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…

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.

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.

Stills:


Kristen’s artwork:

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.

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.

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.

Jeremy’s art

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.

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.

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.

Q: What have been some of your favorite Fowler Volkswagen tie-ins to date?

A: The VW Sessions is one I hugely enjoy. It’s something I’m doing with Mary Ann Osko and Nathan Poppe. Mary Ann Osko and I tried to find some ways to promote the store in ways that weren’t traditional, but in a way that I could promote my passion and connect on an emotional level. There was a thing called the “Black Cab Sessions” where people drove around performing in France. We knew it, all of our friends knew it. We’re with Volkswagen, what if we got a cool van or a bus and do something as cool as anything we could do? Ferris O’Brien (owner of Spy Radio) called, said there’s a bus I’d like to get. Would you like to help out? So we went and looked at it, and got the bus. And I knew Nathan Poppe from the Norman Music Festival, and I saw this kid with a camera all the time. So we got together. We got the top popped up, we drove around Lake Hefner and recorded the acts.

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.