Scene - Blogs - Local state musicians filmmakers lead Will Rogers project

Local, state musicians, filmmakers lead Will Rogers project
Published: 4/19/2011 10:25 AM
Last Modified: 4/19/2011 10:27 AM

Beau Jennings. Courtesy

Oklahoma musicians and filmmakers will create a documentary that will follow the life of Sooner legend Will Rogers across the United States.

“The Verdigris: In Search of Will Rogers” will consist of a documentary and an album.

Okie-born musician Beau Jennings has spent the past several years writing songs about Rogers, his boyhood hero.

“‘The Verdigris’ is something that has become very special to me — it’s named for the river that runs through both my hometown and Will’s — and I hope it can become something special to others, too,” Jennings said in a press statement.

Oklahoma filmmaker Bradley Beesley ("Okie Noodling," "Fearless Freaks," "Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo") will follow Jennings as he performs these original songs at locations where significant events in Rogers’ life occurred — from Oklahoma to Hollywood to Alaska.

“I think everyone knows Will as Oklahoma’s favorite son, but I also think he has faded into the past a bit, reduced to a few memorable quotes. Hopefully with this project, we can all rediscover what made Will Rogers so cool,” Jennings said.

The documentary team plans a fundraising tour, including three Oklahoma stops: The Chouse in Norman on April 23, the Church Studio in Tulsa on April 25 and the Norman Music Festival on April 30.

The project team includes producers Eric Steel and Adam Donaghey, co-producer Jonathan Fowler and music producers/studio engineers Jarod Evans and Chad Copelin.

There also will be a Kickstarter page for donations, to launch online later this week. Donations can also be made at shows.

The Verdigris - Trailer from Beau Jennings on Vimeo.

TOUR INFO:

April 21 – Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silverleaf
103 Industrial St. | (940) 320-2000 | www.danssilverleaf.com

April 22 – Dallas, TX @ The Texas Theatre
FUNDRAISER SHOW
7pm - 11pm
231 W. Jefferson Blvd. | (214)948-1546 | www.thetexastheatre.com
No cover at the door, suggested donations only. Trailer screening and live album preview. Musical performances by others TBA.

April 23 – Norman, OK @ The Chouse
FUNDRAISER SHOW
7pm - 11pm
717 W. Boyd | 405-447-9805
No cover at the door, suggested donations only. Trailer screening and live album preview. Musical performances by others TBA.

April 25 – Tulsa, OK @ The Church Studio
FUNDRAISER SHOW
7pm - 11pm
304 S. Trenton | 918-747-3360 | www.thechurchstudio.com
No cover at the door, suggested donations only. Trailer screening and live album preview. Musical performances by others TBA.

April 26 – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
912 Red River | www.mohawkaustin.com

April 30 – Norman, OK @ Norman Music Festival
Downtown Norman, OK | www.normanmusicfestival.com

More about BEAU JENNINGS (DIRECTOR/MUSICIAN): He may hang his hat in Brooklyn these days, but the subject matter of his carefully crafted songs remain tied to his home state of Oklahoma. While attending the University of Oklahoma, Beau started the Americana-rock band Cheyenne, quickly attracting local and regional attention for his devotion to songcraft backed by beautiful and layered instrumentation.

In 2005 Cheyenne released their debut album "I Am Haunted, I Am Alive," which was followed by regional touring and music festival appearances. After relocation to Brooklyn, Cheyenne’s second album "The Whale" furthered awareness of the band, and was followed by a national tour.

In 2008, Beau released his first solo album "Holy Tulsa Thunder," a collection of songs that brought his songwriting focus full circle back to his home state of Oklahoma.

In 2010, all three of Beau’s full length albums made the list of the top 100 Oklahoma Albums Released in the 2000s.

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Barrelhouse: A colloquialism describing the low saloons at the turn of the century (19th) that served whiskey straight out of the barrel. It's also a reference to the type of music played in those venues. Ex: Barrelhouse music.

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Past Articles By Jennifer Chancellor

2/17/2013		Tulsan Johnny Polygon a rapper who delights in hometown crowd
2/15/2013		The Who brings nostalgia, ingenuity to BOK Center
2/15/2013		Lady Gaga tour is canceled
2/15/2013		Audio Adrenaline concert moves to April 7
2/14/2013		The Who brings 'other' rock opera to Tulsa's BOK Center
2/14/2013		Okies nominated for several top ACM awards
2/14/2013		Epic moments of rock 'n' roll history in Tulsa
2/14/2013		The Who talks about 'Quadrophenia' rock opera ahead of BOK show Thursday
2/14/2013		Shawnee songstress Samantha Crain to play Tulsa CD release show Friday
2/14/2013		Rick Springfield to play River Spirit Event Center on Saturday
2/14/2013		Local music roundup: Vaudvillian sideshows? Nerd nights? Live music? Parties? Yes, yes, yes and yes.
2/14/2013		Eli Young band coming to Brady Theater for first time

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