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Music Trail Milestones

Wallace WillisThe Choctaw freedman writes the iconic spiritual tune "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."

1840s

Deep DeuceThe Oklahoma City district becomes a regional jazz hot spot.

1930s

Zoo AmphitheatreUnder the Works Projects Administration, construction begins on this iconic venue.

1933

Bob WillsKVOO tests Wills with a one-hour trial broadcast at midnight, launching a decade-long radio career for him and the Texas Playboys.

1934

D.C. MinnerThe blues legend is born in Rentiesville, Oklahoma.

1935

Charlie ChristianChristian picks up an electric guitar for the first time, changing music history forever.

1937

Woody GuthrieRCA Victor records Guthrie's first commercial album, "Dust Bowl Ballads."

1940

B.J. ThomasThomas is born in Hugo, Oklahoma.

1942

Albert BrumleyAlbert Brumley opens Albert E. Brumley & Sons Music and starts publishing his own songbooks.

1944

Gene AutryThe town of Berwyn, Oklahoma changes its name to Gene Autry.

1948

Patti Page"Tennessee Waltz" is released and later becomes a top-selling single in country music history.

1950

Mae Boren AxtonElvis Presley hears Axton's "Heartbreak Hotel" for the first time at a Nashville radio convention.

1955

Chet Baker"Chet Baker Sings" is released by Pacific Jazz Records, the first album for the "cool jazz" trumpeter.

1956

Sheb WooleyIn 1958, Sheb's novelty song, "Purple People Eater" became a huge hit, selling over three million copies and topping the US Charts for six weeks.

1958

Wanda Jackson"Let's Have a Party" plays on a Des Moines radio station, launching it to nationwide success.

1960

Roger Miller"King of the Road" climbs to the top of country and pop charts.

1965

Jesse Ed DavisDavis plays guitar on The Monkees hit "Last Train to Clarksville."

1966

Jody MillerJody received a Grammy award for her performance of the song, "Queen of the House."

1966-01-16

Conway TwittyThe "Hello Darlin'" crooner opens Twitty Burger restaurant in Oklahoma City.

1968

Muskogee Civic CenterMerle Haggard famously records "Okie from Muskogee" at the venue.

1969

Roy ClarkAward-winning variety show "Hee Haw" hits the airwaves.

1969

Hoyt Axton"Joy to the World," penned by Hoyt and released by Three Dog Night, spends six straight weeks at No. 1.

1971

JJ CaleThe album "Naturally" is released and fans fall in love with "Crazy Mama."

1972

The Church StudioThe historic building was purchased by Leon Russell and turned into a recording studio.

1972

Leon RussellThe artist is named the Top Concert Attraction of the Year by Billboard Magazine.

1973

Leona MitchellThe Metropolitan Opera debuts Mitchell as Mizaela in Bizet's "Carmen."

1975

Elvin BishopBishop's hit "Fooled Around and Fell in Love" is released.

1976

Cain's BallroomSid Vicious famously punches a hole in the wall at Cain's while playing with the Sex Pistols.

1978

Sandi PattyPatty accepts the Dove Award for Gospel Artist of the Year.

1982

The Gap BandThe group wows fans with the funk hit "You Dropped a Bomb on Me."

1982

Coleman TheatreColeman Theatre earned its spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

1983

Vince GillGill teams up with fellow Oklahoman Reba McEntire to release "Oklahoma Swing."

1989

Reba McEntire"Sweet Sixteen" spends 16 weeks at No.1 on the Billboard country albums chart.

1989

Garth BrooksFans buy half a million copies of Garth's single "The Dance" in only six months.

1989

Ronnie Dunn"Boot Scootin' Boogie" wins Single of the Year at the CMA Awards.

1992

The Blue DoorThe Blue Door hosts its first live music performance.

1993

Toby KeithThe town of Moore renames Eastern Avenue after the country star the year after "Should've Been a Cowboy" is released.

1994

MercyMeBart, Jim and Mike move to Oklahoma City and take up residence in an abandoned daycare that also serves as the band’s makeshift studio.

1994

Byron BerlineByron Berline moved back to Guthrie, Oklahoma where he put down his musical roots.

