
J. J. Cale Tribute at the Power House Bar
The Show
If You’re Ever in Oklahoma (Stop at the Power House Bar)
Continuing on the heels of his successful Roger Miller, John Prine, and Smiths tribute shows, last month musician Jerrod Beck presented another great show with the help of many talented local musicians. On a cool, calm Sunday evening, the musicians gathered on the Power House Bar’s patio stage to perform covers of songs by the late, great Oklahoma songwriter J. J. Cale. As with the previous tribute shows, each performer also showcased a 1 or 2 original songs.

It’s a no brainer that local musicians would be eager to pay tribute to him. Aaron Pierce, a local songwriter and guitar player, pitched me the idea of setting up a tribute to Cale after the Smiths gig. Of course, I wanted to reach out to Tulsa songwriters as well as Oklahoma City ones. Paul Benjaman, Rachel La Vonne, and Wink Burcham represented Tulsa very nicely,
Beck said.
J.J. Cale had a laid-back and seemingly effortless way of songwriting and performing. He blended the guitar work of rock ’n’ roll with the simple delivery of country music and a blues and soul groove. That’s very appealing to me.
Cale had grit and perseverance in the face of struggle and obstacles. Sometimes it takes longer than we’d would like for our art to be widely recognized, but if it truly is great, people will eventually give proper recognition and praise. Cale stuck to his craft and saw it to great heights.
The writer of many hit songs, including Cocaine, Call Me the Breeze, Crazy Mama, Cajun Moon, and Magnolia, the Grammy®-winning J.J. Cale was born in Oklahoma City in 1938 and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He died of a heart attack in 2013.
Be sure to read our previous coverage of the series and see a gallery from the Smiths tribute.
The series returns on 20 November to The Plant Shoppe with a tribute to singer, songwriter, and activist Nina Simone.
Gallery
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