Oklahoma FFA members Jolie Marshall of Harrah FFA, Tyse Buck of Depew FFA and Liam McMahan with Mcalester FFA have advanced to the top 11 in the National FFA talent competition at the 2026 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. The musicians are performing as a trio and will compete again Thursday evening on the stage of Lucas Oil Stadium for a chance to finish among the top three.
Senior Farm and Ranch Broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with Marshall and Buck at the Indiana Convention Center, where the Oklahoma musicians were preparing for another performance.
The trio, known as Tyse Buck and the Okies, brings together members from three different FFA chapters who share a love of music.
Buck explained how the group came together through separate introductions and musical opportunities. “I met Liam at state convention this past year, and I’ve just been playing around with him ever since,” Buck said.
He said he met Marshall while performing at a gig in Jet, Oklahoma. “It was like 110 degrees that day, and yeah, it was hot as can be,” Buck said. “They were playing right after me. And she came over and introduced herself, and I had called her up afterwards. And it’s been going ever since.”
Oklahoma FFA Trio Blends Red Dirt, Rock and Roll and Country
When Hays asked about the group’s musical style, Buck said the trio performs a variety of music, with an emphasis on genres familiar to Oklahoma audiences. “We play kind of a little bit everything, but mainly kind of centered more towards that rock and roll, a little bit old country, a little bit of rock,” Marshall said. “But again, more centered around that red dirt music we both love.”
The musicians have already had opportunities to perform at several locations around Indianapolis during convention week, including the Arts Garden in downtown Indianapolis and the Indiana Convention Center.
National FFA Talent Competition Brings Excitement for Oklahoma Musicians
Advancing to the top 11 in the national competition marks a significant milestone for the group, particularly for Buck, who said he has previously performed at the National FFA Convention. “This is my second time having the opportunity to come and play at nationals, and my first time being in the top 10,” Buck said.
He said he was excited to return to the stage and share the experience with his fellow musicians. “I’m really, really excited to get out here, and I’m just so proud of this crew,” Buck said. “These are truly some of the best musicians I’ve ever had the opportunity to play with, and I’m just so happy for them to get to be able to experience this.”
The trio’s next major opportunity comes Thursday evening, when the finalists perform on the stage of Lucas Oil Stadium ahead of a general session. The group will compete against the other finalists for a place among the top three.
Music Has Been Part of Marshall’s Life Since Childhood
Marshall also shared with Hays why music has remained such an important part of her life. “I love playing music because it’s just something I grew up on,” Marshall said.
She explained that her parents met while following bands and attending concerts, giving her an early connection to live music. “I honestly kind of was born with that love for that,” Marshall said.
That passion continued when she was four years old and her parents handed her a fiddle. “My parents handed me a fiddle and were like, ‘You’re gonna be our personal jukebox,’” Marshall said.
She added that music has remained close to her heart ever since. “It’s always kind of been in my blood. It’s always kind of had a place in my heart,” she said.
As Marshall, Buck and McMahan prepare for Thursday evening’s national competition, the trio represents three Oklahoma FFA chapters coming together through their shared passion for music. Their advancement to the top 11 gives them another opportunity to showcase their talent on one of the National FFA Convention’s biggest stages.
Our coverage of the 2026 99th National FFA Convention is powered by Hilliary Communications. Hilliary is a Medicine Park-based company with operations across Oklahoma, Texas, and Iowa including telecommunications, the Lawton Constitution, and a portfolio of radio and media holdings. The company has been a long-standing employer in southwest Oklahoma and is committed to investing in the region’s workforce and an equal opportunity employer.
