The OKPOP Radio Hour

By OKPOP Radio Hour

The OKPOP Radio Hour is hosted by Meg Webb & Garrett Weindorf, featuring guests from the OKPOP crew along with Oklahoma musicians, filmmakers, and artists. OKPOP is the future Museum of Popular Culture that is currently under construction across the street from historic Cain’s Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Listen on Spotify Send voice message

Available on

Report content on Spotify

OKPOPcast: Tami Erin - “Pippi Longsticking”

The OKPOP Radio HourFeb 21, 2024

00:00

40:17

OKPOPcast: Chef Nico Albert

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR PODCAST...

A major milestone! Our first returning guest, Chef Nico, is back to RIP THE LID OFF of a pretty amazing story she's been keeping quiet about for some time now: she was Leonardo DiCaprio's personal chef for six months during the filming of Killers of the Flower Moon, right here in Oklahoma! Nico joins us to spill the proverbial beans about her (at the time) TOP SECRET gig, and shares some of Leo's favorite foods. You also HAVE TO hear her story sad and hilarious story about the "GOODBYE PIE" she made for him when the film wrapped. Give us a listen, friends, and be sure to follow Chef Nico and her non-profit, Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness!

https://www.burningcedar.org/

Nov 15, 202343:43

OKPOPcast: Eric Himan

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR PODCAST:Eric Himan is a man of many talents. Not only is he a gifted singer/songwriter/performer, he's also responsible for putting on some of Oklahoma's coolest events. We chat with him about how he came to meet and tour with his musical hero, Ani DiFranco. We also talk creativity, and what makes Oklahoma such a special place for artists and fans alike.

As always, give us a follow and listen to the OKPOP Radio Hour wherever you get your podcasts!

Nov 08, 202338:34

OKPOPcast: The Moth/Michelle Jalowski

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: THE MOTH & THE ART OF STORYTELLING!

If you like a good story, you'll love The Moth. For more than 25 years, The New York City-based non-profit has shone a spotlight on the craft of storytelling through their weekly podcast, publications, and live events. One of those events, The Moth MainStage, is coming to Tulsa's historic Cain's Ballroom on November 8. In this week's episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour podcast, Michelle Jalowski, a director and producer at The Moth, gives us a preview and discusses the important role of storytelling in pop culture.

Click and give us a listen! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts!

Nov 01, 202331:41

OKPOPcast: Tulsa Terrors

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: TULSA TERRORS!

Our guests Bryan Crain and John Wooley are two excellent storytellers who’ve teamed up again for a new documentary called TULSA TERRORS!

In the mid-1980s, Tulsa was ground zero for the direct-to-home-video movie explosion, and for the next 20 years area filmmakers aimed a variety of horror, fantasy, and science-fiction features right at the heart of that market. Some made it. Some fell short. But all of them were created with an earnestness and passion that belied their budgets. TULSA TERRORS tells the story of those movies, in the words of the moviemakers themselves and others who were on the scene for a revolution that will never be repeated.

Don’t miss the television premiere of TULSA TERRORS Halloween night, October 31, on RSU-TV KRSU!

Oct 24, 202340:01

OKPOPcast: John Beasley

This week on the OKPOP Radio Hour - a man putting a new shine on a true Tulsa gem.

Our guest John Beasley is leading the charge to restore the city’s historic Spotlight Theater. For more than half a century, the Bruce Goff-designed building at 13th and Riverside has been the home of The Drunkard, America’s longest-running play. A major effort is now underway to restore the building. We talk with John about that project, the theater’s history, and what makes it such an important part of Oklahoma’s pop culture landscape.

