2021 OK Blues Hall of Fame Inductees

The Burton Band is an entertainment fixture in Oklahoma City and one of the classical rolex replica uk premiere bands in the State of Oklahoma. Charles and Barbara Burton have been playing music together for over 40 years. Charles, the band’s lead guitarist and vocalist, has played with Gladys Knight and the Pips, as well as on the Tom Jones Show. Barbara was featured with the Jazz Messengers and recognized at the 15th Annual Granny Awards. She has also played with Roger Miller and Brenda Lee. The couple has opened for Nancy Wilson, Della Reese and replica watch uk outlet Vic Damone. The Burton Band also features Charles and Barbara’s son, Tre, the group’s drummer.

Charles and Barbara are Tulsa natives and graduates of Booker T. Washington High School. Charles also worked as a principal at Gateway Elementary in Oklahoma City, and Barbara as a physics and biology teacher at Douglas High School.

A friend of Doc Blues who was inducted several years ago. A dynamic and beloved guitarist /vocalist who held down steady dates at Doc Blues’s Club called Mojo in Bricktown twice a week for many years. His daughter Lauren Watkins is keeping his memory alive

Otis Watkins was a self taught musician who learned to play guitar by the age of 8. He was born in Richmond, CA but lived his life in Oklahoma. He started his music career in the late 60s at the Red Dog Saloon in Oklahoma City. He was only 14 at the time. From there he gained extreme popularity throughout the state and started performing at other local clubs like the Longbranch Saloon and Samurai Sake House. He was a part of several different bands throughout his career such as The Smiley Brothers Quartet, Nadz, Bushdoctors, Duke Jupiter and The Otis Watkins Band. 

In the mid 80s, Otis moved to Austin, TX to pursue more in the music industry. He signed a record deal with Capital records with his then band, Duke Jupiter. After a few years in Austin, he moved back to OKC to work on and complete his album “Otified”, which debuted in 1992, under an independent record label, Lunacy Records. Hit songs from that album include “Fat Chance”, “Break My Heart”, “You are My Chance” and a re-make of a Blood Sweat and Tears song “I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know”. His music has been featured on KATT-FM in OKC as well as KSDI-FM in Stillwater and KMOF-FM in Tulsa. In 1989 he won best guitar player in the second Annual Oklahoma Gazette Music Awards Competition as selected by fans in the Oklahoma City area. The Otis Watkins band also earned best rhythm and blues band for Oklahoma in 1993 and 1994 by the Oklahoma Gazette. Otis and his band were one of two bands chosen to represent the United States in 1995 at an international festival in Europe. During this tour he performed at venues in Budapest Hungary and Vienna, Austria and was the first American to perform live music in Slovenia. 

He has opened for artists like The Georgia Satellites, Def Leppard, Koko Taylor, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Chick Corea, Head East, Steppenwolf, Arc Angels and The Kentucky Headhunters. He has also played along with fellow musicians such as Jeff Healy, Vince Gill, Johnny Lang, John Butcher, Jim Dandy, and Frank Zappa. During his later career he performed at venues like The Motherload in Red River, NM, The Bricktown Blues Festival in Oklahoma City,  Mojos and many more. 

Otis was known to play loud and captivated his crowd with his charismatic presence on stage. His deep gravel voice and guitar style epitomized true blues/rock style but most importantly his devotion and astounding ability to wail on the guitar has influenced numerous other musicians. His legacy will live on through his music and the many people he inspired throughout his career

Joe Modica started gigging in Parsons, Kansas in 1967. He moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1979, playing with Flash Terry, Glenn R. Townsend, and Smilin’ Vic, among others.

Joe formed The REAL Band in 1989. He’s played with Redbone, Rufus Thomas, Nappy Brown, and continues to play with blues and rock bands in and around Tulsa.

Worked faithfully in the Flash Terry band as a guitarist for many years. After Flash’s death he formed the Kevin Phariss band, keeping the Flash Terry musicians working, playing around the region.

Kevin Phariss was born, with his twin Kenny, on January 12, 1959, to Floyd & Virginia Phariss and siblings; Michael, Paul and Julia. The family lived in Tulsa until the mid – 70’s when they moved to Bixby.

Like many musicians Kevin participated in band; where he played tuba and was a Drum Major. And of course, learned his love for music. He fiddled with a guitar there and was given his first guitar by his brother-in-law, Jim Mitchell.  A 12 string, which he played as a 6 string!

Kevin was influenced by the music of the 60’s & 70’s. He has always respected and admired Eric Clapton and Keb Mo.

On June 21, 1980, Kevin married Laurie E. Durk (nee), they have two beloved children, Sarah, 28 and Sean, 26. 

