John Southern on Building Guitars, Taking Epic Pics & Getting Eric Clapton’s Mugshot

In this unforgettable episode of the Tulsa Tempo Podcast, we sit down with legendary Tulsa musician John Southern—a man with stories as rich as his songs.
From photographing a jailed Eric Clapton to building custom guitars and performing heartfelt originals like “Cocaine Katie” and “Where Are You When I'm Lonesome Tonight,” John opens up about a lifetime of songwriting, DIY albums, and playing 30+ shows a month in nursing homes across the region.
📍 Filmed at Blue Couch Studio, right across from the iconic Church Studio on Tulsa’s Studio Row.
🎶 Highlights include:
A Clapton arrest story you won't believe
The timeless power of “You Are My Sunshine” and “Okie from Muskogee”
The process behind multitracking solo albums like Equinox and Departure
Heartfelt performances that transport you back in time
💬 Don’t miss this deep-dive into Tulsa music history, creativity, and the art of aging with grace and groove.
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Message John for a tee shirt of the iconic Tulsa Skyline

Music used by permission.

Tunes at Noon is a local artist showcase brought to you by the Church Studio featuring a 1 hour live performance, museum tours, adult beverages, and fellowship like no other. Saturday and/or Tuesday afternoons cant be better spent.

Tulsa Tempo is Produced by Brandon Blue from Blue Couch Studio. Buy us a coffee and tell us what we can do better to keep local music supported.

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Hostess Amy Elizabeth arrived in Tulsa in May 2023 armed with the knowledge that Tulsa had a vibrant music scene and a rich musical history. She quickly immersed herself into the local scene, checking out live, local music almost every night of the week. Saying “ I couldn't get enough of the music Tulsa was turning out!”.

In early 2024, she had an idea to do a podcast featuring local musicians. Saying “ I wanted to provide an avenue for these incredible bands to promote their music. And because I couldn't get enough of them, I wanted to be able to interview them as well and find out the inspiration, the stories etc … behind their songs”