Next in the A Conversation With... series, Dick Pryor discusses the life and career of former Oklahoma U.S. Senator Fred Harris in A Conversation With...Fred Harris, coming Spring, 2010.

He was a newspaper reporter, Marine and farmer from rural Oklahoma. Toughened by the depression and sharpened by World War II, he became the state's first Republican governor, a U.S. Senator, and an eyewitness to history during a time of American political and social upheaval.

Former governor Henry Bellmon discusses his life, battles and philosophy in the broadcast debut of OETA's historic new series, "A Conversation With..."

Hosted by Dick Pryor, "A Conversation With..." shows you famous and noteworthy Oklahomans as you have rarely seen them: up-close, straight-forward and personal.

During this one-hour, exclusive OETA presentation, Bellmon discusses how he entered public service and transformed Oklahoma politics. Among other topics covered are his reflections on his two terms as governor, education reform, integration, Watergate, Richard Nixon, and his years as a U.S. Senator, including his politically unpopular vote on the Panama Canal.

She was there at the beginning of rock and roll, and she's still going strong. From the time she was young, Wanda Jackson wanted to be a "girl singer." She regularly sang on a radio show in her hometown of Oklahoma City while in junior high school and had her first hit record by the time she was 17.

Wanda sang country songs until Elvis Presley encouraged her to try a new form of music called rockabilly - a combination of country, rhythm and blues, gospel and swing. She toured with Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly and became the "Queen of Rockabilly" and the "First Lady of Rock and Roll." In April, 2009 this music pioneer and native Oklahoman was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

OETA's "A Conversation With...." series begins its new season as Wanda Jackson discusses her life and career with Dick Pryor on "A Conversation With...Wanda Jackson," premiering October 6th at 9:00 p.m. on OETA.

Marian Opala is small in height, but not in stature. He has been a fixture at the state Capitol for more than forty years, as Supreme Court referee, staff lawyer, Administrator of the Courts, judge of the Industrial Court, and justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Anybody who has spent any time at the Capitol has probably met Justice Opala. He is charming and respectful, with an engaging wit, keen intellect and obvious love of the law. But to see him "only" as a judge or lawyer, misses the bigger story of Marian Opala.

Growing up in Oklahoma in the 1950's and 1960's, as I did, you saw and heard Wanda Jackson.  I knew a little more about Wanda than most, since my mother, Nell, was a teacher at Capitol Junior High School in Oklahoma City while Wanda was a student there, and she told me about the young, musical dynamo who rocked south Oklahoma City, and then the nation.  So, it was great fun to sit down with the rockabilly legend and talk about her music and life. 

Her story is fascinating.  Born in Maud, reared in California and Oklahoma, she won a talent contest and with it, a regular gig on KLPR radio in Oklahoma while still in junior high school.  By 16 she had a recording contract and was touring with such stars as Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley.  Elvis convinced her to stretch her vocal talents and mix in the new "rockabilly" sound with country.  Wanda became a hit (she's called the female Elvis) and launched a style and sound that swept the country, and made her an international star.  From country to rockabilly to rock "n" roll and to gospel, Wanda Jackson has released more than 50 albums worldwide and is seeing a resurgence in popularity, almost 60 years after her singing career began.