 TULSA, OK. (Top40 Charts/ Kata & The Blaze Official Website) - Kata Hay recently returned to her childhood home of Oklahoma, to perform a showcase at The Oklahoma Centennial Rodeo Opry. 3 years had passed since her last performance on Oklahoma soil. Kata moved to East Tennessee in early 2005 to join the local music theatre scene. After performing at several area theatre's, she decided she wanted to put the focus on her own original music. Since then her schedule has been filled between her performances with her bands, and keeping up with her ever growing international internet fan base. She averages a view on Youtube every 10 seconds, and receives over 150 emails a day. The Oklahoma Centennial Rodeo Opry was founded by Grant Leftwich, who pioneered the Opry concept in Oklahoma as a showcase to give up-and-coming performers experience and exposure. He was the Executive Director, show producer, coach and mentor, gently shepherding thousands of young artists through weekly shows from 1977 until his passing in 2006. "Grant really saw something special in Kata", said Cindy Scarberry, current Executive Director of the Oklahoma Centennial Rodeo Opry. She surprised Kata during the middle of her spotlight performance on January 9th with the very first "Grant Leftwich Legacy Award". Cindy presented Kata with a beautiful gold engraved plaque that said, "Your courage to follow your dreams and determination in developing your craft is an inspiration that personifies the legacy of our founder, Grant Leftwich". Kata, after a few moments to wipe the tears from her eyes said, "This is by far the most amazing award I've ever received, including winning Ed McMahon's Star Search, I'm in shock, thank you SO much!" Kata performs all across the country with her Alternative Country band, Kata & The Blaze as well as with the Rockin' Bluegrass band, The Grassabillies. To learn more about Kata and to hear her music visit her bands websites, www.kataandtheblaze.com and www.grassabillies.com. The Oklahoma Centennial Rodeo Opry is a stair step for young entertainers in the Midwest. Reba McEntire and Bryan White are just a couple of the stars who have performed on the Opry stage before making their big moves to Tennessee, and becoming Country superstars. "Kata Hay has a special gift, she is still out there chasing her dreams, and this was just a small way for us to show her our support, and belief in her and her talents". The Rodeo Opry is a nonprofit organization, if you'd like more information on the Rodeo Opry and their mission visit their website, www.rodeoopry.com.
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