Published October 04, 2008 09:11 pm -
All-American Rejects lead group of honorees at hall of fame
By Travina Coleman
Phoenix Staff Writer
It’s no “dirty little secret,” the All-American Rejects are talented.
The rock group from Stillwater is ready to “move along,” to bigger and greater things, including accepting the honor of the Rising Star award being given to them by the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
The 12th annual Induction Ceremony and Concert is at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Muskogee Civic Center.
And yes, there are still tickets available.
“We are ready to go,” said Beth Seim, director for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. “It will be one of the most diverse evenings of entertainment. You will get all the flavors of Oklahoma wrapped into one concert.”
Seim said the music showcased in the ceremony called “Another Hot Oklahoma Night,” is representative of all music genres that come out of Oklahoma.
“The sounds of 40 Native voices are incredible,” she said. “Then you get to hear some country music performed by Wade Hayes of Bethel Acres. He will be singing Chick Rains’ songs. Then of course there is Red Dirt and a pioneer of Red Dirt — the late Bob Childers. The Red Dirt Rangers and Tom Skinner and The Science Project will be performing his songs.”
Other inductees and honorees include: Cherokee National Youth Choir, Chick Rains, the late Bob Childers, and the Wichita and affiliated tribes.
Rains, who is being awarded the Songwriter’s Award this year, said he is glad to be getting an honor like this in his hometown.
“Growing up in Muskogee and becoming aware of music here makes it more special,” he said. “In Nashville the awards ceremonies for hit songs can almost feel like an assembly line.”
Rains, who wrote number one songs for greats like Reba McEntire, Waylon Jennings, Oak Ridge Boys, George Jones, Johnny Cash and many others, said his songs are like children.
“You don’t want any of them to have a hair lip or a broken leg,” he said. “You want them to stand on their own.”
Rains and Hayes co-wrote two hit songs, Hayes performed, “Old Enough to Know Better,” and “I’m Still Dancin’ With You.”
Seim said Oklahoma is lucky to have so many awesome artists call this state home.
“For Oklahoma, musical talent is either in the blood, or in the water,” she said. “We are fortunate to have so many talented people here.”