The Stillwater Public Library will host Dr. Douglas Miller on Thursday, June 26, to discuss his book “Washita Love Child: The Rise of Indigenous Rock Star Jesse Ed Davis.” Dr. Jared Eberle will moderate the discussion. The program will take place at 6 p.m. at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar, located at 702 S. Duncan St. Registration is not required, but those planning to attend can sign up for an email reminder.
Miller’s book, which was recently nominated for an Oklahoma Book Award, covers the life of Jesse Ed Davis, a Native American musician from Oklahoma City. The biography also discusses Davis’s role in shaping the Tulsa Sound, a music style popular during the late 1960s into the 70s. Davis’s extraordinary career led him to collaborations with Bob Dylan, John Lennon, George Harrison, Leon Russell and over one hundred other major artists before his life ended abruptly in 1988.
Miller, an associate professor of Native American and United States History at Oklahoma State University and a musician, felt Davis’s influence was underrepresented in most sources about the era.
“I became intrigued by the general absence of any deep exploration of his life, career and significance,” Miller said. “I thought maybe I could do something with the subject, decided to go ahead and try and five years later I had a book.”
Brenna Gilchrist, adult services librarian, thinks the program is an excellent addition to the library’s summer reading program.
“The theme for this summer is ‘Color Our World,’ and highlights art in all forms,” Gilchrist said. “And this program showcases both writing and music. I also love that we get to highlight an influential Oklahoma musician that many people haven’t heard of.”
Community members interested in learning about Davis’s life and the music scene at the time are welcome to attend whether they have read the book or not. Miller will have books available for purchase and will sign copies for attendees.
The library also has both physical and digital copies of “Washita Love Child” available to borrow. To register for an email reminder for the program, go to stillwaterok.gov/LibraryRegister.
To register for the summer reading program or for more information, visit stillwaterok.gov/LibrarySummer. Contact the library with questions by phone at (405) 372-3633 x8106 or via email at askalibrarian@stillwaterok.gov.
The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library fund program costs and most grand prizes for the Summer Reading program. Other major supporters include the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Chris’ University Spirit and Ross Stores Foundation.