Give us a listen, and click the link below to find out how you can help ensure the Spotlight Theater is around for many more generations to enjoy!

https://www.tulsaspotlighttheater.com/

Oct 17, 202341:56

OKPOPcast: Grass Crack

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: TULSA'S OWN GRASS CRACK! This spirited band has delighted audiences near and far with their unorthodox take on bluegrass music. Their new release “The Hits” is the group’s first album in more than a decade. In this episode, band members Nate Gray and Dan Riffe join Meg & Garrett to discuss the album, the band’s history, Tulsa’s ever-evolving music scene, and the city’s early-’00s late night comedy show “Beef Baloney”. Be sure to check out Grass Crack’s new album “The Hits” - available at the link below! https://grasscrack.bandcamp.com/album/the-hits?fbclid=IwAR3OA0wnP350lkCA1COfThTC6kbpYI_HIWs6Oy0VSSDqyMuTijcCB93aWZg

Oct 10, 202339:51

OKPOPcast: Patrick McNicholas

THIS WEEK ON THE OKPOP RADIO HOUR: Photographer and filmmaker Patrick McNicholas!

Patrick is the talented artist behind “Time Travel Tulsa”, a series of composite images made by combining historical photos of important Tulsa locations with new photos of the same locations as they appear today.

His work is featured regularly in Tulsa People Magazine, and his “20 for 21” exhibit on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was displayed in the historic Greenwood District during the 100th anniversary of the massacre.

Be sure to check out Patrick’s work online at tulsapast.com/.

Oct 04, 202338:31

OKPOPcast: Amanda Blair, Tulsa State Fair

It’s almost time again for one of Oklahoma’s most beloved events - the 11 days of awesome that make up the TULSA STATE FAIR!

This week on The OKPOP Radio Hour, Expo Square/Tulsa State Fair COO Amanda Blair joins us to talk about the history of the fair, what’s new this year, and the pop culture traditions that keep more than a million people coming back year after year.

The Tulsa State Fair runs September 28 through October 8th. You can get tickets, schedules and much more online at tulsastatefair.com.

Sep 27, 202335:30

OKPOPcast: Gigi Garner

Now in a special edition of The OKPOP Radio Hour: celebrating a Hollywood icon - Oklahoma’s own James Garner!

Ahead of tomorrow’s event unveiling of new acquisitions to the OKPOP James Garner Collection, Garner’s daughter Gigi joins us to talk about her father’s life, career, and what it meant for him to be from Oklahoma.

Sep 21, 202341:05

OKPOPcast: Danny Boy O’Connor

Danny Boy O’Connor is many things - a proud Tulsa transplant, Executive Director of the Outsiders House Museum, and a former member of the hip-hop group House of Pain, just to name a few. He’s also someone who has experienced the horrors of homelessness, and who wants to do whatever he can to help anyone else facing the same struggle. That’s why he’s teaming up with the Tulsa Day Center for a fundraiser called “The Big Showoff”. Submissions are open now for the statewide talent competition, which offers $10,000 for first place and $5,000 for second place.

This week on The OKPOP Radio Hour, we get up close and personal with Danny about his past, and this project that, for him, is truly a labor of love. Tulsa Day Center Development Director Monica Martin joins us as well to talk more about the competition, and her agency’s important work here in Tulsa.

Give us a listen, and if you'd like to compete, be sure to submit your video to thebigshowoff.com by October 15th!

Sep 20, 202339:34

OKPOPcast: Carmen Fields

Our guest this week is the Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, historian, and native Tulsan, the great Carmen Fields. Carmen's new book, Going Back to T-Town, tells the story of her father Ernie Fields, a talented musician and businessman who navigated the hurdles of racial segregation during the Jim Crow era. It's an incredible story of success, disappointment and perseverance, and it's one not enough people have heard.

We hope you enjoy our conversation with Carmen, and we hope you'll go see to your local bookstore to pick up a copy of her wonderful book.

Sep 13, 202336:43

OKPOPCAST: Mac Taylor

Today we sat down with Tulsa comedian Mac Taylor as she dishes on all things comedy! Performing standup at the Blue Whale Comedy Festival and her self-titled comedy reviews, Taylor always has a spot-on interpretation of Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium, in her back pocket. We chatted about our shared love of Robin Williams and Mrs. Doubtfire and tour life with country star brother Zach Bryan. Find out what’s coming up next for Taylor on the Oklahoma comedy scene!

