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All RSU News Articles

Oklahoma Musician Tom Skinner Dies at 61

Tom Skinner, an Oklahoma music mainstay, and red dirt pioneer has passed away. Skinner helped to develop the red dirt scene sound in the late 1970s. Since then, he has toured, recorded, and written music on a consistent basis. He spent a brief stint playing bass in Garth Brooks' band. Most recently he played a weekly Wednesday Night Science Project, inviting local musicians to perform with him. Skinner is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.Despite failing health, he continued to play up until his death, with his final show taking place on…continue reading →

PRESS PLAY: BULLY ‘Feels Like’

    Their piece of work 'Feels Like' is loud, with punchy lines to grab listeners attention. A soundtrack for summer if you will. There is so much emotion behind all eleven tracks; frustration, and especially confusion to set a catchy tone that keeps listeners wanting more.     The group is made up by lead singer Alicia Bognanno, Stewart Copeland, Clayton Parker, and Reece Lazarus. From guitar riffs to some serious drums, Bognanno's voice stands out creating such a distinct sound for the group. You can hear her voice for under 30 minutes…continue reading →

Press Play: Leon Bridges

There’s a new rhythm and blues presence causing a stir in college music radio and it comes by way of singer, songwriter and guitarist, Leon Bridges, whose debut album, Coming Home, just hit airwaves to critical acclaim. Bridges, who was born in Athens, Georgia and grew up in Texas, draws many comparisons to iconic soul musicians Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. In addition to his smooth voice, he can play guitar and write melodies that compare strikingly. The twenty-five year old cites these two rhythm and blues pioneers as some of his greatest…continue reading →

Mavis Staples to be Honored with 2nd Annual Woody Guthrie Prize

Mavis Staples, the iconic rhythm and blues singer and civil rights activist, is to be awarded the annual Woody Guthrie Prize on Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, California.  Staples will be the second recipient of the prestigious award that is given to artists who best exemplify the spirit and life work of Woody Guthrie by using their art form to speak up for the less fortunate and evoke social change in America. Pete Seeger, the American folk singer and activist, was posthumously honored with the prize in…continue reading →

Press Play: Mates of state

       Kori Gardener & Jason Hammel are the masterminds behind the pop duo ‘Mates of State.’ The two have been on a music journey since 1997. They began in Larence, Kansas. Through the years the two have worked hard to create music to fit their lifestyle, and listeners around the world.   ‘You’re going to Make it’ is a self produced EP that just hit airwaves in mid June. Tracks are majorly sharp with meaningful lyrics. For nearly two decades the duo have been in a relationship and this can be heard through…continue reading →

Press Play: Yukon Blonde

Indie rock group Yukon Blonde is looking to make an impact on college music radio in the coming weeks with the release of their third full length album, On Blond. Working out of Vancouver, Canada, the group consists of Jeff Innes, Brandon Scott, Graham Jones and James Younger. Their confidence is currently at an all time high. Recently, the band was nominated for a Juno Award, which is the Canadian equivalent to our Grammy’s, for Breakthrough Group of the Year for their work on their 2013 album, Tiger Talk.  On Blonde is a…continue reading →