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Axtons Named To Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame

November 02, 2007 | People
Two of Ada’s legends were honorees for Thursday night’s annual Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame Concert and Induction ceremony.

Mother and son, Mae Boren Axton and Hoyt Axton, Ada natives, where honored.

Mae Boren Axton is most famous for writing Elvis Presley’s first No. 1 hit in 1956, “Heartbreak Hotel.” The song became the biggest-selling record of 1956 and eventually earned her a Grammy hall of Fame award in 1995.

Mae Boren Axton is also known for writing other hits, including Patsy Cline’s “Pick Me Up (On Your Way Down)” and “Honey Bop” by Wanda Jackson. She was also influential in fellow Ada native Blake Shelton’s career. Mae Boren Axton told Shelton he might have a chance in Nashville after he performed in a tribute concert in her honor. Mae Boren Axton is also recognizd as an East Central University Distinguished Alumna.

She was the mother of fellow 2007 inductee Hoyt Axton as well as the sister of former Oklahoma Gov. and U.S. Sen. David Boren, who now is serving as president of the University of Oklahoma. Mae Boren Axton died in 1997.

Hoyt Axton enjoyed a wide-ranging succes as both a songwriter and performer. He wrote “Greenback Dollar” for the Kingston Trio and “The Pusher” for Steppenwolf. Hoyt Axton wrote “Never Been to Spain;” Presley also recorded the song. In doing so, Presley recorded songs by mother and son.

Hoyt Axton continued his career writing “Joy to the World” which became a huge hit as performed by Three Dog Night. Hoyt Axton appeared as a character actor in “The Black Stallion” and “Gremlins,” among other films. Hoyt Axton died in 1999.
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tk10 wrote on November 04, 2007
i saw hoyt again out in 1982 in palo alto california he laffed and said seems like i remember that when i told him bout his stoppin in my dads conoco gas station in 67 in lockesburg arkansas just accross the oklahoma state line and noticed my guitar and amp while i was servicing his old car! we jammed about thirty minutes music that i later put to lyric. paul terry king usa