1995

Bryan WhiteIn 1996, the rising Nashville star was recognized by both the Country Music Association with the Horizon Award and the Academy of Country Music with the Top Male Vocalist Award.

1996

HansonThe group becomes an instant hit when "MMMBop" launches to the top of the charts.

1997

Wayman TisdaleHis third studio album, "Decisions," debuts on the same day he retires from the NBA.

1998

American Banjo MuseumThe American Banjo Museum is founded in Guthrie as The National Four-String Banjo Hall of Fame Museum.

1998

Megan MullallyMullally releases her first album, "Sweetheart Break-In," with Supreme Music Program.

1999

Kristin ChenowethHer role in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" wins the star a Tony Award.

1999

All-American RejectsTyson Ritter and Nick Wheeler form the band in Stillwater.

2000

Kelli O'HaraO'Hara makes her Broadway debut in "Jekyll & Hyde."

2000

Ryan TedderTedder creates the band OneRepublic, naming the group after his old dorm at Tulsa's ORU.

2002

Kellie CoffeyRiding high on the success of her hit record, "When You Lie Next to Me," Kellie Coffey was awarded Top New Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music in 2003.

2003

Carrie Underwood"American Idol" names Underwood their Season 4 winner.

2005

BOK CenterThe BOK Center opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Hanson and Garth Brooks.

2008-08-30

Kings of LeonThe group accepts a Grammy Award for "Use Somebody."

2010

Joe Don RooneyRascal Flatts officially joins the Grand Ole Opry, after a surprise invite from one of Joe Don Rooney's personal heroes, Vince Gill.

2011

Tom SkinnerTom Skinner releases his self-titled album, which was recorded in Ada.

2012

The Swon BrothersThe Swon Brothers take home a third place finish in Season 4 of "The Voice."

2013

John FullbrightJohn Fullbright is nominated for Best Americana Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

2013

Blake Shelton"Bringing Back the Sunshine" features the Ada water tower on the cover.

2014

Taylor DyeTaylor Dye and Maddie Marlow make their Grand Ole Opry debut as country duo Maddie & Tae.

2014

St. VincentIn 2014, St. Vincent won her first Grammy Award for the Best Alternative Music Album.

2014

Turnpike TroubadoursThe band's self-titled album peaks at number 17 on Billboard 200.

2015

John MorelandJohn Moreland's appearance as the musical guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert helped launch his career into the national spotlight.

2016

Jimmy LaFaveLaFave was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame alongside Carl Belew, musician-actor Rodney Lay, the Red Dirt Rangers, David Teegarden, Sr. and singer-harmonica player Jimmy “Junior” Markham.

2017

Tulsa, OK

Kenny Wayne Shepherd in Concert

Oklahoma City, OK

Eric Church in Concert

Tulsa, OK

Excision in Concert

Oklahoma City, OK

Nine Inch Nails in Concert

Tulsa, OK

Heart in Concert

Thackerville, OK

Tower Theatre presents: Bieber Night

Oklahoma City, OK

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra in Concert

Stillwater, OK

Feb 27, 2026 - Feb 28, 2026

OKC Philharmonic Orchestra presents: Classical Mystery Tour

Oklahoma City, OK

Oklahoma City, OK

Christopher Cross in Concert

Norman, OK

51 June in Concert

Oklahoma City, OK

Pat Green in Concert

Tulsa, OK

Black Label Society in Concert

Oklahoma City, OK

Dr. Milton Fernández Peña in Concert

Tulsa, OK

Jazz at Lincoln Center in Concert

Edmond, OK

Dwight Yoakam in Concert

Durant, OK

Oklahoma City, OK

Diana Ross in Concert

Thackerville, OK

Signature Symphony presents: Route 66 to Hollywood

Tulsa, OK

Dine with Boarte Piano Trio

Tulsa, OK

Round Barn Rendezvous

Arcadia, OK

Boarte Piano Trio in Concert

Tulsa, OK

Bob Wills Day at the Capitol

Oklahoma City, OK

KenTheMan in Concert

Oklahoma City, OK