The sold-out “Boys From Oklahoma” concert series in Stillwater next month is billed as a celebration of Red Dirt music and a reunion for Cross Canadian Ragweed after 15 years apart.
But, it got a little more special this week thanks to an announcement from the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
Four of the featured acts that weekend — Cross Canadian Ragweed, Jason Boland and The Stragglers, The Great Divide and Stoney LaRue — will be inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
“It’s almost overwhelming how many great musicians, singers, and songwriters we have here in Oklahoma,” Tony Corbell, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, said. “These four inductees exemplify the heart and soul of Oklahoma’s music scene.”
The new inductees are some of the biggest acts in the Red Dirt genre:
Cross Canadian Ragweed – Formed in Yukon in 1994, Cross Canadian Ragweed became one of the most influential country and rock bands in Oklahoma. Known for their role in shaping the Red Dirt music movement, the band consists of Cody Canada, Grady Cross, Randy Ragsdale, and Jeremy Plato. With hits like “17,” “Alabama,” and “Anywhere But Here,” they gained widespread popularity. They went on hiatus in 2010 and announced their reunion in the fall of 2024.
Jason Boland & The Stragglers – In 1999, with the release of Pearl Snaps, Jason Boland and The Stragglers became one of the most successful bands in the Red Dirt and Texas country music scenes. In 2002, they released their first live album, Live and Lit at Billy Bob’s Texas. Their 2004 album High in the Rockies was recorded over four days of live shows, and in June 2024, they released Live from Cain’s Ballroom. Their concept album The Light Saw Me was produced by Shooter Jennings, the son of country legend Waylon Jennings. With 10 studio albums and three live albums, Jason Boland and The Stragglers have become one of the most sought-after bands in the industry today.
The Great Divide – Formed more than 30 years ago, The Great Divide were one of the first bands from Stillwater to sign a major record deal. They reunited as a band in 2011 and, in 2022, recorded a new album in Providence. Songwriter and front man Mike McClure was previously inducted in the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2022. The Great Divide made their Grand Old Opry debut in July 2024.
Stoney LaRue – For more than 20 years, Stoney LaRue has traveled the country, playing sold-out shows and showcasing the styles that helped make Red Dirt music a renowned genre. He has toured consistently, playing around 200 shows per year, coupled with albums charting on Billboard and videos featured on CMT. With over one million albums and singles sold, LaRue has become a key figure in country music. He has also collaborated with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Miranda Lambert and Lee Ann Womack, and performed at the Grand Ole Opry.
Previous Red Dirt inductees into the Hall include The Turnpike Troubadours (2022), Randy Crouch (2022), Mike McClure (2022), Red Dirt Rangers (2017), Jimmy LaFave (2017), Tom Skinner (2015) and Bob Childers (2008).
The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame was created by the state legislature in 1996, with a stated goal to honor, preserve and promote the music heritage of Oklahoma. The hall based in Muskogee has inducted more than 144 members.
This year’s inductions will take place during the run of concerts in Stillwater on April 10-13.
