Part 2 of the series regarding the beginings of the Diamond Ballroom w/ audio from Ralph Russell Sr. Many Thanks to Vernon Gowdy III for sending Jeff Brownen this audio! Find Vernon's books on the Diamond Ballroom by CLICKING HERE - http://www.diamondballroombook.com/

The Diamond Ballroom Celebrates their 60th Anniversay this weekend. In this episode we talk about how it all began.... Originally, This was released almost a couple of years ago as Episode 69. Revisit some history again!  The beginings of The Diamond Ballroom... Jeff Brownen was sent an audio recording of Ralph Russell Sr. discussing the beginings of the Diamond Ballroom from legendary concert photographer Vernon Gowdy III. Ralph talks about how the idea began, when they purchased the land, began construction, as well as the early days of the Diamond. Max Baker Jr., Jeff Brownen, Josh Lupton, & Jay Ramone listen to this audio, discuss it & tell stories about some of their experiences at the legendary Diamond Ballroom. If you haven't seen Vernon Gowdy III's books on the Diamond Ballroom, they're available on Amazon or Click Here to buy directly from Vernon's website. http://www.diamondballroombook.com/ - The enhanced E-book version has lots more audio to go along with the book!!! 

Here's The Deal Podcast - The Max Baker Jr. Story w/ Special Guest: Brian Wheat of Violet Breed, Soul Motor, & Tesla... Recently Tesla wrapped up their 2024 Tour in Durant, Oklahoma at the Choctaw Casino & unexpectedly, Brian Wheat from the band, gave thanks & a shoutout to Max Baker Jr. from the stage. Max has been involved with bringing Tesla & their various other projects through Oklahoma for multiple decades. In this episode we will discuss the history between Max & Tesla, as well as discuss Brian's new project "Violet Breed". Check out their new single on streaming platforms now. 

We begin this episode with Jeff noticing Max is wearing a Def Leppard shirt that he's worn once before while recording episodes of the Here's The Deal Podcast & Max reveals his favorite Def Lep record! Max discusses 3 shows that he bought tickets for, that he couldn't attend, all of the shows were in Colorado, Charley Crockett & Junior Brown at Red Rocks, Ryan Bingham at Red Rocks, & a Rolling Stones show in Denver. Even though those shows were missed, Max & Jeff not only got to see ELO, but they got to experience it from a Suite at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. They got to enjoy an absolutely amazing show with a Popcorn Tower shared with the whole Suite! We pick up the legendary stories of Max Baker Jr. in 2008. At this point, Casino's in Oklahoma are starting to open their own venues & Max talks about doing shows in Norman. Then we move to a Tesla show at the Cain's Ballroom. We also discuss a show Max booked for a friends birthday party, as he brought LA Guns to Rok Bar in Bricktown. Thank You For Listening & Make Sure To Visit - HeresTheDealOk.com 

In Episode 126, we are joined by some of The Fabulous Baker Boys, who build shows & work for Max's Company. They are also aspiring artists who made a song that was inspired by Max... Chris Murder ,Jewanne, Chicano Flow, & Jeserel are our guests on The Here's The Deal Podcast... In this episode we talk about how real work, inspires art as well as the hustle! Click Here to Check out the song "F The Haters" by Chris Murder, Jewanne, Chicano Flow, Lil CryBaby Sauce God & Yung Deezy

Here's The Deal Podcast - The Max Baker Jr. Story - Episode 125 w/ Special Guest Chip Z'Nuff...  Recently Enuff Z'Nuff played Beam Live inside 50 Penn Place in Oklahoma City. We took the Here's The Deal Podcast crew on the road & invited a couple of friends to join us while we talk to Chip before his show at Beam Live. In this episode we are joined by Max Baker Jr., Brad White, Rob Miller & Chip Z'nuff. We will cover many topics on this episode, the history of Enuff Z'nuff playing in Oklahoma, Rocklahoma, playing shows w/ KISS & much more.... Enuff Z'nuff is always on tour, buy a ticket & go to the show! Its always a great time!!!!!  A Big Thank You to everyone at Beam Live for letting us invade their space & record a podcast episode before the doors opened!! 

