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Johnny Gimble, RIP

Legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble died today at the age of 88. Gimble was hired by Bob Wills for the Texas Playboys in 1949. After a few years on the road, he retired to barbering and playing music on the weekends. But in 1968 he moved to Nashville and made...

Posted by Michael Bates on May 9, 2015 4:46 PM

Emma Jane Pendleton CD release party Sunday

Championship fiddler Emma Jane Pendleton will hold a CD release party this Sunday, July 28, 2013, at 3 p.m., at Tulsa's Spotlight Theater (Riverside and Houston Ave.), featuring a performance followed by a reception. There's no cover charge, but RSVPs are requested to vmp@igeo.com, or you can text or call...

Posted by Michael Bates on July 26, 2013 9:12 AM

Riders in the Sky at the Home of Bob Wills

If you weren't at Cain's Ballroom on Saturday, April 14, 2012, you missed an evening of family-friendly fun and great music, starting with the induction of Woody Paul, Herman Johnson, Keith Coleman, and Kenny Baker (the latter two, posthumously) into the National Fiddler Hall of Fame, and ending with a...

Posted by Michael Bates on May 9, 2012 1:03 AM

Riders in the Sky at Cain's, April 14, 2012, for National Fiddler Hall of Fame Gala

The world's premier cowboy band, Riders in the Sky, will perform at this year's National Fiddler Hall of Fame gala on April 14, 2012, at Tulsa's historic Cain's Ballroom. The Riders' fiddler, Woody Paul, the King of the Cowboy Fiddlers, is one of this year's inductees into the hall of...

Posted by Michael Bates on January 31, 2012 1:15 AM

From the 2011 Oklahoma State Fiddling Championship

Here's my eldest son's performance from Saturday's Oklahoma State Fiddling Championship at the Tulsa State Fair. He finished fourth in the junior category (ages 13-16), performing "Liberty," "Ashokan Farewell," and "Faded Love." He decided to enter about a week before the contest. He hadn't been sure whether he'd have...

Posted by Michael Bates on October 11, 2011 12:50 AM

Pendleton Family Fiddlers iTunes release party Friday

This Friday, March 4, 2011, the Pendleton Family Fiddlers will celebrate the release of their new album on iTunes with a Branson-style revue at the historic Spotlight Theatre, 1381 Riverside Drive. The show stars the Pendleton girls, Emma Jane and Marina, both champion fiddlers and yodelers, backed by mom Virginia...

Posted by Michael Bates on March 1, 2011 10:56 PM

Fun stuff in Tulsa this weekend (that I can't do)

There are some exciting events in Tulsa over the next few days, but because of a heavy and strange work schedule I won't be able to make any of them. But that doesn't mean you have to miss them: Friday, April 23, 2010: National Fiddler Hall of Fame Gala, Tulsa...

Posted by Michael Bates on April 21, 2010 10:37 PM

Pendleton Family Fiddlers CD release party and show Friday

This coming Friday evening, May 8, 2009, the Pendleton Family Fiddlers are throwing a release party and show for their first CD album. It'll be held at the Spotlight Theatre, the art deco landmark located at Riverside Drive at Houston Ave. Tickets are $10 and CDs are $10. Fronting the...

Posted by Michael Bates on May 5, 2009 11:14 PM

National Fiddler Hall of Fame gala Wednesday

The National Fiddler Hall of Fame, based here in Tulsa, will hold its third annual gala and induction tomorrow night, Wednesday, April 29, 2009, at the Tulsa Community College PACE, 81st & US 169. (Gala tickets range from $30 to $100.) The featured fiddler is Mark O'Connor, who will perform...

Posted by Michael Bates on April 28, 2009 12:57 PM