Southern Gypsies take Second Place at Blake Shelton Showdown

As you all know, Ada held a block party for Native Adan Blake Shelton on September 30th, 2014. It was a wonderful turn out with a thousand plus people packing the streets in the Arts District that night, and there was a special guest judge and host for the Showdown. Blake Shelton's mother judged, and Nan Kelley (GMA's Country Countdown), hosted! Brittany even snagged a selfie with Nan.

There were around 12 contestants in all, and the contest capped at around 2 hours. Contestants consisted of Adans and others from all over Oklahoma. After a dilliberation from the judges on the winners, it was revealed that Bronson Roppel (Adan) took first, and Southern Gypsies took home second place with Blake's own 'Who Are You When I'm Not Lookin'! What sweet confirmation that these girls were meant to be in a duo together after only a couple months as an official country acoustic band!

Posted: Saturday, October 4, 2014 5:00 pm

By Doug Hill Special to The Transcript

Pontotoc County is Blake Shelton territory.

The country singer and TV star’s voice came across loud and clear on KKAJ-FM Texoma country music radio station Tuesday morning on a car drive to Ada.

State Highway 19 with its buffalo herd, black gold pumping units and hot links stands is the gateway east from Interstate 35 to Shelton’s hometown.

Later that afternoon the city was throwing a Block Party for Blake in their downtown arts district. The event would include the unveiling of a new sign re-christening an Ada street to “Blake Shelton Boulevard.” The street party was planned to celebrate his new album titled “Bringing Back the Sunshine.”

The record’s cover art features a photo of Ada’s water tower with clouds behind it dramatically breaking and rays of golden light spilling down.

Shelton is among the most lovable pop culture personalities and talents today. His wit and musical insight displayed on hit television program "The Voice" are nothing short of charming.

At age 38, he’s already achieved an enviable career in country music. Shelton is married to similarly successful Nashville artist Miranda Lambert.

There’s really nothing to dislike about Shelton, so the fact that Ada is his birthplace is just more icing on the cake. It’s a sweet, little city of 17,000. Oklahoma generally boasts a deserved reputation for friendly folks, but Ada has that trait in spades.

Dropping in unannounced at The Ada News office found longtime newspaper publisher H. Loné Beasley willing to chat with this stranger about the afternoon’s block party. He was enthusiastic about Ada’s economy and the positive impact East Central University has on the community.

Right across the street from the newspaper office is the Chickasaw Nation’s Division of Arts and Humanities building. In addition to being Blake Shelton territory, this area is also the home of the Chickasaws.

Their arts facility at 201 N. Broadway Ave. is an attractive structure with gallery and gift shop that’s open to the public. Art Director Eric Hardison was quick to offer a tour of the classrooms and studios where fine arts instruction is provided to students of all ages.

East Central University, 1100 E. 14th St., is in east-central Ada. The streets were being prepared for block party closure right by ECU’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center and the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center.

The campus has broad plaza walkways between buildings shaded by mature trees. Steel art installations and a mascot tiger sculpture by a fountain adorn the pleasant place of higher learning.

Everyone who met in Ada seemed to have a connection to Shelton or his family.

“I just saw him recently at our county fair,” Vanessa Alleman said. “He was filming a music video there but, otherwise, just walking around like the rest of us.”

Alleman said this as she sliced barbecued ribs on a counter at Pigskins B.B.Q., 1510 Hoppe Blvd. She wasn’t stingy with the grub, which proved to be top notch.

A young woman working in a Main Street antique store said that in addition to being a fan of Shelton’s, she's also a fan of his mom, Dorothy Shackleford, who resides in Ada and would figure in prominently as a celebrity at festivities later.

Ada’s Block Party for Blake started promptly at 5 p.m. The large number of people who turned out was amazing. They filled the closed-off three block area, and it was reminiscent of a Saturday afternoon at the Norman Music Festival.

Part of the entertainment was by local vocalists competing in the Blake Shelton Showdown Singing Contest. Life-long Ada native Tessa House was one of the contestants.

“This has just been amazing,” she said after coming off stage. “Today is my 28th birthday and I sang Blake’s song ‘Over You,’ which he wrote with Miranda. I didn’t know it before, but his mama, Dorothy, is one of our judges today.”

House met Blake and Miranda when they brought dogs into a local pet store where she worked as a dog groomer.

“They had just adopted Cher, their little Chihuahua,” she said. “It was a real cool deal. Miranda show me some pics on her phone of her other fur babies that I had met (with her) previously at a vet clinic I worked at. They got so big!”

Tall racks of balloons, bounce houses and face painting for kids and continuous music all made for a true party atmosphere. The “Bringing Back the Sunshine” album was played in its entirety over loud speakers.

Three grade-school-aged cowpokes in boots and Stetsons competed in the Blake Shelton look-alike contest. Mama Shelton judged that one, too.

Blue-eyed and movie star handsome William Johnson, wearing a plaid shirt and carrying a guitar, won hands-down. There was also a mullet judging contest.

Julie Cunningham was born and raised in Ada but lives in Ardmore now. She drove up just for the block party that day.

“I’m a big fan and was excited that the Ada water tower is on his new album cover,” she said. “When I found out about the party, I knew we’d have to attend.”

Shawna Womack also was pumped up for the celebration.

“He’s beautiful and him and Miranda are so cute,” she said. “I love all his music.”

No one knew for sure if Shelton or Lambert would be in attendance until late in the party. They were unable to make it.

Chamber of Commerce organizer Sarah Jane Johnson arranged for screening of a video-taped message from Shelton to the crowd.

He apologized for his schedule not allowing him to attend the shindig. Shelton hoped that someone unattractive wouldn’t win the look-alike contest. He concluded with a sentiment that would be hard not to share.

“I love you, Ada,” Blake Shelton said.

To see the article in The Norman Transcript, click here.