Fowler VW Announces its Third Annual Free Holiday Music Collection on Vinyl and by Download

Fowler VW and Blackwatch Studios release free, indie holiday album; announce free concert featuring Stardeath and the White Dwarfs, Graham Colton, Hosty Duo and more.

NORMAN, OKLA. (November 28, 2012)—Fowler Volkswagen and Blackwatch Studios have teamed up for a second year to offer a holiday gift to indie music lovers — a free album filled with original holiday music from local musicians and a free holiday concert to follow.

Released digitally today, A Blackwatch Christmas Vol. 2, Fowler VW’s third annual Christmas album, features local artists, and lays a solid foundation to the team’s claim of Oklahoma as the Indie Christmas Music Capital of the World. The vinyl version will be available in early December.

“This is our third Christmas album made up of local musicians, and our second year working with Blackwatch Studios,” explained Jonathan Fowler, General Manager, Fowler VW. “We’re excited to see acts from our past projects continuing the Christmas spirit on newer Christmas collections. If we keep this momentum, I truly feel that Oklahoma can become the indie Christmas music capital of the world.” In addition to Fowler VW duties, Jonathan Fowler is also past chairman of the Norman Music Festival, past president of Norman Arts Council and serves on the Norman Public Arts Board.

The album is available for free download online at fowlervwchristmas.com. In addition, 1,000 free vinyl copies will be available in early December at Fowler Volkswagen of Norman and at Guestroom Records in Oklahoma City, on Western and at Bricktown, and at its Norman location. Free copies will also be available at Fowler VW’s free annual holiday concert, featuring bands that contributed songs to A Blackwatch Christmas Vol. 2, at 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, in downtown Norman behind STASH, 412 E. Main St. More information about the event is available at facebook.com/fowlervw. 

Album Tracks:
Stardeath & the White Dwarfs “Santa’s Magic Beard”

Dead Sea Choir “Some Joke”

Brine Webb “The Good List”

Jacob Abello “Mary Did You Know?”

Mike Hosty Duo “Christmas Time”

Graham Colton “Holiday Season”

Denver Duncan “Christmas With You”

Parker Millsap “Go Tell It On The Mountain”

Shitty/Awesome “Saturnalia”

Hector Comancho “Squeezin’ Them Presents”

# # #

MEDIA CONTACT: Tracey Zeeck, 405.501.2700, tzeeck@bumbershootpr.com

Beary England makes debut at Weather Fest

Gary England may have been a no-show but, thanks to Fowler VW, BEARY England kept the crowds entertained at the National Weather Festival in Norman on Saturday. Our favorite weather bear hula hooped and sidewalk chalked the day away right alongside real live storm chasers and more than 5,000 attendees. Beary's forecast for Oklahoma? Clear and sunny skies — perfect weather for car shopping at Fowler VW!

Bigfoot expected to appear at Plaza Fest!

We’ve been studying up on our Bigfoot Observers Field Manual and it appears the conditions are ripe for a Bigfoot sighting at Plaza Fest on September 29.

According to the experts, a surefire way to attract the mythical beast is through awesome art, amazing music and delicious food trucks.

But to absolutely, positively ensure Bigfoot’s appearance at the Plaza Fest, WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Stop by the Fowler VW booth, pick up some free treats and give us your best Bigfoot howl. You'll be entered to win some pretty cool stuff like:

• $50 Backwoods gift card
• $50 Forward Foods gift card
• $25 Elemental Coffee gift card
• Bigfoot the Monster Robot from Fisher Price
• Harry and the Hendersons Special Edition DVD
• Lots of cool VW camping gear
• Your very own copy of the Bigfoot Observer’s Field Manual: A practical and easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to your very own face-to-face encounter with a legend

According to our manual, Bigfoot is most likely to appear in the flesh between the hours of 3 pm and 6 pm! All ages welcome to participate!

Although it's technically classified, here's proof of the Plaza Fest Bigfoot sighting in 2011!

We're dubbing it up at the Plaza District on Friday!

Vintage Beetles, tricked out Jettas and even Spywagon 1 and Spywagon 2 will unite this Friday at LIVE on the Plaza for the first annual Dub the Plaza car show!

If you’re a Volkswagen enthusiast, car lover in general, or just looking for something free and fun to do on Friday night, come join us in Oklahoma City’s 16^th Street Plaza District!

We’ll have lots of great giveaways, too. Like free American Apparel t-shirts, VW penny racers, and hula hoops! It all starts at 7 p.m.!