We begin the episode with Max finishing up a long day of work on a Sunday... Jeff forces Max to stop working, long enough to record this episode of the podcast.... #TheShowMustGoOn - We discuss our love for the Elote Man... We tried to censor ourselves for Max's Mom!!!! We talk about a show in 2007 at the Ford Center... Ozzy, Rob Zombie & In This Moment & we discuss a Flaming Lips show at the Cox Convention Center for New Years Eve in OKC. 

180,764 Tickets Sold!!!! This episode is all about Cross Canadian Ragweed... The band's final show was played October 24th, 2010 at Joe's on Weed Street in Chicago. They recently announced a reunion show with the line-up of Cross Canadian Ragweed, Turnpike Troubadours, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Stoney LaRue, & The Great Divide... What was intended to be a one off Boys From Oklahoma show, ended up being a 4 night stand of sold out shows at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Ok. These 4 shows in April will be Legendary! 

Let the hilarity begin..... Jeff throws a monkey wrench in the start of the show & all of our stomachs still hurt from laughing at these real life stories. What would you do for a backstage pass??? After our laughter subsides, we talk about some of the other amazing shows that have happened this year at the Choctaw Casino.... Jane's Addiction on one night, All American Rejects, 5FDP, & More.... 

In this episode, we pick up where we left off with the Five Finger Death Punch / Marilyn Manson / Slaughter To Prevail show at the Choctaw Casino. 

Here's The Deal Podcast - The Max Baker Jr. Story - YOUTUBE CHANNEL Click the link to follow the Here's The Deal Podcast on YouTube. Episode 120 is part 1 in the discussion about the Five Finger Death Punch, Marilyn Manson, & Slaughter To Prevail show at the Choctaw Casino in Durant, Ok. 

We recorded this episode before a very long weekend for The Fabulous Baker Boys, who had shows to work in Durant, as well as production tear downs in Arlington, Texas & the Oklahoma State Fair... Before Max arrived to record this episoe, Jeff & Jay decided we should do another show & tell episode. So they went through & picked random items of memorabilia to have Max tell the story of how he got it.... There were so many crazy coincidences recording this episode... One of which involves the Oklahoma Metal band "Oliver Magnum".... 

Episode 118 picks up in September 2007 where we discuss a David Allan Coe show at The Cain's Ballroom with Otis Watkins opening. After that we continue to talk about a country casino show w/ The Bellamy Brothers, We also discuss a Sum 41 show at The Diamond Ballroom that did less than 400 tickets sold. 2007 & 2008 were filled with lots of shows, including The Misfits at Cains & Diamond, The Cult, Modest Mouse, & more... We finish this episode talking about the massive Hannah Montanna show at the Ford Center w/ the Jonas Bros opening... 

We are extremely appreciative of everyone watching the episodes on the Here's The Deal Podcast Youtube Channel. We pick up the podcast in 2007 with an Aaron Lewis solo show, before he put out any country records. We also discuss one of Max's amazing paintings, the state of the music industry, & more. 

Episode 116 begins with Max & company talking about travelling to the Historic Cain's Ballroom to go see Charley Crockett. Max tells a story about Max Sr. gathering up all of his friends & Max's little brothers, to find where teenage Max Jr. was hiding out.... 

We begin this episode discussing Max's "selective hearing".... Are Max & Jeff agreeing with each other or disagreeing?!?!? We're not sure whether or not they know either.... This episode is dedicated to all of The Fabulous Baker Boys & Fabulous Baker Women... Stagehands make it happen!!!! No Matter What!!!! Listen to the adventures of Max Baker Jr. on the Here's The Deal Podcast.. All Episodes of Here's The Deal Podcast Available Here!

Despite Jay Ramones attempt at Humor, those artists are not AI, those are real fans of the Here's The Deal Podcast. In this episode we catch up with Max & Jeff and talk about the road trips they've taken in the past month. Since July 4th, Max & Jeff travelled to Missouri and watched The Rolling Stones, get lost on the way back & end up in Arkansas. While at the show, they met some crazy Argentinians who became instant friends with Max! 