Sep 06, 202342:27

OKPOPcast: Todd Ruffin

This week on the OKPOP Radio Hour: Videographer and drone operator Todd Ruffin! As a former Tulsa TV news photojournalist, Todd had a front row seat to the best and worst that humanity has to offer. He witnessed history and documented the lives and stories of countless Oklahomans. These days, as the owner of his own drone photography business, Midwest Drone Productions, Todd has worked on several big productions, including the award-winning film, “Minari,” and the television hit, “Reservation Dogs.” He's also one of the nicest folks you'll meet. We hope you enjoy listening to our conversation as much as we enjoyed recording it.

Aug 30, 202333:03

OKPOPcast: Tommy Howell

GIDDY UP, FRIENDS! Today on a very special episode of The OKPOP Radio Hour: Ponyboy Curtis himself, actor and musician C. Thomas Howell! Tommy, as he likes to be called, is in Tulsa this weekend for a show Saturday at Venue Shrine (https://www.facebook.com/tulsashrine) with his band, The Pony Express. He'll also be at the Outsiders House Museum (https://www.facebook.com/theoutsidershousemuseum) Sunday from 11am - 1pm. Tommy was kind enough to talk with us yesterday about a number of topics, including:

= Smoking cigarettes at 13 to land his first movie role working for Steven Spielberg in the 1982 classic E.T.
= The clever psychological tactics he says Francis Ford Coppola employed to create real tension between the Greasers and Socs during the filming of The Outsiders
= How he wound up getting punched FOR REAL during the film's "rumble" scene
= His relationships with other members of The Outsiders cast, and with author S.E. Hinton
= What drove him to pick up a guitar and write his first song - just THREE YEARS AGO!

Give us a listen and STAY GOLD friends!

Aug 25, 202341:08

OKPOPcast: Brad Harris - Cain’s Ballroom

For this episode, we sweet talked the great Brad B-Rad Harris, Production Manager at Tulsa's historic Cain's Ballroom, into joining us. If you've been to a show or event at Cain's in the past 20 years or so, chances are Brad played a key role in making it happen. He's a true professional, and his love and respect for Cain's, the musicians who play there, and the fans who pack the place night after night are evident in his work. So tune in and enjoy this episode wherever you get your pods 🎧

Aug 23, 202340:19

OKPOPcast - Totem: As Archive

An interesting (and also fun!) discussion with Erin Turner and Apvlvnev Piña about the effort to restore and contextualize the Route 66 landmark that is Ed Galloway’s totem pole park near Foyil, OK. They will be hosting a discussion on Native representation and photography, monumentality as community and place, and cultural appropriation and tourism this week.

Aug 17, 202343:29

OKPOPcast: The Elvis Episode

Today is the 46th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. It’s really not possible to overstate Elvis’ influence on popular culture. Decades after his death, he is still the best-selling solo artist of all time, and his influence goes way beyond music. Elvis left his mark on film, fashion and the very idea of celebrity. Elvis had many connections to Oklahoma, and we’re pleased to share some of those with you in this very special episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour.

Aug 16, 202329:60

OKPOPcast: Sam Harris

It’s Wednesday and that means HOT NEW POD DROP!! We gotta say, this interview truly is one of the best we’ve ever done. We had the amazing opportunity to chat with our friend and Sand Springs ‘Sandite,’ Sam Harris, to discuss his life and times and it’s such an honest, raw, and inspiring conversation. We had some big laughs too! Sam is a pop-culture icon with his historic and legendary first WIN on the 80’s TV talent show juggernaut “Star Search.” It was “American Idol” before there was “American Idol,” for you youngsters. Sam went on to be a star on the “Great White Way” (Broadway, babies), television, and film. He’s also a fantastic writer and had big success with his book “HAM.” We adore this man and know you will, too, so take a listen to the OKPOP Radio Hour’s latest pod with the man, the myth, the legend—Sam Harris.

