The Oakridge Boys were on hand to honor their long-time manager, Jim Halsey, during the unveiling of “Jim Halsey Way.”
Halsey, who has managed some of the biggest names in country music, was the man of the hour Thursday at the OKPOP Museum as they unveiled a street named after him. The street, Easton Street, runs next to the OKPOP Museum and directly into the Cain’s Ballroom, putting it smack dab in the middle of the Tulsa music experience.
“When you use the term impresario, which is what we use with Jim, it’s somebody that is in the music industry that makes things happen,” said Ken Busby, Executive Director of Route 66 Alliance. “This is the guy that in the 50s, 60s, 70s is really making things happen.”
Several of the Oakridge Boys spoke, and William Lee Golden said, “He got our first recording contract to do a country album, and he’s got every contract that we’ve had since then. All the contracts with Oak Ridge Boys have all come through Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Jim Halsey.”
Halsey said he was blessed and grateful to God, his family, and the artists he’s worked with.
“This is a city of energy, and that’s what I have lived for my entire life is taking the energy that is there for us, that we can work with, build things, help other people, help other items of commerce and spiritual values, and build ourselves,” Halsey said.
