Local Albums You Should Listen To

By Lauren Lay

We love local music. That’s established by now. Oklahoma musicians have been releasing good tunes in greater numbers than ever before. Here are some Oklahoma artist releases that you should check out in the near future.

Kalyn Fay – Bible Belt

Kalyn Fay released her debut album Bible Belt on June 10 through Horton Records. With titles like “Tulsa,” “Oklahoma,” and the album’s title track “Bible Belt,” Fay speaks from her experiences growing up with the religious dichotomy of both Native American spiritualism and Southern Baptist Christianity in Oklahoma. Fay will be performing at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah on July 14 and at the West Bend Block Party in Claremore on July 19.

Johnny Badseed and the Rotten Apples – Johnny Badseen and the Rotten Apples

Oklahoma natives Jack, Brandt, Mark, and Robby make up the band Johnny Badseed and the Rotten Apples. The band’s self-titled album was released June 14, which follows up the band’s Acoustic EP (2014) and their last full length album Fill Yer Boots (2012). According to the band, they “write and play music about trains, love, and murder” with an alternative folk sound. Johnny Badseed and the Rotten Apples will be playing at Billy and Renee’s (aka: BAR) in Tulsa on July 11.

Wink Burcham – Cleveland Summer Nights

Wink Burcham released Cleveland Summer Nights July 1 through Horton Records.

Burcham is known for contributing to the New Tulsa Sound movement. Burcham’s influenced by artists like John Prine and Hank Williams Jr., helping him pay homage to the past while adding his own sound to Tulsa’s music landscape. This album is available for digital download from the iTunes store or a physical copy can be purchased from www.hortonrecords.org.

Don White – Patchwork

RSU Radio’s very own Don White has released his long awaited album Patchwork. White has been a staple of Tulsa’s music culture for decades and has played alongside both national and local acts like Eric Clapton and the Paul Benjamin Band. Patchwork features 11 new tracks that echo a classic country sound. The album release party is set for July 15 at Soul City in Tulsa. You can also listen to the Don White Show on 91.3 KRSC FM from 7-8 in the evening.

Jabee – Black Future

OKC-based rapper Jabee is set to release his new album Black Future on August 12. Jabee has used his music to aid the underserved and vulnerable of Oklahoma through local non-profit organizations like City Care and the Science Museum Oklahoma. Since the original release date for the album was pushed back, Jabee put out a B-sides version of the new album for fans to enjoy in the meantime. The Tower Theatre in OKC will be hosting the album release party on August 13.

John Calvin Abney – Far Cries and Close Calls

Tulsa singer-songwriter John Calvin Abney will be releasing this fourth full length album Far Cries and Close Calls September 24. Abney frequently plays with other local musicians like Kalyn Fay, Paul Benjamin Band, and Cody Brewer. The Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa will be hosting a release party for Far Cries and Close Calls on September 24. In the meantime, Abney will perform at The Colony in Tulsa July 9 and the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah July 14.