THE METAMORPHOSIS OF ROCKY KANAGA

B Y K A R I H U S K E Y

If you have been in the Oklahoma City area for any time at all, you have undoubtedly heard the name Rocky Kanaga. With his mellow radiant voice and laid-back demeanor, he has blazed an impressive musical trail through this area for 20 years.

As with any great story, Rocky ’s began when he was 13 after he bought a snare drum at a neighborhood garage sale. He used white 5-gallon buckets as his toms and what he described as “a little wire thing as his symbol putting it on a caulking gun” and that was his drum set. Seeing how much he loved playing, his parents surprised him one Christmas with a trap set, and the inevitable musical road was laid out in front of him.

Before long, he was playing with his friends Blake Lennon and Josh Christian in one of their parents’ garages. The trio belted out Nirvana, Offspring and Metallica and rocked the pants off anyone in the garage listening to them! Rocky remembers “It was the best time in my life musically speaking. ” They were just playing in the garage, but to them they were some badass rockstars!

Around the age of 22, Rocky went to his first Dave Matthews concert. He went there as a drummer and then after seeing Dave play, he was like “forget the drums… I want to learn the guitar!” He loved Dave Matthews message…his songs are a lot about dying, but in the meantime, you should eat, drink and be merry because you are not promised tomorrow. This is when Rocky realized that songs can be sad and still be an uplifting force.

After the concert, Rocky went to the store and bought a VHS tape (yes, VHS lol) of Dave Matthews playing live. He would slow it down and watch Dave’s fingers and would count the frets. Basically, Dave Matthews taught him how to play and it is and there is no doubt that if you ask for any Dave Matthews song, Rocky can play it! And rather well too!

Over the years as Rocky made his way playing gigs around the Oklahoma City and Norman area, he found himself falling victim to the party atmosphere in which musicians can be deeply rooted. Rocky has now been sober for 3 years and admits that when he watches Facebook memories of his shows, he is horrified to see how he was playing when he was drinking. He tried to stop but he was to the point that his withdrawals were horrific. The first thing that he had to do in the morning to feel better was to take a drink because his hands were shaking so badly. “It got to the point where I was hearing evil voices, like they were telling me, you know how to end your life. Just go…you know where the guns are and whatever. ”

Rocky recalls,

“I was at my parents’ house, and they didn’t know what was wrong. I was talking crazy; I was seeing and hearing things. It was real to me but no one else could see it. ” That is when his mom took him to the emergency room. “I remember I was shaking and hearing voices. I stood up and tried to calm myself down and that is the last thing I remember. I just fell face first and like, had a huge blackout and woke up in the ICU four or five days later. ” Doctors would come in and out every day and ask him to hold his hand up to see how bad the shaking was. “This one nurse or doctor, I don’t know if she was going to school or what, one day came back in and asked if I was going to stop drinking. I said I don’t know if I want to… She looked at me in the eyes and said you are going to die, she was like, your body can’t take one more of these withdrawals and you are going to die. So, I was like do I want to live or die? I looked at her and said I want to live. I wish I could go back and find her after all these years to say thank you for saving my life. ”

So, what does the future hold for Mr. Kanaga? He just finished his first solo album, appropriately named Metamorphosis with Steve Boaz, who according to Rocky, is a musical genius and owns Breathing Rhythm Studios in Norman. Metamorphosis will drop later this year and Rocky already has songs percolating for another album. When asked about the inspiration behind the album Rocky quickly responded “It is about change… how I changed. It is about the past and where I am headed in the future. There are songs on there that are sad but only because I know what they are about, but they all have a message of hope. ” He gave The Brew a sneak peak, or shall we say listen, and we can definitely say that you will not be disappointed. You will find every type of musical influence and lyrics that were purged from Rocky ’s heart.

Rocky Kanaga’s future is definitely bright. He is loving life, writing music, and fighting the good fight. His plan is to keep playing shows, maybe a tour, continue healing and taking care of himself through music.

Make sure and follow Rocky Kanaga on his Facebook and Instagram @RockyKanagaMusic for more information about his upcoming album release and live shows!

