"When dawn spreads its paintbrush on the plain, spilling purple... ," Sons of the Pioneers theme for TV show "Wagon Train." Dawn on the mythic Santa Fe Trail, New Mexico, looking toward Raton from Cimarron. -- Clarkphoto. A curmudgeon artist's musings melding metaphors and journalism, for readers in more than 150 countries.

Saturday, June 6, 2015

OKC Gridiron Goofiness

The OKC Gridiron Club has been raising funds for college journalism scholarships since 1928, putting on an annual show that spoofs, pokes and parodies national, state and local politicians and events.
This year marked a big change for Gridiron and show. It's traditionally been held in downtown Oklahoma City, during February, luring state politicians into the audience. This year, seeking better facilities and more parking, we moved to historic Mitchell Hall on the UCO campus, but we had to do that in summer because Mitchell is booked during the year with college productions. In addition, our 20-year-plus band director Larry Pierce died earlier this year, and we've dedicated this show to him. We also came to hook up with the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in its mission, and UCO is now in its 125th year.
Tonight is the last of three shows, and we'll all be glad its over, exhausted from more than a month of rehearsals, but proud of the club and its purpose.
The script is written by several, so that all--or most--of the lines rhyme, and songs are written parodies of real songs--You are My Sunshine, Let's Talk About Me, I'm looking Through You, Supercalifagislistic--and many more this year from various musicians. We've got a lot of very clever writers, and many excellent singers (of which I'm not one).
The club does get desperate at times, and that's how they elected me president this year. And we desperately need new members--with about 25 of us carrying the load this year, plus the band.
We were fortunate to have US Senator James Langford (R), US Representative Frank Lucas (R), and gubernatorial candidate Joe Dorman (D) attend last night. Regardless of politics, these are good people and we respect and honor those politicians who have the guts and humor to laugh at good natured-jibes and support the efforts of the club by showing up.
Here's member Patrick McGuigan's article on the show in his paper, The City Sentinel. 
All the members play several roles--Hillary, Biden, Obama, Sally Kern, Fallin and others have key roles--and tonight's performance is the last.  Here's who I spoofed: Sen. Inhofe, Bill O'Reilly, a downtown bum, and the anti-pot Nebraska AG, suing Colorado along with Oklahoma's AG.
Here's a video of the closing number, during Wednesday's tune up and family night, with "Mary Fallin" in red jacket in center.
Seats still available. Show starts at 7:30.
And, here's my Gridiron Rap, during my introductions at the start of the show:
Now it's time to set the trap
how about a little gridiron rap
I can't sing, and can barely dance
Want to leave? there's no chance.
Don't care what you sez,
I'm up here as Gridiron's prez
It may look like I'm in the dark
Whaddy'a expect, my name's Clark
We make it easy  to act like a fool
We  just hope  you'll  think it cool
You've heard the rumor
this show's all about humor
We try to cover the news
But the jokes improve with some booze
We're gonna poke lots of fun
with lines and songs about everyone
There's no room to be uptight
Our best jokes  have some bite
We'll do our best to make you laugh
If we do, get an autograph
You may think this little ditty
Is a little short of being witty
But it's writ to set the tone
and urge you to  turn off your phone.
Now we've come to UCO
Hope you're ready for a really good show.
So at last here's the truth
Thanks for coming, and forsooth!



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