Fowler VW hosts Food Truck Carnival to celebrate success

Maybe it’s the giant art mural on the side of its building. Or the classic green “Spywagon” toting a film crew and local musicians around town. Or the free annual Christmas album and concert featuring Oklahoma bands.

Whatever it is, Fowler Volkswagen has certainly struck a chord with Oklahomans and, in just two years of business, has become a top dealer in the state, region and nation.

Since its grand opening in August 2010, Fowler Volkswagen’s accomplishments have included being named No. 2 in customer service in the nation, being the top volume dealer in Oklahoma, being the top-selling Beetle dealer in its area, being selected to represent its area to Volkswagen of America President and CEO Jonathan Browning, being selected as one of 20 dealers nationwide to participate in a dealer marketing think tank, and being featured in leading trade magazine AutoNews for its nontraditional community relations efforts.

General Manager Jonathan Fowler said his team is accomplishing its goal to overcome the car salesman stereotype.

“We aim to lead a new generation of car dealers in creating positive, fun and even surprising car-buying experiences, one customer at a time,” Fowler said. “We’re also focused on sponsoring, promoting and creating new efforts that build on our state’s momentum. There are lots of creative people doing lots of creative things in Oklahoma. And we want to nurture the creativity that’s building a brighter future for our state.”

To celebrate its success and second anniversary, Fowler VW is hosting a free Food Truck Carnival from 12 to 2 p.m. this Saturday, August 18. Open to the public, the carnival will feature free lunch from America’s Favorite Food Truck Big Truck Tacos, Mutt’s Amazing Hot Dogs and Summer Song Ice Cream. The event will also include live graffiti art from local artists Dusty Gilpin and Tanner Frady; face painting, sidewalk chalking and hula hooping with the Oklahoma Victory Dolls Roller Derby; and free giveaways including American Apparel t-shirts, hula hoops and hacky sacks.

“As evidenced by Fowler Volkswagen’s accomplishments in just two years of business, we have some incredible customers and community partners, “ Fowler said. “The Food Truck Carnival is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to everyone for their support, loyalty and business.”

OKC gets totally STACHED tonight!

Our favorite purveyors of generosity are hosting one of our favorite OKC events tonight!  Shop Good’s annual Mustache Bash starts at 5 pm tonight on 9th Street in downtown Oklahoma City’s Automobile Alley. The free outdoor music festival will benefit Positive Tomorrows.

Shop Good is a clothing and accessories store located in the heart of Oklahoma City. The shop’s goal is to make looking great a little friendlier and giving back a little simpler, so every item in the store – whether it’s a pair of skinny jeans, a hand-poured soy candle or a giant cheeseburger wallet – is socially responsible, fairly traded and connected to a local or international community development project. Just check the tags on your favorite items to see how your purchase will contribute to a deserving charity or community, both here in OKC and around the world.

Here’s the ad we ran in support of Shop Good and the Mustache Bash in a recent issue of the Oklahoma Gazette.

Beat the heat with these ice chest recommendations from Matt Sterr

As a Volkswagen owner and the go-to guy for wine in the metro, Spirit Shop Managing Partner Matt Sterr certainly has good taste. In fact, Norman’s Spirit Shop stands at the top of stores both regionally and nationally as far as what’s available under one roof.

When he’s not hunting down the best cabs and zins or volunteering his expertise and goods for community events like the Norman Music Festival and La Tour du Vin, he’s spending time with his wife and two kids.

And when he’s enjoying summertime activities, here’s what’s in his ice chest.



The Spirit Shop's Matt Sterr



Best drink at the lake?

Cheap canned beer.  Schlitz is back to their original recipe, and it’s pretty good at the lake when it’s way too hot.

Best drink at a barbecue?

I like Zinfandel—the red stuff, not the pink stuff. To me, it’s the best all-around BBQ wine. It’s also quintessentially American, like BBQ.

Best summertime cocktail?

I love an Aperol Spritz—they go down so easy.  Three parts sparkling wine (prosecco or cava is best), one part soda and one part Aperol.  Serve on the rocks with an orange slice.

Best warm weather wine?

For when it’s hot out I think Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is very refreshing.  For a red I’d do a Beaujolais from France, it’s a red you can chill slightly to beat the heat.

Best beer for cooling off?

See answer #1. But if you don’t want to go cheap, trade up to Pilsner Urquell.  It’s been the best Pilsner in the world for several hundred years.



Best refreshment at an outdoor concert?

I typically like white wine at a summer outdoor show. Oregon Pinot Gris is great out of the ice chest.

Best name for a drink?

The Angry German is a pretty good one. One part amaretto, one part Black Haus schnapps, one part Jager, two parts Rose’s Lime and a dash of salt. Shake with ice and strain as shots. Be careful with this one.

Best drink to order when you want to impress someone?
I would advise you to just be yourself and drink what you like. Authenticity is probably more impressive than anything I could recommend.

Best drink for Volkswagen lovers?

People who I know who drive VWs (myself included) drink anything and everything.  VW drivers usually strike me as fairly open-minded and adventurous, and I think that carries over to what they drink.

Best thing to get at The Spirit Shop that you can’t get anywhere else?
Where should I start? If I had to pick only one, I might go with the 2005 Chateau Haut Brion. 100 points from The Wine Spectator, very hard to find outside of auction, and one amazing bottle of wine.  A little spendy for everyday, though.

Artists chalk it up on 16th Street

We put some local artists to the test at LIVE on the Plaza on Friday to see what they could do with a few pieces of jumbo chalk. From the looks of it, we’d say they passed with flying colors. Thanks to Dusty Gilpin,  Tanner Frady and Jack Fowler!

Photos by Nathan Poppe

Blast off! TV ad launches record month for Fowler VW

We’ve had an overwhelming response to our first-ever TV ad! June was a record month and we can’t help but think our Monster Attack ad had a little something to do with it.  It’s the first time we sold over 100 new and used cars, and new VW sales were up 97 percent year over year!

In case you missed, it check out the Beetle saving Oklahoma City from a big green monster. And if you like the music, check out Norman’s own garage/punk/surf band The Boom Bang.

Fowler VW sings NMF’s praises in new ad campaign

In our new ad campaign featuring local stuff we love, we obviously had to include the Norman Music Festival. As the founding sponsor, we’ve nurtured this baby from the beginning, and we’re proud to see it grow into the beast of a festival that it is today. Much love to all the folks who volunteer their time and resources to make this happen for Oklahoma!

Check out the ad in this week’s Oklahoma Gazette!

Why we love The SPY

Check out our new ad featuring The SPY FM in today’s Oklahoma Gazette! We’re proud to partner with these fine folks on the VDub Sessions and want the whole world to know how much we love ‘em!

Plaza District calling for fresh ideas for Coin Laundry

The Plaza District’s new initiative for the Coin Laundry space is yet another example of the district giving everyone a stake in their community.

Through the social media site Popularise, the Plaza District is asking for your ideas on what the old Coin Laundry space should become. A tea house? A ramen noodle bar? A flying fitness gym? Those are just a few ideas submitted already. And we can’t wait to see what other creative ideas get thrown into the mix.

In fact, we’re so excited OKC is the third city in the nation to initiate a Popularise campaign that we’re offering up to $1,250 in rent support for up to the first 6 months to the tenant selected by the developer.

So get fun, get creative and get your idea on Popularise! And if you need a little inspiration, come check out the space in person tonight at LIVE on the Plaza!

Fowler VW features OK innovators in new ad campaign

VDub Sessions hit 100K views!

By Nathan Poppe, VDub Sessions Videographer

It took more than a few tanks of gas to hit 100,000 views, but the memories have come both fast and furious. I will never forget the first VDub Session we shot with Taddy Porter. I visited The SPY FM studio and met Ferris for the first time. Busy with programming, he wasn’t 100 percent sure what I wanted to do with the van. He handed me the keys and I promised him it would be awesome.

And it was.

After more than 50 episodes, this music show has become one of the most exciting parts of my life. It’s hard to pick a favorite memory from VDub Sessions. Jonathan Fowler drove the van during our first Christmas episode in a Santa suit. O Fidelis invited their prized dachshund to sniff around the backseat of the van during their episode. The Polyphonic Spree fit 13 band members inside our tiny Vanagon to perform an amazing rendition of “It’s the Sun.”

More than anything, VDub Sessions has been an amazing learning process. I’ve learned a great deal from shooting, editing and organizing sessions. I can’t think of a cooler way to learn about videography and get a pulse on what’s happening in Oklahoma. Cross your fingers that the van keeps running because I don’t have any plans to stop any time soon.

Thanks for 730 days of awesome!

This week marks our 2nd anniversary, and we can honestly say it’s been two of the best years of our lives. We’ve loved getting out into the community, getting to know some amazing Oklahomans and making a difference where we can. And we’re so grateful to our customers for making us the top-selling volume store in Oklahoma. Here’s a look back at some of the fun times we’ve had.

