Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame To Induct New Members

TULSA, Okla. - The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. has scheduled the 2008 induction ceremony and concert for October 8, 2008, at the Muskogee Civic Center, located at 5^th and Boston Street in Muskogee. The induction reception will begin at 5 p.m. followed by the ceremony and concert at 7 p.m.

Five artists or groups will be recognized by the hall of fame this year.  The Cherokee National Youth Choir will receive the coveted Governor's Award, a prestigious honor given only twice before.  The choir was founded in 2000 and has recorded six CDs. The choir performs traditional Cherokee songs in the Cherokee language to increase awareness of the Cherokee culture.

Chick Rains and the late Bob Childers will be inducted in the songwriters' category. Songwriters from Oklahoma or writers who write songs about Oklahoma are eligible to be inducted in this category. Chick Rains is a songwriter born in Muskogee. He has written songs for well-known music stars including the Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire and Johnny Cash. Bob Childers, known as the father of red dirt music, began playing guitar at age 16. He emerged on the music scene with his 1979 song, "I Ain't No Jukebox."

The All-American Rejects are being honored for the significant national attention they have received for their music talents. Announcement of their Rising Star Award occurred at their concert at D-Fest in Tulsa. The All-American Rejects began in Stillwater, in 2001 and have recorded three CDs with a fourth being released this fall.

The Wichita & Affiliated Tribe will be this year's inductee into the American Indian Tribal Music Traditions category.  With recording of Wichita music made as early as 1902, the tribes' singers are some of the earliest recording artists in Oklahoma music history.

Oklahoma country music singer, Wade Hayes, who took two of Chick Rain's song to #1, will perform Chick Rains' songs; members of the Red Dirt Rangers will also sing Bob Childers' songs with backup music provided by Tom Skinner and the Science Project. The Cherokee National Youth Choir will perform under the direction of Mary Kay Henderson and The All-American Rejects will conclude with a concert.

There are several ways you can buy tickets.

• Online at www.omhof.com
• The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum located at 401 S. 3^rd Street
• The Muskogee Civic Center, located at 5^th and Boston Street in Muskogee.
• Or call the ticket hotline 918-687-0800.

VIP tickets are $150 and include VIP parking, buffet reception and VIP seating on the arena floor.  Gallery tickets will range from $19 to $39.

 Sponsors for the 2008 induction ceremony include: Creek Nation Casino - Muscogee, KHTTS, Love Bottling, Charlie's Chicken, OG&E, Z104.5 The Edge, Muskogee Phoenix, Yaffe Iron & Metal Co., Muskogee Bridge Co., The News on 6, KTFX- Okie Country 101.7 FM, City of Muskogee, Muskogee Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, Cherokee Casino Resort, Port of Muskogee, Bank of Oklahoma, Hampton Inn of Muskogee, Muskogee Regional Medical Center and Whitlock Wishouse.

ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA MUSIC HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM, INC

To date, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc. has honored 53 individuals or groups for their talent and contribution to the music industry. Among those awards are 46 inductees including Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson and more from all genres of music. Also five rising stars have been awarded, including Carrie Underwood, Hinder, Keith Anderson and honored two governor award recipients.

Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame has produced more than 20 concerts and has renovated the facility that educates Oklahomans for generations about those innovators and industry icons from the Sooner State who shape music all over the world.

--Courtesy of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame