Tulsa’s Ben Rector played to a sold-out crowd at Cain’s Ballroom during a past performance at the historic venue. Rector is scheduled to be a guest mentor and performer on “American Idol.”
ABC’s “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest (second from left) poses with judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan, and in-house mentor Bobby Bones (second from right).
Tulsa music artist Ben Rector will appear as a mentor during an upcoming “All Star Duets and Solos” episode of “American Idol” on ABC.
The “All Star Duets and Solos” episodes are scheduled Sunday, April 4 and Monday, April 5. Rector is expected to be a guest in one of the episodes.
“It was an honor to join American Idol for the all-star duets episode,” Rector said in a quote provided to the Tulsa World. Rector said the participants he met on the show are “top-notch” and he loved getting to know them and performing together.
For more information on Rector, go to benrectormusic.com.
Other celebrity mentors this season are “American Idol” season five runner-up Katharine McPhee, Jason Aldean, Tori Kelly, Jimmie Allen, Joss Stone, Brian McKnight, Jewel, Incubus singer Brandon Boyd, Maroon 5’s PJ Morton, Josh Groban and Ryan Tedder.
Restoring Leon Russell’s Church Studio
Twenty questions: How will you fare in ultimate Tulsa pop culture quiz?
Twenty questions: How will you fare in ultimate Tulsa pop culture quiz?
Watch Now: Scene reporters give sneak peek of 'ultimate pop culture quiz,' talk restaurants
Question: What filmed-in-Tulsa movie recently won a Golden Globe Award?
1. “The Outsiders”
“The Outsiders” launched the careers of a stable of young greaser actors, including Emilio Estevez, Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe, Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell and Ralph Macchio.
But who was the already-famous singer and actor who joined them in the film?
2. “Tulsa Time”
“Tulsa Time” was a hit for two music artists from different genres.
Who charted with the song?
3. "Friends"
Which cast member of the television series “Friends” relocates to Tulsa in season nine?
4. "Sex and the City"
In the third episode of the first season of “Sex and the City,” Sarah Jessica Parker’s character (Carrie Bradshaw) wears a shirt branded with the name of a Tulsa band.
Which band?
5. A movie shot in Tulsa
5. A movie shot in Tulsa is reputed to be the first direct-to-video film.
What’s the movie?
6. Rock and Roll song with Tulsa
A curator for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included a song with Tulsa in the title as one of the 500 songs that shaped rock 'n' roll.
What’s the song?
7. Tulsa Day
A movie prompted a former Oklahoma governor to declare April 13, 1949, as Tulsa Day in the state.
What’s the movie?
8. Tulsa oilman
A long-running sitcom was launched with a premiere episode that featured a Tulsa oilman offering to buy oil-rich rural property.
What’s the TV series — and what are the series' other Tulsa connections?
9. "Saturday Night Live"
Dyan Cannon hosted the 19th episode during the debut season of “Saturday Night Live.” She’s not from Tulsa, but the musical guest was.
Who was the musical guest?
10. Burt Bacharach
Burt Bacharach, winner of multiple Grammys and Oscars, is a legend among composers. He collaborated frequently with Hal David, who, like Bacharach, is in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Can you name their Tulsa hit?
11. "UHF"
The 1989 Weird Al Yankovic movie “UHF” was filmed in Tulsa. Sixteen days before the movie’s release, one of its cast members made his first appearance as a character in a sitcom that now is revered as one of the best in TV history.
Who’s the actor and what’s the TV series?
12. "Stay Gold"
Which superstar music artist sang “Stay Gold” for “The Outsiders” and its soundtrack?
13. “We Built This City”
The Starship song “We Built This City” has a Tulsa connection.
What is it?
14. Rodney Carrington
What was the workplace of Tulsa-based comedian and actor Rodney Carrington when his sitcom debuted in 2004?
15. “The Big Bang Theory”
Our whole universe was in a hot, dense state and, after “The Big Bang Theory,” Tulsa became a storyline in a spin-off episode.
What’s the Tulsa connection?
16. Hanson
Tulsa musical trio Hanson was the musical guest during a 1997 episode of “Saturday Night Live.” Hanson’s appearance coincided with the final time one of the SNL cast members hosted Weekend Update.
Who was the cast member?
17. Stan Lee
Stan Lee (RIP) is the most famous figure in Marvel Comics history, but a Tulsan was among people who followed him as editor in chief at Marvel.
Who?
18. DC Comics
In 1986 and 1987, DC Comics published a 12-issue miniseries by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons that gained acclaimed as one of the greatest works in the medium. In 2019, the universe of that miniseries was expanded to include Tulsa.
What are we talking about?
19. Eric Clapton
Though this person stayed out of the spotlight, he was described by Eric Clapton as one of the most important artists in the history of rock.
Who is it?
20. Gary Busey
Nathan Hale High School alum Gary Busey garnered an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of the title character in 1978’s “The Buddy Holly Story.”
Can you name another Tulsan in the film?
Click here to view the answers.
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Jimmie Tramel
Scene Writer
I cover pop culture and work as a feature writer at the Tulsa World. A former Oklahoma sports writer of the year, I have written books about former OU coach Barry Switzer and former OSU coach Pat Jones. Phone: 918-581-8389
