On Aug. 21st, Recording Academy members of the Texas Chapter — which encompasses both Texas and Oklahoma — headed to Oklahoma City to meet with state government officials to build up the relationship between the Oklahoma music community and state leaders.
In attendance with the Recording Academy were
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Taylor Hanson, Texas Chapter President and GRAMMY Nominee
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Kitt Wakeley, Texas Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, GRAMMY winner, and Texas Chapter Governor
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Paul Wall, Recording Academy National Trustee and GRAMMY nominated rapper
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Tamera Bennett, Texas Chapter Advocacy Committee Co-Chair, Entertainment Attorney, and Board Advisor,
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Christee Albino, Texas Chapter’s Executive Director
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Brendon Anthony, Director of the Texas Music Office
The group began the day at Oklahoma’s State Capitol to meet with Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell and the Deputy Director of the Oklahoma Film and Music Office, Jeanette Stanton.
During the meeting, they discussed the importance of the music community in Oklahoma, ways the state can continue to be involved in supporting the music community, and how the Recording Academy can be a resource for ensuring artists’ voices are heard.
Following the meeting, the group headed to the Governor’s Mansion for an Oklahoma Music Mixer. There, music makers from around the state — including legendary artist and two-time GRAMMY nominee Wanda Jackson — had the chance to connect further with the Lieutenant Governor and meet other state legislators including State Representative and Chair for the Appropriations and Budget Committee, Kevin Wallace, and State Senator Grant Green.
Not only did this gathering allow the legislators a chance to connect with their constituents, but the Recording Academy was able to shine a light on what Oklahoma brings to the music community as a whole.
As part of the program, Christee Albino, Taylor Hanson, Kitt Wakeley, and Paul Wall participated in a panel discussion on the Recording Academy and how Oklahoma Academy members and music creators can get involved. Specifically, the group highlighted the Recording Academy’s District Advocate Day which will take place next month on October 5th. The program also included remarks from Lieutenant Governor Pinnell.
Overall, the Recording Academy’s Texas Chapter had a successful day building up the relationship between the music community and Oklahoma officials and looks forward to continuing to work with them moving forward.
