Posts by Teresa Knox
IN SESSION: With Johnny Mullenax
January 3rd, 2025 | 6-7 pm & 7:30-8:30 pm CDT The Church Studio presents IN SESSION with Johnny Mullenax—an exclusive and immersive listening experience in the iconic Live Room. Limited to just 50 attendees, this event offers a unique opportunity to become part of the recording and tracking process. Other artists featured include: Jake Lynn, Andrew Bair,…
Read MoreLooney Tunes : EVAN HUGHES
Looney Tunes @ 1PM : EVAN HUGHES DETAILS Date: April 13, 2024 Time: 1:00 PM CDT See Full Schedule Here VENUE The Church Studio 304 S Trenton AveTulsa, OK 74120 United States + Google Map
Read MoreTunes @ Noon : GORDON MCKINNEY
Tunes @ Noon : GORDON MCKINNEY DETAILS Date: April 20, 2024 Time: 12:00 PM CDT See Full Schedule Here VENUE The Church Studio 304 S Trenton AveTulsa, OK 74120 United States + Google Map
Read MoreTunes @ Noon : CHELS RENEE
Tunes @ Noon : CHELS RENEE DETAILS Date: April 30, 2024 Time: 12:00 PM CDT See Full Schedule Here VENUE The Church Studio 304 S Trenton Ave Tulsa, OK 74120 United States + Google Map
Read MoreTunes @ Noon : ACESHOOTMEDOWN
Tunes @ Noon : ACESHOOTMEDOWN DETAILS Date: April 13, 2024 Time: 12:00 PM CDT See Full Schedule Here VENUE The Church Studio 304 S Trenton AveTulsa, OK 74120 United States + Google Map
Read MoreJOHN FORD COLEY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT
JOHN FORD COLEY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT John Ford Coley is an American singer, guitarist, pianist, actor, and author. He may be best well known as half of the Grammy nominated duo, England Dan and John Ford Coley. John has created many memorable hits such as: “Love Is The Answer”, “Gone Too Far”, “I’d Really…
Read MoreRITA COOLIDGE | LEGACY ARTIST MEMOIR EXPERIENCE
RITA COOLIDGE | LEGACY ARTIST MEMOIR EXPERIENCE December 3, 2022 @ 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm CST You’ll be up close and personal to legendary artist, Rita Coolidge for this unique memoir experience. Known as “Delta Lady”—inspired by Leon Russell’s 1970’s song; Rita will share stories about her life, music, and career. Hosted by Teresa Knox in front of an intimate audience…
Read MoreKENNY LOGGINS | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT
KENNY LOGGINS | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT October 21, 2021 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CDT The Church Studio is redefining live music events – bringing a thrilling experience to a very finite group of 100 guests in the transcendent sanctuary of The Church Studio. The Church Studio, a legendary state-of-the-art recording studio, archive, and historic landmark has…
Read MoreLeon Russell’s Definitive Biography – An Exclusive Book Signing Experience
Leon Russell’s Definitive Biography – An Exclusive Book Signing Experience March 18, 2023 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm CDT $44.00 Author Bill Janovitz is publishing the definitive biography of legendary musician, composer, and performer Leon Russell, a profound influence on countless artists, including George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Willie Nelson,…
Read MoreWILLIS ALAN RAMSEY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT
WILLIS ALAN RAMSEY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT Willis Alan Ramsey is an American singer/songwriter with a super fan base among listeners of Americana and Texas country. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama, and raised in Dallas, Texas. An alumnus of The Church Studio, Willis released the critically acclaimed album, Willis Alan Ramsey, in 1972 on the Shelter label. The album included “Muskrat Candlelight” which…
Read MoreAIR SUPPLY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT
AIR SUPPLY | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT October 4, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CDT “Making Love Out of Nothing at All”“Even the Nights are Better”“Here I Am”“Every Woman in the World”“The One that you Love” “Lost in Love” Need we say more?? Australian soft rock duo, consisting of English-born singer-songwriter and guitarist Graham Russell and Australian…
Read MoreTAJ MAHAL | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT
TAJ MAHAL | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT December 8, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CST KENT BLAZY WITH SPECIAL GUEST STEVE ALLEN Kent Blazy is an American country music songwriter who calls Nashville, TN his home. His credits include several singles for Garth Brooks such as “Tomorrow Never Comes”, as well as singles by Gary Morris, Diamond Rio,…
