By Troy Littledeer, UKB Media
TAHLEQUAH, OK — Northeastern Oklahoma’s Red Dirt/Country scene is set to erupt after local United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians member Blaine Bailey launched his highly second album, “Home,” with a show to commemorate the release at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame on Muskogee on March 8.
“I grew up in the Briggs area and Lost City [Cherokee County], playing on the weekends and stuff,” Bailey said. “I grew up playing a lot of blues and classic rock. Basically, whatever my uncles and my dad would play. It’s what I grew up listening to. It had a lot of influence on how I play nowadays, like my guitar playing style and stuff like that.”
Bailey, who’s becoming known for his “918 cultural” lyrical content and blues infused red dirt stage presence, has been making waves in the local music scene. His song, Bailey's song 'Cigarettes and Roses' received a feature in FX's TV show ‘Reservation Dogs,’ in episode 1 of Season 3. It fueled the buzz generated among fans and critics eager to hear what the artist has been conjuring up.
Bailey credits his mother for introducing him to new styles of music during his teen years.
“My mom got me interested in the Red Dirt scene, Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland, Cody Canada. They’re the ones I got started on and still listen to them to this day,” Bailey said. “They were a lot of influences on my songwriting and all that.”
Bailey is a UKB member and works for UKB Housing as a job manager. He has been an exclusive Keetoowah member his whole life. Although, he’s learned more about his Keetoowah/Cherokee culture the older he gets, Bailey said it’s more his everyday Oklahoma life that’s influenced his music most. He admits he does understand the importance of having a Native American voice. “Today, in the social media world, you can spread your music so fast to such a large audience,” Bailey said. “That’s why I believe it’s important to spread the word about our Oklahoma culture and Native culture.”
Bailey paid tribute to the culture by writing the album title in Cherokee syllabary.
“I like having the voice and the audience to bring awareness to Natives,” Bailey explained. “I want people to understand that we’re still here and we’ve been here.”
Blaine Bailey's album release show at Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee, Oklahoma will be on March 8th. The doors open at 7:00 PM, the show will start at 8:00 PM. It is an ALL-AGES show. ONLINE TICKET PRICES CURRENTLY AVAILABLE $10 advanced ($12 at the door). PURCHASE HERE.
Bailey’s music can heard below. He can also be found on all the major music streaming platforms.
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