Red Dirt Relief Fund announced today they have fulfilled all eligible applications for their COVID-19 Emergency Music Grants, delivering $138,500 in one-time $250 payments to music professionals across more than 30 Oklahoma counties. The program, which was launched in mid-March, was open to any Oklahoman working in music who sustained a financial loss of at least $1,000 due to cancelled/postponed … Read More
Gypsy Cafe Streaming, Merch & More!
Learn more about how to stream the show, buy merch to support the cause and hear a word or two from our sponsors!
2018 #Skinnerfest raises $6,871 for Oklahoma musicians
Despite chilly temperatures and a mist in the air, Tulsa’s 18th & Boston neighborhood was alive and rocking as 50+ musicians graced three stages during Tom Skinner’s Skyline Music Festival. A total of $6,871 was raised to provide grants to Oklahoma musicians in crisis through the Red Dirt Relief Fund. Highlights of the day included: A raucous crowd responding with … Read More
Burn Co. VIP Brunch kicks off Tom Skinner Skyline Music Fest
Join us for VIP Brunch at Burn Co. Enjoy their delicious brunch buffet, Bloody Mary’s, bubbly & beautiful music from Monica Taylor, Jared Tyler, Gabe Marshall, Chris Lee Becker & Beau Roberson. 12-2pm Burn Co. BBQ, 18th & Boston $50 VIP Brunch ticket includes brunch, beverages + festival admission All Ages (12 & under are $20 at the door with a ticketed adult) Brunch … Read More
Free musician health care provided at 2018 Tom Skinner Skyline Fest
When the Tom Skinner Skyline Music Festival returns to Tulsa’s SoBo neighborhood (18th & Boston) on Sunday, October 14th, more than 45 musicians on the lineup will have access to free flu shots, health and dental screenings. Additionally, all proceeds of the festival organized by the nonprofit Red Dirt Relief Fund will support their mission to provide a safety net … Read More
Restless Spirit: Brandon Jenkins
The 2018 Restless Spirit Award was presented to Wilma Jenkins in honor of her son, the late Brandon Jenkins, at the Bob Childers’ Gypsy Cafe festival in Stillwater on May 2nd. A Tulsa native, Jenkins attended OSU and launched what would become a decades-long career in Red Dirt music. He produced 16 albums throughout his career, and wrote songs that … Read More
Gypsy Cafe raises $30,044 for Oklahoma musicians
2018 Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café grew in its seventh year with new audiences, partners, expanded programming and new voices. Here are some highlights: Wilma Jenkins accepted the Restless Spirit Award on behalf of her son, Brandon Jenkins. Later in the evening, a hand-painted guitar with his likeness sold for $6,000 in a live auction from the stage at Eskimo Joe’s. … Read More
Benefit raises $10,000+ for Brandon Jenkins
We were honored to be a part of “Brothers & Sisters of the Dirt: A Memorial Benefit for Brandon Jenkins,” a beautiful evening at The Shrine in Tulsa last Sunday celebrating the life of our friend, Brandon Jenkins. Through the efforts of Brad James, Donnie Rich, “The Fun Girls” Leatha Pierce and Jean Wiles, and so many generous donors and … Read More
Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest Finalists Announced!
On May 2, 2018, Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café returns to Stillwater for its seventh year! In an effort to include undiscovered talent at the state’s largest songwriter festival, organizers announced the Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest in early March. Judges recently narrowed a field of more than 40 songs down to 4 finalists: Jason Scott’s “She Good to Me:” From Oklahoma City, Jason is … Read More
$100,000 in COVID-19 relief for Oklahoma music people
While we cannot know how COVID-19 will spread or how long this pandemic will last, we do know that this virus has universally devastated our working music community. A majority of gigs and festivals for the coming weeks and months have cancelled or postponed. While some Oklahomans are fortunate to have paid leave, remote-work options and other safety nets, working … Read More
2020 Gypsy Cafe: Reimagined
Oklahoma’s Largest Roots Songwriter Fest “Reimagined” in Ninth Year Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café, Oklahoma’s largest homegrown songwriter festival that has taken place in Stillwater, Okla. for the past eight years, will be “Reimagined” as a show that will premiere on digital streaming platforms through O’Colly TV on April 29 at 6:00pm. The festival benefits Oklahoma artists in need through the … Read More
2020 Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest Accepting Entries
Now in its third year, the Jimmy LaFave Songwriting Contest is open to unsigned and emerging Oklahoma songwriters. The contest is free with a grand prize of $500 and the chance to join the lineup of Bob Childers Gypsy Café, Oklahoma’s largest songwriter festival, on April 29, 2020. Each artist may submit one lyric-driven song online at https://forms.gle/tqN2b7oFMrmmyQ6k6 by March 1st. The songwriting … Read More
#GivingTunesday: Dec. 3, 2019
It’s a like a tiny desk concert from 40+ musicians all in one day: Tuesday, December 3rd! In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, the largest international day of giving, Red Dirt Relief Fund is proud to collaborate with musicians across the state to bring live tunes to fans on Facebook & Instagram in a campaign called #GivingTunesday. On Tuesday, December 3rd, … Read More
#Skinnerest raises $15,441 for Oklahoma musicians in need
Sunday, August 18, 2019 This past Sunday afternoon, more than 400 music fans flocked to 18th & Boston in Tulsa for the fourth annual Tom Skinner Skyline Music Fest presented by Hideaway Pizza. They were treated to songs and stories from more than 40 Oklahoma musicians in songwriter-in-the-round sets, first-time musician pairings and even a few full band sets that … Read More
#Skinnerfest Lineup Announced
On Sunday, August 18th, more than 40 Oklahoma musicians will gather at Venue Shrine, Mercury Lounge and Burn Co. BBQ at 18th and Boston in Tulsa to play an intimate festival celebrating the life and songwriting tradition of Oklahoma music hero, Tom Skinner. The festival will benefit Oklahoma musicians in crisis through the nonprofit Red Dirt Relief Fund. Grammy-nominated songwriter … Read More
2019 #Skinnerfest seeks sponsors & friends!
On Sunday, August 18th, Tom Skinner Skyline Festival brings 40+ Oklahoma songwriters and bands to 3 venues at 18th & Boston in Tulsa to benefit Oklahoma musicians. Now in it’s 4th year, the festival also offers an intimate VIP Brunch Concert. SPONSORSHIPS Starting at $500, Fest sponsorships allow businesses to showcase their brands, engage with fans and support for the … Read More
2019 Restless Spirit Award goes to Randy Crouch
The Restless Spirit Award was presented to beloved Oklahoma fiddler, Randy Crouch, during Bob Childers’ Gypsy Café music festival in Stillwater on May 1st. Crouch, who lives in a self-constructed geodesic dome near the Illinois River and refers to his songs as “Oklahoma protest music,” learned to play piano, guitar and ukulele at a young age and was influenced to … Read More