It has been a long time NewsPress readers. How are you? Hopefully doing alright. I know that it seems Stillwater has seen a whole lot of cold weather and fire danger than what we expect with Spring weather going into the Summer. But, it seems that's changing as we have had beautiful weather the past few days. Let's hope that continues.

Being a reporter, you find yourself in a position every day to learn something. In the past month, I learned a great deal more than I thought I knew when it came to Red Dirt music. I had just begun eighth grade when I found out about a group called Cross Canadian Ragweed. Cody Canada and friends led me to a new attitude and form of music titled "Red Dirt". It was more than country music with a rock angle. It was a message. I compare it to that artist or band you find from an early age that no one else seems to know. You cherish that band and don't want to share it with anyone else. And while Red Dirt has grown into a well-known thing, it still feels like it's all our own. That's what makes it special.

I recently was able to attend a meeting of many of these artists, well established and relatively new, out at "The Farm". I had never heard of such a place, but what I learned was it is considered to be the birthplace of Red Dirt. A home to many musicians that define the style like Bob Childers, the property has changed since the 1970s. The home burnt down in 2003, but everything else pretty much remains. I had the chance to interview many of these artists and to see their love for the history and meaning of the legacy they're carrying on was just another reason why I enjoy what I do. All these artists were back in town for a Red Bull sponsored concert across four venues in Stillwater. While I wasn't able to attend that night, I hear that the response was great.

So, in closing, I want to say that if you're like me and you think you know all there is about the music and history of Red Dirt, please study up and ask a musician if you see one. They would be happy to tell you all about it. :-)

Until next time,

Chase

Hello everyone! It's Thursday and that means Friday cannot come soon enough. Does it seem that on certain weeks, things escalate from great to bad to worse within a matter of days? I've got to be honest. Today was an okay day. Had a lot to do. I enjoy being busy and productive. I love my job. Everything was going fantastic until I went to an assigned story.

So, allow me to explain by first asking a question: Who here has heard of the band Kansas?

I have. I don't know much about them, but I know two of their most famous songs - "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Dust in the Wind". Well, lo and behold, I found out that they were performing here in Stillwater tonight and tomorrow night. I was excited. I haven't had the opportunity to meet many celebrities, but this was going to be fun. All I had to do was go and record some footage of the band rehearsing with the OSU Orchestra. Everything was going smoothly. I was waiting for Kansas to show up and while I waited, something peculiar happened. Behold, exhibit A:
This gentleman right here is the Road Manager for Kansas. He walked into the auditorium at Stillwater High School and upon seeing me, walked up and very rudely told me that once Kansas walks on stage, the camera goes away. Needless to say, I wasn't thrilled. After all, the drummer from the band had been in correspondence with us and had told us that we were allowed 3 minutes of rehearsal footage - more than enough. So, after calmly telling him this, he checked with the drummer and came back all smiles. He proceeded to tell me that I could shoot the 3 minutes and that this type of thing was almost never allowed. Fair enough. For the next 10 minutes, he stood by me and asked me at least 5 times if I was recording. Just to give you an idea, I was not. I was waiting for the band to tune up, mic check, etc and play. Finally, Kansas began rehearsing. The road manager asked again. I nodded yes. He left. A few minutes later, he comes back and shows me his iPhone with the timer on and at 2 mins and 58 secs. At 3 mins, he gives me the cutthroat sign. I say thanks for the footage and leave. Now, allow me to be clear: I love the band Kansas. I think they are talented and I, personally, am telling you all that their show tonight and tomorrow at the SHS is something you shouldn't miss. Really. However, to their manager: Please, ask me why I'm there. Get details. Don't be rude. I'm trying to help. There is nothing worse than trying to do your job and being yelled at and put down for it. But it's okay. This comes with the job more often than you may think. It makes you appreciate the people who are willing to help while looking for nothing in return but the satisfaction of being a good person. I'll be fine, folks. This wayward son shall "carry on". Have a great rest of the week and enjoy the weekend, ok? Until next time. :-)

This month has been so incredibly busy, but in so many good ways. First off, the big project this month was the launch of our new magazine for the college crowd - Stilly Magazine. It's been a labor of love, sweat and tears (ok, not really tears, but definitely sweat) that has finally been published. You can find it around town at a few locations or come get it at the NewsPress offices. I'm pretty excited at the possibilities.

As far as news stories, I just covered a unique church in Yale. The First Baptist Church is housed in this building that's over 90 years old. You just walk into this place and feel the history. Pretty cool stuff. Very cool layout of the balcony and all. Check out the video and story! Click right here.