T H E F I R S T N A T I O N A L C E N T E R Where history and glamour meet and have a cocktail

B Y L A C O N I A B U T L E R

Oklahoma City is full of history, charm, and tradition. Neighborhoods, buildings, and businesses have been around for over 100 years leaving their personal stamp on the City 's pages. With a history so vast sometimes it's easy to forget just how lucky we Oklahomans are. As time goes on sometimes a new chapter in OKC history is written and the old chapters are left behind, but not forgotten. Oklahoma City has welcomed a new era of growth, bringing new business to the state. However, with all of the new buildings, one building has always been a stand-out, The First National Building. The iconic 32-floor building stands proudly in downtown OKC. Its peak adds to the now infamous Oklahoma City skyline. While you might be aware of the building, you may not be aware of its storied past. In 1931, The Johnson Brothers purchased the land and together they designed and fully built the gorgeous building in just 11 months. The First National Bank was opened in 1931. The Johnson Brothers spared no detail and created one of the most opulent and grandeur buildings. After the fall of the bank in the mid-80s, the building was left mostly in disrepair and was occupied by local government offices. After years of neglect, in 2015, the building was purchased by Gary Brooks with the intention to open this space as we see it today. Mr. Brooks knew about the history of the building and honored it. After years of meticulous rehab, The First National Center reopened its doors in 2022. Just like before the building and space spare no details. Upon stepping through the doors, it's like stepping back in time. One of elegance, old-world charm, and luxury. You can’t help but feel the electric energy. Upon entering make your way up the grand staircase to the main lobby where you will be blown away by The Great Hall. The space is the old lobby from the bank. Mr. Brooks honored the bank's history and feel and lovingly resorted the space to its art deco past. The floors are the original Italian marble, chosen for its softness to allow for women's heels to be silent. So soft in fact there are still spots located around the space that have indents from years of walk and standing. Just another fun fact about the building that makes it so unique. They also kept the artwork and painting the same as well as four 1931 murals by Edgar Spier Cameron reflecting the state's history, including the Louisiana Transfer, Sunset Trail, and Oklahoma Land Run. In the center of the room is The Great Hall’s bar. Open all day from coffee to cocktails, The Great Hall is essentially the living room or gathering space for The First National guests and visitors. You can grab a drink, sit on one of the many cozy chairs or

couches, meet friends old and new, and have a grand time. The Great Hall is evocative of Europe’s majestic all-day bars. The grandeur of this architectural masterpiece is the perfect setting to enjoy craft European cocktails such as Italian Aperitivos and Spanish Gintonicos complemented by antipasti and Neapolitan pizzas from Tellers.

After enjoying a relaxing cocktail from The Great Hall it's time to make your way to Tellers, the aptly named Italian restaurant located in as you can guess, the old bank tellers' space. Chief culinary officer Jonathan Benno along with Chef Spencer Arthur and hospitality company Apicii, are behind the hotel's restaurants, as well as another pair of offerings inside the 1.1 million-squarefoot First National Center. Teller’s menu is a thoughtful yet classic Italian food starting their wood-fired oven. Chef Arthur wants to feature local, seasonal, and great fresh produce. They have everything from handmade pizzas and pasta to crisp salads and a steak that will forever change your life. Paired with their iconic blood orange spritz you will feel like you're dining in an old-world Italian villa.

Down a set of stairs leads you to The Vault and Library of Distilled Spirits, a grand speakeasy-style bar in the building's basement. Behind the original bank vault doors and steel walls, they will have 1,500 spirits that are documented in an encyclopedia, as well as more than 200 craft cocktails. The Vault will be the answer to OKC's long-awaited speakeasy big city vibe bars. A place to see and be seen. A great spot for a night out with a relaxing vibe, easy music, comfortable seating, and a mystique that can’t be ignored. Along with some of the best drinks in the state, The Vault will also have light Mexicanstyle bites. Then, in July, Stock & Bond steakhouse will debut, honoring the High Plains agriculture legacy, along with an impressive selection of whiskeys. The First National Building has also opened up The First Residency and The National both high-end luxury apartments and hotels. On the first floor, The First National is also creating a one-stop shop for everything that you would want or need, highlighting some of the best that Oklahoma City has to offer. In their retail spaces, OKC’s very own Plenty Mercantile will be opening its doors and selling its curated Oklahoma-made good. There will also be a nail salon, a Dry Bar, and a barbershop. However, this being The First National, it isn’t just any barbershop. It’s the original barbershop that moved down from its 14th-floor home. In fact, it’s the very barbershop where Mr. Edward Gaylord, an important name in Oklahoma history, was known to take his morning meetings. It is a special piece of Oklahoma's history that you too can be a part of. The First National also has a grand ballroom and smaller event spaces that can be rented out and used for the perfect retro-inspired wedding, party, or event. The First National Center is an oasis of luxury, elegance, and historic flair, highlighting the best that downtown and Oklahoma City have to offer. They have infused into every facet of the building, history, and glamour that every Oklahoman needs to see and experience. They have allowed us to reconnect with Oklahoma's grand past and continue to also allow us to celebrate its bright future. In every way, The First National Center offers the best, stunning design, amazing food and drinks, thrilling entertainment, and an exciting future.

