Oklahoma Music Cafe BOARD
Jim Halsey
Jim Halsey is an American artist manager, agent and impresario. He and his staff have guided, promoted or managed the careers of numerous prominent U.S. entertainers - particularly country music stars - including 29 inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fameand 10 inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[1][2][3]
Halsey and his staff have handled the careers of Roy Clark, the Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings, Reba McEntire, Clint Black, Minnie Pearl, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, the Judds, Jimmy Dean, Mel Tillis, Lee Greenwood, Hank Thompson, Don Williams, Woody Herman, James Brown, Roy Orbison, Leon Russell, Ricky Nelson, the Righteous Brothers, and many others.[2][3][4][5]
Halsey has organized and presented country music performances, particularly in the central U.S., but also on the coasts and abroad.[3] His 1976 tour, presenting Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys in the Soviet Union, won praise both culturally and in diplomatic circles. Clark's return tour of the USSR in 1988 was the subject of a television documentary. The booking agency division of the Jim Halsey Company, Inc., was sold to the William Morris Agency in 1990; Halsey remained a consultant for several years.
In December 1951, Halsey founded the Jim Halsey Co. talent agency with first client Hank Thompson and his Brazos Valley Boys, subsequently discovering and adding Wanda Jackson (1956) and Roy Clark (1959), eventually maintaining a roster of 40 to 50 stars.
Over the next 40 years, the company would become the world's largest country music agency, presenting their artists on a global basis. Concerts sold out from Carnegie Hall and Madison Square Garden, to Wembley Stadium, London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall, Rossiya Theatre Moscow and Sports Coliseum Leningrad, to Tokyo Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Soldier Field in Chicago, Constitution Hallin Washington, D.C. and nearly every major fair and festival around the world. During this 40 years, the company booked over 120,000 concert dates for their roster of stars.[citation needed]
Halsey has organized and presented country music performances all over the world, in many places for the first time. His 1976 tour of the Soviet Union headlining Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys won praise both culturally and in diplomatic circles. Halsey's efforts expanded country music into Europe, Asia, Africa and South America.
Halsey also owned the Churchill Records label in the 1980s.
David Webb
Executive producer, David Webb grew up in Independence, KS. He started his multi-faceted career at age 16 by putting up show posters for legendary music impresario Jim Halsey; started his own booking agency, and then merged his agency with Lawrence, Kansas based "Mid-Continent Entertainment." They booked and promoted The Red Dogs, The Blue Things, The Flippers, The Skeptics, Becky Hobbs and her "Four Faces of Eve group," plus other national and regional acts. After relocating to Chicago, David worked with and promoted legendary blues artists Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Pine Top Perkins, Howlin' Wolf, and Mighty Joe Young, plus contemporary talents Pat Leonard ( producer/writer for Madonna) and his band “Trillion,” “Hounds,” and “Shoes.” Moving to “Celebration Productions,” he booked and promoted Pink Floyd, the Sex Pistols, John Hartford, Oak Ridge Boys, ELO, J. Geils, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Journey, REO, Heart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, Peter Frampton and many more.
As VP of Sales and Marketing at Ovation Records, David’s credits include the Kendall's GRAMMY/CMA song of the year “Heaven’s Just A Sin Away”, Joe Sun, Max D. Barnes, Vern Gosdin, and signing/co-producing Tantrum and Citizen. He licensed and signed Judas Priest to their first US record contract, as well as booking dates to bring the band to the US for their inaugural tour. David worked with Chicago DJ Steve Dahl and helped create the infamous "Disco Demolition" at Comiskey Park in Chicago, that drew over 50,000 Rock Fans to the ballpark to witness the "blowing up/destruction" of thousands of disco records in center field. The single "Do Ya Think I'm Disco," that was the Anthem of the Anti Disco Revolution , was produced by David and partner Tom Pabich . The single sold more than 500,000 copies , and became an instant classic. He served two terms as National VP of NARAS (the GRAMMYs), and became VP of sales and marketing at MCA/Churchill Records, where he worked with Roy Clark, Jimmy Dean, Hank Thompson, Ronnie Dunn and James Brown. He later became Mr. Brown's business manager.
After joining ABC/Satellite Music Radio Network, David consulted with more than 150 U.S. radio stations. He then became a GM/Group VP for radio stations in IL, MO, KS and OK. David then became an integral part of Jayhawk IMG Sports Marketing, and was able to grow their Radio Network from 24 to 34 station affiliates prior to his retirement in Dec. 2013. David recently retired as 1st Vice President of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame after serving in that position for eight years , plus he helped, develop, and implement "G Fest;" a 3-day, 4-stage, 80-act outdoor festival in Muskogee.
