August 23 — UPSIDE (SIMON SEZ), Steph Simon (featuring J. Friday)

August 23, 2018 by Russ Florence

(NOTE — Today’s guest blogger is Chris Davis of Tulsa. About a dozen years ago, Chris interned at our firm, where we regularly talked about music, culture, and politics. He has since graduated from the University of Oklahoma, enjoyed a good career in Dallas, and returned to Tulsa, where he’s chronically involved in start-ups, creativity, and music.) The music of Tulsa rapper Steph Simon can be enjoyed without a history lesson, but some historical context can certainly deepen your appreciation. […]

Categories: 2010s, Current Events, Guest Blogs

May 25 — ‘WKRP’ END THEME, Jim Ellis (1978)

May 25, 2018 by Russ Florence

(NOTE — Today’s guest blogger is Tim Hudson, a friend of Lauren’s and mine. The first time I met Tim, we talked about Husker Du. I don’t recall where it was or what else we talked about. Only Husker Du, and that’s what matters. Tim lives in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, with his wife and two daughters.) So Russ asked me to do a guest blog about a song of my choosing and of course I said yes. He and I have […]

Categories: 1970s, Guest Blogs

March 23 — TOM DOOLEY, The Kingston Trio (1958)

March 23, 2018 by Russ Florence

(NOTE — Today’s guest blogger is Joe Epperley. As newspaper editors in the early ‘90s, Joe and I spent many late nights debating the merits of the semi-colon, the designated hitter, and the Beach Boys’ “God Only Knows.” He and his wife, Brenda, live in Tulsa.) Sunday in the supermarket. Muzak playing. What is that song? Chorus arrives. It’s a barely-recognizable version of “Tom Dooley,” a song made famous by The Kingston Trio in 1958. I know it well. My […]

Categories: 1950s, Guest Blogs

March 5 — CINEMA PARADISO, Ennio Morricone (1988)

March 5, 2018 by Russ Florence

(NOTE — Today’s guest blogger is Paul Jeannotte, my best friend since the day we met in May 1985. Paul grew up in North Dakota, studied at the University of Minnesota, and lives in Minneapolis.) As Oscar parties ran into last night and early this morning, there are great debates about winners and losers, who prevailed and who was robbed. Just like the debates about who’s the best guitarist, ball player, or artist of all time. And yet there are […]

Categories: 1980s, Books and Films, Friends, Guest Blogs

January 16 — LIVE WIRE, AC/DC (1975)

January 16, 2018 by Russ Florence

(NOTE — Today’s guest blogger is Kevin Allen. We became friends a few years ago through our wives, who were roommates at the University of Kansas. Kevin is a long-distance runner, a father of three great kids, and a documentary producer. His latest project, funded through Kickstarter, is “What Comes Next,” a documentary about how people handle the most challenging transitions in life. He and his family live in Kansas City.) It’s no secret that music has the power to […]

Categories: 1970s, Friends, Guest Blogs, Running

January 8 — WHO’S SORRY NOW, Connie Francis (1958)

January 8, 2018 by Russ Florence

(NOTE — Today’s entry is written by Paul Jeannotte, of Minneapolis. Paul is a college counselor, certified meditation instructor, renaissance man, and the best friend a guy could ever ask for. Look for other guest blogs throughout the year.) In 2017, my elderly parents decided to sell their condo in North Fort Myers, Florida. I have to admit, I felt a little sad to let go of the place where I spent a week every February, a warm-weather vacation from […]

Categories: 1950s, Friends, Guest Blogs, Sanibel