Oklahoma Music Hall to induct all-female class

Nine Oklahoma women whose careers have spanned decades will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Nov. 27 ceremonies that also will honor at least a dozen of their fellow female artists.

The group induction is a first for the Muskogee-based hall, which inducted its first class in 1997, according to a news release.

“The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame is elated to be inducting these deserving Oklahoma women from such diverse backgrounds and musical styles,” said Amy Love, president of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame board, in a statement.

The 2018 inductees in the first all-female class are Jody Miller, Gail Davies, Gayla Peevy, Katrina Elam, Gus Hardin, Lorrie Collins, Kellie Coffey, Evelyn LaRue Pittman and Molly Bee. Hardin, Collins, Pittman and Bee will be honored posthumously and will be represented by family members.

“Our goal is to celebrate the accomplishments of Oklahomans in the world of music,” said Hugh Foley, chairman of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame’s induction selection committee, in a statement. “When presented with an opportunity to honor and induct so many deserving candidates at once, we jumped at the chance. This will truly be a historic event.”

Previous inductees who are expected to attend the festivities include Wanda Jackson, Norma Jean, Becky Hobbs, Jana Jae, Barbara McAlister and Leona Mitchell. Also expected to attend are acclaimed Oklahoma singer-songwriter Samantha Crain and family members representing previous inductees Cassie Gaines, Sammi Smith, Jean Shepard, Kay Starr and Patti Page, according to the news release.

“This is probably the largest gathering of Oklahoma women involved in music ever held in our state,” Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan, who has spearheaded the event, said in a statement. “We are thrilled that the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame decided to get on board with this special induction class and tribute. This is really a historic collection of talent.”

The induction ceremony will be at noon Nov. 27 at the Oklahoma History Center, with a dinner and reception at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 27 at Kendall’s Restaurant, 100 S Third Street in Noble, where a special display honoring the inductees will be unveiled.

“It is appropriate that these musical pioneers will be recognized this year, the centennial of women gaining the right to vote in Oklahoma. As they have proved through their music, the talent has always been there, even though the recognition if long overdue,” Bob Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, which is a sponsoring entity for the event, said in a statement.

Sponsoring partners are Kendall’s Restaurant, the Oklahoma History Center, the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, the Institute of Economic Empowerment of Women, the Oklahoma History Historical Music Trails, the Oklahoma Arts Council, Oklahoma Creativity Forum and Oklahoma Department of Tourism.

Event tickets are $50 per person for the lunch program, $100 for the dinner, or $125 per person for both. To make reservations, call Angie Hudson at 8263269.

Proceeds from the events will benefit the Oklahoma County SHINE Foundation, which works to promote youth volunteerism. For more information, go to www.oklahomacounty.org/547/SHINE.