For 25 years Omega Productions has worked on one of the few remaining live broadcast variety shows – the Oklahoma Hall of Fame Awards Show, a live musical variety and awards event of the Oklahoma Heritage Association. For the past twenty years Paul Christensen and his wife Donna Christensen have served as Line and Technical Producers for the event and broadcast, which has continued to grow into one of the premier awards shows in the country. For over 31 years, the black-tie ceremony has been shot and televised statewide by the Oklahoma Network (OETA) (PBS). This year’s event was shot and broadcast in High Definition (HD).
This year’s show was held at the Great Hall of the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where seven outstanding Oklahomans were inducted into the 86th class of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. The ceremony also included live musical performances by Oklahoma City based vocalist Campbell Walker Fields and the Hall of Fame Orchestra, under the direction of Jeff Kidwell. Those receiving awards were selected to join over 655 others who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since 1928. “Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor any Oklahoman can receive for contributions to and representation of our state,” said Nevyle R. Cable, Chairman of the Board of the Oklahoma Heritage Association. Those inducted were Michael D. Case, Tulsa, Gary A. England, Seiling, John D. Groendyke, Enid, Timothy C. Headington, Oklahoma City, Vicki Miles-LaGrange, Oklahoma City, Russell M. Perry, Oklahoma City and Reggie N. Whitten, Seminole.
Michael C. Turpen and V. Burns Hargis, co-hosts of the popular weekly public affairs television show seen throughout Oklahoma, Flashpoint with Hargis and Turpen, served as Masters of Ceremonies for the event. Turpen is a partner in the law firm of Riggs, Abney, Neal, Turpen, Orbison and Lewis in Oklahoma City. Hargis is President of Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Shannon L. Rich, President of the Oklahoma Heritage Association and OHA Director of Publications and Education, Gini Campbell served as Executive Producers. Campbell also served as Script Writer. Millie Craddick assisted as Executive Administrator, Hall of Fame Awards. Deputy Director, Network Public Affairs for OETA, Bill Perry, produced for OETA (PBS). Directing the show was OETA’s Mickie Smith. Justice Steve Taylor provided stage and talent direction. Chuck Dutrow provided Lighting Design and served as Lighting Director assisted by William Bennyhoff with Toucan Lighting, Lighting vendor. Jeff Morava served as Assistant Director (AD). Jessi Crino was Technical Director (TD). Tanya McHenry served as Teleprompt Operator. Camera operators were Mark Alexin, Carlos Manzano, Kaci Ferguson, Ryan Lorge and Janna Smith. Dallas based John Johns, In-Sync, Inc., served as Project Video Engineer and provided communications services, assisted by Dav Steele.
Clint Daily served as Stage and Production Manager for the project. Baker Boys, Oklahoma City, provided the labor crew. Jeff Kidwell contracted the Hall of Fame Orchestra and served as Music Director for the show.
Kelly Barnett served as EIC, Video. Joel Beasley provided video shading along with Kallie Langham, who handled tape duties. San Francisco based Recording Engineer, Dave Luke, provided the on-air mix. High Definition (HD) mobile television facilities were provided by David Kearnes and Kodiak Mobile Television, Tulsa, OK. Omega contracted David Habegger and his Watermark Communications audio mobile unit, Nashville, TN, to record the soundtrack, assisted by Derek Robertson. Austin based Tim Kennard consulted on the fiber digital interface and other recording systems. Omega brought in sound consultant, Joey Baker to mix the live show for the more than 1400 in attendance during the formal dinner and show. TES Productions, Tulsa, provided Sound Reinforcement, Projection and Soft Goods services. TES Personnel responsible for the success of the show were Mike Frankenburger, TES President, Jim Lenertz, Production Coordinator, assisted by Jacob Bennett, Jacob Yarbrough, and Aaron Brown. David Carr served as Monitor Sound Engineer along with Matthew Stephens, Projection Technician.
The Oklahoma Heritage Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the unique heritage and history of Oklahoma and fostering pride in the state. The organization was established in 1927 by Mrs. Anna B. Korn and a group of prominent citizens who met at the State Capitol. The first Hall of Fame Awards show was held a year later on November 16, 1928, Statehood Day. Since that first affair, the show has been held annually during the month of November. This year’s outing celebrates the 86th running of the event – the only one of its kind in the nation.
