The greatest Mother’s Day gift ever

May 11, 2012 //

We suggest finding a box of tissues before watching the above video.

A couple months ago, we set out to make a mother feel special to celebrate Mother’s Day.

We recruited the Über talented Denver Duncan and set to work building the mother of all Mom’s Day contests.

We asked VDub enthusiasts to send in what makes their madres special, and that’s how we found the maternal wonder known as Norene.

With the help of Norene’s kids, our crew set up in Lower Bricktown and completely surprised Norene with a song about her mother ways.

All the lyrics of the song directly relate to stories, memories and moments the family has shared together.

Denver’s soulful captured that and we can’t wait to see what happens when Father’s Day comes around.

Just kidding, but not really.

Check out some stills after the jump…

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Tags 2012, acoustic guitar, awesome, basketball, bricktown, Denver Duncan, fountain, Fowler Volkeswagen of Norman, funny, harkin's theater, live performance, maternal, May, mom, Mother's Day, musical, Nathan Poppe, Norene, OKC, oklahoma city, original song, serenade, Song, Spy FM, surprise, sweepstakes, thunder shirt, wedding singer

Categories Denver Duncan, Just For Fun, VDub Session

Episode 53 – John Fullbright (5/3/2012)

May 7, 2012 //

John Fullbright pushes music to a new level.

Seriously, Fullbright helped push the VDub Sessions van when it broke down before his session last week.

We were blown away from his generosity when he not only helped with the van but also belted out this amazing track from his new album.

Fullbright said nothing surprises him at this point.

That’s funny coming from a musician full of surprises.

The Okemah native recently landed an interview on NPR’s Weekend Edition and a feature on Paste’s website.

Not to mention this impressive write-up from the LA Times.

Fullbright’s about to embark on a tour across the country. You better catch this Okie before he’s too folkin’ famous for his own good.

Check out some stills from the shoot after the jump.

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Tags acoustic, blues, bus, concert, Ferris O'Brien, folk, From the Ground Up, Gawd Above, harmonica, John Fullbright, live performance, music, Nathan Poppe, okemah, Oklahoma, Spy FM, Tim Katz, vanagon, VDub Sessions, volkeswagen, VW

Categories John Fullbright, Oklahoma City, VDub Session

Episode 52 – Kristen Vails (3/11/2012)

April 11, 2012 //

Change doesn’t happen by itself.

Lucky for Oklahoma City, we have Kristen Vails working her tail off. She’s spent the better part of four years promoting and revitalizing the district.

Vails is the executive director of the Plaza District. If you haven’t noticed, the Spy Van makes a special trip to every Live on the Plaza event to not only have fun but also to film interviews with Okie artists.

You can thank Vails for setting up these interviews.

For some reason, we’ve waited this long to chat with Vails about her artwork. A lot of her work is based on Vails’ favorite hoofed animal.

Take a minute to learn about an Okie that’s all about artwork.

Check out some stills after the jump.

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Tags art, art show, artist, downtown, drawing, drawing pad, Episode 52, Ferris O'Brien, Fowler VW of Norman, horse, Jonathan Fowler, Kristen Vails, music, notebook, OK, OKC, oklahoma city, original song, original work, paper, pencil, Plaza District, sketch, the pretty black chains, the spy fm, van, vanagon, VDub Sessions, volkeswagen

Categories Art Session, VDub Session

Episode 51 – John Paul Keith (4/6/2012)

April 8, 2012 //

You know that saying, “They don’t make ‘em like they use to.”

Well, it’s time you meet John Paul Keith.

One part Buddy Holly and the rest parts catchy as hell.

That’s the best way to describe the rockabilly songs coming from Memphis-based artist.

The good people of Okie Dope records invited Keith to perform at VZD’s, and he was kind enough to share a song from his latest album.

Enjoy this blast from the past because they do make ‘em like they used to.

Check out some stills after the jump.

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Tags 1977, Ferris O'Brien, Fowler VW of Norman, John Paul Keith, Jonathan Fowler, live performance, local music, Memphis, music, Nathan Poppe, OKC, Oklahoma, oklahoma city, songs for sale, the man that time forgot, van, vangaon, VDub Sessions, vintage van, volkswagen, VW, vzd's

Categories Oklahoma City, VDub Session

Episode 50 – Chris Bathgate (12/2/2011)

March 18, 2012 //

Every so often, a band passes through Oklahoma and there just isn’t excuse to greet it with the van.

Folkie Chris Bathgate caught our attention with his soulful, dusty Tiny Desk Concert on NPR.

We met him outside of The Blue Door.

Although the Michigan native is stripped of his powerful, electric backing band in the van, Bathgate’s passionate lyrics and musical talents burn brightly.

“Ain’t it good to be alive,” he repeats in the chorus of “Calvary.”

We think so too.

Bathgate is a reminder of the simple beauty and charm hidden within music. His music is one of those things you don’t know you miss until it’s gone.

Hopefully, we can expect him back in Oklahoma before too long.

