OKPOP Museum

Did you know that BOTH Gremlins AND Ghostbusters were released on this day in 1984!? If the two films had "crossed streams," what role would Gizmo have played in Ghostbusters? Does he become a Ghostbuster? Is he a paranormal target? Or is he the surprise hero of the movie?

This is a ridiculous question, so there are no wrong answers!

Happy birthday, Bill Hader!

From Saturday Night Live to Barry, Bill Hader has been entertaining us for more than two decades. Before heading west to start his career in entertainment, Hader was born and raised in Tulsa!

Today we are thinking about power pop legend Dwight Twilley on what would have been his 75th birthday.

Twilley was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on this day in 1951. He attended Edison High School, and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. With drummer and vocalist Phil Seymour, he formed the Dwight Twilley Band, whose 1975 single “I’m on Fire” became a Top 20 hit and introduced his blend of Beatles-inspired melody, rockabilly energy, and Tulsa grit. Twilley later found solo success with “Girls” in 1984 and continued recording for decades through his own Big Oak Records label. His music remains a vital thread in Tulsa’s rock-and-roll story, connecting the city’s Shelter Records era to generations of songwriters.

William Boyd, the actor known for playing Hopalong Cassidy, was born on this day in 1895! He was born in Ohio, but spent his teenage years in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Boyd played the popular character from 1935 to 1952 in film, television, and on the radio. As one of the most popular western characters of his era, Hopalong Cassidy was a mass-culture phenomenon, being featured on countless branded merchandise over the years, including the first lunchbox to bear a licensed character's image and branding.

Dennis Weaver was born on this day in 1924 in Joplin, Missouri. Though born in Joplin, Weaver attended the University of Oklahoma, where he was a standout track and field athlete. He nearly qualified in the 1948 Olympics for the decathlon.

However, you might know Dennis Weaver from his near six-decade acting career. From 1955-1964, Weaver played sidekick and deputy Chester B. Goode in the popular television series "Gunsmoke" and starred as the titular character Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud in the police drama series "McCloud" from 1970 to 1977. He also starred in Steven Spielberg's first widely released 1971 film, "Duel."

And, for the sake of another Oklahoma connection, while Weaver was attending the University of Oklahoma, he introduced Rance Howard to his future wife Jean Speegle. Weaver and the future couple were all in the theater program at the University of Oklahoma.

Dennis Weaver passed away on February 24, 2006. He was 81.

We wanted to congratulate Jim Halsey for the well deserved honor of receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the CMA Country Music Association last night.

Jim Halsey is a legendary talent manager and impresario who, in his near eight decade (🤯) career, has managed the careers of of Roy Clark, the Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings, Reba McEntire, Clint Black, Minnie Pearl, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, the Judds, Jimmy Dean, Mel Tillis, Lee Greenwood, Hank Thompson, Don Williams, Woody Herman, James Brown, Roy Orbison, Leon Russell, Ricky Nelson, the Righteous Brothers, and many others.

Halsey was born and raised in Independence, Kansas, but has made Tulsa his home for much of his life.

Last night's program was hosted in Tulsa, and live streamed to the awards program happening live in Nashville.

Congrats, Sterlin! 🤩

Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Mvskoke) has received the Peabody Trailblazer Award, recognizing his impact on television storytelling and his work centering Indigenous voices on screen.

From Reservation Dogs — the first U.S. television series with an all-Indigenous writers' room and directing team — to The Lowdown, Harjo has expanded what Indigenous stories can look like on television, blending humor, humanity, community, and place in ways that have resonated with audiences around the world.

The Trailblazer Award marks Harjo's third Peabody Award, following previous Peabody recognition for Reservation Dogs.

Presented by The Lowdown star Ethan Hawke at the 86th Annual Peabody Awards, the honor recognizes visionaries whose storytelling shapes culture and drives social change.

In announcing the award, Peabody praised Harjo for “expanding the possibilities of television storytelling while centering Indigenous voices with originality, humanity, and purpose.”

Accepting the award, Harjo reflected on the importance of creating opportunities for voices and perspectives that have historically been overlooked.

“Diversity isn't a handout. It's empowerment. It is telling someone that where they come from and who they are, they have an impact on people from other backgrounds.”

Harjo joins a list of previous Trailblazer Award recipients that includes Issa Rae, Quinta Brunson, and Questlove.

Following the ceremony, Harjo summed up the moment with a simple Instagram post:

“Ah snap.”

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Source: , Gold Derby,

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Happy birthday to our friend, Ronnie Dunn of the legendary country music group, Brooks & Dunn!

Born on this day in Coleman, Texas in 1953, he started his country music career in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was his home for many years. His career as a solo artist started in 1983, and partnered with Kix Brooks in 1990 to form Brooks & Dunn. Dunn has many number one records on the US Country charts as a solo artist and through Brooks & Dunn. And since 2019, he is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Happy birthday, Ronnie!

🚘🖥️🍿

The Admiral Twin is celebrating 75th years with a double feature — including the film that helped seal the drive-in's place in Hollywood history. See link below ⬇️

📸 DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN