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Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Muskogee, OK

News

Frisco Live presents Mountain Smoke, Bonham Revue and Jana Jae In Concert

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 18, 2008

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Beth Seim, Director
Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Inc.
401 S. 3rd Street
P. O. Box 3221
Muskogee, OK 74402
Phone: 918-687-0800
Fax: 918-687-0900
E-Mail: okmusic@omhof.com

Frisco Live

The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and Museum presents "Frisco Live" sponsored by the Oklahoma Arts Council, a night of bluegrass and country music on Saturday, July 19, at the Frisco Depot in Muskogee. Appearing will be two veteran groups from Oklahoma City; Mountain Smoke and The Bonham Revue, along with Jana Jae of Grove.

Spanning four decades, Mountain Smoke is original, unpredictable, and their audiences are as varied as the music they will encounter. Built with elements of country and folk, the power of newgrass, and the sweet flow of mountain ballads, the music is timeless. As songwriters and musicians, they remain on the leading edge of acoustic music.

Featuring Jimmy Gyles, National Mandolin Champion, Two-time National Flat-Picking Champion, and Fiddle Champion and world class Banjo Champion Billy Perry, Mountain Smoke has been twice selected "Oklahoma's Favorite Band" by the reader's poll in the 'Daily Oklahoman', and "Oklahoma's Best Country Band" by the 'Oklahoma Gazette' Music Awards.
Former members of Mountain Smoke include Oklahoma's favorite son, Vince Gill and banker, bluegrasser and diamond dealer, Max Boydstun.

Playing a mixture of their original songs, and music they have adapted to their unique style, Mountain Smoke will take you on a musical journey. With a smile, they will tell you, "We have played at the White House in Washington D.C., to the Round Barn in Arcadia, Oklahoma and most everywhere in between."

In addition to performing for Presidents Gerald Ford, George Bush, Jimmy Carter, and every Oklahoma Governor since 1973, the band's list of performance credits reads like a who's who in bluegrass and country music.

The Bonham Revue, a member of the Oklahoma Arts Council Touring Roster, is carrying on a family tradition of bluegrass entertainment for over 35 years. Front man Virgil Bonham began in the early 1970's with Bill Grant, Delia Bell and the Kiamichi Mountain Boys before moving on to Signal Mountain Bluegrass and The Bonham Brothers in the 1980's. In 1992, he established The Bonham Revue to carry on the rich family bluegrass tradition started by his father and uncles in the 1960's. David Bonham, one of the most talented guitar players in the country, was a member of the 1970's Bluegrass Revue with many members of the Mountain Smoke band. Muskogee resident/banjoist Jim Blair and bassist Cliff Parrett have been performing with Virgil since 1986. Rounding out the Bonham Revue are Virgil's children, Shilah, Brittney, and Hunter, and David's sister, Tina. In 2004, The Bonham Revue became the first American bluegrass band to be invited to Country Fest in Schleusingen, Germany, one of the largest country music festivals in Europe.

Jana Jae, "The First Lady of Country Fiddle" will be joining Mountain Smoke and Bonham Revue at "Frisco Live". At the age of 5, Jana, who had already become amazingly adept on her 1/8 sized violin, moved with her mother to western Idaho. It was here that she was first introduced to country fiddling by her grandfather, an old-timer fiddler, who taught Jana countless fiddle tunes by ear. Before long, Jana began entering the National Old-time Fiddlers' Contest in nearby Weiser, Idaho, where she won the Ladies' National Championship several times. Today, her unique blend of country fiddling, western swing and classical styles have continued to thrill and excite audiences internationally. She is often a soloist with symphony orchestras as well as playing country concerts at fairs, conventions, and on television. She has consistently proved her ability to cross over into other genres of such acclaimed events as the Montreauz Jazz Festival in Switzerland, the Wembley Festival in England, and the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

"Frisco Live" tickets will be available at $15 each beginning Tuesday, July 1st at Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, 401 S. 3rd Street, Muskogee, Oklahoma, or by calling 918-687-0800. Doors open at 6:45pm, concert starts at 7:30pm.
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