From 1978 till the early 80’s he played in Rhondo with lead guitarist Dee Ray of Atoka, Ok. From the mid 80’s to 92 he was with Phil Tower & Happy Hour with lead guitarist Brad Absher. From 1992 till mid 2003 he was a member of Flash Terry & the Uptown Blues Band, who performed over many years at The Dusk to Dawn Festival.  After Flash’s death in 2003 he became part of Steve White and Super Groove. In 2005 he formed The Kevin Phariss Band. In 2006 his band won the Blues Challenge in Tulsa. During the 2000’s Kevin ran the Sunday Jam at The Cimarron Bar where he gave many musicians the opportunity to get up on stage and learn their chops

Received Best Rhythm Player from the Tulsa Blues Society in 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Kevin suffered a stroke on December 29, 2009 and has not performed since. 

Originally from Memphis, Tenn., Morris McCraven Jr. moved to Oklahoma City after graduating from Langston University in 1963. Morris attended Langston University on a four-year band scholarship, where he earned two degrees in both Music Education and Elementary Education. After graduating, he taught in the Oklahoma City Public School System from 1965 to 1970. While teaching, Morris also became a graduate of the Life Underwriters Training Counsel (LUTC) in 1975 where he went on to become an insurance agent with Prudential Insurance Co. and Farmers Insurance Group from 1970 to 1984. He has been working as an independent insurance/broker from 1984 to present.

Although teaching and insurance became Morris’ career over the years, they never replaced his passion for music. Morris began playing the saxophone at the tender age of 12. And over the past 60+ years he has performed with many different bands. His early years included playing with Preacher Smith, The Fantastics, The Freedom Riders (of which 2 of the members went on to play with Tower of Power, Santana, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Isley Brothers and Milly Jackson). Morris was also a member of The Soul Messengers who were invited to the 15th annual Grammy Awards in Nashville Tenn. in 1973. His later years included playing with Hart & Soul, Bottom Line Transaction, Albert King, Hank Marr, Jay McShan, The Burton Band and Shortt Dogg. In 1996, Morris won the International Blues Contest in Memphis Tenn. with Smilin Vic and the Soul Monkeys Band and toured the Caribbean playing on the famed “Blues Cruise”. He has also performed on behalf of Blac Inc. for the Oklahoma City Counsel and several of our city’s Mayors starting with Mayor Andy Coats to kick off the Charlie Christian Jazz Festival.

After performing as a band member for most of his career, in February 2009, Morris released his first self-titled album and was invited to perform at Jazz in June in Norman, Oklahoma. His CD was released on Lunacy Records – Studio 7 in Oklahoma City and features many of the Soul & Jazz classics that have defined his career. Morris continues to play with several bands but is now a stand-alone musician who freelances and plays with multiple bands upon request. He is currently working as an Artist in Residence at Friends Bar & Grill Dance Club with The Clique as well as at the Embassy Suites with The Burton Band.

Listening to the sweet sounds of Morris’ musical capabilities, where he plays so effortlessly on the alto and tenor saxophone, is literally called “music to my ears”. His musical gift and talent of playing has moved all ages, all races, all of his life and all in the name of his passion: Music.

Kenny has been playing piano and bass guitar for more than 40 years.  He attended Settlement Music School of Philadelphia, PA., majoring in music theory.  Playing with many local bands and DJ’ing in Philadelphia as a teen, Kenny decided to further his communication skills after high school and joined the US Navy.  While in the Navy he played with numerous Navy bands and traveled abroad.  He had the honor of teaching all the music for the US Air Force Tops and Blues touring musical show (tryouts) for personnel at San Vito AFB, Italy.

After military service, he returned to Philadelphia and formed his own band “Back In Action”, with musicians he grew up with and toured the Philadelphia area playing for different venues.  While traveling, he met more musicians and his name began to precede him.  Before long he was asked to play with numerous groups at the same time, which opened the door for him to start playing behind recording artists.  He was placed as Music Director for groups such as: The Tymes “So Much In Love” & “Wonderful Wonderful”, The Coasters ” Charlie Brown”, & “Poison Ivy”, The Drifters “Under The Boardwalk” & “White Christmas”,  Brotherly Love “Traveling On”.  He also played with Philly Cream, The Ingram Brothers, Vicki Austin, and Niaobi.  Having the pleasure of sitting in on keyboards with Tiny Tim “Tip Toe Through the Tulips”, Billy Paul “Me & Mrs. Jones”, Archie Bell and the Drells “Tighten Up”, and a host of oldie groups, just to name a few.  He’s performed at such prominent venues as: Radio City Music Hall NYC., Apollo Theater, Casinos in Atlantic City, Mississippi, Louisiana, Las Vegas, Jackpot NV, Oklahoma, numerous Civic Centers, Theaters, and Clubs across the USA including numerous tours overseas.  He’s written and recorded numerous songs alone and collaborations such as: “Stop the Violence”, “Come To Me” which are still played on East Coast Radio Stations. After moving to Oklahoma, Kenny became Minister of Music for Union Baptist Church Wagoner, OK over 13 years, and First Baptist Summit, OK over 3 years. He also formed the Muskogee Community Choir and played with numerous bands such as: Shy Willy and the Blues Crew, Starr Fisher, Wallstreet, Fabian Ray & Bluefish, The Funky Mutha’s, and Crystal Clear.

