Tulsa’s Carney Fest celebrates Music, art, food, and the legacy of Leon Russell

A major festival in Tulsa is bringing together art, food, and music while honoring the life and legacy of famed Oklahoma musician Leon Russell.

Carney Fest kicked off with a lively street party in downtown Tulsa earlier Saturday, right outside of the historic Church Studio. The event featured a variety of entertainment, including jugglers, stilt walkers, magicians—and of course, live music.

“And we had the privilege of recording about two and a half years ago a Christian faith-based rock and blues CD, because Leon did a lot of Christian music here. And what a thrill it was to record here with professional musicians from Oklahoma,” said Phil Oliveira with the Freedom in Music Project.

As the evening continued, the celebration moved indoors to the iconic Cain’s Ballroom at 6 p.m., where several local bands were scheduled to perform throughout the night.

The festival honors Leon Russell’s contributions to music and his deep Oklahoma roots, all while spotlighting the talent and creativity of the local community.