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Chris Tomlin Comes To Tyler

August 24th, 2010

Well the summer is over. Ok not it terms of the calendar, or the heat but school has started and that signifies the end for me. We still have the end of August and September to go, but about mid way through the later, we should start to observe a gradual decline in temperatures. By the time October hits, fall will be ramping up and so will our fall schedules. Well for those who enjoy contemporary Christian worship music, and will by then, be looking for a brisk night out; the Oil Palace is holding an event that should prove to be a significant autumn concert. On Thursday, October seventh, worship music star Chris Tomlin will be appearing in concert.

Tomlin is not a stranger to our area. He hales from Grand Saline, and attended Tyler Junior College (TJC) prior to attending Texas A&M University. His musical career began experiencing commercial success around 2002, and since that time he has been the recipient of numerous music awards for those in the religious genre, including three consecutive Gospel Music Association (GMA) “Dove Awards” for male vocalist of the year. Tomlin is in the middle of a tour that began in July and concludes on November fifth in Vancouver, Canada, at the Passion music festival. Passion is a worldwide outreach to college age youth, with events held in some of the world’s largest cities. The concert follows another oil palace event about which I’m significantly less enthusiastic, namely a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) event on October second. The Oil Palace has kept a pretty busy schedule over the six- plus months despite controversy with the local health department. To read more of my take on the Oil Palace flap, look for my article entitled The Oil Palace Under Fire by clicking on the following link: http://www.tylertxdirectory.com/2281/the-oil-palace-under-fire/. To read more on Chris Tomlin and his music, visit his web site at http://www.christomlin.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1. Lastly, to see a list of up- coming events at the Oil Palace, go to their webpage at http://www.oilpalace.com/.

The Oil Palace Under Fire

June 9th, 2010

A couple of weeks ago I tried to make a case that our city and state are becoming over regulated by unnecessary local legislation and bureaucracy. From the banning of a legal substance in restaurants (namely tobacco), to traffic medians which only serve to further clog roadways, to business owners being told they must remove the flags from their store fronts, we are awash in petty legislation.

The latest example of local interference in the affairs of Tylerites is the attempt to shut down the Oil Palace. As best as I can gather, the facility has twice been the victim of vandalism. Once during a ZZ top concert when insulation was flushed down the toilet; and the water valves turned down, the other prior to the Glenn Beck appearance when the water pressure was again turned down. In light of the health department’s concerns about water flow and restroom access, the facility has brought in air-conditioned restrooms to help insure that the existing systems are not overwhelmed. Yet this is still not sufficient for the health officials, who have threatened to try to shut down the Oil Palace prior to upcoming appearances by guests like George Jones and Sarah Palin. Now as someone who attended the Glenn Beck lecture, I can attest to the fact that the Oil Palace as a venue does leave a lot to be desired, but that has absolutely nothing to do with the health department’s complaints. Both the Glenn Beck, and the Sean Hannity appearances were great nights, and there was no danger posed to any attendee. Personally, I plan to attend the Palin visit and expect to have no issues on that occasion either, nor do I plan to turn off the water valves, or flush any insulation.

I once heard someone say that many local bureaucrats are more concerned with being important than being useful. When a local institution bends over backwards to uphold the spirit of an ordinance while continuing to keep its commitments to provide a place for important local and cultural events, I must conclude this is the case. So a brief note to those oh so important folks in the health department: the fact is I as an attendee understand that there may be a problem with water flow in the building. Guess what, I won’t drink it, I still want to see Sarah Palin. I am willing to risk a water fountain that doesn’t work or a toilet that doesn’t flush right. Do you know why I take such awful risks? Because I’m a grown up! I think I can remember to go before I leave the house, and I’ll take a bottle of water to insure that I don’t over heat, but please stop trying to remove all the risk from every nuance of my life! If the facility is making a reasonable effort to fix problems or find ways to otherwise accommodate attendees I am willing to chance it.

As far as I can see, and from what I’ve read at this point, it seems the staff and management at the Oil Palace has taken reasonable steps to comply with what has been asked of them. At this point the whole thing seems like a silly battle of wills to me.

For more information, or to read up on the conflict go to the KETK website at http://www.ketknbc.com/local/oil-palace-gets-another-health-district-notice, or see the KLTV page at http://www.kltv.com/global/story.asp?s=12598373. For more info on the Oil Palace or on upcoming events go to the website at www.oilpalace.com. Readers can also check out my review of the Glenn Beck appearance by looking for the title Glenn Beck comes to Tyler, located elsewhere on this site. Lastly, for a brief look at a few cultural attractions in Tyler this summer, including those coming to the Oil Palace look for the title Cultural Events and Institutions in Tyler TX.

Glenn Beck Comes to Tyler

April 26th, 2010

On Saturday the 24th of April, Tyler, Texas played host to one of the leading voices in the contemporary American media. Glenn Beck is now widely considered one of the leaders of the new conservative surge in America. He is a radio and television host who champions traditional values, and opposes the march of progressive socialism in American government. While talk radio has become a game changer in American politics, Glenn’s show is less likely to appeal to policy wonks and political junkies. He generally has a larger more philosophical approach to the nation’s problems. The event was sponsored by Glen’s local radio affiliate KTBB AM 600.

Overall, the Oil Palace in Tyler is not a great venue. The chairs were too tightly packed together and a local musician played what sounded like the same song three times over but I can’t be sure, due to the fact that the sound system was in and out initially. The audio problems were eventually fixed before the proceedings were seriously underway however. The first thirty minutes or so consisted of patriotic music, and short introductions. State Rep. Leo Berman spoke first, stoking the crowd’s patriotic fires when he promised to work toward state legislation similar to that of Arizona, requiring any presidential candidate to demonstrate that he (or she), is constitutionally eligible to hold the office. Congressman, Louis Gomert, talked about his opposition to the stimulus and health care bills, and Governor Rick Perry spoke passionately about state’s rights and politically resisting the overreaching power of the Federal government. Mr. Beck’s relaxed almost subdued presentation contrasted sharply with the more electric stump speech given by the governor.

Despite the presence of the area glitterati, what happened at Tyler’s Oil Palace last night was not a campaign rally, or a meeting of activists. It was more like a lecture, of the kind that ought to be taking place on our college campuses. Mr. Beck, his tone passionate but thoughtful, took the audience on a walk through America’s providential history. He emphasized the difference between American individualism or individual liberty, and European group think, or socialization. As a semi-regular listener to Glenn’s show even I was surprised by his tone and content. Mr. Beck is not the fire-brand propagandist that his opponents claim. He is a thoughtful well read man, more concerned with principles than political issues.

The evening’s tone was nearly religious in the best sense of the word. Speaker after speaker emphasized the country’s need to restore its religious foundation. Glenn stated repeatedly that America was in need of revival. Even with the religious tenor, there was no hint of sectarian differences, or any trace of discrimination of any kind, just a group of Texans and Americans with the desire to remember who they were and to try to become that again.

Events like Mr. Beck’s visit, (or Sean Hannity’s last summer for that matter), are good for East Texas. They bring dollars and attention to our region. But beyond that they are good for traditional, conservative Americans who want to contribute to the nation’s restoration. Having guests like these men helps to connect Tylerites to national events. I for one am very grateful to KTBB for sponsoring these kinds of local programs. For more information on AM 600, go to www.ktbb.com. Readers can also search this site for the title “National Politics and Local Coverage.” To find out more about Glen Beck visit his site first at www.glennbeck.com.