Karried
08-22-2006, 03:26 PM
Stars creating song to honor Oklahoma
By Rick Rogers
Fine Arts Editor
Oklahoma's statehood joyously is celebrated in song by "Oklahoma!"
But soon, Oklahomans will have another song to sing.
This one -- "Oklahoma Rising" -- is written by two of Oklahoma's favorite sons: Jimmy Webb and Vince Gill.
It will be unveiled in a pri- vate event Sept. 11 at the Civic Center Mu- sic Hall, said Centennial Projects and Events Chairman Lee Allan Smith.
"We both love our state, and our hope with this anthem was to epitomize and crystallize the character of Oklahomans for the world to see," Webb said from his New York home. "I really tried to connect with what it means to be an Oklahoman."
Webb and Gill have known each other for years, but this marks their first professional collaboration. Webb, a native of Elk City who grew up in Laverne, earned recognition for his hit songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (recorded by Glen Campbell), "Up, Up and Away" (The Fifth Dimension) and "MacArthur Park" (Richard Harris).
Gill, a Norman native who grew up in Oklahoma City, has an impressive resume that includes "When I Call Your Name," "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away" and "I Still Believe in You." Gill has earned multiple Grammy and Academy of Country Music Awards.
The pair's anthem collaboration is meant to complement "Oklahoma!" That song became the state's official song in 1953 and remains the only state song taken from a Broadway musical.
Featuring lyrics by Webb and music by Gill, "Oklahoma Rising" remembers Oklahoma's early days and explores the promise of the 21st century. It also touches on difficult periods, from the Dust Bowl to the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
"In the days and weeks following the bombing, Oklahomans came through as generous, brave, noble people," Webb said. "The whole country had to bow in deference to that. In our heartland we showed that we have a great state and a great reservoir of courage. It made me proud to be an Oklahoman."
After some preliminary discussions, Webb began writing the lyrics.
After completing the first verse, Webb worried about Gill's receptiveness to the draft. Webb flew to Nashville, Tenn., so he and Gill could discuss the project.
"We were both afraid of sliding off into the ditch," Webb said. "And Vince worried that people might think we were trying to write another state song. I told him we were writing a song about a state. That's a very big difference. Nobody takes on Rodgers and Hammerstein. This had to come out sounding like Vince Gill and Jimmy Webb. It was a ball we clearly didn't want to drop.
"We met again later after Vince had been working on the music. He played this energetic rhythmic figure and even before he opened his mouth to sing, I was breathing this huge sigh of relief. This was going to have energy; it was full of vim and vigor. I'm not cocky, but I do have a good feeling about this."
Joining Webb and Gill at the premiere will be the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Canterbury Choral Society and the Ambassadors' Concert Choir. Also appearing will be Sandi Patty.
Answer the question: What lyrics would you like to see in a song about our state?
By Rick Rogers
Fine Arts Editor
Oklahoma's statehood joyously is celebrated in song by "Oklahoma!"
But soon, Oklahomans will have another song to sing.
This one -- "Oklahoma Rising" -- is written by two of Oklahoma's favorite sons: Jimmy Webb and Vince Gill.
It will be unveiled in a pri- vate event Sept. 11 at the Civic Center Mu- sic Hall, said Centennial Projects and Events Chairman Lee Allan Smith.
"We both love our state, and our hope with this anthem was to epitomize and crystallize the character of Oklahomans for the world to see," Webb said from his New York home. "I really tried to connect with what it means to be an Oklahoman."
Webb and Gill have known each other for years, but this marks their first professional collaboration. Webb, a native of Elk City who grew up in Laverne, earned recognition for his hit songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" (recorded by Glen Campbell), "Up, Up and Away" (The Fifth Dimension) and "MacArthur Park" (Richard Harris).
Gill, a Norman native who grew up in Oklahoma City, has an impressive resume that includes "When I Call Your Name," "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away" and "I Still Believe in You." Gill has earned multiple Grammy and Academy of Country Music Awards.
The pair's anthem collaboration is meant to complement "Oklahoma!" That song became the state's official song in 1953 and remains the only state song taken from a Broadway musical.
Featuring lyrics by Webb and music by Gill, "Oklahoma Rising" remembers Oklahoma's early days and explores the promise of the 21st century. It also touches on difficult periods, from the Dust Bowl to the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.
"In the days and weeks following the bombing, Oklahomans came through as generous, brave, noble people," Webb said. "The whole country had to bow in deference to that. In our heartland we showed that we have a great state and a great reservoir of courage. It made me proud to be an Oklahoman."
After some preliminary discussions, Webb began writing the lyrics.
After completing the first verse, Webb worried about Gill's receptiveness to the draft. Webb flew to Nashville, Tenn., so he and Gill could discuss the project.
"We were both afraid of sliding off into the ditch," Webb said. "And Vince worried that people might think we were trying to write another state song. I told him we were writing a song about a state. That's a very big difference. Nobody takes on Rodgers and Hammerstein. This had to come out sounding like Vince Gill and Jimmy Webb. It was a ball we clearly didn't want to drop.
"We met again later after Vince had been working on the music. He played this energetic rhythmic figure and even before he opened his mouth to sing, I was breathing this huge sigh of relief. This was going to have energy; it was full of vim and vigor. I'm not cocky, but I do have a good feeling about this."
Joining Webb and Gill at the premiere will be the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Canterbury Choral Society and the Ambassadors' Concert Choir. Also appearing will be Sandi Patty.
Answer the question: What lyrics would you like to see in a song about our state?