OMHOF induction features longtime educator, famed musicians

Feb. 15—This year's Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inductees reflect musical diversity, as well as close ties to Muskogee.

The induction ceremony and concert will be 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Muskogee Civic Center. Tickets are $35 and are available at the door or online.

"As with everybody we talk to about this, you just can't believe the quality of talent that's in the state of Oklahoma," OMHOF Executive Director Tony Corbell said.

He said there often are far more nominees than inductees each year.

"And they all deserve to be in there," he said. "There's a lot of talented people who aren't in the hall of fame yet, we just got to get to them."

This year's inductees are:

* Governor's Award: Music producer David Webb.

* Educator Award: Retired Oklahoma Music Educators Association president and longtime Muskogee band director Jerry Huffer.

* Fiddler Shelby Eicher.

* Songwriter and guitarist Verlon Thompson.

* Conductor and composer Timothy Long.

* Award winning country music artist and songwriter Bryan White.

* Country super group Ricochet.

Huffer was music director at Muskogee Public Schools for nearly 20 years before retiring in 1987. In 2012, he worked with MPS to help rebuild the district's music program. He also established and directed the Muskogee Community Band.

"He's got the biggest cheering section so far," Corbell said. "He's got over 100 people coming. He's got a lot of former students who are coming."

Long, Director of Opera at the Eastman School of Music, also has strong Muskogee connections. Each year, outstanding Cherokee students of voice teacher Barbara McAlister receive the Timothy Long Prize to help pay for continued music education. Long is a Muscogee Nation citizen from the Thlophlocco Tribal Town.

After making his debut with the Oklahoma City Symphony Orchestra at age 16, Long went on to conduct the Boston Philharmonic and New York City Opera. Corbell said Long will play a "beautiful grand piano" at Saturday's concert.

Four other inductees will perform Saturday.

"Shelby Eicher is a fabulous, world renowned fiddle player," Corbell said. "He traveled the world with Roy Clark for 20-plus years."

Corbell said Thompson "is not a household name, but you know his songs."

Thompson's songs include "When She Cries," "The Bluest Eyes in Texas" and "Fast Movin' Train," all by Restless Heart.

White toured with country star LeAnn Rimes and worked with Shania Twain on her big hit "From this Moment On," Corbell said.

Hard-working country group Ricochet, known for such hits as "Daddy's Money" and "Love is Stronger than Pride," will close the concert.

"They'll have a big band onstage, they're going to have at least five of their members playing," Corbell said. "Plus, they're going to have Shelby Eicher, the fiddler, to play with them."

Two members of the band Restless Heart will speak at the Ricochet induction then perform with the group, Corbell said.

Webb was vice president for sales and Marketing for Churchill/MCA Records. He also helped promote and produce acts for Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, and Wanda Jackson.