Red Dirt Rangers Honor Oklahoma Poet
"Okie Poet" Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel still inspires
April 8, 2009
Story by Danny Groshong, OSU Library Communications Intern
For Immediate Release
STILLWATER -The Red Dirt Rangers have become synonymous with hometown Oklahoma. It is only fitting that these musicians who inspire so many should be part of the celebration of another inspirational Oklahoman.
The group will perform as part of the event "Remembering Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel" at the OSU Library, 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 14. The Red Dirt Rangers were personal friends with McDaniel, known as the "Okie Poet" and were interviewed for the OSU Library Oral History Project, “Remembering Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel: Poet and Oklahoma Dust Bowl Emigrant.”
The Red Dirt Rangers—Ben Han, John Cooper and Brad Piccolo—have played the Red Dirt genre since the late 1980s, and have collaborated with notable Oklahoma musicians such as Jimmy LaFave, Tom Skinner, Bob Childers, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland and Stoney LaRue.
In addition to the musical performance, the event features Oklahoma author, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, who will talk about her friendship with McDaniel and her book Red Dirt: Growing Up Okie. The event also includes a screening of the short award-winning documentary by Sageland Media about McDaniel titled, "Down an Old Road: The Poetic Life of Wilma Elizabeth McDaniel."
“It will be an evening filled with Oklahoma poetry, music and cherished memories,” said Karen Neurohr, program director.
The program is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase. For additional information contact Karen Neurohr, 405.744.2376 or lib-pub@okstate.edu.
This program is funded in part by the Friends of the OSU Library, the Oklahoma Humanities Council (OHC) and the We the People initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of OHC or NEH.
Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant system that cuts across disciplines to better prepare students for a new world. Oklahoma's only university with a statewide presence, OSU improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach. OSU has more than 32,000 students across its five-campus system and nearly 21,000 on its Stillwater campus; with students from all 50 states and about 110 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 200,000 students who have made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world. CREATE - INNOVATE - EDUCATE - GO STATE!
URL: http://www.library.okstate.edu/news/spring09/rangers.htm
Last Updated: 8 April 2009
