As emcee of past Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, veteran radio personality Billy Parker eloquently praised the accomplishments of opera singers and country swingers.

Parker was one of four inductees for 2005. Others were country star Toby Keith, guitarist Tommy Allsup and Tulsa dance hall, the Cain's Ballroom.

"Part of me wishes I were the emcee tonight," he said before accepting his award. "But nervous as I am today, I'm not sure I can emcee. To be honored by the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame is something I can't explain. It's something that I cannot put into words."

It was only when Parker accepted the award and was able to pass his gratitude to others that he opened up. He told how proud he was to see 2005 American Idol winner and Checotah native Carrie Underwood, who made a surprise stop to accept the Hall of Fame's Rising Star Award.

"KVOO stands for Voice Of Oklahoma, and Billy Parker is that voice," Wooley said. "Hearing him is like you're sitting there having a cup of coffee with him."

"One of my children was born when I was working at Cain's Ballroom, and I had to stop what I was doing and go to the pink hospital in south Tulsa, Saint Francis," he said.

"What Cain's represented to blue collar people who worked in the oil fields or the farms, it was the place to be on Saturday night," former Cain's owner Larry Schaeffer said.

"Tulsa - Oklahoma - needs the Cain's," Rodgers said. "We had to make it bigger, better, safer. And we will continue to make it the same hallowed place that it is."

In 1958, Allsup's skill at guitar attracted the attention of Buddy Holly. After Holly died in the 1959 plane crash, Allsup went on to perform with Wills, Willie Nelson and Vickie Carr. He still plays western swing guitar.

"I love his music, and I love his stage presence," said Margie Phipps, 79, of Richardson, Texas. "I love the fact that he is not afraid to talk about his faith, and he is a strong family man."

"I've performed 60 shows oversees for the military," he said. "Nothing makes me prouder than to be in Baghdad performing for 800 Marines and seeing someone hold up Oklahoma signs."

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