Let it rock: Way clear for official state song
BY BARBARA HOBEROCK World Capitol Bureau
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Senate on Tuesday passed a
measure to create an official state
rock 'n' roll song.
House Concurrent Resolution
1047, by Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush
Springs, and Sen. John Ford, R-Bartlesville, directs the Oklahoma Historical Society to host a Web site and
have polling locations to allow the
public to nominate songs. The Web
site can be accessed at www.tulsaworld.com/staterocksong.
The song must be written or performed by an Oklahoman to be eligible, according to the Web site.
The resolution notes that Oklahoma has "many exceptional rock-and-roll performers and song writers and
no official Rock and Roll Song has
been adopted."
Nominations so far include "Oklahoma Swing" by Reba McIntire and
Vince Gill, "You Dropped a Bomb on
Me" by the Gap Band, "Oklahoma
Nights" by Jimmy Webb, and "Nev
er Been to Spain" by Three Dog
Night.
"It helps promote the history and
influence of music in Oklahoma,"
Ford said.
Ford said there is a high level of
interest among the public regarding
the selection of an official rock song.
The Oklahoma History Center
will celebrate the state's rock 'n' roll
heritage in an exhibit called "Another Hot Oklahoma Night," set to open
in 2009.
"The suggestions have already
been rolling in, with people wanting
to nominate songs by Oklahoma artists including The Flaming Lips,
Hoyt Axton and Leon Russell," Dorman said. "There are a lot of great
tunes from Oklahoma and about
Oklahoma. This gives us a great opportunity to showcase those artists
and let the public help us celebrate
our rock and roll heritage."
Barbara Hoberock (405) 528-2465
barbara.hoberock@tulsaworld.com
What happens
Now: Nominations for official
state rock ’n’ roll song can be
made online at www.tulsaworld.
com/staterocksong. Song must
be written or performed by an
Oklahoman.
August: A panel of experts will
pick 10 songs from the nominations.
Sept. 1 to Nov. 15: The public
will vote on the official song.
Next year: Song presented to the
Legislature for consideration.