Aug 09, 202350:55

OKPOPcast: Barron Ryan

Our guest this week is the very talented musician and author Barron Ryan. He's written a beautiful illustrates storybook for adults based on a touching true story of love, loss, and the power of music to connect us with those we cherish - even after they’re gone.

The book is called Honey, If It Wasn’t for You, and, without giving too much away, the story goes something like this:

Don Feagin wrote the words and Barron Ryan wrote the music. But this wasn’t your average partnership. That’s because Don died in 1981 - six years before Barron was born.

As a young songwriter and composer, Feagin wrote music that would be heard around the world, but his favorite person to write for was his wife, Linda. The two were building a beautiful life together, but Don was living on borrowed time. They both knew that his disease, cystic fibrosis, would take him from this world far too soon.

When Don died, Linda thought she had heard all the songs he would ever write… until a chance encounter paved a path to bring his lyrics and legacy back to life.

It really is a remarkable story and a lovely book.

Honey, If It Wasn’t for You is available now on Barron’s website: www.barronryan.com/get-the-book

Barron made a music video to go along with the book, which you can watch here:
fb.watch/madMswrcWN/

And be sure to check out Barron’s book release event Sunday, August 20 at the TU Lorton Performance Center.
www.facebook.com/events/258036206973452/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A%5B%5D%7D

Aug 02, 202341:59

OKPOPcast: Mike Ayling // Desi & Cody

It’s an OKPOPcast Double Feature! First, we have the latest installment from Joey Duffy’s “Sound of Oklahoma” where he speaks with local lovebird+songbirds Desi & Cody. Then, we speak to Mike Ayling who has an interesting connection to The Master of Space and Time, Mr. Leon Russell. He shares some stories with us you won’t wanna miss!

Jul 26, 202343:12

OKPOPcast: Tulsa Music Month

HOT POD ALERT - and we aren't just talking' about the weather, folks! July is TULSA MUSIC MONTH, and we have as our special guest Natalie Bowling from the Tulsa Film, Music, Arts and Culture Office - or "FMAC" if you're cool. Natalie chats with us about how important the music biz is here in Tulsa ($335 million impact! 4000 jobs! Fastest growing industry in Tulsa!), and how you can celebrate Tulsa Music Month to support our friendly local musicians.

Jul 19, 202333:34

OKPOPcast: The 50th Episode!

Here it is, folks! This is the big one - our 50TH EPISODE of the OKPOP Radio Hour podcast! We're celebrating by looking back at some of our favorite moments from our little show. HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
+Tulsa radio icon BRENT DOUGLAS resurrecting his Roy D. Mercer character to prank one of OKPOP's dear friends, +Little Wing Productions/Former Cain's Ballroom owner Larry Shaeffer!
+Actor Tim Blake Nelson sharing what he thinks makes his hometown of Tulsa so special
+Reservation Dogs Sterlin Harjo on the real reason he created his groundbreaking show
+And MUCH MORE!
Big thanks to all our guests and listeners, and we hope you'll join us over in our OKPOP Radio Hour Facebook group!

Jul 12, 202336:40

OKPOPcast: Annie Ellicott

They just don’t make ‘em like Annie Ellicott anymore. This talented Tulsan is an all around ENTERTAINER who’s made a name for herself as a jazz singer, songwriter, performer and voice actor. In this week’s episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour, Annie gives us a preview of her upcoming album "Happy Talk", and tells us how she went from playing Tulsa clubs with her dad to sharing the stage at Glastonbury with Jeff Goldblum! Give us a listen, and don’t miss Annie Ellicott & The Lucky 7 live at Summer’s Fifth Night - July 13th at Utica Square!

