Photo credit: Sean Payne
For the fifth year in a row, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is proud to sponsor “Okie Roundup: An Oklahoma Showcase Live from the Mercury Lounge” during the 20th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, which will run September 16-18. Due to the pandemic, Americana Music Association, located in Nashville, Tennessee, has created Thriving Roots, which was designed to replace this year’s conference and bring the global Americana music community together from across the world for three full days of engaging insight.
Thriving Roots will offer education, music and networking through a virtual platform where ticketed attendees will be able to have a front row seat as well as intimate conversations with panelists. Guest speakers include Jackson Browne, Mavis Staples, Brandi Carlile and Black Pumas to name a few. Topics to be covered include representation, advocacy and staying true to your art, the healing qualities of music, and the business challenges and decisions faced by a developing artist.
OF+MO is working with Tulsa-based Mercury Lounge and Creative Entertainment Network to create one hour of content to showcase Oklahoma’s Americana roots on this virtual platform. Creative Entertainment Network, which services artists such as Oklahoma-based Travis Linville, was able to collaborate with six Oklahoma artists to create “Okie Roundup: An Oklahoma Showcase Live from the Mercury Lounge”.
“It is always a pleasure to work with the Oklahoma Film + Music Office,” said Vinny Rich of Creative Entertainment Network. “Their dedication to supporting local artists is inspiring, and they’re always lending a hand to help share the big voice and the message of talented Oklahomans.”
This year’s “Okie Roundup” showcases Americana talent from across the state with performances from Travis Linville, Carter Sampson, Stephen Salewon, Samantha Crain, John Fullbright and Red Dirt Rangers.
“This opportunity was not only a much needed boost for those of us fighting to get through this pandemic but also a huge positive mental boost just to be back on a stage doing what we do,” said Linville. “I’m really proud of these artists and all involved.”
“Echoing Mr. Linville’s humility, these Oklahoma artists should be applauded for their spirit and intensity in raising the bar for these quality performances,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “I believe the way music will be delivered and consumed is forever changed, in a positive way, because of the turn of events we’re all facing this year.”
Passes are still on sale at $99 with the content re-watchable up to a year, including the Okie Roundup, panels and more concerts.
For more information about Thriving Roots Conference, and to purchase a pass, visit thrivingroots.pathable.co.
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About Oklahoma Film + Music Office
Created in 1979, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) 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.orglink.