Posted on 11/29/2022 9:52:51 AM PST by Red Badger
This story has been updated.
What was supposed to be the most joyous day of his life ended up being his final one, as tears of happiness turned to tears of sorrow for his friends and loved ones. 37-year-old Oklahoma-based Red Dirt artist and songwriter Jake Flint passed away on Saturday, November 26th, and tragically, it was only hours after he married the love of his life, Brenda Flint. Now family, friends, and fans of Jake Flint are trying to process the tragedy, as they remember a life and career cut abruptly short.
Born in Mounds, Oklahoma in 1985, Jacob Flint was raised in the oilfields of Holdenville, Oklahoma east of Oklahoma City. His father was a wildcat oilman, and like so many Red Dirt artists, Jake Flint was raised on a mix of rock, country, and songwriting legends. From John Denver and Dire Straits, to John Prine and Townes Van Zandt, Jake’s father instilled him with a love of music from an early age, while an older sister exposed Jake to grunge rock titans such as Nirvana and Pearl Jam.
Music took a more serious tone for Jake Flint when his father was diagnosed with ALS. Frustrated that he would no longer be able to interact with his son through sports and other physical activities, Jake’s father compelled the young man to take up music, and Jake began playing guitar and attending bluegrass festivals where he ultimately added the influence of jam bands such a Phish and Bela Fleck to his musical appetite.
Now fully immersed in the world of music, Jake Flint found his true calling in the sound of his native Oklahoma, and Red Dirt legends such as The Great Divide, Mike McClure, and Cross Canadian Ragweed. It was through this connection that Flint was able to commission Red Dirt founding father Mike McClure, along with Taylor Reed, Jon Knudson from Whiskey Myers, and friend Cody Woody to make his 2020 self-titled debut album.
Whether performing solo or with a band, Jake Flint made his mark on the Texas/Red Dirt touring circuit throughout the Texoma region and beyond. Flint performed at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, OK in 2021, and performed numerous years at the Texas/Red Dirt Mile 0 Fest in Key West, Florida. He made an impression one year when he broke a string mid set, and without missing a beat, told a quick story while he changed the string and launched right back into the back half of the song.
Jake Flint had recently begun working with manager Brenda Cline of Route 66 Management. Cline confirmed Jake Flint’s passing late Sunday.
“With a broken heart and in deep grief I must announce that Jake Flint has tragically passed away,” she said. “I loved him much like a son. The funniest, most hilarious, hardest working, dedicated artist I have ever worked with in my career. We were just about to embark on some business together after he and Brenda got married- which was yesterday. Yes-yesterday. Jake has a million friends and I’m not sure how everyone will cope with this tragic loss. We need prayers- it’s all so surreal. Please please pray for his new wife Brenda, Jake’s precious mother, his sister and the rest of his family and friends. This is going to be incredibly difficult for so many. We love you Jake and in our hearts forever.”
Jake Flint’s new wife Brenda posted a 30-second clip of the two taking wedding photos, and a simple caption reading, “I don’t understand.”
Jake Flint most recently resided outside of Claremore, Oklahoma, north and east of Tulsa. At Jake’s remote homestead outside of Claremore is where the wedding took place. Claremore is where many friends and family were staying during the wedding on Saturday, and a Sunday brunch was planned at J Farley’s Restaurant in Claremore.
Though not much is currently known about how Jake Flint passed away pending an investigation, the Rogers County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed they responded to a call, CPR was administered, and a deceased individual was reported. Though the death is still under investigation, foul play is not considered to be involved.
On Monday evening (11-28), Jake Flint’s publicist Clif Doyal intimated that the 37-year-old passed away in his sleep on his wedding night.
Jake Flint was beloved for his warm personality, his songs, and his stories. Dying on his wedding day with friends and family assembled is a tragedy that is unthinkable, and has left the Red Dirt world in shock.
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A Go Fund Me has been set up for Jake Flint’s Family.
thing =think
You should not set it up that easy!!!
All my Ex’s live in Texas?.......................
It’s the Record Label name. I thought it was a band name, like RedBone......My Bad...................
How is it different?..................
In 1984 the biggest red dust storm enveloped Tulsa.
I knew it was coming so I went to the movies with a cute girl.
Had to wash my POS Pinto, twice...
>> If Red Dirt is in Oklahoma, why is the record company in Texas?............... <<
Because you are fundamentally wrong about this story having anything to do with Red Dirt record company.
Red Dirt records is a Tennessee-based company whose biggest stars are the Kentucky headhunters.
Red Dirt music is an Oklahoma genre of country music. Yes, it got popular outside of Oklahoma, particularly Texas. Yes, it’s harder to distinguish from Texas Outlaw music than it used to be; the styles have converged. Red Dirt Country Records (not to be confused with Red Dirt Records) was based in Texas and is now defunct. Red Dirt Music is private label of Red Dirt, an Atlanta Hip Hop duo.
Death before Disco!
That is totally confusing........................
The Nashville music has gotten rappy and pop like, not real country like it used to be.
So just forget about Red Dirt being a record company. It’s a musical style, even if there are a couple tiny record companies which use that name in theirs.
What does it sound like? ...................
The way I figure it is if someone can’t entertain people with just an acoustic guitar (or banjo/fiddle/what have you) and no studio tricks, they’re not really a country musician.
You’re not really asking me to describe music over a text forum, are you?
I purposely missed all 80s & 90s Disco, Grunge and Heavy Metal NOISE crap, after the 50s & 60s Rock ‘n Roll MUSIC. Some 70s stuff was good. Got into Talk Radio during those 2 decades.
Well, you could give me a hint like, maybe sounds like Charlie Daniels, Hank Williams Jr., Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, and David Allan Coe, Alabama, etc.
Or old Old country like Bob Wills, Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline, George Jones, Hank Locklin, Cowboy Copas, et al..............
” As John Milner said: “Rock and roll has been going downhill ever since Buddy Holly died”
Folk to alt-country to old country. “Red dirt” is a reference to a humble, earthy sound. It’s been compared to Texas Outlaw (Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, etc.), and as I’ve mentioned, the division between the genres is declining. I’ve even heard Garth Brooks, but he’s a little more new country than most. It’s not part of the pop-country movement, almost a reaction against it, but at the same time it’s not in any inherent opposition to blending new sounds. There are influences from Woodie Guthrie to heavy metal.
True dat. The 50s were a fine time for music.
IOW, it’s REAL COUNTRY MUSIC.........................
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