Dad To Record 1,600 Words Before Losing Voice

By Brandy McDonnellA version of this story appears in Monday's Your Life section of The Oklahoman. Music emergency: How the nonprofit Red Dirt Relief Fund mobilized in response to the coronavirus pandemicThe Red Dirt Relief Fund was built for speed."We like to consider ourselves kind of economic first-responders to the music community of Oklahoma," said John Cooper, one of the fund's founders."When you lose your job - like everyone in the music industry now no longer has a job - you need money not in two weeks, not in a month.

By Brandy McDonnellTwo country music superstars - Miranda Lambert and Eric Church - performed songs co-written by Oklahoma native Luke Dick during Sunday night's "ACM Presents: Our Country," which aired on CBS. As previously reported, the two-hour special Sunday night filled the time slot reserved for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards, as the awards show was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By Brandy McDonnellChecotah native Carrie Underwood created a mood on Sunday night's "ACM Presents: Our Country" concert special on CBS. Although she was singing from her couch, the Grammy-winning superstar gave her usual superb performance of her latest single.

By Brandy McDonnellMusical power couple Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani gave a sweet acoustic fireside rendition of their hit duet "Nobody But You" from his ranch in Tishomingo on Sunday's "ACM Presents: Our Country" special, which aired on CBS. As previously reported, the two-hour special Sunday night filled the time slot reserved for this year's Academy of Country Music Awards, as the awards show was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

By Brandy McDonnellThe Plaza District is raising money to support retail and restaurant employees whose incomes are directly affected by the coronavirus outbreak - and planning a big virtual party to celebrate them. The Plaza Support Fund aims to raise $16,000, with 100% of the proceeds going to workers in the district, according to a news release.

By Brandy McDonnellListen to Oklahoma country music star Toby Keith's bouncy new song "What's Up Cuz," which he released Friday on his own Show Dog Nashville label. Written and produced by Keith and longtime collaborator Bobby Pinson, the tune is clearly meant as a picking-and-grinning good time.