HeresTheDealOk.com The July 4th adventures with Max Baker Jr, Continues!

The Adventures begin with a Cannonball Run style week of Production Builds for Max, Jeff & the rest of the Fabulous Baker Boys Crew. Oklahoma to Texas to Oklahoma back to Texas, that many miles on the road with Max, there's bound to be some stories.... #Merica 

We continue this conversation with Jeff Brownen, Max Baker Jr. & Special Guest Brad White in 2007 with a Kottonmouth Kings / Tech 9 show at the Cains Ballroom. 

Episode 110 of The Here's The Deal Podcast, The Max Baker Jr. Story, we are joined by Special Guest: Brad White. We pick up this autobiographical life story of Max Baker Jr. in the year 2007 & discuss a Mayhem Festival at the Zoo Amp in OKC. 

We pick up the discussion with Max Baker Jr., Jeff Brownen, Jay Ramone & Brad White about legendary shows at Rock City Cafe. 

Happy Birthday Max Baker Jr.!!!!!!!! In Episode 108 we are joined by Brad White, Jeff Brownen, Jay Ramone, & Max Baker Jr. We pick up the story in 2007. Even though we don't make it very far in the story chronologically, be prepared to laugh. 

Episode 107 w/ Special Guest - Aaron Korstjens from HORSE CALLED WAR - (click here for their Offical website) Aaron helped jumpstart the overseas listenership for the Here's The Deal Podcast while working a civilian contract in Kuwait for several months. We began seeing more & more listeners from overseas once he began to spread the word. He's not only listened to every episode but he has also played in various bands throughout the years, and played numersous shows for Max. Thank you for joining us in this conversation about the Oklahoma music scene & numerous metal shows...  https://heresthedealok.com/

The Rock N Roll Adventures with Max Baker Jr. continues.... Max & Jeff talk about the quest to find records that were released on Record Store Day in April of 2024. Max & Jeff have gone to several show & No matter what show it is or where they are, Max always meets strangers along the way, who want to know Max's story. 

Season 3.... Episode 105 Max Baker Jr., Jeff Brownen, & Jay Ramone discuss how Max has been doing since his knee replacement surgery. They also discuss..... yep.... you guessed it..... The Rolling Stones.... Max, Jeff & Dylan recently went to Houston to see The Rolling Stones.... Never Forget.... Music Heals.... 

In Episode 104, we revisit the very begining.. For those of you, who are just joining us, we wanted to give you a brief glimpse of the early beginings for Max Baker Jr. We revisit Episode 1, as well as a couple of other episodes along the way. Make sure to subscribe to the Here's The Deal Podcast YouTube Channel. Find all the links at HeresTheDealok.com 

Episode 103 - We gladly introduce our youtube channel - HERE'S THE DEAL PODCAST YOUTUBE CHANNEL - CLICK HERE In this episode we revisit moments from Episode 29 (All About Slipknot) as well as clips from Episode 90 (All About Toby Keith). Both of these episodes are available for viewing on our YouTube Channel Now! The Full Video of our previously released episodes are now coming out, make sure to subscribe to the youtube channel. 

Our fact checker Jeff Brownen discovered a "Lost Episode" (as you're reading this, say it with 1950's fading echo, lost episode... lost episode... lost episode....)... This episode begins on March 17th, 2006 at the Cains Ballroom with Opeth & DevilDriver.... Followed by the Shirts For A Cure Tour w/ Thursday & Minus The Bear & The Number 12 Looks Like You at the Cains Ballroom! Nine Inch Nails at the Ford Center with Saul, Max reminisces about seeing NIN live at Kinetics in Bricktown on the Pretty Hate Machine Tour. Max once again did a two stage local metal show at the Cains that had Horse Called War on the bill. We also discuss the very first Bullet For My Valentine show in Oklahoma at Curly's with Forte, which was legendary... A brand new metal band, with young kids, with all the hype behind them on the same bill with Metal / Thrash legends Forte.... If you were asked to guess who would have the best grass, Willie, Merle, or Ray Price? Most would have no idea that it would be Ray Price.... If you know, you know! 

