The people who run the Oklahoma City Zoo aren’t the only ones selling out to the man!
On Monday afternoon, in a lead-up to the announcement of their big 2024 lineup, organizers of Rocklahoma announced they were acquired by some out-of-state promoter by the name of Danny Wimmer.
Here are details via News on 6:
On Monday morning, Danny Wimmer Presents announced it has acquired Rocklahoma as well as the festival Born & Raised. DWP is the largest independent live event producer in the country, with nine festivals it owns, produces, and promotes…
DWP’s Chief Marketing Officer Chamie McCurry says they plan on leaning in to everything that fans have come to know and love about Rocklahoma, but amplify it based on their professional experience.
Yep, that’s right! Knock back some blow and take a shot of whiskey. They’re turning the amps at Rocklahoma up to 11. The world and its various venereal diseases may never be the same.
So, what does this new amplified ownership mean for Rocklahoma? Better bands, better groupies and even better drugs?
Based on this year’s lineup, it appears the musical acts aren’t getting any better, so it’s up to the drug dealers and groupies to save some face.
Via KOCO:
The popular festival Rocklahoma announced a slew of big names that will headline this summer's event in northeastern Oklahoma.
Rocklahoma, which is known as America's Biggest Labor Day Party and will have its biggest lineup ever this summer, will feature headliners Avenged Sevenfold, Evanescence, Disturbed, A Day To Remember, Slipknot and Lamb of God. The three-day rock festival is scheduled for Aug. 30 to Sept. 1 at Rockin Red Dirt Ranch in Pryor.
One of my favorite hobbies is to make fun of Rocklahoma, but I do it all with my hypocritical tongue planted firmly in my cheek. If this festival launched in 2001, I’d definitely be there WT’ing it up with all my fellow KATT listeners.
You see, just like most young adult white men at the turn of the century, I went through a little meth rock alt-metal phase in my early 20s, with Rocklahoma regulars like Korn, Staind and even – gasp – Limp Bizkit making their way into my 60 disc CD case.
It was a weird and embarrassing musical period in my life; a mystifying time when I thought Godsmack was a great band and Voodoo was a good song!
Okay, I'll admit it. I still like that song.
Although I once lived, ate, and breathed meth-rock, I’m not sure I could handle a three-day smorgasbord of it, especially when it involves driving out to Pryor in 100-degree heat and hanging out with a bunch of blue-collar bros who rod radiators for a living.
Seriously, why go to all that trouble when I can do the same thing at any Henry Hudsons on a Friday night?
Sure, music festivals are fun and memorable and have better drugs, but I don’t think anyone wants their obituary to read…
“Lonnie died doing what he loved, which is listening to Disturbed in 100-degree heat in August in rural Oklahoma.”
But then again, that’s just my preference. Music is highly subjective, and I’m sure there are plenty of people out there who look forward to a sweaty and smelly weekend in Pryor listening to the bands they smoked crack to so many years ago. To each their own.
Although this year’s lineup is very similar to Rocklahomas past, it will be interesting to see if the new owners and organizers make any other changes to the festival.
One thing they better leave alone is the Ms. Rocklahoma Pageant. As these mean old articles remind me, it’s always been a fun thing to cover.
Stay with The Lost Ogle. We’ll keep you advised.
