The Red Dirt Rangers, from left, Ben Han, Brad Piccolo, John Cooper appear at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City. Photos by Brett Deering

Red Dirt Rangers are recognized at the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

The Red Dirt Rangers, from left, Ben Han, Brad Piccolo and John Cooper, pose for a photo with Rep. Lee Denney.

Music pioneers the Red Dirt Rangers were honored at the House of Representatives at the Oklahoma State Capitol building Monday afternoon with an official proclamation, led by Rep. Lee Denney of Cushing.

Upon …

The Red Dirt Rangers will be honored at 1 p.m. Monday (today) at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City for 25 years of artistic service to the state.

Rep. Lee Denney from Cushing authored the resolution and will be presenting the Rangers on the floor of the House of Representatives this afternoon, according to a media advisory.

“We want to honor the Red Dirt Rangers for their contribution to the music of Oklahoma, which they have taken around the country and the world, for the past 25 years. They are …

No Justice will headline Saturday’s El Reno Fried Onion Burger Day Festival.

A version of this column appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.

May brings festivals to Sooner State
The first weekend of May is particularly festive, with favorite annual events planned from Norman and Edmond to El Reno and Prague. 

As usual, May is getting off to a festive start in the Sooner State.

The first weekend of the fifth month annually brings an array of spring festivals throughout the state, and here are a few …

The Joy Formidable

NORMAN – The sixth annual Norman Music Festival concludes today in downtown Norman.

The Joy Formidable, the Welsh noise-pop band led by singer Ritzy Bryan, will be this year’s headliner, performing at 9:30 tonight on the Main Stage, near the corner of Porter Avenue and Main Street on the east side of downtown. Other acts performing today on the main stage include Big Sam’s Funky Nation, King Khan & BBQ Show and Mike Dillon.

The Sailor Jerry Stage, devoted to roots-oriented performers, will be headlined by JD …

Tulsa Fairs & Festivals on wimgo

The Red Dirt Rangers have reached the goal for their first Kickstarter campaign, gaining funding to help release their upcoming album “Lone Chimney.”

As previously reported, the venerable Payne County band — singer/guitarist Brad Piccolo, singer/mandolin player John Cooper and singer/lead guitarist Ben Han — is celebrating its 25th year in 2013. To mark the milestone, the group has revived its “Red Dirt Radio Hour” on KOSU, embarked on its “Oklahoma World Tour” and launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the final touches on …

Josh Turner

Here are my picks for some of the Best Bets in entertainment in Oklahoma this weekend, as listed in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.

1. Catch the national touring production of “West Side Story” at 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker. Information: (800) 869-1451 or www.celebrityattractions.com.

2. NORMAN — Hear country music star Josh Turner at 8 p.m. Friday at Riverwind Casino, 1544 …

A version of this review appears in Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman. To read my new interview with Randy Rogers, click here.

Country

Randy Rogers Band “Trouble” (MCA Nashville)

Lone Star State mainstays the Randy Rogers Band make their most daring, vivid and emotionally wrenching music yet with “Trouble.”

Due out Tuesday, the album’s cover depicts a jailhouse fingerprint card, which is appropriate since this is one will leave a mark with Texas country fans.

The five-piece country-rock outfit — vocalist/guitarist Rogers, guitarist Geoffrey Hill, fiddler Brady Black, …

Bob Livingston

Today’s featured event:

NORMAN – Hear Texas singer-songwriter Bob Livingston of The Lost Gonzo Band fame at tonight at the Midway Deli, 601 W Eufaula Street. Almost Outlaws will open the free show, set for 6 to 9 p.m.

To celebrate the nearby Norman Music Festival, Midway Deli also will offer free concerts from 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The lineup will include North Meets South, Carter Sampson, Mare Wakefield, Susan Herndon and Camille Harp.

Concerts will be inside the Midway Deli with food and drinks offered outside …

Josh Abbott Band

Stillwater Live Music on wimgo

STILLWATER – The 22^nd Annual Calf Fry, a celebration of red dirt and Texas country music as well as the deep-fried Rocky Mountain oysters, begins today and continues through Saturday at the Tumbleweed Dance Hall.

The lineup for this year’s “Testicle Festival,” as it is affectionately known, includes Josh Abbott Band, Randy Rogers Band, Casey Donahew Band, The Departed, Wade Bowen, Whiskey Myers and more.

Look for my interview with the frontman of the Randy Rogers Band Friday. To read my …