Sounding Off

Story & Photos by Steve Scott/ Contributing Writer

While writing this column, your “freelance music at Finn’s Pub in Manhattan, Kansas, and back to Thursday, June 24 – Hillcrest Ensemble blogger” is munching on a Reuben sandwich with kettle chips at the Ground Round Restaurant in Ponca City. It’s been a year since my band played this juke-joint, always packing the place to SRO (standing room only). I, like many others, sure miss those good times. But there are positive signs on the horizon. Zanotti’s in Stillwater on May 25. Ridin’ High hosted three bands in April, and opens May with Gannon Freeman & CCrev. April 2 Native Stone and J.D. Brower really packed the joint, so look for more band announcements soon. The Grand Cigar lounge in downtown Ponca City broke the ice with the Arms Friday, July 23 – Harwood, Roberts and Thompson Sunday, August 22 – Holly and the Guys Monday, September 20 – The Hayes Brothers Band Kicking things off is Morgan. This is an unplugged performance featuring Morgan Reynolds, a multi-instrumentalist (piano, sax, guitar, flute) and vocal master from Stillwater. Morgan has a

While doing a little clerical of London Unplugged performing an background in gospel and classic rock with an OSU work in preparation for acoustic act. With the arrival of nice degree in music and vocal performance. She is a my column, I ran across weather, look for more buskers on powerhouse act, and regularly performs across the something remarkable on their Second Street patio soon. United States, as well as in Mexico and Europe. In my laptop screen: A long line of shows that took place in Ponca City over the month of March. I have to say that live entertainment in our area has started a slow, but sure, Astoria hosted Matt Thompson to a full house in March and announced some remodeling to their building, including re-felting of the pool table and a new dartboard. addition, she has worked with multiple Grammy winners. Locally, you can catch her act at Ponca City, Stillwater and Oklahoma City venues. Her live performances give an audience the feeling of seeing something truly extraordinary. Bottom line: Morgan is a must-see show! revival. There is demand, and the town is getting busy again. Live music is returning! I feel like singing Handel’s Hallelujah chorus! The Bandstand "You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” The Hayes Brothers Band looks to have a busy summer, with four bookings on the calendar with more pending. Something happening … The Arts and Humanities Council will have Mike Seals on piano with his jazz trio, featuring Paul Finally This last year reinforced the old adage, “You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.” As a musician, I crave performing for audiences and being a part of people enjoying themselves. That all quickly vanished this last year as everyone went home, locked their doors and hunkered down with rooms full of toilet paper. But out of this

As of press time, it Palma on bass and Don Long on experience, I am reminded that each day is a gift appears the local drums in the amphitheater at City and just how blessed we all are. bars are booking just a week or two in advance, which is not good for a publication. But perennial rockers Mother Kelly, Dirty Erin and Morrison 33 Central on May 13 and 27. The one-hour concerts start at 7 p.m. and will feature different light-jazz songs. For our local bands, the time was not lost. Music continued to emanate all over town. And not just from the “normal” places. Everyone continued to have “their people talking with the bar’s people” to May starts the North Central Oklahoma Arts Council practice. New music was created in bedrooms and set dates. Look for announcements soon. “Full Moon Concert Series.” The NCOAC brings garages, and some was taken to the studio for new

On the lighter side, the peerless team of Backroads outstanding music acts to perform in the Tonkawa albums. Everyone’s sound has developed, which

Music continues to establish their place on the downtown park gazebo, entertaining hundreds means when our local musicians hit the stage this entertainment scene. Bookings at Rand-Shan’s of people each month and, more importantly, spring, they are bringing their “A” game. Overall, in Pond Creek and Zanotti’s in Stillwater were supporting the music arts. Each free event occurs everyone wins. And, I’m personally ready to get out pending at press time. on the night of a full moon, so the days of the week there and start “winning”!

Guitar great Larry Newsom has a solid calendar going forward, and added Back2Sighs to his list of stops in March, packing the house and giving vary with the lunar cycle. Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket to enjoy these concerts that start at 7:30 p.m. each month. The lineup for this year includes: an extra set for the crowd. Look for him May 1 at Wednesday, May 26 – Morgan the Paul Schatte Memorial Chili Cook-Off, May 13 36 May 2021

Morgan Reynolds

If anyone has information on live music events, please write me at smscott54@hotmail.com.