[Goodpasture]

Red Dirt Music is a genre of fusion music that gets its name from the color of soil found in Oklahoma. Although Stillwater, Oklahoma is considered to be the epicenter of Red Dirt music, some say there's a Texas Red Dirt sound as well. Old school Texans and Okies alike will swear that the two were distinctly different.

Red Dirt music grew from a specific place in Stillwater.......an old two-story, five-bedroom house called "The Farm" - for two decades the center of what evolved into the Red Dirt scene, located on the outskirts of Stillwater. Songwriter Jimmy LaFave said it best “You hear the Red Dirt sound when you go through Stillwater. It has to do with the spirit of the people. There's something different about them. They're not Texans, they're Okies.”

So to answer your question as to why we have “better country music” is simple. We have better music for the same reason Napa Valley has better wines.......we make it here. We live it here. It’s in our blood. From Garth Brooks to Cross Canadian Ragweed, from JJ Cale to the Red Dirt Rangers to Leon Russell.......these guys aren’t stars or entertainers....they’re our neighbors. They play for us, their family.

For a great read, if you have a couple of hours to visit, you can get your fill on who is who in Red Dirt Music go to The Red Dirt Music Web Page

[CaseySimplified]

Originally Posted by Goodpasture

Red Dirt Music is a genre of fusion music that gets its name from the color of soil found in Oklahoma. Although Stillwater, Oklahoma is considered to be the epicenter of Red Dirt music, some say there's a Texas Red Dirt sound as well. Old school Texans and Okies alike will swear that the two were distinctly different.

Red Dirt music grew from a specific place in Stillwater.......an old two-story, five-bedroom house called "The Farm" - for two decades the center of what evolved into the Red Dirt scene, located on the outskirts of Stillwater. Songwriter Jimmy LaFave said it best “You hear the Red Dirt sound when you go through Stillwater. It has to do with the spirit of the people. There's something different about them. They're not Texans, they're Okies.”

So to answer your question as to why we have “better country music” is simple. We have better music for the same reason Napa Valley has better wines.......we make it here. We live it here. It’s in our blood. From Garth Brooks to Cross Canadian Ragweed, from JJ Cale to the Red Dirt Rangers to Leon Russell.......these guys aren’t stars or entertainers....they’re our neighbors. They play for us, their family.

For a great read, if you have a couple of hours to visit, you can get your fill on who is who in Red Dirt Music go to The Red Dirt Music Web Page

Wow! Thanks so much! I'll definitely check out the website. I think that is so awesome that a style of music came from Stillwater.

[grandmafrog]

I live in Muskogee, OK. My niece is from Dallas but goes to school at OSU in Stillwater. OK is great if you can stand the summer weather. When we say it's hot, we mean really, really humid hot. Stillwater is not as bad as Muskogee because we have so many lakes around here. 90% humidity is not uncommon...if it gets to the 40%'s we think it's dry. People in New Orleans couldn't believe my son & daughter-in-law weren't dying from the humidity down there when they were on a walking tour. If you like water sports, it's great. Stillwater has college nitelife for sure along with the rodeo. lol I like OK but we will be moving soon when my husband retires to a very dry climate. Good luck.

[nflpa29]

I lived in Leesburg, VA for 4 years before moving back to OKC. I am originally from here. You will like Oklahoma State. Stillwater is a neat college town. You are not that far from OKC and Tulsa, so you can get out of town and go do stuff when you like. There is not much to do in Stillwater except go to school and do the college thing, which is what you are there for anyways! I have family who went to Okie State, they all like it. Have any specific questions, just post or let me know, I would be happy to answer them.

[nightbird47]

Originally Posted by CaseySimplified

Hey everyone!

For those that were wondering I was able to go home for Thanksgiving. Thanks to everyone who helped me out. I was able to schedule rides with friends to and from OKC. It was nice to see the family for the first time since August but I was ready to come back to Oklahoma. Oklahoma trumps Maryland any day. I didn't realize how much I liked Oklahoma until I went home.


If anyone here lives in or around Stillwater I think it would be pretty cool just to meet up with a couple of the locals. Just a thought.

I'm still in cali, but will be taking the train *home* on wednesday. Can't wait to get there. I've lived in OK for only three months but its entirely home now. Too many people and rush and smog here.

Funny thing is I've already acclimated to some of the cold weather. We were waiting for the metrolink train in about 45 degree weather, and everyone else thought it was really cold. Didn't seen that bad to me. It was a big surprise.

I'm looking forward to coming back for the holiday next year and my convention, but I'm sure it won't be as strange as this has been.

I'm in Cushing which is roughly in the area... I also don't have a car. But I'd love to meet some of the city data junkies who hang around here

[115db]

It depends on the type of person you might be. Most people who are used to life in areas like MA, Calif, NY, its a whole new lifestyle and they may not adapt well, so they simply choose to like it. Personally, I love it. Been there a few times, in various areas, and it seemed everywhere we went, the folks were pleasant, hospitable and the good ol' boy type. Ya dont get much of that here in Calif!

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Livewire

It depends on the type of person you might be. Most people who are used to life in areas like MA, Calif, NY, its a whole new lifestyle and they may not adapt well, so they simply choose to like it. Personally, I love it. Been there a few times, in various areas, and it seemed everywhere we went, the folks were pleasant, hospitable and the good ol' boy type.

That's the danmdest truth.
CA. is just the opposite of OK.

[autotech4dallas]

It is interesting because I have noticed on the Texas forums, that there are a lot of people from California relocating to Texas, as well as Oklahoma. I think more so much Oklahoma because many in Texas mention the extreme high property taxes they must pay, despite the fact they they do not have to pay state income taxes. Oh well, to each their own, I guess. I have nothing against California relocating to Oklahoma (as I have said in the past), because this Oklahoman will soon be relocating to Texas. Love, love Texas.

[lakerat66]

ComputerGuy- that also describes about 20 or so other states!!! ha ha. Tell us something we don't know! I LOVE Oklahoma- never lived there but spent MANY months camping and traveling around OK. People are friendly and eastern half off the state is beautiful! I have been to 47 out of the 50 states and OK. is one of my favorites

[brad84720]

I, too, lived in San Diego - for about 25 years. i have since moved to Utah and am now looking at relocating to OK. San Diego has changed over time from a laid back town to a huge city and in the process has lost that which originally made it special. San Diego State is HUGE and all of my friends who attended (I went to UCSD) said they felt more like a number than a student. A small city in OK and the seventh largest city in the US are really two different animals. What I have learned in living in a small town in southern Utah is that what a small town may lack in size and scope, it more than makes up in kind neighbors and beautiful scenery. Good luck to you in whichever city you choose to relocate.

Brad