Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café, Oklahoma’s largest homegrown songwriter festival that has taken place in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the past eight years, will be “Reimagined” as a show that will premiere on digital streaming platforms through O’Colly TV on April 29 at 6:00 p.m. The festival benefits Oklahoma artists in need through the Red Dirt Relief Fund.
The festival lineup that originally featured more than 60 Oklahoma songwriters has been condensed for time to include performances by Cody Canada, Jason Boland, Kaitlin Butts, Mike McClure, John Fullbright & Jacob Tovar, Red Dirt Rangers, The Damn Quails, Ragland, Mike Hosty, Kierston White, Bo Phillips, Monica Taylor & Travis Fite, Tequila Kim Reynolds & Thomas Trapp, Maggie McClure & Shane Henry, Rick Reiley and Carter Sampson with Jason Scott & Kyle Reid. The broadcast will also include the winning song from the Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest and the Restless Spirit Award presentation to the late Steve Ripley.
“While we are disappointed that this festival, and so many festivals and live gigs, can’t take place as planned, we are grateful to the artists for being flexible, to our presenting partner the Oklahoma Film + Music Office and to O’Colly Media Group for making this production possible,” said Katie Dale, Executive Director of the Red Dirt Relief Fund. “We’re committed to giving the fans a unique musical experience, especially in these uncertain times. We trust in the healing power of music.”
“We are honored to have this opportunity to support the Red Dirt Relief Fund through the Bob Childers’ Gypsy Cafe ‘Reimagined’ and their exceptional line up of Oklahoma artists” said Tava Maloy Sofsky, Director of the Oklahoma Film + Music Office. “While we are all on this journey together, I am continuously reminded of the power of music and how it unites people of all ages and cultures around the world.”
While the show will air for free on Apple TV, ROKU, AmazonPrime, smartphone app and social media, Red Dirt Relief Fund will be accepting donations for their financial assistance fund at reddirtrelieffund.org/donate, PayPal.me/RDRF or by texting “relief” to 202-858-1233. Since March 16, the nonprofit has granted $100,000 in one-time $250 emergency grants to Oklahoma music people affected by COVID-19 cancellations and closures. Since 2012, the organization has granted more than $300,000 in emergency aid to music people across industry geographies and genres.
Fans who have already purchased festival tickets will be contacted with the option to convert their ticket to a donation to become a sponsor of the show or request a refund.
To stream the show through Roku, Amazon Fire Stick or Apple TV external device, search “O’Colly TV” to add the channel. For tablet or mobile device, go to the App Store and search “O’Colly TV” for the free download.
For more information, visit reddirtrelief.org.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office:
Created in 1979, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit okfilmmusic.org.