USAO’s Joe Settlemires Scores Grammy Listing

Within the more than 50-year musical career of guitarist Joe Settlemires are many honors and awards -- but there’s always room for more. Settlemires was recently named twice in the official 51st Grammy Entry List.

Settlemires is a guitar instructor at the University of Science and Arts. He also directs the USAO ShowBand that performs across Oklahoma as ambassadors for USAO.

Settlemires was listed in the “Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group” with his jazzy version of the country instrumental Sugarfoot Rag. Settlemires was also listed with Vince Gill and Harold Bradley in the “Best Country Instrumental Performance” category for Sugarfoot Rag.

“Next to winning the Grammy, a nomination is the ultimate compliment in the music world,” Settlemires said. “I am profoundly honored to be considered among such talent and influential performers. This is one of the highlights of my career. I owe a great debt to Vince Gill, Harold Bradley and many other friends. This is a rare honor and opportunity.”

Being listed in the Entry List is the first step to a Grammy nomination. Each category has five nominees. All nominees for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards will be announced Dec. 4. The awards ceremony is scheduled Feb. 8, 2009 at 8 p.m. at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and will be televised on CBS television.

Sugarfoot Rag is the title cut of the newest CD by Settlemires. Settlemires, Gill, and Bradley share the spotlight on the title song. The remainder of the CD is a mixture of jazz standards played by Settlemires and backed by Bradley, Billy Burks, Bob Moore and Bob Mater.

“I have enjoyed listening to Joe play guitar for many years and I invite the listener to put Joe into whatever category they choose. I personally think Joe plays excellent guitar in his own style – tasteful, great tone, great technique and, above all, he is very musical,” commented Bradley on an internet web page.

Settlemires traded his bicycle and toys for his first guitar at 12 years old. His first paying job was in front of a root beer stand where he made $3 in tips.

He began playing professionally at 14. He has been on tour with Bob Wills (he is the youngest Texas Playboy), Willie Nelson, Red Foley, Tex Ritter and many others.

He played behind Bob Hope, Della Reese, Loretta Lynn, Harold Bradley, Howard Roberts and Pat Martino. His band was featured with the Oklahoma City Symphony.

He has taught at Oklahoma Christian College and has been teaching at USAO since 2001. Settlemires’ students are associated with groups like Merle Haggard, George Strait, Neil Diamond, Restless Heart, The Judds and others.

Settlemires is in four music halls of fame. In 2006, the Oklahoma State Legislature recognized him for 50 years of contribution and dedication to both the Oklahoma music industry and music education in the private and public sector.

He is known nationally as one of the best jazz guitarists in the country and is also one of the most highly respected musicians in the country because of his fairness and treatment of fellow musicians and students.

In addition to Sugarfoot Rag, he has another jazz CD, Canadian Sunset.