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Kochendorfer Brewing Company WHERE BEER AND PASSION MEET

B Y K A R I H U S K E Y

What do you do when you have a fervor for brewing craft beer? You open a brewery of course! And that is exactly what Chris & Laura Kochendorfer and Lenny & Kathryn Cripps set out to do. Chris started making his own beer in 2010 and over time his passion only grew stronger. They say timing is everything, and the timing couldn’t have been any better when they met the Cripps. Lenny ’s lifelong dedication for craft beer began over 30 years ago when he and Kathryn were stationed in Germany. Once back in the United States, Lenny began to miss the beer he had so grown to love and decided that if he were going to have the quality of beer, he had grown accustomed to there, he would have to learn to brew it himself. Having met the Cripps, the Kochendorfers just knew they would be fantastic partners for a joint venture. Keven Costner taught us all that if you build it, they will come….and in this case, it is absolutely true. Just a short drive down McCurdy Road and built on an amazing piece of land between Marlow and Duncan, you will find the Kockendorfers and Cripps doing what they do best. When you first walk into the brewery there is a laid-back and welcoming vibe. You are taken back by the beauty of all the custom woodwork tables and the one-of-a-kind beautifully crafted wooden bar top. Seriously, it is so smooth and shiny you can literally see your reflection. But wait, there’s more…they have pinball… yes, I said pinball!

Once you make your way through the tap room to the fantastic patio outside, you will be greeted with rows of tables, a big screen tv for watching the big game, a mobile bar, a walking path, and an area for the kiddos to play. You can relax by one of their firepits, play a game of cornhole or if you want to re-live your grade school recess days, challenge your friends to a heated game of tetherball! And according to Laura Kochendorfer, “We are always looking for new ways to add to our customers’ experience when they visit the brewery. Currently, we are working on plans to create a separate event space for large parties, add to our playground area, and potentially build a dog park. ”

By now you are probably thinking beer…what about the beer? Well, Kochendorfers definitely WILL NOT disappoint there. Beer is their business, and they offer an array of craft beer and even the pickiest beer drinker will be able to find one or two that they like. Kochendorfer focuses on making drinkable beer. Some may not understand that statement as they like when you have to choke a beer down because it’s either too bitter, too stout, or just too funky. That’s not this style, they believe beer should be enjoyed. From their Cream Ale to the Imperial Stout, you have incredible flavor without all the weird faces trying to figure out what you think about it. They have a Stout that comes in at 3.8% which would go perfectly with Sausage and Eggs or potato pancakes.

That’s a great way to start a day. With the name, you would assume and would be correct that they make a great Hefeweizen. Their Dunkelweizen isn’t too shabby and goes on our would-drink anytime list. Recently, they decided to play with ingredients a bit for a good cause and created a one-of-a-kind Sour Wheat that has a lemony, citrusy tartness that makes it incredibly refreshing. The can design was part of a Collaboration with Autism Oklahoma and looks amazing. This label has been so popular that plan to collaborate with them for a series of sour styles.

Each beer has its own story tying it to a fantastical tale that takes you to unseen and faraway places, puts you through twists and turns, and then brings you to Oklahoma. Their Irish Red Ale tells the tale of Red, a fiery red-haired maiden with a temperament to match kicking some major booty in the 1800s. The Imperial Stout tells us how Viktor, an animal-loving gentle soul that was born in the 1800s in Russia and found himself on a journey with the circus. Check out their website at kochendorferbrewing.com for the rest of the stories.

It is always fascinating to learn about the Inspiration behind the beers and this story is both amazing and inspiring. Chris told us, “After meeting Lenny in 2010, we discovered we both had similar tastes in styles of beer. In the ’80s and ’90s, Lenny immersed himself in the craft beer scene and spent time around the U.S. and Europe experiencing styles from all over. Likewise, I traveled extensively across the U.S. and Europe in the last decade, which expanded my awareness that beer could be so much more than some of the big domestic brands I’d become accustomed to. Lenny and I were both drawn to the traditional styles, which is why we focus so much of our lineup on them. That’s not to say that we won’t create a beer that deviates from the original styles or add a few adjuncts, but when we do, we like to go on the subtle side of flavor additions. If you look at our core beers, Cream ale, Irish Red, Hefeweizen, American Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, and Imperial Chocolate Stout, we are providing an array of traditional styles, with the goal of educating our community on craft beer. For many, we were their first introduction to what craft beer could be and have made it easy to find a beer that fits their pallet. ”

When asked about the story behind their brand we learned that Kochendorfer’s Brewery is a reflection of their combined personalities and passion for people from all walks of life, their community, and craft beer. “It represents the playfulness of the founders, the passion of the brewers, and the love of storytelling. ” And we would say that they absolutely hit the mark.

Kochendorfers Brewery always has fun events happening. Open Thursday through Sunday, they host a variety of events each week including music, games, yoga, and more! They have recently released their summer concert series and plan to add more events throughout the next few months. Make sure and follow their social media for upcoming events and beer releases.