We pick up in Episode 101 w/ Mike Pierce from Slingshot Management, & several other bands, where we discuss some of the pitfalls of the music industry. Many stories about the industry & the Oklahoma music scene continues with this episode of The Here's The Deal Podcast - The Max Baker Jr. Story... 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WE MADE IT!!!!!!!!!!! Welcome to Episode 100 of The Here's The Deal Podcast - The Max Baker Jr Story - We are joined by Special Guest: Mike Pierce from the bands Metal Headz, Teazer, & many more..... This is part 1 of our conversation with Mike... Part 2 will come out next week! - HeresTheDealok.com 

This is Part 5 of our series about Rocklahoma. The first part of the episode is with special guests: Brad White & Eddie Trunk, from the Blue Bus outside of the Diamond Ballroom where Eddie was the guest MC for Cinderella & LA Guns. Eddie, Brad, & Max discuss his initial thoughts about the festival to how its helped many of these 80's bands revive their careers. in the second half of the episode we discuss Rocklahoma with Chip Z'Nuff from Enuff Z'Nuff outside of Legend's in Chickasha, Oklahoma. 

Part 4 - We continue our series, all about Rocklahoma. We are joined by Brad White, Rob Miller, Deana Baker, Jeff Brownen, Jay Ramone, & Max Baker Jr. where we are discussing Rocklahoma 2007 & 2008. HeresTheDealok.com 

Episode 97 is Part 3 in the Rocklahoma Series... We began this series with Episode 95 & Special Guest: Vernon L. Gowdy III to talk about his experiences at the original "Roklahoma", September of 1980.. Part 2 of this series is Episode 96 where we begin our conversation with Deana Baker, Rob Miller, Brad White, Jeff Brownen, Jay Ramone, & Max Baker Jr., all about Rocklahoma 2007 in Pryor, Oklahoma. We talk about the initial idea & pre-planning of the legendary event. In this episode, Part 3 of this series we will pick up the conversation with Max Baker Jr. calling Chip Z'Nuff with the idea, & emailing Eddie Trunk about potentially being the host & MC of Rocklahoma. Full Episodes of The Here's The Deal Podcast Available Now -  https://heresthedealok.com/

Here's The Deal Podcast Rocklahoma Series - Part 2...  Part 1 (episode 95) we were joined by legendary concert photographer Vernon L. Gowdy III to discuss the original "Roklahoma" in Norman, 1980. This is Part 2 in the Here's The Deal Podcast, Rocklahoma Series. In this episode we are joined by very special guests: Deana Baker, Rob Miller, & Brad White. Max, Deana, Rob & Brad were all there during the initial planning of Rocklahoma 2007, part of booking the lineup, promoting & marketing the event, as well as pulling it off... Max, Jeff, Jay, Deana, Rob & Brad will discuss the initial planning & everything leading up to the event! 

Before "Rocklahoma" in Pryor, Oklahoma existed, there was "Roklahoma" that happened in Norman, Oklahoma on September 6th, 1980 that featured: The Doobie Brothers, Van Halen, Pat Benatar, & Sammy Hagar. Ultimately, this show was responsible for the University of Oklahoma getting the surface on the football field changed to a new synthetic turf that was made famous during the Wishbone, Option offense days the Sooners played w/ Barry Switzer as Head Coach. We are joined by special guest concert photographer Vernon L. Gowdy III. Vernon was in attendance at the original "Roklahoma" & also shot the show. This is Oklahoma concert history, where the idea began!  You can purchase Vernon's books from the links below!  http://vernongowdy.com/ http://www.rocklahomabook.com/ http://diamondballroombook.com/ http://www.texxasjambook.com/

Recently a retirement party was held for Jerry Bockman at The Tulsa Theater. Jerry has worked for Little Wing Productions & countless others for many years. Jerry was responsible for making many shows happen in Oklahoma. He is a living legend & someone we all looked up to in this business. There is a reason so many people were influenced by & only wanted to work with Jerry, because they knew the day was going to go smoothly & no problem would go unsolved. Max & Jeff spent many years working with Jerry, working production, While we were at Jerry's retirement party, Max & Jeff got to talk to Steve Ray from Pitbulls on Crack, Gary Thomas from GT Security, & the man himself, Jerry Bockman. We will also hear what Larry Schaeffer from Little Wing Productions had to say from the podium, as well as Gary Thomas & of course we had to record what Max Baker Jr. had to say. You can hear our thoughts on the evening & the interviews from that night. Also, a big thanks to Video Mike for capturing the interviews. 