He enjoyed a brief retirement from 2007 to 2013 from the band scene to focus on personal & family matters.  This came to an end on his 50th birthday party celebration.  After inviting a few old band members, Bronco, Daniel, Shy Willy, just to name a few.  He was once again attracted to entertaining the audience.  After deep considerations he and fellow musician Bronco began to form the band known today as D’Elegantz.  Kenny’s work ethics are second to none, which he expects from his Band members adopting the slogan “Music Isn’t Just Our Profession, It’s our Passion”.  Kenny’s hopes and desires are to entertain all races & age groups, which he shows with the musical selections his band performs.

I was born in Anadarko Oklahoma. I got my first guitar at age 11, an acoustic fell apart first day, mom took it back n came home with an electric guitar and amplifier! I was ready.

mom set up lessons for me an old country man I walked out more determined to learn by age 16 I was playing out one Sunday at the OKC blues society in the 90s. I met who would become the crosstown blues band. I recorded my first album with them. 5 songs I wrote got airplay on all the radio stations in Oklahoma, Dallas, up to Nebraska. opened for many big acts: Fabulous Thunderbirds, Gatemouth Brown, Bo Diddly, Bluesbreakers, Clarence Carter, to name a few.

Elmore James sent me down the blues path after hearing “hurts me too” I was definitely hooked for life. I’ve lived the life of a bluesman, didn’t know it till I was older looking back. along the way met very nice people looking forward to recording in Lubbock Texas with Buddy Holly’s family.

Dycie Lorraine (Bryan) Funches was born in Oklahoma City, OK. She started singing at the age of 6yrs old, in the church choir at the First Baptist Church Of Kingfisher, OK. Today she is a seasoned veteran vocalist & performing artist with over 40+ years in the arts & entertainment business.

“Her Uncle the late Rev. R.T. Jackson was the pastor and her aunt the late Dycie B.Jackson was the choir director, and noticed young Dycie had the gift for singing and vocal performance at a very young age. She told her mother that I loved all different kinds of music That being the 60’s as a child sang gospel in the choir & The Motown Sound upstairs in her bedroom, *Dycie* Began Performing @ age 13 Her First Performance was during a talent show assembly, she was in the 7th grade, She sang “Killing Me Softly” A *Roberta Flack* Classic: *Dycie* Re-arranged it as a duet and performed an sang it with her friend, The late (*Pamela “Pam” Brooks*) While in Jr.High School, *Dycie* Began Writing Poetry & Even Won A Poetry Contest, She was in a play called “Paris To Rome” while still in Jr.High School, She Began Performing On Many Stages, It All Started Back In 75′ *Dycie* Began Performing & Honing Her Craft On Many Fall and Spring, Douglass High School *Talent Shows* She sang in the Concert Choir Under Her The Leadership Of Her Music Teacher & Mentor

*LEROY J.HICKS*/ He Encouraged Her To Open Up Her Mouth & Sing! *Dycie’s*First Taste Of Performing In Front Of A 1200 to 1400 Audience @ Douglass High School Auditorium: She Performed “Sweet Thing” A Rufus ft:Chaka Khan 70’s Classic: Where She Received A Standing Ovation!!!

And That’s When She Knew From That Moment On That Singing Was Her Musical Gift & Calling

At Just 14yrs old, In 76′ *Dycie* @ The Age Of 16 *Dycie* Portrayed The Role Of “Lady Day” *Billie Holiday* During BLACK HISTORY MONTH That Yr. She Literally Stepped Out Of The Pages Of History, ‘A Stage Prop” Built By Her Cousin *Gerald Davis* *Dycie* Performed The “Avant Garde” (Jazz/ Blues) Classics: “God Bless The Child” & “Stormy Weather” In Stage Play Production “FROM AFRICA 2 AMERICA” @ THE OLD MACFARLAND BRANCH YWCA IN OKLAHOMA, CITY OKLAHOMA// *SYLVIA DRIGGIN* 1ST MISS BLACK OF OKLAHOMA!!! Wrote The Production & Was The Activities Director There: As Fate Would Have It, *Dycie* Met A Man.Name *Ike Kimbro* Jr.

