there are no limits to what a stage production can be. Fans who want to experience some truly unique performances would be wise to head to the Theatre Crude Fringe Festival October 10-19 in Oklahoma City's Paseo Arts District. Festival co-founder Adam Brand joins the show to tell us what exactly fringe theater is and what unique productions fans can expect to see this year.

Also on this week's show, the editors share their favorite karaoke tunes and podvents shows us why books are still superior to social media. You won't want to miss it!