Oklahoma City organization honors K-State associate professor of music for book

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Source: Wayne Goins, 785-532-3822, weg@k-state.edu
http://www.mediarelations.k-state.edu/WEB/News/MediaGuide/goinswayne.html
News release prepared by: Levi Wolters, 785-532-6415

Tuesday, November 29, 2005

OKLAHOMA CITY ORGANIZATION HONORS K-STATE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF MUSIC FOR BOOK

MANHATTAN -- Wayne Goins, associate professor of music and director of jazz ensembles at Kansas State University, has been honored by the Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. for the book he co-authored, "Charlie Christian, Jazz Guitar's King of Swing."

Goins and co-author Craig McKinney were presented inscribed awards recognizing their outstanding contributions made to the Black Liberated Arts Center Inc. and Oklahoma history at the center's 13th annual Recognition and Benefit Dinner, Oct. 29, in Oklahoma City.

"It was a great honor for me because I got the chance to represent Kansas State University in the state of Oklahoma," Goins said. "All the dignitaries of the city there that night showed respect for the high level of scholarship that our university regularly strives to achieve."

The book detailed Christian, an Oklahoma City native, and his life as one of the best-known early electric jazz guitarists. It is, as Goins said, "by far the most thorough, comprehensive collection of research on Christian."

Goins and McKinney were not told they were receiving the award beforehand, only given an invitation to attend the dinner, making for quite a surprise.

"Craig was quite overcome with emotion -- speechless, actually -- when he received it with me, almost to the point of tears," Goins said. "He, like me, had no idea about the award."
The Black Liberated Arts Center was incorporated in 1971 for the purpose of presenting multicultural arts productions for Oklahoma.