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November 20, 2009

Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame touts expansion, music trail

By Cathy Spaulding

The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame got another “original” to display at its museum Thursday night with the unveiling of a framed, autographed picture of Carrie Underwood with sheet music of her hit song “I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore.”

Hall of Fame officials then expressed plans to build a larger facility to display the music and other artifacts from Oklahoma music legends.

At a reception for supporters, patrons and board members on Thursday, Hall of Fame President Max Boydstun talked about plans to build a $15 million addition to the museum, as well as a statewide “music trail” to honor musicians with Oklahoma roots.

He said the music trail will be made up of at least 100 aluminum markers, similar to historical markers, that would be located at the musicans’ hometowns. For example, “King of the Road” singer Roger Miller would be honored with a marker in Erick; Patti Page would have a marker in Claremore.

Boydstun said Underwood, who was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in September, sent the sheet music as a gift of gratitude.

“It was her way of thanking us for honoring her,” Boydstun said.

The gathering also introduced supporters to the Hall of Fame’s new executive director, Penny Kampf.

“She will be leading us into the next level,” Boydstun said, explaining that money from the City of Muskogee Foundation helped the Hall of Fame afford an executive director.

“It is truly an honor,” Kampf said. “We are the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, which happens to be in Muskogee, Oklahoma.”

Architect Mike Martin, whose firm is designing the museum’s addition, said the new museum will be “patterned after what Disney offers.”

The 35,000-square foot addition would feature interactive displays, a children’s areas and videos, he said.

“We know Muskogee is a midway stop for tours going from Dallas to Branson,” he said. “We want them to do something more here than have lunch.”

Martin said the addition is about five years from becoming a reality, but first, at least $15 million must be raised.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email

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