Media launch

*Editor’s observe: Carol Matza and Katey Blair will likely be in studio at HOME on the KUSH, @ 9 am, Friday, Nov. 4, 2022 speaking about this nice occasion.  Keep tuned!

(Muskogee, Okla) — In celebration of their twenty fifth Anniversary, the Oklahoma Music Corridor of Fame (OMHOF) has launched the names of their second installment of 2022 inductees.  The roster consists of a few of Oklahoma’s most completed singer/songwriter/musicians who will likely be honored in a ceremony held on the Muskogee Civic Middle on Friday, November 11.  Becoming a member of the ranks of OMHOF’s twenty-five years of honoring excellent Oklahoma artists and music business leaders are, Nashville’s singer/songwriter Wade Hayes from Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, Muskogee’s personal Jim Paul Blair (posthumous) and the favored Turnpike Troubadours from Tahlequah, Oklahoma.

Wade Hayes

Typically regarded as among the finest in nation music for his potential to precisely seize hope and heartache, Wade Hayes has been actively contributing to the nation music style since his early 20’s when he had a powerful string of hits together with “Previous Sufficient to Know Higher,” “I’m Nonetheless Dancing with You,” “On a Good Night time,” and “What I Meant to Say.”  He started realizing his objectives when Johnny Lee tapped him to be his lead guitarist, however it was obvious Hayes wasn’t meant to be a aspect man.  He landed his first recording contract with Columbia Data inside 9 months of shifting to Nashville.  “Previous Sufficient to Know Higher” hit #1 on Billboard’s Sizzling Nation Singles and Tracks chart and he was nominated for the ACM’s High New Male Vocalist honor.  Two of his 4 main label albums have been licensed Gold by the RIAA.

In 2009, he launched the critically acclaimed impartial album, “A Place to Flip Round,” and continued to tour extensively till he was recognized with stage IV colon most cancers.  He fought his approach again to well being solely to have the most cancers return in 2012.  Nevertheless, he’s now most cancers free and his new album was impressed by a dialog along with his oncologist, “Go Stay Your Life” is an upbeat anthem about benefiting from on a regular basis.

Along with writing and recording, Hayes has been again on the highway, touring this spring.  He additionally spends time on his 11-acre farm exterior of Nashville the place considered one of his favourite hobbies is restoring outdated pick-up vans.  Hayes and his band will kick off inductee performances on the November eleventh occasion.

Jim Paul Blair

Jim Paul Blair at all times bragged that he was a Texan having been born in Odessa, however he was an Okie by way of and thru.  After highschool in Clayton, he acquired a scholarship from T. Boone Pickens to attend Oklahoma State College.  Though he studied accounting through the day when he was at school, he spent each evening taking part in music.  He was a member of Pupil Entertainers alongside along with his sister Karen and a man named Garth Brooks.  He graduated with a level in accounting whereas taking part in bluegrass with The Purple Valley Barnstormers.

Jim grew to become the one banjo-pickin’ accountant at Worth Waterhouse adopted by changing into DFO of The Rehab Group in Nashville on the age of 28.  The music continued for him throughout his time in Nashville as he performed with the Neverly Hillbillies and the Neverly Brothers.  In 1998 he moved again to Oklahoma and have become on of probably the most enthusiastic Okies from Muskogee.

Blair toured significantly along with his band, Metropolis Moon they usually had a profitable tour of Europe.  He portrayed Hank Williams Sr. within the band Hankerin’ for Hank, and in addition was given the lead position in Muskogee Little Theatre’s manufacturing of “The Buddy Holly Story”.  He launched a solo banjo venture in 2003, “Recent Off The Strings.”

Jim was energetic with the Oklahoma Music Corridor of Fame for a few years the place he served as Govt Director 2012 -2018.  He additionally served on the boards of the Oklahoma Worldwide Bluegrass Competition, Purple Dust Reduction Fund and was a everlasting fixture at Byron Berline’s annual Oklahoma Bluegrass Competition.

Born right into a musical household, Blair was the proud son of Ramona Reed, additionally an Oklahoma Music Corridor of Fame inductee who carried out on the Grand Ole Opry alongside Bob Wills and the Texas Playboy Band for years.  Jim was at all times obtainable to encourage and provides a serving to hand to up and coming musicians as they established their very own careers.

Throughout his final days, Jim was held up in prayer by a bunch of buddies close to and much, none of whom can but perceive why his time right here was so brief.  He packed a lot life and journey into his 58 years and wherever he went, laughter, pleasure, and music adopted.  Band members of Metropolis Moon, Jim’s Hankerin’ for Hank band, and his Buddy Holly Tribute Present will every play a number of the nice music Jim was identified for.  Previous to his passing in February of 2020, Jim had been engaged on an album and final November the self-titled “Legacy” album was posthumously launched.

Turnpike Troubadours

Described as a gritty, country-leaning rock band out of jap Oklahoma, Turnpike Troubadours have turn into one of the fashionable bands working, touring, and recording immediately.  Musicians RC Edwards, Kyle Nix, Ryan Engleman, Gabriel Pearson, Hank Early, and entrance man Evan Felker make up this profitable band of gamers.  After a two-year hiatus the band is again on the highway promoting out massive venues and arenas.

Their debut album, “Bossier Metropolis” got here solely a month after the forming of the band to have one thing to promote at their early exhibits.  This was adopted by their very fashionable “Diamonds and Gasoline” in 2010, produced by Oklahoma Music Corridor of Fame inductee and legendary singer/songwriter, Mike McClure and cemented the band’s place in nation music historical past.  “A Lengthy Means from Your Coronary heart” was launched and peaked in 2017 at quantity three on Billboard High Nation albums chart.  Lead singer/songwriter Evan Felker talks about their being influenced closely by the favored Oklahoma band Cross Canadian Ragweed and fellow Okie musician Jason Boland.  This 12 months the Troubadours are again on the highway thrilling followers all around the nation.

Oklahoma Music Corridor of Fame Govt Director, Tony Corbell says, “so far as I’m involved there hasn’t been a extra talked about band since I started following the music scene in Oklahoma.  These guys are really hitting on all cylinders proper now and since late spring 2022 they’ve offered out exhibits in most of the greatest arenas and venues.  We’re thrilled they are going to be taking part in for our present this 12 months they usually promise an entertaining night!”

The OMHOF twenty fifth Anniversary Induction Ceremony and Live performance Friday, November 11 at 7 pm.  Muskogee Civic Middle – 425 Boston St. – Muskogee, OK.  Tickets for the occasion are $50 at ticketstorm.com