OKC can be known for producing popular musical acts, but it will never become a "great music town."

I always crack up reading these stories when they list our rich musical legacy (Garth Brooks, Leon Russell, and one of the dudes from Brooks and Dunn! For awhile there, Sandy Davis would always mention the drummer in the Tractors).

Anyhoo, love 'em or hate 'em, Hinder is from OKC and they are hugely successful. They slugged it out in the clubs, made a demo, and made it big when they signed to Universal. Their last disc went triple platinum and they still live in OKC when they are not on tour. Their success may have been an accident, but getting a deal, massive radio play and lots of units sold takes more than dumb luck.

To my point: I think for OKC to be a music "scene," it likely will be because of bands like Hinder to "make it" and lead by example. Talent helps. Given the changing landscape of the traditonal concept of the music business, bands and musicians are going to have to be more innovative with utilizing new media and new media opportunities than ever before. I suspect soon that there won't even be major labels anymore, as more and more acts manage the process of getting their music heard through other means. For example, Edgar Cruz makes a great living as a musician by maximizing his opportunities and taking advantage of niches in the market. He travels all over the country and gets paid to play.

As for a scene in OKC: It's not going to happen, and never will, because of the chasm between Norman and OKC and the fact that we are far from a 24-hour city. Go to Bricktown on a Tuesday night (non NBA night) sometime and you'll find a ghost town. People don't want to see a live band on any night except Friday or Saturday, and half the time they don't want to listen to anything except a version of "Brown Eyed Girl." That's the way it's always been, and the way it will always be. Collectively, we are not sophisticated or diverse enough to galvanize and build a "scene." Every time that an audience can be built for a "scene," they end up having kids and starting families, and they stop going out. Then, it takes another few years, and the cycle repeats itself.

There are many talented people here, but they need to make it through their own will and way. A little encouragement helps, but it likely will remain up to the musicians to create their own pathways.