2nd Annual ROCKLAHOMA Festival!!!

So what do you get when you take a mulitude of some of the greatest 80's and 90's rock bands, mix in thousands of die-hard rock fans, 5 days of music filled fun in the sun, partying until dawn, 3 stages of  Heart Pounding, head banging music…add in a “little” rain, and a whole lot of mud…Could only be one thing…ROCKLAHOMA BABY!!!!!!

What originally started out as a 3 day festival, then went to 4 days and ended up at 5 days featured some of the all-time greatest bands to ever hit the airwaves. Kicking off the 5-day rock-fest were acts like RATT, Jackyl and Firehouse on Wednesday. Thursday’s line-up went to the next level by bringing in acts such as Bret Michaels, Sebastian Bach,  Dokken, and LA Guns. Friday arrived to bring in greats such as Triumph, Extreme and  Night Ranger. What could top that…well I’m glad you asked. Saturday line-ups included Warrant, Lita Ford, The Lynch Mob, Trixter, Black N Blue KIX and Tora Tora…I know can you believe it and that’s only the main stage!!! Sunday ended the Festival with Queensryche, Tesla and Ace Frehley.

Ok so that was not all, there were a ton more bands there. With One main stage featuring the return of the national acts they also had 2 side stages that featured some of the newer and upcoming bands on the rock scene. Bands like Dirty Penny, CockPit, Bang Tango, Faster Pussycat, GyspyBlue, Heavens Wish and Gypsy Pistoleros…and of course who could forget Phoenix’s own BIG COCK!!! Again this was only a few of the many other bands that were there. However, some of the bands that were slated for Saturday evening and Sunday didn’t get a chance to wow the crowds with their talents due to some weather related events that would devastate the remaining weekend for the 2 side stages. (More to follow on that one)

Not only was the music something to blow your mind but so was the weather. I arrived Saturday and after the ordeal of getting into the event it was around Noon. I only actually got to see 2 main stage acts, Black N Blue and Trixter along with a handful of side stage bands. One word…WOW!! For just the few acts I did see. Of course I got to see and meet a ton of people, some with bands and some associated with bands and a numerous amount of die-hard rock fans. Some of which pitched their tents and called it a camp-rock out. We were just coming to the end of the Trixter show and within a matter of maybe 20 minutes the clouds came rolling in. It was maybe 10 minutes after they rolled in that the rains came. Luckily our good friends from Wyldside Radio were there and were gracious enough to  let us hang out in their trailer. It was probably about an hour and half or so that the rains started to let up…BUT we had also found out that the 65+mph winds that blew through had destroyed the 2 side stages. The North stage had collapsed onto itself taking out the merchandise tent as well. The South stage had been blown over also taking out the merchandise tent that was attached to that. Devastated we weren’t sure if the main stage would be kicking back off or not, add to that the fact that 2 more storm fronts were coming in. However, in between fronts 1 and 2 we heard the magical sound of the drum techs doing the sound check for the next act to take the main stage. At this point though the storm had taken its toll on us and we called it a night. By choice, and one that I regretted even before I decided to make it, I had to fly out on Sunday morning at 7am. Next year…Let’s See…HELL YEAH I’ll be there!!!

Well due to some “un-foreseen” mix-up with our tickets on the venues part and some very creative last minute planning on our part not to mention some storm fronts, we didn’t get to spend as much time at the festival as we would have liked nor did we get to talk to or meet some of the acts that we wanted to…it was still a great time and we are excited to see what next years event will hold. Words of advice if you plan on going next year…Sunblock, Poncho (for you Arizonans that’s what you wear when it rains) if you’re truly a die-hard fan goulashes. Pryor Oklahoma is about 45 minutes north of Tulsa, fly into Tulsa and stay there unless your one of the lucky ones who can find a room in Pryor. The drive is easy from Tulsa to Pryor just have a designated driver…or better yet camp out with the “muddies”. Oh speaking of that, the festivities don’t stop when the stages close down, there were some pretty wild Parties in the tent area from what I understand. One in particular had bands such as Dirty Penny, CockPit and Heavens Wish. From what I heard they were some pretty wild times so don’t miss out on that action!!!

Last but not least I need to throw out some very special ROCK ONS!!

1. Ellen at Acme Client Care
2. The Boys from Heartless
3. Cory, Butch and the crew from Wyldside Radio
4. Big Cock and the always lovely Kat

Thanks to you all, you made it a time I won’t soon forget!!

Jerry “T-Bone” Hadaway
Editor/Photographer
Bandwidth Rock Magazine