Also, for another one of our magazines, I interviewed Mrs. Gundy herself, Kristen Gundy. Very interesting interview and it was great to hear her talk about her kids and love for her family and what a normal day is like in the Gundy household. That interview will be in the next edition of Paisley, so keep your eyes peeled. It's a great read!

Finally, there are some very awesome, possible interviews coming my way in the next few weeks. Hopefully, they pan out and I can get you all some exclusive content, ok? Take care, enjoy your Labor Day weekend and it's college football time, so have fun!

As was told to me by a follower of the blog, I need to update. So, here I am.

Hello NewsPress readers!

It has been a long time since the last post because it has been pretty hectic around the newsroom. Lots and lots of good stories coming up, especially dealing with school. We've also been working hard on our new magazine for the college-aged crowd, called Stilly Magazine. Very fun to be working on that and trying to figure out what our readers want to see.

As for the NewsPress side of things, I recently talked to a gentleman named Bob Christy. Bob is an auto mechanic that runs his own shop right next to his house. He's been in business for years. A very interesting guy to talk to and he really seems to still love his job, even after all these years. You can read his story here (a video of the story will be posted here soon).

Also, I got to speak with Cristy Morrison. She works at the Stillwater Convention and Visitor's Bureau. She was nominated as one of the top 50 women in the state by the Journal Record. Talking to her, she seemed very flattered that she chosen. Any doubts of her love for Stillwater is pretty much destroyed when you walk into her office. It's adorned with a TON of OSU memorabilia. She was fun to talk to and you can read about her right.... here.

I know this has been a short post, but got to get back to work. Hope you guys have a fantastic Wednesday and now begins the downhill slope to the weekend. Take care!

Morning, folks!

What a week.... yesterday alone was pretty eventful. I was on my way home in the middle of the afternoon and I came across a car completely flipped upside down on 6th street across from the new Walmart. They are paving that section of road one lane at a time so it's very uneven if you're driving down it. I don't know how it happened, but if anything, you have to be really careful and slow down. Pretty intense to see a car completely flipped. Want to see it for yourself? Go to our Web click here.

Also, yesterday, we had to go out and cover a gas leak. A line was accidentally hit and blocks of street were closed off while crews worked to fix the problem. You can see footage and read about that here.

But the beginning of the week was nice for me. I was able to meet a life-long hero. I'll explain really quick. After work, a few of my friends and I decided to have dinner at Eskimo Joes. I started noticing tables near us getting up to take pictures with someone, who I could not see. That person went down to the gift shop and my friend said that I should go see who it is. We went down and who was it? Mr. Garth Brooks and his wife Trisha Yearwood! Pretty crazy stuff. In hindsight, I probably should have asked him if he would be interested in playing some music for our Stilly Sounds (which you can see an example of here with No Justice), but the fan in me couldn't resist going up to get a picture and shake hands. So, my life is pretty good after that. Here is the proof:

Hey there! Hope everyone is winding down their week well and preparing for the fourth. It's going to be a great weekend. Just wanted to keep this post brief and let you know about my recently completed project. Stillwater's own No Justice gave us some of their time this past week and I spoke with their lead singer, Steve Rice. They also performed two songs off their new album, Second Avenue, coming out on the 6th. It was great getting to meet the guys and hear some of their new stuff. I hope you enjoy it as well. Here are the links:

The interview: http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/x1703946250/Stilly-Sounds-Video-No-Justice-ready-to-release-new-album

Performance of the first single off Second Avenue, "Love Song": http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/x1703946339/Stilly-Sounds-Video-No-Justice-performs-Love-Song-off-new-album

Performance of "Just Get Going": http://www.stwnewspress.com/local/x383290792/Stilly-Sounds-Video-No-Justice-performs-Just-Get-Going-off-new-album

Have a great Fourth of July, folks!

Wow...What a Day!

Ever since this morning, Rick Lepper, our resident guru of all things multimedia, and I have been hard at work setting up mics, lighting and preparing for our in-house guests today: Stillwater's own No Justice! The guys gave us a great interview and performed two songs off their new album coming out July 6th. I can't wait to get them ready for all of you to enjoy. They should be up in the next few days, so keep your eyes on the NewsPress website.

Also, just got done wrapping up a video and print story on a blackberry farm in Yale. I think the part of this job that really seems fun is the discovery of businesses and people I never would have heard of had it not been for my position. All I know is that it takes a strong person to stand out in the sun for as long as some of those people do at that farm. I know because I did it for an hour and a half and I was ready for cool air and water. But that story should be coming up soon as well. It's an exciting time here at the Stillwater NewsPress.

I hope you fine readers are having a great start to your week and if not....just remember that fireworks make everything better. Hold on until the 4th! Until next time...

Chase