Make sure to look out for his new EP “Old Factory.”

Check out some stills after the jump.

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Tags blue door, Chris Bathgate, ep, Ferris O'Brien, folk, Fowler VW of Norman, Matt Carney, music, Nathan Poppe, new song, oklahoma city, old factory, Salt Year, Spy FM, VDub Session

Categories Chris Bathgate, VDub Session

Episode 49 – Jeremy Watson (2/10/2012)

March 9, 2012 //

Last month, we caught up with Okie via Germany artist Jeremy Watson.

It was one of his first showings in our state, so let’s give him a warm welcome and check out what he has to say about his creations.

Check out some stills from the shoot after the jump.

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Tags acoustic guitar, art, bus, DNA galleries, doodle, draw, drawing, Ferris O'Brien, folwer vw of norman, fun, humming, Interview, Jeremy Watson, Live on the Plaza, local, music, Nathan Poppe, OKC, Oklahoma, oklahoma city, online radio station, radio, random, session, Sherree Chamberlain, the spy fm, van, vanagon, VDub Sessions

Categories Art Session, Jeremy Watson

Episode 48 – The Polyphonic Spree (2/7/2012)

February 12, 2012 //

We wouldn’t be surprised if The Polyphonic Spree has never heard the expression “too much of a good thing.”

The band’s current line-up sports nearly two dozen members and we fit a dozen of the Dallas-based crew inside of the van for a joyful rendition of “It’s the Sun.”

This is some of the most fun we’ve had with a band in the van.

We hope the joyful nature of this episode is contagious much like the Spree’s energetic, life-affirming concerts.

Sit back, turn it up and enjoy the show.

Here’s the Vimeo version of the spot if you’re fancy.

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Tags comeback, Fowler VW of Norman, It's the Sun, Jonathan Fowler, live performance, me, music, Nathan Poppe, Norman, Oklahoma, The Opolis, The Polyphonic Spree, Tim DeLaughter, tour, VDub Sesssions, you

Categories The Polyphonic Spree, VDub Session

Episode 47 – Dusty Gilpin and Tanner Frady (1/13/2012)

February 10, 2012 //

When it comes to art, Dusty and Tanner know their shirt.

If you’ve been to a Thunder game or have any Oklahomacentric friends then you’ve probably seen designs from Tree and Leaf Clothing.

Dusty has been running the apparel store for about six years.

Design is in his blood. His grandfather’s claim to fame is drawing Pistol Pete, a symbol famous throughout the country. Dusty still has his grandfather’s old design notebooks and its influence doesn’t seem to be fading any time soon.

Dusty and Tanner had quite a big challange facing them last month. They had to create enough artwork for a Live on the Plaza gallery showing in two weeks time. The two tirelessly collaborated and ended up with plenty of quality work.

Except plenty more good stuff from the duo in the future.

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Tags artist, artists, artwork, cartoons, doodle, draw, Dusty Gilpin, Episode 47, Ferris O'Brien, Fowler VW of Norman, Jonathan Fowler, live drawing, Live on the Plaza, music, Nathan Poppe, OK, OKC, oklahoma city, online radio, rock music, Tanner Frady, the pretty black chains, the spy fm, Tree and Leaf Clothing, VDub Sessions

Categories Art Session, Live on the Plaza, VDub Session

VDub Sessions mentioned in The Oklahoman

February 5, 2012 //

VDub Sessions producer and driver Jonathan Fowler had a Q&A in The Oklahoman this morning.

Not only did it run as a full page in the business section but also it had a generous portion dedicated to the show.

Check out what Fowler said about VDub Sessions in his interview after the jump.

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Categories Press

Episode 46 – Red City Radio (1/21/2011)

February 1, 2012 //

You know that old joke in the rock world about bands turning it all the way to 11?

Meet Red City Radio.

They use 11 as toilet paper.

The Okie band’s aggressive and catchy tunes have propelled them to tour outside of the state and even Europe.

They are headed back on tour soon, but we were lucky to catch them for a double song treatment in the streets of downtown Oklahoma City. The first track “An Introduction of Sorts” is off of the band’s latest release “The Dangers of Standing Still” and the second track is off of the 2009 EP “To The Sons and Daughters of Woody Guthrie.”

Hold on to your ear holes and turn this episode all the way up.

Go ahead, scare your coworkers.

Here’s the Vimeo video if you’re into that sort of thing.

Check out some stills of the band after the jump.

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Tags alternative, An Introduction of Sorts, band, bus, Dallas Tidwell, Dead Friends Don't Pay Debts, dog, ep, Ferris O'Brien, Fowler VW of Norman, Garrett Dale, indie, Jonathan Knight, live performance, music, Nathan Poppe, OKC, oklahoma city, paper and plastick, Paul Pendley, punk music, punk rock, Red City Radio, sessions, Spy FM, The Dangers Of Standing Still, The Sons & Daughters Of Woody Guthrie, vanagon, vdub, VDub Sessions, VW

Categories Oklahoma City, Red City Radio, VDub Session

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