Bustin' Loose.... Max Baker Jr. gets busted out of the Hospital... Just in case you haven't been following along with the latest adventures in Max's life, he had a total knee replacement surgery... We recorded this episode roughly 3 hours after Max was released from the Hospital. Keep in Mind, this is only a couple of days post surgery & Max continued to work in the Hospital up until a couple of hours before surgery time! We are joined once again with Max's sister, Deana Baker, along with Jeff Brownen & Jay Ramone...  Visit The Here's The Deal Podcast Website - https://heresthedealok.com/ Subscribe to The Here's The Deal YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@heresthedealok Watch This Episode on YouTube Now Here - CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!

Episode 92.... Max talks about a custom painting of Keith Richards that hangs in Max's house. Its been a waiting game for Max & getting a new knee... Max's surgery got put on hold momentarily so he decided to record another episode instead of impatiently waiting. We pick up the story discussing Max & Jeff's road songs. When you're a concert promoter, sometimes shows do well, sometimes they don't... We discuss a Hot Hot Heat show at the Diamond that wasn't attended that well, followed by a Shiny Toy Guns show the next night that was packed. We also discuss a Hank III show at the Cains Ballroom as well as our love for Hank III & his music! 

Max has a visitor from Texas who wants a medical card!  On the last episode we ended discussing the make up Red Hot Chili Peppers make up show that had Mickey Avalon, rather than Gnarls Barkley. This is going to be hard to believe but we discuss a Mastodon & Priestess show at the Diamond Ballroom in 2007, roughly 300 people were in attendance.... Completely blows my mind!!!!!! We also discuss a show w/ The Who at the Ford Center! 

Cancer Sucks - www.cancersucks.com Toby Keith Foundation - https://www.tobykeithfoundation.org/ OK Kids Korral - https://www.tobykeithfoundation.org/ok-kids-korral Ally's House - https://allyshouse.org/ In this episode, we discuss the career of Toby Keith. The numerous Tornado relief events that Toby was a part of & ones where The Fabulous Baker Boys provided the labor. There isn't one person alive who hasn't been affected by Cancer. All the positivity to Toby's friends & family. He was a proud Oklahoman, who will be missed. 

HeresTheDealOk.com - HeresTheDealOk.com - HeresTheDealOk.com  We begin this show with Jeff Brownen demanding he get some reverb on his microphone!!!!! In the previous episode, we left off in 2007. The first show we will discuss in this episode is Taking Back Sunday, Underoath, & Armor For Sleep at the Lloyd Noble in Norman... (this show was amazing & i hate shows at lloyd noble - Jay Ramone)... We also discuss Chinese Democracy era GnR at Lloyd Noble w/ Hinder. Max also reveals that he got beat up once at the Lloyd Noble... Recently, Rock 100.5 The KATT had a record & memorabillia show, Max had a Here's The Deal Vintage booth with lots of things for sale but he was also a shopper... He came across a vendor who was selling an 11 x 17 poster print of Stevie Ray Vaughn performing at Lloyd Noble in 1986 while playing his Number 1, SRV Fender Strat, while wearing a Native American Head Dress, which is from a photo that Max Baker Jr. took with a camera that he snuck into the show! He recognized the photo & the vendor confirmed, it was indeed from a photo that Max had taken!!!!!! We also discuss an absolutely incredible metal show that came through the Cains Ballroom in Tulsa, Oklahoma.... Lamb of God, Trivium, Machinehead, & Gojira!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another legendary show we discuss is the Red Hot Chili Peppers make up show at the Cox Convention Center... Originally the show had Gnarls Barkley as the opener, a snow storm cancelled the original date... The make up date featured Mickey Avalon as the opener instead, & OKC did not like Mickey's performance at all... So much so, they loudly boooooooooo'd during his entire performance.. Extremely Loud Boo's!!!!!! So much so, Flea came out very pissed off & let the fans know exactly how he felt about their behavior! 

