For Immediate Release: May 26, 2010

Senate Approves Resolution Encouraging Creation of State Music Trail

The State Senate approved a resolution Wednesday supporting the establishment of an Oklahoma Music Trail. Sen. Earl Garrison, author of SR 129, said such a trail would be of great benefit to state tourism and economic development.

"Oklahoma has a rich musical history filled with award winning song writers, singers and many others," said Garrison, D-Muskogee. "I can’t think of a better way to honor those musicians’ creativity and contributions than by creating a trail with sites highlighting their lives, careers and musical achievements."

The resolution suggests that a group of music historians and scholars develop an inventory of the most notable musical sites within the state that would be of interest to the public. The specific site locations would focus on those musicians born in the state or who spent a substantial part of their musical career in Oklahoma. The sites would be places of significance with respect to Oklahoma's musical heritage, including, but not limited to, residences, commercial buildings or other structures.

Garrison pointed out that the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum would the logical entity to oversee the creation and administrative support of the trail.

"Our Music Hall of Fame has helped showcase Oklahoma’s musical talent and has been tremendously successful in drawing tourists from all over the world to our state," said Garrison. "Creating a music trail would allow those same people and many more the ability to see firsthand where musicians grew up, went to school and mastered their talent. It would help boost tourism in so many of our towns and cities as people traveled to learn more about their favorite musicians. I’m very excited about this project and hope that we can make it a reality in the near future.”

For more information, contact:
Sen. Garrison: (405) 521-5533