Read MoreKENT BLAZY | LEGACY SONGWRITER CONCERT
KENT BLAZY | LEGACY SONGWRITER CONCERT December 8, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CST KENT BLAZY WITH SPECIAL GUEST STEVE ALLEN Kent Blazy is an American country music songwriter who calls Nashville, TN his home. His credits include several singles for Garth Brooks such as “Tomorrow Never Comes”, as well as singles by Gary Morris, Diamond Rio,…
Read MoreJIMMY WEBB | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT
JIMMY WEBB | LEGACY ARTIST CONCERT March 10, 2022 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CST The Church Studio is redefining live music events – bringing a thrilling experience to a very finite group of 100 guests in the transcendent sanctuary of The Church Studio. Jimmy Webb will be here on March 10th from 5:30-8:30 PM. The Church Studio, a legendary state-of-the-art recording…
Read More“The Man In Bronze” Cinematic Premiere | Meet The Sculptor
“The Man In Bronze” Cinematic Premiere | Meet The Sculptor December 17 @ 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm CST | $20.00 Event Date and Time: December 17th, 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM CST GET TICKETS Event Overview: Join us at Circle Cinema for a special night hosted by The Church Studio! Enjoy the premiere of “The Man…
Read MoreJoe Cocker Definitive Biography – An Exclusive Book Signing Experience
Joe Cocker Definitive Biography – An Exclusive Book Signing Experience November 11 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm CST $49.00 Join us for an exclusive pre-launch book signing event at The Church Studio where we celebrate the life and career of the legendary Joe Cocker through the words of renowned author Mark Bego. With over…
Read MoreBILL CHAMPLIN | LEGACY CONCERT SERIES
BILL CHAMPLIN | LEGACY CONCERT SERIES September 30, 2021 @ 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm CDT The Church Studio is redefining live music events – bringing a thrilling experience to a very finite group of 100 guests in the transcendent sanctuary of The Church Studio. The Church Studio, Tulsa’s premier state-of-the-art recording studio, archive and historic event center,…
Read MoreA Videographer’s Perspective: Making of the “Man in Bronze” Film.
Three years ago, as a brand-new intern, I was dunked head-first into easily the most exciting video project I have ever worked on. Teresa Knox, the CEO of The Church Studio, personally entrusted me — on the sole basis of my portfolio and a few shoots together — to capture something that she deeply cared…
Read MoreTom Petty’s Journey at The Church Studio
The most important years during the Leon-era history of Tulsa’s Church Studio were 1972–1976. During that time, a wide variety of artists recorded there, some important in music history, others less so. Tom Petty has a story at The Church Studio before he and The Heartbreakers found worldwide success. Both Denny Cordell and Leon Russell…
Read MoreCasii Stephan Records “A Song For You” at The Church Studio
Casii Stephan, a soul pop/rock artist originally from Minnesota and now based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is known for her emotive vocals and intricate melodies. Casii’s music, often compared to artists like Florence Welch and Fiona Apple, is characterized by its theme of hope. Her success includes multiple awards and recognition in the music industry, and…
Read MoreGrammy Award-Winning Audio Engineer, Gary Laney joins The Church Studio
Q&A with Gary Laney What was your first impression of The Church Studio? The studio was incredible sounding, the mic selection was great and of course the Neve 8068 is a legendary board. The crew here is full of fun, hard working people that are trying to make every client’s visit extraordinary. What do you…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Recording in a Professional Studio
In today’s music industry, recording has evolved significantly. With the rise of home recording, many artists now have the opportunity to create music in the comfort of their own homes. However, there are undeniable advantages to recording in a professional studio. Let’s explore the benefits of working in a professional studio setting and why it…
Read MoreThe Top 10 Shelter Records Artists You Need to Know