In this episode, Max reveals big news in his life! There are several of us who were in attendance at the Diamond Ballroom the night Max fell & broke his leg in multiple places. His life drastically changed from that moment. We pick up the story in 2007, Feb. 1st at the Coca Cola Bricktown Events Center w/ Three Days Grace, then the next night, Feb. 2nd - Slayer w/ Unearth at the Bricktown Event Center. Say it with me... "SSSSSLLLLLLLAAAAAYYYYYYYYYEEEEERRRRRRRR" \m/  We talk about musicians & their love for golf, especially while on tour. We also discuss an Eric Clapton & Robert Cray show at the Ford Center & a Drowning Pool, Saliva, & Crossfade at the Diamond Ballroom! 

Here's The Deal Podcast - The Max Baker Jr. Story - Episode 87 - w/ Special Guest Bryce Prescott &  Hollywood Briar Rose Prescott If you started this journey with us, on the Here's The Deal Podcast - The Max Baker Jr. Story, you know Max's beginnings racing motorcycles & his love for all things motorsports. Sometime in 2023, a Professional Flat Track Racer named Bryce Prescott walked into Max's offices, looking for sponsors for his race team. He had never met Max before & was chasing sponsorship money to follow his dreams. In this episode Bryce talks about how he met Max, flat track racing, & even brings his "Here's The Deal" leathers he wears during races & a trophy he won & gave to Max. We are also joined by special guest, 5 year old "Hollywood Briar Rose Prescott"... At 5 years old, she can out race most adults. 

It's Show & Tell time with Max Baker Jr. Recently, Jeff Brownen went walking through Max's house, & found several random autographed items & music memorabillia that he wanted to know more about. That conversation between friends caused the lightbulb to go off with an idea for a podcast episode. Max's house is filled with autographed stuff that he's collected over the years. In this episode Max will tell you how he aquired some of these items. 

Jay Ramone found a video of a 212cc, two stroke powered Mobility Scooter!!! Jeff & Jay try explain to Max that he NEEDS this scooter!!!! The laughter ensues as we envision Max doing donuts & burnouts through the Casino floor. This month, Jason DeFord aka Jelly Roll, spoke & testified in front of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs as ranking member Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) continued to push for the passage of his bill, the Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence (FEND) Off Fentanyl Act. We all watched his speach to Congress & we discuss how impressive his words truly were! If you haven't seen it, you need to look it up! In the last episode we discussed Max & Jeff's roadtrip to Dallas to go see Mr. Big on their farewell tour. We always say, Buy The Ticket & Take The Ride, so in this episode we discuss upcoming shows in 2024 that we want to see. 

As we begin 2024, and pass the anniversary of Max's fall in 2009, sending him down this path, we discuss some of the things he's had to endure as well as discuss the holidays & what we've been up to the last few weeks. We talk about Max's favorite way to buy Jewelry.... He prefers the gold chains when they're fresh off the boat... or Lincoln Navigator from Dubai! Max & Jeff also discuss their recent trip to Dallas to see Mr. Big, eating at Two Frogs Grill on the way down & surviving below freezing temperatures on the way back. 

Episode 83 is all about the local scene. We will discuss differences in the Tulsa & Oklahoma City scenes, different venues over the years as well as current ones, what it takes to build a scene, & the hard work necessary from all sides to truly build something. 

In episode 82, we recap 2023 & talk about some of our favorite moments. 

In this episode we discuss Max’s love for The Rolling Stones. How many times he’s seen them. Max & Jeff have witnessed The legends many times & discuss how these legends keep it together and remain one of the biggest rock n roll bands ever, year after year.