Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café, Oklahoma’s largest homegrown songwriter festival that has taken place in Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the past nine years, will be “Live from the Farm” in its tenth year, a show that was filmed live at the birthplace of Red Dirt Music, The Farm in Stillwater, and will premiere on digital streaming platforms for free through O’Colly TV on May 12 at 7:00 p.m. The event benefits Oklahoma artists in need through the Red Dirt Relief Fund.
The festival lineup that usually includes more than 60 Oklahoma songwriters has been condensed for time to include performances by Mike McClure, Kaitlin Butts, John Fullbright, Red Dirt Rangers, Mike Hosty, Ken Pomeroy, Bo Phillips, Monica Taylor, Chuck Dunlap, Jacob Tovar, Buffalo Rogers, Greg Jacobs as well as a special performance from the Byron Berline Band to honor this year’s Restless Spirit Award honoree, the late Jim Paul Blair. The broadcast will also include the winning song from the Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest, “Hope & Gasoline” by Ahna Jennings.
“We really hoped we could host our tenth year of this festival with a full audience, but the health and safety of our artists and fans is always top priority,” said Katie Dale, Executive Director of the Red Dirt Relief Fund. “On the bright side, we were able to restore the Gypsy Café, a small outbuilding where picking circles and musician gatherings have taken place since the beginning at the Farm. So we’re bringing this event back to its roots and filming a live show that people can watch around the world.”
“We are honored to have this opportunity to support the Red Dirt Relief Fund through the Bob Childers’ Gypsy Cafe ‘Live from the Farm’ 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.”
The show will premiere for free thanks to support from sponsors, including Grand Casino Hotel Resort, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, Horton Records, KOSU and more. Red Dirt Relief Fund will be accepting donations for their financial assistance fund at reddirtrelieffund.org/donate, PayPal.me/RDRF and by selling festival merchandise through Ida Red General Store starting May 1.
Since the pandemic began, the nonprofit has granted $272,000 in emergency grants to Oklahoma music people affected by COVID-19 cancellations and closures. Since 2012, the organization has granted more than $450,000 in emergency aid to music people across industry geographies and genres.
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.
