Music news: Flaming Lips frontman and wife honored by OKC Plaza District
BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Wednesday, August 08, 2012
8/08/12 at 3:35 AM
Last week, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne and wife Michelle Martin-Coyne received the 2012 Urban Pioneer Award from the Oklahoma City Plaza District.
The Coynes call the somewhat rough-and-tumble area home, and Coyne has lived there since his childhood.
He grew up in the "Classen Ten Penn" area, just blocks from the renovated Plaza District, located on NW 16th Street between Classen Boulevard and Pennsylvania Avenue. The Coynes returned to the area in the 1980s.
"The neighborhood had gotten pretty bad," Michelle Martin-Coyne said in a media statement. "Years ago, there came a time when we had to sit down and decide if we were going to stay."
They stayed. Today, the area is home to arts, local stores, hair salons, community theater and more.
Plaza District Association Executive Director Kristen Vails said in a media statement: "Staying and believing in this neighborhood, the Coynes deserve this recognition just as much as any developer, philanthropist or visionary. The Coynes are a symbol of our city's entire generation of urban pioneers who have chosen to stay and defend the good of their neighborhoods."
Garth Brooks added to teachers benefit concert
Superstar country music icon Garth Brooks has been added to the "Teachers Rock" program, slated to air at 7 p.m. Aug. 17 on CBS.
Benefits from the Los Angeles show will go to DonorsChoose.org, Feeding America and Teach for America.
The one-hour show will pay tribute to America's educators at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.
Jamey Johnson's album to feature big-name Okies
Country singer-songwriter Jamey Johnson is releasing a new album on Oct. 16. "Livin' for a Song: A Tribute to Hank Cochran" also will feature Tulsa Sound icon Leon Russell, Norman native Vince Gill and former Tulsa resident Ronnie Dunn.
"If I had to dream up somebody like Hank to influence songwriters, I couldn't have done a better job," Johnson said in a media statement. "That's what he was - not just for me, but for Willie and for a lot of people - just a helpful friend. If he knew you needed help with something, he could help you. He was there. And that's what I want to be for the people in my life, same as Hank. He influenced me, not only as an artist and songwriter, but also as a person."
Other contributors include Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, George Strait, Asleep at the Wheel, Alison Krauss, Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris.
Cochran was a mentor to Haggard and Nelson. He also helped write the hits "I Fall to Pieces," "Ocean Front Property," "Set 'Em Up Joe" and "Make the World Go Away."
Original Print Headline: Coynes honored by district
Associated Images:
Michelle Martin-Coyne and her husband, Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne, received the 2012 Urban Pioneer Award last week. Courtesy
Brooks
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