Inspired in high school by show business legend Sol Hurokís 1946 book, ìImpresario: A Memoir of Sol Hurokî, Jim Halsey began his music career armed with very little other than interest, passion and all the inherent entrepreneurial skills a 19 year old can possibly possess. Starmaker: Jim Halsey & the Legends of Country Music dives into the making of a Tulsa and international music sensation. His first ambitious undertaking was to promote a concert for Leon McAulife and his Western Swing Band. The endeavor was a success. Every ticket in the auditorium was sold.
Success aside, it wasn't until the ripe age of 21 when Halsey's career in the music industry truly began. Hank Thompson of the Brazos Valley Boys approached the young entrepreneur to handle all of his business affairs including concert bookings, fair and rodeo appearances, contracts, record deals, television appearances and corporate sponsorships. And so a star was born.
Out of This World
From that point on, Halsey's career has been built on vision. In the mid 1950's Jim recognized Las Vegas as an "entertainment oasis". It was during that time that Halsey started a long lasting business relationships with Walter Kane, entertainment director for all of Howard Hughes' hotels, including the Desert Inn, Castaways, New Frontier, The Landmark Hotel and Casino and the Sands.
  Super Power. |
From the very beginning, Halsey valued extended runs at elite locations for the advantages of press and prestige, guaranteed cash flow, time for rehearsing for the artist and relief for the musicians who are otherwise constantly on the road. He had a long running hit show at the Landmark called, "Country Music USA", hosted by his client and friend, Roy Clark and featuring performances of many of his clients including The Oak Ridge Boys, George Jones, Frank Sinatra Jr, Tammy Wynette and many more.
In addition to live shows, Halsey believed in the power of marketing via television. Halsey started a weekly entertainment show on WKY-TV in Oklahoma City, hosted by Halsey's client Hank Thompson.
The Jim Halsey Company helped transform country music from a regional attraction to an international phenomenon. To the point that at its peak in 1990, it was the No. 1 country music agency in the world representing 41 top country and music acts. All the while, continuing to be based right here in Tulsa.
In 1977, he helped launch the Tulsa International Music Festival, attracting not just musicians and fans, but booking agents, record executives and music critics and press, as well.
Big Success
In the mid 1980's, Halsey entered into an artist/agency agreement with Oklahoma-born talent Reba McEntire. He wanted to position her as a super star right off the bat so he arranged for her New York debut to be staged at Carnegie Hall.
Sherman Halsey, Jim's son and vice chairman had an eye for the star factor himself. He discovered a young singer who could not get a recording contract because he sounded "too hillbilly...too country." Sherman Halsey put the young singer on the road, recorded an album, and produced, directed and shot a video with a 35mm camera. The video ended up winning a gold medal at the prestigious New York International Film Festival. The song was "Honkey Tonk Man" and the artist was Dwight Yoakam. Yoakam's is one of many success stories.
Jim Halsey proved time and time again that he was a man who opened doors. Although decidedly lucky in opportunity, it's Jim's business principle's that has ensured his continued success. He calls his set of principles, "The Power of Performance". This process involves, "Doing a job, Performing a task, Accepting a mission in life and giving it your best with honesty and integrity." It was in his family's successful retail business that he learned early on, "the importance of satisfied customers."
Halsey also believes in marketing and " dynamic layering" and taking advantage of every opportunity . As Jim has been known to say, "One plus one should equal twenty."
Jim once owned a 2500-acre ranch just southwest of Tulsa. Every year he invited key leaders from the music industry, state fairs, television and the press to spend a few days as his guests at the ranch. He'd fly them in, have them picked up at Tulsa International Airport in a limo, they'd have food and drinks, and enjoy entertainment from Jim's impressive roster of clients.
"Whether it's a performance or a sales meeting everything should be an event."
True to form, Jim Halsey imparts his music industry wisdom as an event and exhibit at the Tulsa Historical Society. The exhibit profiles 60 years of professional excellence. It is an inspiring and informative display and will surely make you feel a sense of pride to be a Tulsan. Perhaps it will even inspire the next up and coming star. Starmaker: Jim Halsey & the Legends of Country Music is on display through July 31, 2012
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