Authorization:
Created in response to a 1996 State of Oklahoma House Concurrent Resolution
Primary criteria for induction:
- Nominees should have been born in Oklahoma, lived in Oklahoma for part of their life or career, or operated their musical enterprise in Oklahoma.
- Nominees for the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame should have demonstrated accomplishments in the field of music nationally, or extremely significant accomplishments in the field of music within the state of Oklahoma.
- Nominees are eligible 20 years after their first musical release or noted first national prominence.
- Non-performers, songwriters, and recording and/or touring musicians are eligible 20 years after their first documented professional musical activity. These inductions have a three year-rotation.
- Tribal entities are inducted every fourth year, starting with the indigenous tribes of Oklahoma, and subsequently following the established historical dates of the tribes’ arrivals in Indian Territory.
Categories for induction:
- Folk
- Blues
- Country
- Jazz
- R&B
- Rock
- Pop
- Hip Hop/Rap
- Broadway
- Religious
- Classical
- Other Categories: Contemporary Native American, New Age, Hispanic, et al.
- Instrumentalist/Session Musician
- Songwriter
- Non-Performer (broadcasters, promoters, educators, authors/journalists, producers, venues)