Shelter Records holds a significant place in music history, having launched the careers of numerous talented artists and contributing to the development of iconic sounds. Founded in 1969 by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell, Shelter Records quickly became known for its diverse roster of musicians and its commitment to nurturing artistic creativity. In this blog…
Read MoreThe Tulsa Sound: The Definitive Definition by Ann Bell
The Tulsa Sound: The Definitive Definition by Ann Bell I was privileged to be born in 1950, in the Great State of Oklahoma, and the Great City of Tulsa. Growing up I learned very quickly just how blessed I was to be an Okie and for many reasons. The people are such loving, laid-back, God-fearing…
Read MoreHistory of Shelter Records
Shelter Records was started by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell. The label operated from 1969 to 1981. The company established offices in Los Angeles and in 1972; set up in Tulsa, Oklahoma at The Church Studio. In Tulsa, the label’s mission was to foster an environment described as a “workshop atmosphere” with a recording studio…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Sharon Johnson Caskey
Volunteers rock at The Church Studio! We love and appreciate the valuable role they play in our operations. Sharon Johnson Caskey is one of our talented volunteers. She not has a knack for arranging flowers and choosing trees for Magnolia Meadows, but she’s wonderful in our retail store, serving clients and giving tours. Learn more…
Read MoreRemembering Leon Russell
Leon Russell was born Claude Russell Bridges on April 2, 1942 in Lawton, Oklahoma. Leon passed away on Nov. 13, 2016 in Nashville at the age of 74. His wife said that he passed away in his sleep. Russell’s website wrote. “The Master Of Space And Time was a legendary musician and songwriter originally from…
Read MoreGUEST BLOG: Rusty Russell’s Recording Studio Experience
The genesis of our project at The Church Studio was a bit different than most; four high school friends from Wichita (classes of ’73, ’74), and ’75) had spent years in the big music-center cities of Nashville & L.A. Between us, we’d toured with many “name” artists, recorded a great deal (as players and/or engineers),…
Read MoreTHE CHURCH STUDIO NAMED TO NATIONAL REGISTER
Less than a year after the devastating passing of Leon Russell, The Church Studio has earned a respected, unique and highly desired designation to the National Register of Historic Places. The designation became effective Sept. 8, 2017 as reported by the National Park Service. Although it wasn’t certain, It was expected after its National…
Read MoreNew to The Church Studio Team: Entrepreneur Ronnie Carlson
My name is Ronald (Ronnie) Carlson and I’m the new operations team member at The Church Studio. I am so excited to meet everyone. Most recently I was the President and Owner of Jenks Beauty College from 2017-2022. When I took over the college, there were less than 10 students. When I retired, there were…
Read MoreVolunteer Spotlight: Willis Allen
We love our volunteers and appreciate the valuable role they play in the operations of The Church Studio. We could not be more excited to introduce you to one of our very first volunteers, Willis Allen. If you have attended one of our Studio Tours, you have probably met or visited Willis. Willis shines…
Read MorePlay it Back: A Private Tour of the Church Studio
The stone building at 3rd and Trenton first caught my attention in December of 2019. I had just moved into an apartment on the east side of downtown Tulsa, and I began to regularly pass by what is now (or rather, again) the Church Studio. During that time amid restoration, each subtle change prompted me…
Read MoreA CHURCH, A CHAIR, A BOY AND A PRAYER
There comes a time in life when one is moved to reflect upon major events in his or her life as old friends, relatives, family members “cash in their chips” and depart the game of life. As the days, months and years come and go, the hectic responsibilities of life take the greater majority of…
Read MoreLeon, J.J., and the Super Dupers
Having grown tired of the fourteen-hour days in the recording studio playing on other people’s records, Leon Russell decided in 1965 to work for legendary producer Snuff Garrett, who was starting his own independent production company and record label, Viva Records. Snuff hustled the business and Russell handled the production chores, which included arranging, producing…
Read More6 Things You Might Not Know About Leon Russell’s “A Song For You”