Live on the Plaza

Shop Good’s Mustache Bash

OKC Comedy

Dustbowl Arts Market

Plaza District Festival

Block Party OKC

Free Holiday Album with Blackwatch Studios

Fowler Arts in Education Award

SXSW Buffalo Lounge

Norman Music Festival

Oklahoma’s BEST WEEK EVER!

This has to be the most fun week of the year in Oklahoma. Strawberries Newport? Check. Thirty thousand people running through the streets of OKC? Check. Free festival featuring some of the hottest indie bands around? CHECK!

In fact, if you’re going to the Norman Music Fest on Saturday, stop by our pop-up park on the 100 block of Main Street for some awesome free stuff and refreshments. We’ll also have the Spywagon photo booth, classic VWs and a giant game of CHECKERS!

Oh, and Volkswagen has donated a trailer full of VW Driver Gear for us to sell at our booth with proceeds benefiting the festival. If you’re a lover of all things Volkswagen and indie music, you’ll want to CHECK IT OUT!

Photo by Jeremy Charles.

Enter our Mom’s Day VDub Session Sweepstakes!

We’ve got a one-of-a-kind Mother’s Day present for one lucky mama out there.

Tell us why your wife, mom, grandma, etc., is the best mother ever and you could win her:

• A custom song written by OKC singer-songwriter Denver Duncan
• An in-person, live serenade by Denver Duncan himself
• A starring role in our special Mom’s Day VDub Session
• A SERIOUSLY awesome gift basket filled with goodies and gift cards from great local shops and Fowler Volkswagen

Nothing says “Thank you” better than Fowler Volkswagen’s Mom’s Day VDub Session Sweepstakes!
To enter, simply tweet why your nominee is tops to @fowlervw. Deadline is April 25.

PLEASE NOTE: The winning mom must live in the OKC metro and be available to film a Mother’s Day VDub Session episode in early May.

Arts in Education Mural honoring Douglas Elder now up at our shop!

Here’s the Fowler Arts in Education Mural we’ve been telling you about that honors Douglas Shaw Elder from Norman’s Firehouse Art Center. In this photo, artist Scott Henderson is putting on the final touches. Come by our shop to see
the finished product!






 
Here’s Fowler VW GM Jonathan Fowler (second from right) presenting the Fowler Arts in Education Award to Douglas Shaw Elder (center) at the Norman Arts Council ONE party. Couldn’t imagine a better recipient of this award!

DIY Your Dub!

Calling all Volkswagen owners! We’re opening up our shop for a do-it-yourself open house on April 7th! During our “DIY Your Dub” event, VW owners are invited to bring their cars to our service department and work on them using our tools and equipment.

“We’re doing this to overcome the stereotypical car shop while educating people on their vehicles,” said GM Jonathan Fowler. “Our belief is that transparency with customers on the process of buying a car and working on a car is the best thing we can do.”

From novice mechanics to experts, everyone is invited. Just be sure to schedule your 2-hour shift to work on your own vehicle by calling Ralph Jameson at 405-310-4444 or emailing him at ralphj@fowlervw.com. Appointments are required.

Firehouse Art Center Director wins Fowler Arts Education Award

The first annual Fowler Arts Education Award will be presented to the Firehouse Art Center and executive director Douglas Shaw Elder during the Norman Arts Council’s ONE fundraiser on Saturday, March 31.

Fowler Arts Education Award Mural

Fowler Volkswagen sponsors the Fowler Arts Education Award, which aims to recognize those who improve children’s art education opportunities in Norman in an extraordinary way. The jurors for this award included Richard Taylor, Dean of the Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts; Chuck Thompson, President of Republic Bank and Trust; and Susan Owen Atkinson, Urban Planner for the City of Norman. The jurors made their decision unanimously in early February.

“Douglas and the Firehouse go hand-in-hand; it so appropriate they are being recognized for their leadership in this way,” said Lauren Sonder, NAC education committee chair.

Fowler Volkswagen commissioned artist Scott Henderson to create a mural portrait featuring the Firehouse Art Center and Elder. The portrait will be painted on the south side of the Fowler Volkswagen building located at 591 N. Interstate Drive as part of a continuous mural devoted to outstanding arts education leaders in Norman.

Jonathan Fowler, general manager for Fowler Volkswagen, said new winners will be added to the mural each year.

“This mural will be a continuous thumbs up to educators who are making a tremendous impact on our community and an advertisement to the thousands of people who drive by every day that Norman is an incredible place to work, live, raise a family and enjoy the arts,” Fowler said.

Elder has been part of the fine arts community for the majority of his life. He earned his B.F.A. in drawing at Missouri State University and Post-Baccalaureate in painting at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He received his M.F.A at Boston University, where he taught, and then continued at the University of Oklahoma before joining the Firehouse Art Center in January 2007.

Firehouse Art Center, located at 444 South Flood Avenue, contributes to arts education by improving the quality of educational experiences for children’s classes. Elder started the “Creating with the Masters” series. The series uses master artworks to provide a thorough explanation on topics relating to the history of artworks, artists, museums, and artistic techniques. Elder has also organized Firehouse Art Center’s partnership with Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and Sam Noble Natural History Museum. The partnerships give children the opportunity to visit and be exposed to great works of art.

Elder has also initiated a set of art programs and projects in elementary schools. He introduced weekly art instructions designed in conjunction with schools’ curriculum. Schools such as Jefferson Elementary School and Monroe Elementary School have worked with Firehouse Art Center to improve their art programs.

Elder’s contributions to art education are not limited to elementary schools. He encourages other organizations to participate in the promotion of art and education. Under his direction, Firehouse faculties provides art education for the United Way’s Success by Six program, the KinderCare centers, the Center for Children and Families (CCFT) summer and after school programs, Boy Scouts troops and classes at the Norman Public Library. Elder inspired the “Green Wave,” a project that involves school children, teachers, artists and also, the mayor of Norman. Under his leadership, Firehouse Art Center received an award as a finalist in the statewide Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Contest.

As the executive director of Firehouse Art Center, Elder has expanded activities at the two established Firehouse Art Center events: the annual Chocolate Festival fundraiser and the Midsummer Nights’ Fair in Lions Park. As a member of the 2011 Creativity Forum Committee, Elder presented an interactive creative sculpture activity and created a mobile sculpture. This activity was co-sponsored by Red Dot Sculpture and was displayed at the entrance of the forum.
Elder is not only an administrator for his organization, but also a talented artist. He has a private studio where he spends most of his time working on sculptures. He is in the process of modeling a giant Rubber Duck sculpture that will be part of the Norman Public Arts Board’s Park Sculpture Project.

“The NAC is so appreciative to Fowler Volkswagen for sponsoring this exciting award,” said NAC executive director Erinn Gavaghn. “We are looking forward to the next few years of the award as there are so many individuals and organizations in our community that really go above and beyond for children’s arts education.”

For more information on the Fowler Arts Education Award or the ONE Event, please contact the Norman Arts Council at 405-360-1162 or by visiting www.normanarts.org.

Okies take Austin

SXSW Buffalo Lounge on 6th Street, Austin

Stuck at home missing out on all the SXSW action this week? No need to fret. Our own Nathan Poppe (of VDub Sessions fame) is filming all the action at Oklahoma’s SXSW Buffalo Lounge. Check out all the awesome Okie talent being showcased at SXSW on Nathan’s blog. So proud to help sponsor this event!

Get pinched at LIVE on the Plaza and you could win!

Feeling lucky? This Friday’s LIVE on the Plaza presented by Fowler Volkswagen will have lots o’ luck with contests and prizes! Green or no green, get pinched by a Victory Doll and you could win 2 VIP passes to the Norman Music Festival, a $50 gift card to Saints, the entire Leprechaun DVD series, and awesome St. Patrick’s Day goodies! The Oklahoma Victory Dolls will be manning the Fowler Volkswagen booth in front of DNA/Collected Thread and there be free St. Patrick’s Day cookies and fun VW giveaways!

GM Jonathan Fowler featured in national auto magazine

Premier auto industry magazine Automotive News just featured our GM Jonathan Fowler! The article covers his journey from an aspiring bluegrass guitarist to a third-generation auto dealer and the grassroots initiatives he’s created to promote local musicians and artists. Click here to read the article.

VOLKSWAGEN reports 26 percent increase in 2011 U.S. sales

We just got word from the Volkswagen corporate office that VW sales are up across the board! And December sales were the best since 1972. Gotta say, we love Volkswagen… and it looks like America does, too!

Here’s a little clip from the official press release:

Herndon, Va. — Volkswagen of America, Inc. (VWoA) today reported 324,402 units sold in 2011, a 26.3 percent increase over prior year sales. December sales totaled 32,502, up 36.2 percent over 2010, marking the best December since 1972.

“December capped off a successful year of growth for Volkswagen of America,” said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “In addition to strong sales performance, in 2011 we opened an award-winning manufacturing facility in Chattanooga, Tenn., launched the all-new Beetle and Passat – which won the 2012 Motor Trend Car of the Year – and the brand made the biggest improvement in Sales Satisfaction in the industry.  We look forward to carrying this momentum into 2012.”