Maloy Family Celebrates 89th Birthday with Musical Bash

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A crowded audience filled the Plumb Theatre on Feb. 7 to celebrate the 89th birthday of Paul Maloy, with several members of the Maloy family singing alongside their father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. The evening's festivities were nearly derailed when the night's headliner, Tony Matthews, was unreachable for several days, but he arrived quietly and delivered a soulful performance that brought the house down. The event was filled with memorable moments, including laughter when one family member playfully swirled Mattie Maloy's long gray braid to the music.

Why it matters

The Maloy family's birthday celebration at the Plumb Theatre highlights the enduring power of multigenerational musical traditions and the ability of live performances to bring communities together, even in the face of unexpected challenges.

The details

The evening started without the night's headliner, Tony Matthews, a blues-soul-funk guitarist who had toured with Ray Charles and performed with Little Richard. Police had been asked to conduct a wellness check on Matthews at his Checotah home after he had been unreachable for several days, but they concluded he was in Tulsa. When Matthews finally arrived, he quietly set up his equipment and delivered a soulful performance of 'Georgia on My Mind' that brought the crowd to its feet. The Maloy family's joy in singing together was contagious, with one family member playfully swirling Mattie Maloy's long gray braid to the music, much to the delight of the audience.

• The event took place on February 7, 2026.
• Police conducted a wellness check on Tony Matthews a few days prior to the event.

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