Music in & Around Ponca City
Sounding Off Story by Steve Scott
Larry Newsom t the moment I’m kicked back, holding a drink and admiring the new lounge at the Rusty Barrell Supper Club in Ponca City. I fondly remember many years ago when Bill and Judy Coddington invited me to indulge a busker fantasy of mine to play guitar one evening at the club and entertain the guests. While I am primarily known for my keyboard talents, I have always loved playing the guitar and that was a memorable evening for me.
Morrison 33 is in full rehearsals preparing for an outdoor festival gig this summer and are accepting bookings for openings starting mid-April. Backroads Music is coming off three performances in March and are booking gigs for April and beyond now. Ridin’ High continues to bring on the entertainment, and April is no exception. They have the Dave Holland Band on April 10, The J.D. Brower Band on April 17 and Gannon Freeman & CCrev on May 2. The karaoke nights and corn hole tournaments are very popular. Updates happen regularly, so check their Facebook page for the latest!
Ironically, I am writing this April column on March 1, exactly one month from the hallowed day celebrated by jokesters around the world. However, I have to wonder if April Fool’s Day might be canceled this year. After all, how can anyone or anything out-prank what we have all been through the last year? The real fun will begin soon, when everyone starts showing up around town with face mask tan lines. The Bandstand
"How can anyone or anything out-prank what we have all been through the last year?"
Rockers Mother Kelly auditioned and found a drummer that is fitting in very well. He has huge shoes to fill, but the band is excited with what is happening. The public loves a great comeback story, and Mother Kelly is in a position to provide just that. I know I can’t wait to hear them!
Ready for a post-pandemic return to the music scene, Dirty Erin is masked-up and rehearsing. They are preparing for an outdoor festival in early summer and are ready to start booking again. Some of the new songs being added to the set list by the Hayes Brothers Band feature Eddie Holick and his fiddle-playing expertise. With new material and good weather, the band is ready to start booking events.
34 April 2021
Back2Sighs is booking weekto-week, and still hosting karaoke regularly. Look for live band announcements as they happen. Rock ‘n’ roll stalwart The Fox Sports Bar appears ready to resume live entertainment, and noted they will be contacting local bands to start setting dates.
Astoria and Vortex lounges in downtown Ponca City are fantastic places to be. Besides excellent libations, Astoria continues to offer unique food entrees that you can eat in, take out or have delivered, and Vortex has food vendors on weekends. Food and drinks? Count me in! Be sure and check out the Facebook pages for all of the local bands, bars, lounges and clubs. Local Stars This month I’m featuring well-traveled headliner Larry Newsom. Larry’s solo act is legendary at bars and lounges across Oklahoma, but he didn’t get to this point without “paying his dues.” For
over 30 years, Larry shared the stage with many incredible musicians, journeyed a lot of miles and spent countless hours rehearsing to hone his skills in playing guitar and singing. Larry noted, “Without music I would quickly cease to exist. I know we’ve all been thru a lot lately, and people need some good news. I feel the tide is changing for the better, and I want to be part of the solution.” In 2019 he performed over 60 live shows, sitting on a bar stool for three hours singing original songs, covers and requests. Then the 2020 pandemic hit, and he fell victim to the shutdown of live entertainment everywhere. But his enthusiasm never wavered as he experienced a renewed passion for writing songs and worked on a record contract in Nashville (details about the new album release soon). Bottom line, Larry is the “consummate musician,” with a dedicated following. He is performing steadily in 2021, and this month’s dates include April 17 at the Moose Lodge in Enid, April 23 at Back to Sighs and April 30 at the Platinum Cigar Bar in Bartlesville. He is also a regular at Zanotti’s in Stillwater, so check his Facebook page for times and places. Finally As Roseanne Roseannadanna used to say, “It’s always something.” First, we have a continuing pandemic, and then, on top of that, we have two months of record-breaking snow, ice and below zero temperatures. How is a bar supposed to make a living? With over one-third of our fellow Oklahoman’s having received a COVID-19 shot, hopefully the “numbers” will drop down and everyone can start being happy and feeling safer each day. And maybe they will once again discover the wonderful bars and lounges we have in Ponca City. Just “reading the tea leaves,” I’m sure that when the customers start coming in, so will the live entertainment. If anyone has information on live music events, please write me at smscott54@hotmail.com.
