Church Studio adds to rich music history with SiriusXM Turnpike Troubadours show

A sign greets guests who visited Church Studio for a SiriusXM Turnpike Troubadours concert event.

Jimmie Tramel, Tulsa World

An off-the-cuff comment led to a cool new chapter of Church Studio lore.

The Turnpike Troubadours jammed for more than an hour while playing to an intimate (five rows deep) crowd Monday night at Church Studio.

You didn’t miss out on a chance to buy tickets. The only way to be in the audience was to win tickets through a SiriusXM promotion. So, a lucky few got to be within arm’s reach of a band that sold out two shows at BOK Center last year. The rest of you can hear the Turnpike Troubadours’ Church Studio show even if you weren’t in the building. The concert event was taped for future use (stay tuned for the date) on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel.

A Turnpike Troubadours concert event before an intimate crowd at Church Studio was recorded for future use on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country channel.

Jimmie Tramel

Here’s how it all came about: A few months ago, Mojo Nixon (who hosts a SiriusXM show on the Outlaw Country channel) and Jeremy Tepper (program director for the Outlaw Country and Willie’s Roadhouse channels) toured Church Studio with owner Teresa Knox.

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A display promoting the SiriusXM Outlaw Country channel was just inside the main entrance at Church Studio when the Turnpike Troubadours played a concert there that was recorded for future use on the channel.

Jimmie Tramel

“Halfway through the tour, I realized this was my chance,” Knox said. “I just blurted out, ‘How does this sound? Church Studio Radio!?’ They laughed, but it did get the conversation started about how we could collaborate on a program. After a little brainstorming, we thought what better way to test than to bring in our home state heroes, the Turnpike Troubadours?”

Nixon and Tepper returned for the Turnpike Troubadours show. Before Nixon introduced the homegrown band, Knox gave attendees a quick history lesson about Church Studio being a “real” church that opened in 1915. It was converted into a recording studio and home office for Shelter Records in 1972 by Tulsa-raised Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell. Church Studio became a hangout for music artists from all over the globe.

An attendee of a Turnpike Troubadours SiriusXM concert event exits Church Studio near a statue of Leon Russell.

Jimmie Tramel

Fifty years later, Church Studio gained new life following a major restoration orchestrated by Knox. Church Studio is back in business as a recording studio and as a destination for music lovers. Archival materials include 5,000-plus artifacts, documents, recordings and memorabilia associated with Leon Russell, Shelter Records and Church Studio.

Before and after soundcheck, the Turnpike Troubadours got a chance to look around and they shared their admiration for the studio, according to Knox.

“Evan Felker stated that he loved Leon Russell and has been inspired by his music for a long time,” she said.

Evan Felker and R.C. Edwards perform during a Turnpike Troubadours show at Church Studio.

Jimmie Tramel

The event went off without a hitch, and Knox said SiriusXM is already talking about the possibility of another event.

“I’m confident that this will lead to future events and collaborations with SiriusXM,” she said.

Marlon Jackson of the Jackson 5 visited Church Studio earlier this month.

Courtesy, Church Studio

“New” Church Studio is almost two years old. A grand-opening period began March 1, 2022. Knox was pleasantly shocked when more than 4,000 visitors showed up in the first week. Bill Champlin, Kenny Loggins, George Thorogood, Taj Mahal, John Ford Coley, Air Supply and Jimmy Webb are among music artists who have performed there since. And creatives who have popped in for a peek include members of the Oak Ridge Boys, Foghat, Journey’s Jonathan Cain, Wes Studi, Elle King and Lainey Wilson. Marlon Jackson and Tito Jackson of the Jackson 5 visited about a week before the Turnpike Troubadours show.

Hank Early performs during a Turnpike Troubadours show at Church Studio.

Jimmie Tramel

Knox, asked following the Turnpike Troubadours show if she is more convinced than ever that reopening Church Studio was a good thing, said, “Going into our second year, the studio operations have been a whirlwind. Based upon feedback from music industry groups, record labels and recording artists, we are convinced more than ever that there was a need in Tulsa for what we offer. Artists coming here love the ease of travel at our fabulous airport, friendliness of Tulsans and leveraging our city’s magical music history for their own inspiration. Our scholarship program expands the number of local artists benefiting from our recording studio offerings, which has been our favorite aspect of opening.”

Carney Fest sprang into existence as a result of Church Studio’s renewal. In 1972, Russell released the album “Carney” on Shelter Records. In 2023, Carney Fest debuted on the doorstep of Church Studio as a celebration of music history with the intent of “uniting fans of all ages in a shared passion for extraordinary sound.”

A semi truck was parked near illuminated-at-night Church Studio when a Turnpike Troubadours performed a SiriusXM concert event there Monday.

Jimmie Tramel

A sequel will take place Saturday, April 27 with Mike Campbell and the Dirty Knobs serving as a headlining act.

Campbell is a former guitarist with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, formerly known as Mudcrutch. There’s a Tulsa connection: Mudcrutch landed its first record deal with Shelter Records, and the paperwork was signed in a restaurant across the street from Church Studio.

Leon Russell’s first name is spelled out on a staircase leading to Church Studio.

Jimmie Tramel

Other than Carney Fest, and perhaps another team-up with SiriusXM, what lies ahead?

“The future is bright for the studio,” Knox said. “We will continue bringing in national acts, curate content to share with our followers and grow our digital footprint and engagement. Our greatest pleasure is playing a role in Tulsa’s music and tourism ecosystem and sharing the Church Studio — team, gear, archive and facilities — with all those that visit.”

An audience at Church Studio awaits the arrival of the Turnpike Troubadours for a concert event.

Jimmie Tramel

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