Chris Gunn, Jason Smith, and Gilley’s girls

Won’t be saying much here, gotta get out and hear some more music. Friday night at Durant’s Choctaw Casinos was packed with incredible live music. In all, there were six bands — Lynard Skynard and at the band Hinder were at the Event Center; The Great Divide at Center Stage; Chase Sanford & Swamp Rat Jackson and Brandon Jenkins at Gilley’s; and Strongwood at the Parrot Bar. Also, fans at the Grant facility were treated to The Bellamy Brothers at its Event Center, plus a band at The River Bar.

Wow, how much music can they put out there for the public? Friday night showed that Choctaw organizers and Overdrive Entertainment can put a lot out, and note the variations.

The Greeat Divide, for both of you out there who don’t know yet, was the original Red Dirt music band, organizing out of Stillwater, Okla. Brandon Jenkins is also, primarily, a Red Dirt artist and had the crowd on the dance floor with only his voice, his guitar, and his drummer.  Swamp Rat Jackson also brought out the dancers — in force!

This reporter made it to three of those events, and here are the photos. There are more of the Chase Sanford Band because it was their debut in its new make-up.

The  Great Divide

Brandon Jenkins

Chase Sanford & Swamp Rat Jackson

Boyz II Men

For many more photographs, click here

Nathan Morris, Wayna Morris, and Shawn Stockman are names that together make up what is probably the most successful R&B group of all times — Boyz II Men. This may be the shortest review this reporter has ever written, with emphasis simply on this — go see this group!

Never have I witnessed so smooth transitions between lead singers sharing the same song, and never before heard such harmonies before! Showmanship and style!

Boyz II Men graced the Event Center stage in Choctaw

Walk of Fame

Casino’s Grant, Okla., facility Friday night (11/9) and the house was packed with fans that knew every word to every song, every move the band would be asking of them, and what was coming up with their last song — the passing out of dozens of red roses.

The Boyz returned to Choctaw Casino’s CenterStage in Durant, Okla., Saturday night (11/10), where they again packed the house.

Shenandoah

For a band with, seemingly, a swinging door for musicians to come and go, Shenandoah has remained true to its southern country roots, and that music remains as fresh today as it was in the beginning. It was not Nashville country then, 1984, and it’s not Nashville country today, and somehow it fits in the ear just fine.

Shenandoah made a rare appearance Thursday night (Nov. 8, 2012) at Gilley’s/Choctaw in Durant.

Shenandoah, from Muscle Shoals, Ala., has always been a 5-piece group, using a keyboard as a second boss instrument behind the lead guitar, and of course the regular acoustic and bass guitars and drums. The original lead singer, Marty Raybon, left in 1997, and now taking the lead vocals is Jimmy Yeary. Two original members still with the group are Jim Seals on lead guitar and Mike McGuire on drums, and both of those help out with backup vocals. Stan Munsey rocked it out on the keyboards. (And a quick look up of his name shows just how many dozens of hits he’s penned for top country artists over the decades!)

As a refresher, because sometimes in today’s world it becomes easy to forget the 80s and 90s music, Shenandoah charted up 26 hits on Billboard, with “The Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday In The South,” and “Two Dozen Roses” moving into the No. 1 spot on that prestigious chart. They also earned a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Group.

Spokesman from the stage was Seals. He used the term several times, “back in our heyday,” and it was not used with any sort of bitterness or regret that they aren’t still up there charting No. 1 hits. Of course, they all would like to, just like any honest musician will admit, but, as Seals explained, they have hometown ties now, families, children and even grandchildren for some.

Seals also explained that it was when their record label (and he didn’t say which one) wanted them to alter their style a bit more than they wanted to that they came to a parting of the ways. Similarly, so many others have said the same over the years.

Once during the set, Yeary and Seals made a separate introduction of Folsom, saying that they all want for him whatever he wants, and then left the stage to let Folsom, who picked up the acoustic guitar and cut loose on a couple of his original songs. Shades of local music scenes everywhere! Mike Folsom. We might better keep an ear out for this young man’s music in the future.

The band Shenandoah played many of their charted and recorded songs, covered a few others, and ended with a fine medley of the greatest hits of the years. Then, off the stage, they hung around until the last fan had a change to “meet and greet,” meaning sign an autograph, have a picture taken, or just express their appreciation. No formality to it at all.

Are you listening, Nashville?

For more Shenandoah photographs, click here

Doug Phelps — See the twinkle?

For more pictures, click the link below.

Sporting the looks and licks that have become their signatures during the past 44 years, The Kentucky Headhunters show no signs of wavering energy, talent, or boredom. This band, which began practicing their rock in what is now called the “Practice House” right in the middle of bluegrass country. Brothers Richard (acoustic guitar0 and Fred Young(drums)  and lead guitarist Greg Martin have remained active through the 4.4 decades, with several other musicians coming and going. Now,  the bass job is carried by Doug Phelps, who was a member for a while, stepped out, then returned in 1996. He’s also been responsible for the lead vocals since he returned.

The Kentucky Headhunters played a solid two-hour set, and during about eight minutes of that, Fred Young took a drum solo with momentum that could have equalled that of the battle of the Alamo or San Jacinto. Slow, rhythmic rhythms that restful felt like a lull in the battle, then bursts as if several canons all were shot at once.

Not to disappoint at all, the band performed many of their 200 charted hits, including “Dumas Walker,” “Rave On,” ‘Walk Softly On This Heart of Mine,” and “Spirit In The Sky.” They also mixed in a few songs off their newest (No. 11) CD “Dixie Lullaby.” In all, the audience got a glimpse of their every style,.

Then, when the show was over, the guys didn’t even get to make it over to their merch table because of the line of fans wanting autotgraphs, pictures, and simple handshakes. During the 30-minutes, or so, this foursome never lost their smiles, never showed any signs of “Oh my goodness… do I have to do this some more?” Instead, they looked as if they were having just as much fun as the fans.

Oh, and that signature look?Caveman chic? Hippier than hippie?  Doesn’t matter — it was the friendly twinkles and straightforward looks in their eyes that cast the hook In the fans’ hearts!

Thanks, Gilley’s Durant/Choctaw. And as a reminder, there is never a cover charge for the music at Gilley’s Durant/Choctaw or at its Parrot Bar, both of which have live music every Friday and Saturday and occasionally, like this past Thursday, a great show at Gilley’s then also. Watch the Live Music Calendar to see who else is coming up, and that includes The Great Divide in November!

For more pix, click here