He is Co-producer and Line Producer of the award winning short film "Nanyehi" which was inducted into the Oklahoma Movie Hall of Fame on April 20, 2019. This will be David's sixth production of "Nanyehi-The Story of Nancy Ward" musical.
Becky Hobbs
Becky Hobbs started playing piano and writing songs at nine years of age in her hometown, Bartlesville, Oklahoma. At age 15, she formed the “Four Faces of Eve,” now documented as the first all-female rock band in the state of Oklahoma. After one year at the University of Tulsa, she hit the road with an all-girl band out of Tulsa, the SirPrize Package, which later became the Wax Madonna. She spent two years in Baton Rouge playing with southern rock band Swampfox, then headed to Los Angeles, where she got a record deal with MCA. She started getting her songs recorded by major artists, beginning with Helen Reddy recording “I’ll be Your Audience.” In 1979, her song “I Can’t Say Goodbye To You” (also recorded by Helen) won 1st place in the American Song Festival (Easy Listening Category). She signed with Al Gallico Music, and then Mercury Records, which sparked her move to Nashville.
As a recording artist, Becky has had over 20 chart singles/albums, including “Jones on the Jukebox,” “Honky Tonk Saturday Night,” “Are There Any More Like You (Where You Came From),” “Do You Feel The Same Way Too” (all written/co-written by Becky), plus the John D. Loudermilk classic “Talk Back Trembling Lips.” She also had a Billboard Top Ten duet with Moe Bandy, “Let’s Get Over Them Together.” She has written three songs for Alabama, including the evergreen “Angels Among Us,” which has also been recorded by Demi Lovato, Kristin Chenoweth, Scotty McCreery, Home Free and others. It has been used to raise money for many charities, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Other artists who have recorded Becky’s songs are: Conway Twitty, George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Glen Campbell, Emmylou Harris, KISS, Wanda Jackson, John Anderson, Janie Fricke, Lacy J. Dalton, Ken Mellons, Shelly West, Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley, Johnny Bush, Charly McClain, Cristy Lane, Jane Oliver, Shirley Bassey, and the Cherokee National Youth Choir.
Becky composed and co-wrote the 18-song musical “Nanyehi-The Story of Nancy Ward,” based on the life of her fifth-great grandmother, a Cherokee war woman, then peacemaker in the 1700’s. So far, there have been eleven productions (54 shows) in four states. She is also co-writer and co-producer of the award winning short film, “Nanyehi,” which was inducted into the Oklahoma Movie Hall of Fame in 2019 and features her song “Let There Be Peace.” Becky has performed her song “Tsa La Gi-We Are Many” at many Cherokee events and is a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Her numerous awards include induction into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (2015), Cherokee National Statesman (2017) and Dream Keepers Cultural Achievement Award of Greater Tulsa Indian Affairs (2018).
Known for her high-energy shows, the “Beckaroo” has performed on major TV shows, including “Hee Haw”, “The Academy of Country Music Awards”, “Nashville Now”, “Music City Tonight” and “Grand Ole Opry Live.” From honkytonks to world class concert stages, she's entertained audiences in 40 countries.
Joe Glyda
Joe Glyda, originally from Chicago, is a commercial photographer based near Tulsa, OK. He started his photography career in the darkroom at Kraft Foods and worked his way up to manager of their food photography studio and worked there for 36 yrs. He initiated the digital process into Kraft in 1993. One of his location assignments was spent with the Kraft/NASCAR sponsorship during the last 9 years of his tenure. After retiring from Kraft, and missing the need for speed, he opted for the next best thing, Air Races in Reno, NV. His love for aviation and photography gave him the opportunity to travel to air shows and photograph many different types of aircraft. He was drawn towards WWII aircraft because many of those planes matched the airplane models that he built in his teenage years.
Four years ago, Joe signed up as a volunteer with the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team. He became a frequent member of the team in the restoration of two WWII aircraft, “Wild Kat” a C-49 and “That’s All --- Brother”, a C-47. The later aircraft was the actual aircraft that led the assault invasion on D-Day over Normandy, FR in 1944. The team restored the aircraft, and it flew to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-Day in 2019. Joe was able to join with the team overseas as they were in France when “That’s All---Brother" flew over and dropped its paratroopers during the celebration. His love for aviation has come full circle with his creating the aviation artwork, designing and writing of this book, and telling the stories of these incredible machines.
