Oklahoma Today: The Rock & Roll Issue

Oklahoma Today, the official magazine of Oklahoma since 1956, is now the official magazine of those about to rock, releasing a Special Collector’s Edition for May/June to coincide with the Oklahoma History Center’s Another Hot Oklahoma Night exhibit.

The Rock-and-Roll Issue acts as both history lesson and a how-to manual, guiding readers to explore Oklahoma’s rich music scene. The comprehensive feature “State of Rock,” written by Oklahoma Today associate editor Jake Adamson, covers the biggest Oklahoma names to top the charts in the last fifty years. Readers also can learn the history of an Oklahoma original genre, red dirt, in “Songs in the Key of Home.” In addition, the magazine pays homage to the state’s audiences in the portfolio “Fanatic” and helps build better fans with “50 Rock,” a discography of the fifty essential rock and roll albums from Charlie Christian to Kings of Leon.

“This special issue of Oklahoma Today captures the spirit of creativity and cultural vitality of our great state,” says Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma History Center, where Another Hot Oklahoma Night opens on May 2. “As readers will discover, rock and roll is not just music. It is a reflection of the last fifty years of our history. I think many people will be both surprised and inspired by this historic issue of a historic magazine.”

Elsewhere in the issue, rockers and fans alike can read a Q&A with Wanda Jackson, a profile of Leon Russell, and a history of Tulsa’s legendary Cain’s Ballroom. The Flaming Lips are ever-present, from a story on how “Do You Realize??” became the Oklahoma State Rock Song to an essay penned by front man Wayne Coyne and an original poem by Steven Drozd, who is considered the “musical brains” of the Lips.

Guides to the state’s best independent record stores, music festivals, venues, radio programs, and rockin’ eateries help music fans find their way around, while Expert Advice from promoters gives aspiring rock stars a foothold in the scene and Marketplace items from Ida Red, a Rock n’ Roll Boutique, shows rockers how to look—and sound—the part.

“Bold, meaty, reverent, headbanging,” says Louisa McCune-Elmore, editor-in-chief of Oklahoma Today. “This is how I would describe what is surely our staff’s favorite issue of the magazine in at least a few years. The Rock-and-Roll issue is a once-in-a-lifetime offering from the state magazine, and we know music lovers of all ages will go crazy for every single page. This may be our most collectible issue yet.”

As the official magazine of “Another Hot Oklahoma Night,” this issue would not be complete without an article whetting readers’ appetites for the exhibit. The Oklahoma History Center has put together a masterful collection of rock memorabilia and fascinating interactive displays to immerse visitors in Oklahoma’s rock-and-roll experience.

As always, Oklahoma Today, a division of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, offers readers top-notch writing and photography from cover to cover. This issue is sure to be an essential item in any Oklahoma rock fan’s collection. The Rock-and-Roll issue of Oklahoma Today is currently available at Steve’s Sundries in Tulsa, Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City, Best of Books in Edmond, and Borders Books and Music, Homeland, Hastings, Waldenbooks, plus many other stores across the state. Single issues and subscriptions can be purchased via phone by calling (800) 777-1793 or online at oklahomatoday.com. The magazine hits newsstands across the region on May 4.