The Story Behind Leon Russell’s “Sweet Emily”
“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 Shoals Studios in Sheffield, Alabama, and released […]
PART 9: Steve Ripley’s Legacy
“Steve Ripley was the greatest advocate for Tulsa and Oklahoma music there ever was.” – Taylor Hanson Steve Ripley was destined for a life of music. Growing up, family gatherings filled with the sounds of Bob Wills and Elvis Presley sparked a passion in him. He cherished family and shared that love with everyone. […]
The Story Behind Leon Russell’s “This Masquerade”
Blog by Nancy Ruth, June 9, 2025 “This Masquerade” is one of Leon Russell’s most haunting and enduring compositions, a ballad steeped in melancholy, mystery, and emotional resignation. While many fans know the song through George Benson’s smooth jazz, Grammy-winning 1976 version, the song’s origins may be traced back several years to Leon’s personal story […]
Shure’s Century of Sound Exhibit at The Church Studio
For one hundred years, Shure has stood as an inspiration of quality, innovation, and excellence in audio technology. In celebrating the 100th anniversary of Shure Incorporated, The Church Studio pays tribute to a legacy of sound and the extraordinary evolution of microphones that has transformed music, broadcasting, and live performance. The wonderful exhibition at The […]
Steve Ripley: Part 7 – Moving to The Farm
By the mid 2000s, Steve Ripley had taken the country music industry by storm with his band, The Tractors. Their self-titled debut album and the single “Baby Likes to Rock It” became the fastest-selling debut album from a country group to reach platinum status. The band’s success led to two Grammy Award nominations and the […]
Steve Ripley – Creator, Producer and Historian of Oklahoma Music Part 6
Ripley had a special relationship with the Red Dirt Rangers. In fact, when he inducted them into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2017, he reminisced: Once upon a time… Twenty-some years ago…The Red Dirt Rangers showed up at The Church Studio – my home away from home in those days. They were filled […]
The Grease Band: Shelter Records’ Unsung Rock Heroes
Shelter Record Artists: The Grease Band While the connection to Joe Cocker is nearly inseparable, The Grease Band was formed in the mid-1960s, with Chris Stainton on bass but who later switched to keyboards, Henry McCullough on lead guitar, Alan Spenner on bass, Bruce Rowland on drums, Neil Hubbard on rhythm and slide guitar, and […]
GUEST 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), […]