Leon Russell’s 1970 instant classic “A Song For You,” a mainstay on all reality singing competition shows, and a song that has been recorded by scores of prominent recording artists (and hundreds of not-so-prominent), was recently voted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Russell originally released the song on his 1970 debut solo album on…
Read MoreLeon Russell: ‘Going Back To Tulsa One More Time’
Every once in a while, you get hit with something big that you never saw coming. Such is the case with my discovery of Leon Russell. As I’ve come to find out, Leon’s music has always been part of my life. I just didn’t know it. And I’m not alone. Each year, I’m fortunate to have the…
Read MoreThe Making of Leon Russell Road
I drove by The Church Studio on Third Street one morning in 2006 and found that its then-owner, musician Steve Ripley, had a hand-made “For Sale” sign stuck in the yard of the legendary recording studio he had owned for the last 20+ years. He had written his cell phone number on the sign.…
Read MoreDwight Twilley, Legendary Power Pop Singer and Songwriter; Talks Leon Russell
In 1974, Dwight Twilley was signed to Shelter Records and returned to his hometown of Tulsa Oklahoma. Once in Tulsa, Twilley and his bandmate, Phil Seymour, recorded at The Church Studio and had great connections and relationships with Leon Russell, Denny Cordell, and artists like Tom Petty. Dwight shares his insight in regards to the public image…
Read MoreTHE BILL DAVIS INTERVIEW
By Steve Todoroff It’s a late September night at the Sunset Grill, a combination cafe/night club in Tulsa where eager fans begin to cram themselves around tables near the vicinity of the dance floor. As they mingle about, a party-like atmosphere maintains them until that moment the band squeezes onto the tiny stage and starts…
Read MorePamela Thompson Pickett: You Will Be Missed!
By: Ann Bell Nicholson Pam was born to parents, Eula Mae and Jeff Thompson. They were Tulsa residents. She was an only child. She was born on December 31, 1951 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Pam graduated from Bishop Kelley High School and then the University of Oklahoma. While a student in Norman OK, Pam joined a…
Read MoreEric Clapton Gets Arrested!
The year was 1975. Eric Clapton had just flown into Tulsa, Oklahoma to perform. News of Eric’s arrival was quickly known for he had gotten arrested! The Church Studio talked with John Southern, a photojournalist and local musician, that captured the infamous photo of Eric Clapton in Jail. From a first-hand perspective, check out what…
Read MoreLEON RUSSELL PERFORMS AT DUKE UNIVERSITY in 1971
We absolutely love our Church Studio family and the fantastic stories they share with us. In this photo series, we are featuring a series of photographs taken by photographer, Ric Carter. Our good friend, American Roots musician, and Leon Lifer; Bill Lyerly, introduced us to Ric. Thank you, Bill! Why are these pictures special? Well,…
Read MoreVOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT – BILL AVERY
Bill Avery, Leon Lifer and a Church Studio volunteer, is a dedicated, knowledgeable, and fun-loving ambassador for the Church and for Leon’s legacy. Although he lives in New Jersey, we have been fortunate to have Bill travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and assist with concerts and book signings. Tell us about yourself. My name is Bill…
Read MoreTWENTIETH-CENTURY HONKY-TONK – Q&A with John Wooley
Music writer John Wooley is at it again! This time bringing us the incredible story of the historic Cain’s Ballroom‘s first 75 years with his new book, TWENTIETH-CENTURY HONKY-TONK. The Church Studio had the opportunity to catch up with John last week and chat about the new book. Read our quick Q&A below! CS: Why…
Read More2019: Follow Us to the Church that Leon Built
Dear Friends, The long and winding road to The Church continues and 2019 was a true testament to that. While construction on The Church Studio moves forward, our team spent 2019 working on our online presence and working closely with the community by paying tribute to our city’s rich music history while preparing a…
Read More2018: Year in Review
Jan 2019 Newsletter Dear Friends, 2018 has been a year of growth, community and resilience for our organization. Our team has been busy with multiple projects, including the renovation of the historic Harwelden Mansion and the construction in Studio Row, which have all been equally demanding and challenging, yet extraordinarily worthwhile. Throughout the year, one…
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