He Was The Nephew Of The Late *Evelyn’ LaRue Pittman* She Was An Educator/ Teacher/Music Teacher/ Playwright/ And Composer/ Which Led To An Audition For The Off Broadway Stage Play & Muscal Production

“FREEDOMS CHILD” Based On The Life Of *Dr.Martin Luther King* (A Drum Major For Justice) *Dycie* Went To Europe In The Summer Of 78′ With The Stage Play!!! Touring London, England and Glascow, Scotland/ And Other Cities In These 2 Countries, Upon Returning To The USA, *Dycie* Performed The Role Of *Coretta Scott King* In White Plains,NY

(She was Originally The Understudy, But As Fate Would Have It & “Ms.Evelyn” Felt That *Dycie* Could Step Up And Portray *Coretta*)

And Perform & Sing “Brother Martin Spread His Wings” An Original Composition Written By The Playwright & Director: *Evelyn LaTue Pittman*

After Graduating From DHS, *Dycie* Began Performing As Lead Female Vocalist For Many Top Local Bands! Through Out 80’s & 90’s Into The Early 2000’s/ Performing For Many Gala Events! Festivals! Private Venues! Which Led To Being An Opening Act For Many R&B International Recording Artists: Both *Dycie* & Her Husband *Larry “FANTASTICK” Funches* A Seasoned Veteren Percussionist/ Drummer Have Opened Live In Concert For R&B Music Legends Bobby Womack, Dennis Edwards (Formerly of The Temptations), Betty Wright, Natalie Cole, Rose Royce, Bobby Blue Bland, and Keith Sweat, just to name a few.

She’s Been Quoted As Saying That Music Is Like The Very “Air That She Breathes”// And That Singing & Performing Live Feels Like OXYGEN TO HER SOUL!!!!!

Educator who worked at Millwood Public Schools as the band teacher, later the principal The band room he worked bears his name as he had so many extremely accomplished students over the years.

Vocalist and guitarist for several OK bands, including The Now, Masterpiece, Bottom Line Transaction (BLT), and the Music Makers. He attended Langston University on a full band scholarship, He received his masters of Education from UCO.

Grew up in Fort Gibson extremely versatile guitarist/vocalist. He lived and performed in Minneapolis MN, Nashville and Las Vegas, also played the Festival in Scotland – they gifted him with a kilt!

He put together a knockout Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute and taught for many years at Square Deal Music in Muskogee. Worked as manager at the OK Music Hall of Fame. He had a great sense of humor, was a generous man, and was loved by many people.

Highly inspired by his loving father he ran the Muskogee based Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and performed with Waymon Tisdale, the Swon Brothers, Timothy Wright, Selby Minner and Oklahoma Slim, and Jonathan DuBoise Jr., Kenneth A. Diggs Sr. Truly a gentleman and an inspired talent!

Originally out of Philadelphia, but now from Muskogee, he went to Japan with the Platters as their musical director, playing keyboard and then came to the Sunday Jam Sessions here in Rentiesville and played only bass. In a year he was proficient enough to form his band D’Elegantz as a bassist! This group plays area casinos on a regular basis.

Growing up in church, Jermaine Mondaine often heard the inspiring adage that “When praises go up, blessings come down.” Over time, as he made the saxophone the center of his ever-evolving musical life and ministry, he realized that praise had the power to take that one step further: “When praises go up, the Blesser comes down.” Effortlessly developing a hybrid gospel-jazz sound, the multi-talented performer – in the spirit of greats like Kirk Whalum, Jonathan Butler and others who inhabit both worlds successfully – brings God into the house even when he plays for secular audiences.

Over the past few years, in addition to sharing his dynamic gospel/jazz with thousands of the faithful in his hometown of Muskogee, OK, Jermaine has made an increasingly strong impact on the national contemporary urban jazz scene. His 2015 breakthrough single “Going Higher” featuring Tim Waters and legendary R&B/jazz guitarist Paul Jackson, Jr., reached the Top 25 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz Songs and National Airplay Charts. That song and another key track from his critically acclaimed debut album Don’t Let The Moment Pass You By, “Over and Over Again (You Just Keep On Blessing Me),” scored significant airplay on SiriusXM’s Watercolors.

