Four of state’s brightest inducted into Music Hall

By Daniel Lapham
Phoenix Staff Writer

October 13, 2006 01:00 am

— Legendary musicians lifted spirits and made history before a packed crowd on Thursday night at the Muskogee Civic Center.
The 10th Annual Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Induction and Concert welcomed a plethora of musicians, family members, friends and fans to Muskogee to honor Oklahoma’s greatest musicians.
Mel McDaniel, Eldon Shamblin, Carl Radle and Leon Russell were officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on Thursday night.
The first inductee of the night was McDaniel, a country music recording artist from Okmulgee. McDaniels, best known for his hit song “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On,” said he never wanted to be famous.
“Well, ain’t this the deal. All I ever wanted to do was make my home state proud and especially my hometown of Okmulgee,” McDaniel said to the crowd upon receiving his award.
Shamblin’s daughter and step-daughter were the recipients of an award named in the late swing country guitar master’s honor, the Eldon Shamblin Session Musician Award.
With poise and thick emotion, Radle’s daughter told the crowd while accepting the award, how much her father’s music means to her.
“I only had the opportunity to meet my father once. But every time I hear his music, I feel like I know him. Thank you all for honoring my father,” she said.
The last induction of the evening was of rock ’n’ roll pioneer Leon Russell. Amongst standing ovations and tearing eyes, friends and family members presented and accepted awards for their heroes. Russell’s long time friend and apprentice Steve Ripley accepted the award for him. Saying he had no script so he would to wing it.
Russell was present at the induction, but chose to have Ripley accept the award for him.
“When it comes down to influencing rock ’n’ roll, no one has influenced it as much as Leon Russell,” Ripley said. “Leon’s big bang brought Tulsa music into being. I asked Leon what I should say, and he said, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you.’”
Two more special awards were presented. The Governor’s Award for Outstanding Service was given to former state Rep. Barbara Staggs in recognition of outstanding service to the state of Oklahoma and the Hall of Fame. Next, the Rising Star Award was given to up-and-coming country music singer and songwriter Keith Anderson.
“When I asked them why are they inducting me because I don’t sing or play an instrument they said, ‘“That’s all right, we have a Governor’s Award for those who don’t have any talent,’” Staggs said.
To the disappointment of many audience members, Rising Star inductee Keith Anderson was unable to attend the induction to accept his award due to illness. Accepting the award for Anderson was his lifelong friend Scott Petty of Stillwater.
“I know you all are disappointed that Keith was unable to make it, but trust me, no one is more disappointed than Keith. Keith said he is deeply honored to be receiving this kind of honor so early in his career. He is honored to receive this award from his home state.”
Although the induction process was intimate and touching, nothing could surpass the concert portion of the night, said Joel Everett, the Hall of Fame’s executive director.
“I’m like a kid, I can’t wait to see these guys,” he said while waiting for the bands to start.
Everett said the induction portion of the night’s festivities was everything he expected and more.
“It was great. We had some very moving moments, showing that you never know what to expect at something like this.”
Some concert-goers said it is a treat any time something of this magnitude can happen in one’s hometown.
“I am not sure who is playing exactly, but I know they are famous, and I am out here to have a great time,” said Chris Harris, 19, of Muskogee.
Andrew Yaffe, also of Muskogee, said he is glad to see so many people out supporting his hometown.
“I came to see Leon Russell and Mel McDaniel, but most of all I just came out to support Muskogee,” he said. That’s what it is all about, supporting what we have here.”
Reach Daniel Lapham at 684-2930 or dlapham@muskogeephoenix.com.

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