Carney Fest Artist Spotlight: The David Thayer Band, The Hi-Fi Hillbillies, and Peggy Johnson
THESE TUNES @ NOON ARTISTS WILL BE PERFORMING AT CARNEY FEST 2026 MAY 2ND. Experience the magic of The Church Studio during the “Tunes @ Noon” series (Tue-Thu-Sat). Enjoy intimate live performances from talented Americana, jazz, and rock musicians in a legendary setting. Your admission includes a museum tour of the renowned facility where Leon […]
Artist Spotlight: The David Thayer Band
Lifetime Tulsan and versatile musician David Thayer began his musical journey at age five, inspired by Lawrence Welk’s guitarist, Neil LeVang.
Artist Spotlight: The Hi-Fi Hillbillies
The Hi-Fi Hillbillies ignite the spirit of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s with electrifying performances of vintage rock and roll.
Artist Spotlight: Peggy Johnson
A true southern powerhouse, Peggy Johnson has been a cornerstone of the Oklahoma City acoustic scene since 1985, when she first planted her Georgia roots in Red Dirt soil.
The Church Studio Presents CHRIS O’DELL: Abbey Road to Tulsa Time A New Podcast
The Church Studio Presents CHRIS O’DELL: Abbey Road to Tulsa Time A New Podcast Chris O’Dell’s life seems like it belongs in a movie—and it was! She wasn’t simply an Apple Records employee of the Beatles; she was a part of rock history. Imagine being in the recording studio during the creation of The […]
Leon Russell’s “Hummingbird”: A Love Song to Chris O’Dell
When superstar Leon Russell wrote “Hummingbird,” he wasn’t just crafting a song; he was writing a love letter and tribute to someone very special, Chris O’Dell. Most music fans know that Leon was inspired to compose “Pisces Apple Lady” for Chris, but fewer realize he also created “Hummingbird” for her, which is more of a […]
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 […]
Steve Ripley – The Tractors Are a Powerful Engine Part 4
Steve Ripley: The Tractors Are a Powerful Engine Ripley always kept a large Rolodex full of numerous friends and contacts. According to Charlene, “Steve was great at remembering people and keeping them around and often involved. This was before social media and cell phones. He stayed in touch with everyone. And if he wanted to […]
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 […]
The Fairchild 660 Audio Compressor at The Church Studio
The Church Studio, with its rich history and legendary recordings, has long attracted musicians seeking high-quality sound. To elevate this sacred space even further, we’ve included a vintage piece of analog audio gear, the Fairchild 660 Audio Compressor, known as the “holy grail” of outboard gear. Originally, a church built in 1915, The Church Studio […]
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 […]
The 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 […]
THE 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 […]
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 […]
TWENTIETH-CENTURY HONKY-TONK – Q&A with John Wooley