Jul 05, 202346:18

OKPOPcast: Steph Simon

THE ELECTRICITY IS BACK, AND SO ARE WE! Bouncing back from Tulsa's big storm, your friends at the OKPOP Radio Hour return this week with a new episode... and a special guest - our very own Cinematographer Tyler Mann!

This episode we are featuring our second "Sound of Oklahoma" segment, lovingly crafted by OKPOP's Joey Duffy. This week, Joey talks to Tulsa hip-hop artist Steph Simon, Executive Producer of Fire in Little Africa, a multimedia project commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. He also speaks about his Tulsa roots and the love he has for this community, and how the creative spark he had as a kid has transformed into the multifaceted, talented artist he is today.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and if you haven't already, be sure to join our OKPOP Radio Hour Facebook group. It's a place to share your love of pop culture, and the creative spirit that makes Oklahoma great.

Jun 28, 202326:10

OKPOPCast: JUSTIN GORSKI, Tulsa Driller’s Tulsa Sound Weekend!

Thursday, June 22 - Sunday, June 25 is the official ‘918 Tulsa Sound Weekend’ at the Tulsa Driller’s stadium! Meg, Garrett, and Jarrod sit down with Driller’s Justin Gorski to chat about baseball, the contributors to the Tulsa Sound era, and so much more. Check it out!

Jun 23, 202335:13

OKPOPcast: BRANJAE + Dane & The Soup

🔥HOT POD ALERT🔥 Tulsa’s resident groove goddess and musical phenom, Branjae, brings the heat for today’s OKPOP Radio Hour! An absolute pleasure learning about the mystical mix that makes Branjae tick, from singing in church as a kid to the final form that we see now, wowing audiences with her distinctive vocals, inspirational songwriting, and dynamic stage presence.

The OKPOP Radio Hour is also featuring a new segment for your lovely ears —“The Sound of Oklahoma”—hosted by OKPOP’s own Joey Duffy, who also is in a stellar band, CLIFFDIVER. It’s our chance to highlight the great music coming out of the Sooner state. First up, Joey introduces us to the swoon worthy neo-soul sounds of Dane and the Soup. It’s a BIG episode with local Tulsa sound, so click that link and turn.it.up, y’all!

Jun 14, 202350:60

OKPOPcast: Neil Wade - Nickelodeon Animation

⚡️BIG SHOW ALERT⚡️ This week’s OKPOP radio features a remarkable Tulsan, Mr. Neil Wade, who’s an animator and executive at Nickelodeon Animation and is responsible for some of the world’s most beloved ‘toons. Neil gave incredible insight into what he does behind the scenes as the “content czar” managing series for Nickelodeon, but importantly he talks about how he got there. From Booker T., to architecture, to dropping it all and moving to Japan, he gives incredible insight for those who want a career in the arts. We had a great time and know you’re gonna love it, so “toon” in and subscribe today!

Jun 07, 202348:38

OKPOPCast: Meet the Neighbors, Tulsa Tough Edition! with special guest JOSH GIFFORD of SOUNDPONY!

In the words of the one they call LIZZO, it's about👏 damn 👏 time 👏. Tulsa's annual iconic bike race (that's putting it mildly) TULSA TOUGH is upon us! In this special "Meet the Neighbors" episode of the OKPOP Radio Hour, we sit down with our 2-wheel obsessed neighbor & friend Josh Gifford, proprietor of local watering hole, SOUNDPONY! We chat about the history of this beloved Tulsa establishment and what it means to us all, especially this magical time of year when racing enthusiasts decent upon us from all over the globe. Soundpony is housed across the street from OKPOP and down the way from historic Cain's Ballroom on North Main Street. It's a bike themed bar, but it's not just for cyclists! On any given night you can grab an ice cold beverage and strike up an accidental conversation with a local artist, politician, comedian, the cast of Rez Dogs, or even Miley Cyrus. You never know who's in the house! It's infamous, for all of us, and a real good time. Take a listen and get excited to make your way downtown for Tulsa Tough, Josh, and all of the lovely members of the Pony family.

For more info: