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- Kareem Salama, Muslim Cowboy
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- Kyle Gassiott
Born to Egyptian immigrants and raised in Ponca City, OK Kareem Salama drove a pickup truck to high school; wore a black hat and bolo tie; and dreamed of becoming a country and western music star. Born and raised in Ponca City, OK to Egyptian parents Kareem Salama had one dream to become a country and western singing star. If you've ever wondered what classical Arabic poetry set to country and western music sound together and how far one dream will take you, then listen closely..
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From: Kyle Gassiott
Born and raised in Ponca City, OK to Egyptian parents Kareem Salama had one dream to become a country and western singing star. If you've ever wondered what classical Arabic ...
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Related Pieces
Broadcast History
Originally aired on Weekend America, December 6, 2008. To hear a non-narrated version that aired on BBC's Americana visit: http://www.prx.org/p/61978
Transcript
Kareem Salama
Kyle Gassiott (Gaset):
Kareem Salama spent a lot of time at the rodeo and drove a pickup truck to high school. When he was little he knew exactly who he wanted to be.
Kareem Salama:
"I always wore, I had like a black cowboy hat and I used to wear my boots and I always used to wear you know the cowboy neckties. I was pretty into that kind of thing."
KG:
As for music, Kareem's favorites were Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Tanya Tucker, and Alabama.
KS:
"I mean, country music is like crickets in Oklahoma it’s just there. It’s not really whether you like it or you don’t, it’s just part of the culture."
KG:
But listening to country music isn't enough for Kareem Salama, he wants to be a star, he's already recorded two albums and just got back from a European tour.
Music up “A Land called Paradise”
Chorus: I wanna live in a land called Paradise
I wanna go to the valley of...
Read the full transcript
Intro and Outro
INTRO:When he was growing up in northeast Oklahoma, Kareem Salama knew that he wanted to be a cowboy. Now he's an aspiring country music star. He's also a practicing Muslim. He sees no contradictions in that, saying his upbringing in Oklahoma made it all possible. Reporter Kyle Gassiott (Gaset) brings us his story.
OUTRO:Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Land Called Paradise | Kareem Salama | This Life of Mine. | Light Train Records | 2006 | 01:30 |
| Generous Peace | Kareem Salama | This Life of Mine. | Light Train Records | 2006 | 00:45 |
| This Life of Mine | Kareem Salama | This Life of Mine. | Light Train Records | 2006 | 01:00 |
Additional Credits
Julia Barton, editor
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