Joe has a Master of Photography, Photographic Craftsman and Master Artist degrees from the Professional Photographers of America organization. He is also a member in good standing with the American Society of Photographers, as well as a photographic instructor through various PPA affiliated schools and KelbyOne on-line training.
Rachel Jackson
Rachel is a graphic designer as well as a singer/songwriter and speaker. Rachel has designed intricate websites, book covers, fliers, posters including the Oklahoma Music Cafe logo and website. She is also a videographer and has produced 16 years of Real Estate Shows.
Rachel was nominated for Artist of the Year and Single of the Year for Tulsa Music Awards with Radio Air worldwide. She has been in ministry for nearly twenty years reaching out to women, children, youth, and college aged students.
Rachel is a Praise and Worship leader, married to her Pastor husband Jared and the mother of three.
Derek Gibson
Derek Gibson grew up in the Oklahoma Panhandle. His father got him a guitar at age 10 and taught him 3 chords and gave him a Roger Miller
Record. Derek has been a banker in Muskogee for 32 years , but his passion is music and woodworking.
He is usually playing with a band at a local venue, or in his shop. Past president of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, he enjoys a wide range of music .
Martha Gibson
Katey Sherrick Blair
Katey Sherrick Blair is employed as a BID Assistance Coordinator for Indian Capital Technology Center in Muskogee, Ok., where she counsels and advises business owners in the bidding and performance process with government contracting. Katey worked for Griffin Communications, in Tulsa, as a radio Sales Account Executive for a couple of years before becoming tired of the commute and desired to to keep up with her late husband, Jim Blair, so she was happy to start a new career with a winning team at Indian Capital Technology Center in September 2019. Her radio career started with Okie Country 101.7 radio station in Muskogee in 2002, where she worked her way to General Manager and Morning Show Co-Host until 2017. Katey also enjoyed a successful career with the Muskogee Chamber of Commerce as the Program Director for a number of years and worked there while doing the morning show at Okie Country 101.7. Before her job with the Chamber, Katey was a banker and worked in several financial institutions. She attended Northeastern State University and the University of Tulsa and has a Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration with Finance Major.
Katey currently serves on the Board of Directors for Monarch, Inc., Advisory Board of Directors member for W.I.S.H., Inc. and is Vice Chair of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, Board of Directors. Her love of music, radio and voiceovers has driven her passion to maintain a studio in her home to complete auditions for voice acting jobs all over the world.
Katey likes to have fun traveling to obscure places, watching and listening live music, running and collecting unusual items, including shoes and musical instruments. She has two children, Wesley (wife Leslie) and Grace. Her family includes two dogs, Doug the weiner dog and Watson the labradoodle
Tony Corbell
To say that Tony Corbell has had an interesting career would an understatement. In his more the 40 years in photography, he has photographed some of the world's most recognized faces including three US presidents, 185 world leaders at the United Nations, fashion models, celebrities, NASA astronauts and more. Coming from his beginnings in a small west Texas town studio, he has photographed and taught photographic skills/workshops in more than 20 countries as well as in all fifty US states.
Tony is as known for his educational efforts as his published photographic works. He has conducted more than 700 workshops and seminars to sold out audiences for more than twenty-five years in London, Scotland, Ireland, Toronto, Vancouver, Mexico, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Dubai, Trinidad/Tobago, Germany, Greece, Sweden, and Nova Scotia on the technical aspects of lighting and lighting control. His books on the topics of light have sold internationally since 2000 and his video tutorials have surpassed more than three million views. He is currently featured on www.ppa.com/edu as well as www.kelbyone.com and his classes are very popular on www.creativelive.com alongside the world’s leading photographers, instructors and authors. He is also a featured artist at www.epson.com in a segment called In Celebration of the Black and White Print. Tony has published 4 books with three more in the works and has written articles in literally every major photographic magazine in the U.S., Japan, U.K., and China.
Today Tony lives and works in Muskogee, Oklahoma alongside his wife, Master Photographer Mandy Lynn. When asked what he is most known for, he usually says “being just about the biggest Beatles fan in the world.”
Martha Gibson has been a congressional liaison for the Veterans Administration for 18 years. She was classically trained in piano as a young girl and still enjoys playing today. She and her husband enjoy concerts, traveling, and dinner with friends as often as possible.
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