Playing for Progress

[Double A]

Concert Two: Saturday April 1st, 2006
The Red Dirt Rangers

Join us for a musical night with a sound that combines the legacy of Woody Guthrie and Bob Wills with the spirit of everyone from Merle Haggard to the Grateful Dead and all manner of American music in between.

Local artists, The Red Dirt Rangers draw from a lot of influences, throw them all in a pot, and mix well. What comes out is a sometimes wild, but always an outstanding and enjoyable ride, all over the map of roots music.

The Tulsa Little Theater is located at:

1511 S. Delaware Ave. Tulsa, OK 74104

http://www.justprogress.org

http://www.tulsalittletheater.com

About The Red Dirt Rangers:

RDR started as a group of friends that got together to "jam" after work and school in the late 80's. From the first, we were writing and performing our own material there was really no intention to play anywhere other than each others living rooms, which we did for several years. Our friend Jimmy LaFave asked us to come and play at his annual Stillwater Musicians Reunion in '89 we did and the rest, as they say, is history. We've been together as RDR for 17 years.

We have played from coast to coast and border to border. Some of our highlights being New York City 3 consecutive years, Los Angeles and San Fran, yearly trips to Colorado, and many trips every year to Texas, as well as Europe (we played a Trucker Festival in Switzerland) . We play each year at the Kerrville Folk Festival in TX and are headlining a night this year.

We have recorded 4 discs for our label Lazy SOB Records in Austin are recording our next album right now at the Church Studios in Tulsa with Steve Ripley.

Red Dirt music is hard to describe, but I'll try. Born from Stillwater , but not limited to it, red dirt music is a combination of music styles that focuses on folk, rock 'n roll, and country music, but doesn't really fit any of those. It has its own unique sound and stories and has truly become an Oklahoma art form.

We acknowledge three main figures as inspiration; Bob Wills, for his musical ability and showmanship, Woody Guthrie, for his lyrical ability and his sense of social consciousness, Will Rogers, for his plainspoken truth and humor. All three of these Oklahoma giants spoke to the great populism of early "Okies" and a belief that no matter what a person's position in life they have a right to attain and achieve any goal they want to pursue without government or social interference.

Lastly, we are honored to play for the folks involved with Just Progress. Its high time we take back this country from them that took her, and through organization like this we will prevail!

--John Cooper

Band Members:

Brad Piccolo: rhythm guitar, vocals.
Randy Crouch: fiddle, pedal steel.
Ben Han: lead guitar, vocals.
John Cooper: mandolin, vocals.

http//www.reddirtrangers.com