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Tag: Oklahoma

The Story Behind Leon Russell’s “Sweet Emily”

Blog by Nancy Ruth August 12, 2026 “Sweet Emily” began in a recording studio, sparked by one of those playful, offhand moments that can only happen among friends. Emily Smith loved the song, claimed the name, and carried it as part of her own story. Leon Russell recorded “Sweet Emily” in September 1970 at Muscle […]

Meet the Team: Church Studio Sound Engineer, Mike Prado

Mike Prado is basically a native Tulsan – born at St. Francis in Tulsa, Oklahoma and reared in Owasso, Oklahoma. Mike had a typical high school experience between skateboarding and his heavy metal band. His passion for music led him to Orlando and Full Sail University, where he pursued a degree in Music Production. After […]

Steve Ripley – Creating “The Tractors” Part 3 Deep Dive

Steve Ripley, at the time, the co-owner of The Church Studio, had a vision of a band he’d been creating in his mind and through his work for some time. Essentially, by the early 90s, Ripley was about to unleash a lifetime of creative experience. The musicians he was recording with were associated with The […]

Steve Ripley – Producer at The Church Studio and Leader of The Tractors Part 2

Part 2: Steve Ripley – Music Producer at The Church Studio and Leader of The Tractors Steve Ripley left Oklahoma to pursue his musical dreams in Nashville and Los Angeles before returning to Tulsa. Numerous well-known performers in the rock, country, and Americana music genres considered him a friend and confidant. For his work at […]

Steve Ripley’s Red Dirt Roots Part 1

Steve Ripley: 1950-2019 Oklahoma Music Legend, Owner of The Church Studio, member of The Tractors It’s comforting to know that after you’re gone, a part of you will remain. Steve Ripley left behind an artistic legacy that will have an impact long after his passing. Many people were impacted by his compassion and ingenuity. Red […]

THE 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 […]

A 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 […]

Leon, 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 […]

6 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 […]

Eric Clapton Gets Arrested in Tulsa!

It Happened at the Airport It was 1975. Eric Clapton had just flown into Tulsa, Oklahoma to perform. The excitement of Eric’s arrival was quickly updated with news. He’d been arrested at the airport. A First-Hand Account The Church Studio talked with John Southern, the photojournalist and local musician who captured the infamous photo of […]