For Immediate Release:
October 3, 2003
Sen.
Mike Morgan (R) presents a special Senate citation to
Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival founder Byron
Berline.
Click
here to read the citation.
Senator Morgan Presents Citation Honoring
Oklahoma International Bluegrass Festival and Scholarship
Program
State
Senator Mike
Morgan was in Guthrie Friday afternoon, October 3, to
present three-time national champion fiddler Byron Berline
with a Citation of Appreciation on behalf of the State Senate
honoring the Oklahoma International
Bluegrass Festival.
“Bluegrass is truly American music and our state has
many, many talented bluegrass musicians. This festival brings
them together along with musicians from around the world
for thousands of fans to enjoy—and it helps provide
college scholarships for young musicians,” said Morgan,
D-Stillwater.
This year’s festival includes performances by musicians
from Oklahoma and across the U.S., as well as Australia,
Italy, Japan, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Among
the headliners performing at the festival is bluegrass banjo
legend Earl Scruggs.
Senator Morgan has more than a casual interest in the music—when
he was a child his father went to a local pawn shop and
bought Morgan a banjo.
“I’m a bit rusty, but I still have that banjo.
I had a lot of fun playing with friends when I was younger.
It makes me appreciate people who are really blessed with
a lot of talent,” said Morgan.
Last year, the festival drew about 15,000 national and international
tourists to Oklahoma. Organizers were expecting even more
at the 2003 event.
Founder Byron Berline pointed out that not only does the
event help raise awareness of America’s music roots,
but it also helps provide a college education for many young
people.
“Last year, we awarded 17 students music scholarships
that amounted to more than $10,000, with most going to Oklahoma
young people. The scholarships are funded through the festival’s
proceeds. The more people who come to enjoy the music, the
more young people we can help give an opportunity to attend
college,” explained Berline.
“I think the scholarship program is just fantastic.
That’s just one more tool for helping our young people
achieve their dreams. I’m excited to help celebrate
this event, which helps brings so much positive attention
to the historic community of Guthrie, our great state, and
the many talented artists we have here,” said Morgan.
For more information, contact:
Senate
Communications Division
- (405) 521-5774
