Jim Halsey exhibit to open Friday in Oklahoma City
BY JENNIFER CHANCELLOR World Scene Writer
Sunday, January 13, 2013
1/13/13 at 4:05 AM
Tulsa-based music impresario Jim Halsey will get his own exhibit at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum in Oklahoma City.
It will be hosted in the Tulsa World Gallery starting Friday through April 5.
The exhibit, "Starmaker: Jim Halsey and the Legends of Country Music," debuted in 2010 with an all-star opening at the Oklahoma History Center. It showcases the storied life of the music promoter, featuring more than 60 years of memorabilia.
Born in Independence, Kan., in 1930, Halsey began promoting concerts while still in high school. He formed Jim Halsey Co. Talent Agency in 1951 in Oklahoma with his first client, Hank Thompson.
Halsey made an impact on the careers of musicians including Waylon Jennings, Reba McEntire, Minnie Pearl, Clint Black, Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakam, Conway Twitty, Leon Russell, The Judds, Willie Nelson and Bob Wills.
"Even in the late 1950s, we were pioneering Southeast Asia and the European markets with Wanda Jackson and Hank Thompson," Halsey said in a statement. "Our specialty was taking country music to locations and venues where it had never been presented before."
At its height, the Jim Halsey Co. was the largest country music agency in the world. He still works with musicians Roy Clark and the Oak Ridge Boys. He helped launch Wanda Jackson's career and was the first to take Roy Orbison's and Roy Clark's all-American sound behind the Iron Curtain.
"Starmaker: Jim Halsey and the Legends of Country Music" was produced by the Oklahoma History Center. The exhibit includes gold and platinum albums presented to Halsey artists, photos and stage clothing. On display are guitars from Halsey's collections signed by artists such as BB King, Bob Dylan and Eric Clapton.
The opening reception will be 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, 1400 Classen Drive in Oklahoma City. The reception is open to the public, free for Oklahoma Heritage Association and museum members and $5 for nonmembers.
RSVP to Corie Baker at 405-523-3206 or email clb@oklahomaheritage.com.
Original Print Headline: Halsey exhibit to return
Jennifer Chancellor 918-581-8346
jennifer.chancellor@tulsaworld.com
