The Future of Our Past
The OKPOP Foundation has officially completed the $18 million Heart & Soul Campaign, and the State Treasurer has now approved and certified the pledges, releasing the state’s matching funds. This milestone marks the beginning of OKPOP’s next chapter: exhibit design, fabrication, and the build-out of Oklahoma’s first museum dedicated to the global creative impact of its people.
Hello Friends and Potential Donors,
“You know, this whole campaign wasn’t just about raising $18 million – it was about backing a mission that means something. OKPOP is here to celebrate the crazy amount of creativity that comes out of Oklahoma, to tell the stories of the folks who shaped music, film, and art, and to fire up the next generation to chase their own big dreams. The way people showed up to support this blows me away. Oklahoma should be proud of what’s coming.”
Honorary Campaign Chair
We recently connected with Tulsa-born musician, producer, songwriter, and composer James McAlister for an OKPOP oral history video interview.
From playing drums in church and marching with Broken Arrow Pride… to building a home studio in a closet with a drum machine and four-track… to collaborating with artists like Sufjan Stevens, Aaron Dessner, Taylor Swift, and Beck… James’s journey is a powerful reminder that creativity often starts small, personal, and close to home.
Over the past 15+ years, his work has spanned touring, production, film scoring, and studio collaboration… often created quietly, thoughtfully, and sometimes even top secret from his own home studio.
At the heart of it all is a simple throughline:
a love of music, a commitment to craft, and a willingness to grow over time.
As James shared with us:
“Do as much as you can do… be good, be nice… pursue excellence and precision… and don’t be discouraged if it takes decades.”
That’s the Oklahoma story.
That’s the creative journey.
🎥 This interview will become part of the Oklahoma Historical Society archive and help shape future OKPOP exhibit storytelling.
#OKPOP #TulsaMusic #OklahomaCreatives #OralHistory #CreativeJourney @900x
Celebrating Leon Russell on his birthday today. Born April 2, 1942, in Lawton and raised in Tulsa, Leon helped shape the sound of Oklahoma and far beyond. Today we’re grateful to celebrate his legacy with our friends at @tulsa.architecture @historicbig10ballroom and @thechurchstudio
Tonight’s TFA Tulsa Music History Crawl explores the spaces where Leon created music and helped shape Tulsa’s vibrant sound, with check-in at the Big 10 Ballroom from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The self-guided experience highlights places connected to his story, including the Big 10 Ballroom, OKPOP Archives, and The Church Studio. 
Leon’s story is one of Oklahoma imagination, grit, and world-changing artistry. We’re proud to help preserve and share that legacy. Happy birthday to the Master of Space and Time. 
#OKPOP #LeonRussell #TulsaSound #OklahomaMusic #tulsa
After years of celebrating pop culture,
we decided to make some of our own.
Introducing OKPOP Soda.
Light carbonation.
Mild flavor.
A completely acceptable experience.
It’s not amazing.
It’s not terrible.
It’s just… OK-POP.
Remembering Lowell Fulson on his birthday today. Born March 31, 1921, in Atoka, Oklahoma, Fulson helped shape the sound of modern blues far beyond our state lines. A master guitarist, singer, and songwriter, he became one of the defining voices of West Coast blues and gave the world enduring songs like “Reconsider Baby,” “Tramp,” and “3 O’Clock Blues,” the latter later becoming B.B. King’s first big hit. Lowell Fulson’s story is another reminder that Oklahoma roots have long reached deep into the sound of American popular culture. 
His music carried grit, cool, and feeling in equal measure, and his influence can still be heard in generations of blues, soul, and rock artists who followed. Today we celebrate an Oklahoma-born original whose voice and guitar helped leave a permanent mark on music history. Happy birthday, Lowell Fulson. 🎸🎶 
#OKPOP #LowellFulson #OklahomaMusic #BluesHistory #OnThisDay
On this day, we’re celebrating The Dinning Sisters—Lou, Jean, and Ginger—a harmony trio with deep Oklahoma roots whose sound carried them from radio to national pop success. Today marks the birthday of twin sisters Jean and Ginger Dinning, but their story is strongest as a trio alongside their sister Lou, whose voices blended into one of the most beloved sister acts of the 1940s.
Together, they recorded hits like “My Adobe Hacienda” and “Buttons and Bows,” and brought their harmonies to Disney projects including Fun and Fancy Free, Melody Time, and “Blame It on the Samba.” Their influence extended beyond the trio as well—Jean later co-wrote the 1959 hit “Teen Angel” for their brother Mark Dinning, who was born in Manchester, Oklahoma.
Three sisters. One Oklahoma family. A legacy of harmony that continues to echo through American pop culture.
#OKPOP #OnThisDay #TheDinningSisters #OklahomaMusic #OklahomaRoots
Happiest birthday to Oklahoma legend Reba McEntire today.
Born in McAlester and raised on a ranch near Chockie, Reba’s Oklahoma roots run deep, and her journey from rodeo country to global icon remains one of our state’s great creative stories. Today she continues to shine on screen and on stage, and it’s especially fun seeing her and fiancé Rex Linn sharing life and work together.
Rex has strong Oklahoma roots too, having grown up in Oklahoma City and going on to become one of the state’s own success stories in film and television.
Wishing Reba the happiest birthday. 🤠🎉
#RebaMcEntire #HappyBirthdayReba #OklahomaRoots #OKPOP
It was so great to meet Muppet collector Rhett Safranek @ribbitrhettsmuppets and talk all things Jerry Nelson. We loved walking him through our Jerry Nelson archive and sharing more about our plans for the upcoming exhibit.
Thanks so much to Rhett for swinging by and spending time with us. We’re grateful for his passion, knowledge, and love for this incredible creative legacy.
#OKPOP #JerryNelson #Muppets #MuseumCollection #Tulsa
Another great interview this week, this time with filmmaker Matt Leach.
We had the chance to sit down with Matt to talk about his journey from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to building a career shaped by collaboration, authenticity, and creative persistence. From early DIY filmmaking and formative experiences at Quartz Mountain, to working alongside Sterlin Harjo through This Land Press and on the documentary This May Be the Last Time, his path reflects the power of resourcefulness, community, and learning by doing.
Matt spoke about embracing imperfection, building lasting creative partnerships, and the importance of telling real stories rooted in real people and places. His perspective was a great reminder that some of the best creative work comes not from waiting until everything is perfect, but from simply beginning and staying at it.
“Perfection is the enemy. Just make stuff.”
It’s a simple idea, but one that sits right at the heart of what we believe at OKPOP: that creativity starts with action, curiosity, and the courage to begin. 
We’re grateful for the conversation and can’t wait to share more from this one.
#okpop #oklahomafilm #filmmaking #storytelling #oklahoma
Donate
Your charitable donation directly contributes to OKPOP’s future, we are grateful for your support! Donations to support the OKPOP Museum may be made to the OKPOP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
Donations may be made through the secure online donation form or mailed to:
OKPOP Foundation
422 North Main Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74103
If you have questions about additional gifting options, please contact Abby Kurin at akurin@okpopfoundation.org
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