On the heels of his recent follow up single “Always By My Side,” Jermaine is currently working on a new full-length album featuring collaborations with Billboard charting keyboardist and producer Greg Manning, gospel/jazz pioneer Ben Tankard and guitarist Jonathan DuBose, who guested on Jermaine’s debut album, has been a longtime member of Harry Connick Jr.’s band and has played with gospel legends Yolanda Adams, BeBe & CeCe Winans and Andrae Crouch.

In 2003, Jermaine established Mondaine Musical Ministries with the mission of providing quality, life changing ministry and entertainment through music, public speaking and inspirational literature. That same year, he was honored by Muskogee Mayor Hershel McBride with “Jermaine Mondaine Day” to recognize his accomplishments in the music field. Since then, the saxophonist has enjoyed a unique career fusing his pastoral and musical roles both within and outside various congregations.

On any given Sunday these past years, he plays at Boulevard Christian Church and The Bridge at Christ Church in Muskogee; at Bridge, he is both a regular presence in the worship band and associate pastor delivering sermons. His deep involvement in church has led to opportunities to play on behalf of several prominent ministries (led by Pastor Sharon Daugherty and Bishop Noel Jones) and with musical heroes in the gospel and jazz worlds, including the late Wayman Tisdale, legendary bassist/producer Marcus Miller, Grammy Award winning trumpeter Phil Driscoll, singer/songwriter Dennis Jernigan and country music duo The Swons, who have appeared on NBC’s “The Voice.” 

Having the opportunity to play with Marcus Miller at a show honoring Wayman Tisdale and celebrating a new documentary about the NBA star/jazz bassist’s life was more than a dream come true for Jermaine; it brought everything in his musical life full circle. When he was first learning the sax in middle school, he was practicing a major scale in his bedroom one day and when he played it for his father, he thought it sounded like the melody of “Maputo,” the tune Miller wrote for the iconic Grammy winning Double Vision album by David Sanborn and Bob James. Jermaine’s dad promised him ten dollars if he could learn “Maputo” by ear. Mastering the challenge, the saxophonist calls this the moment he learned to play by ear.

Besides Sanborn, Jermaine’s dad had introduced his son to great saxophonists from an earlier album, including Ray Charles’ horn men Hank Crawford and David “Fathead” Newman. Within his second year of picking up the sax, Jermaine was playing along with and improvising over his dad’s Sanborn albums while also debuting with his vocalist mother during worship at their local church. Combining his God-infused love for these two seemingly opposite worlds of jazz and gospel helped him develop his unique style of playing.

Jermaine’s subsequent growth as a musician came through the Muskogee Public School system under the direction of band directors Jim McPherson, Richard McCall, and Joe Metzer.  He received many awards and accolades including the Boston Russell Jazz Award and membership in the O.M.E.A. All State Jazz Band.  Never abandoning his gospel roots, Jermaine often represented his church at district conferences and musicals.

During his college years at Lincoln University, Missouri, Jermaine quickly made a name for himself as a versatile and dynamic player. While engaged in his studies, he became a well-known studio musician and his playing was featured on local and national radio commercials. He was later selected to represent the university at the National Association for Equal Opportunity (NAFEO) conference in Washington D.C.  The performance landed him on the cover of Black Excellence Magazine.  Committed to making sure the power of music and the Lord is felt in every endeavor he engages in, Jermaine has also served as the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Board President and Executive Director. 

“Many people in the church community are under the impression that jazz and gospel are two separate worlds, and that jazz doesn’t belong in the worship experience,” Jermaine says. “Because my dad was such a huge jazz fan, God revealed to me the power of music, period. Whether someone claimed to be a Christian sax player or a jazz performer, the impact on people’s hearts and souls was the same. When my dad came home from work and put Sanborn on, it had the same effect on me as church music. It made me want to use my saxophone as a means to lift and inspire people and I wanted it to have the same effect on them that Sanborn’s playing had on me during my formative years. When I’m playing, whether it’s at church or a secular venue, I tell my audience that it’s not about my playing, but His Presence. It’s not about my talent or abilities but God showing up with the power and an invitation to change your life.” 

From Muskogee, graduated Manual Training HS and attended Langston U.

Played in the Air Force Band and the Jazz and Blues Band at NE State University.

He is a family member of D.C. Minner by marriage. A sweet man with a great tone on the sax.

Bassist from Tulsa

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Keys and vocals

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Started in a musical Family and plays Bass and Drums

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Son of Big Dave Carr Jr. also a sax player of note and OBHOF Inductee. From Spencer, OK

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Lee Norfleet is from Muskogee, and is the most versatile bass player in the region! Jazz, funk, blues Western and more.