Oklahoma History Center to Honor Music Industry Legend

Oklahoma History Center to Honor Music Industry Legend



Nashville, TN – Oklahoma’s own Jim Halsey, legendary music manager/agent, impresario, teacher and now author, will be featured at an exhibit opening and reception in his honor at the Oklahoma History Center, on Wednesday, April 7.

The 1800-square-foot “Starmaker: Jim Halsey and the Legends of Country Music” exhibit will begin with a public signing event for Halsey’s book, “Starmaker,” from 3-5 p.m. on April 7. Halsey has been the agent for more than 40 top music stars over the past 60 years and built the largest country music agency in the world. In Halsey’s honored career, he has guided – and in many cases discovered– stellar names like Roy Clark, The Oak Ridge Boys, Merle Haggard, the Judds and many more.

On display will be many items and memorabilia highlighting key events in Halsey's momentous career, from gold and platinum albums marking his clients’ (Hank Thompson, Roy Clark, The Oak Ridge Boys, Reba McEntire, The Judds, Mel Tillis, Merle Haggard, Clint Black, Tammy Wynette, Freddy Fender, Don Williams) incredible achievements to awards and citations presented to Halsey for his stellar contributions to the music industry. Also shown will be posters from events worldwide where Halsey worked his promotional magic, pictures from first of their kind Las Vegas events and items from the landmark 1976 Soviet Tour, where Halsey clients Roy Clark and The Oak Ridge Boys tore a wide hole in the Iron Curtain with just their warm enthusiasm and immense musical talents. From the Halsey Archives there will be never-before-seen contracts to the stars, and guitars signed by such luminaries as Roy Clark, Wanda Jackson, The Oak Ridge Boys and even rock and roll giants such as Eric Clapton, The Rolling Stones and The Doobie Brothers.

Historic Halsey Company posters, artist rosters, contracts and artist development plans will reveal the depth to which Mr. Halsey was dedicated to his clients and the music industry, which could never be the same without him.

When Halsey sold his company to The William Morris Agency, he founded the Jim Halsey Institute, which focuses on helping others pursue their dreams in the music industry. In his new book “Starmaker,” released by Tate Publishing nationwide this month, Halsey continues that mission by sharing the secrets he learned while shepherding the careers of entertainment giants.

Sponsored by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, The Tulsa Chamber of Commerce, Mustang Fuel Corporation, Tate Publishing, BluBlocker Corporation, and The Oklahoma History Center.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, “Starmaker” digs deep into the fundamentals: how to develop an act, how to get an agent, how to use the press to build your audience, how to play the biggest and best forums. His incisive advice will help readers find their place on the team—the position that provides the most successful and most fulfilling career. The book is available through bookstores nationwide, from the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

Since 1990, The Jim Halsey Institute has been helping artists’ dreams come true every day. Halsey continues his active management of the supergroup, The Oak Ridge Boys. When he is not traveling, teaching, or writing, he lives near Tulsa, Oklahoma, with his wife, Minisa.

About the Oklahoma History Center - The Oklahoma History Center is the new, state-of-the-art home for the Oklahoma Historical Society. The History Center’s 35,000 sqft of interactive museum exhibits, combined with over 7 acres of outdoor exhibits, celebrate and explore all areas of Oklahoma’s rich history and serve as the basis for education programs that reach over 85,000 students each year. The History Center is also the home of the Historical Society’s Research Library and Archives hosting extensive collections of manuscripts, films, photographs and maps.
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