Selfless summit

COMMUNITY MUSICIANS GATHER AT HISTORIC MIDWAY DELI IN NORMAN FOR A LISTENING ROOM SERIES BUILT AROUND GIVING.

By Evan Jarvicks

When the chance to start a live music event landed in Mike Hilliary’s lap four years ago, he recognized the potential to pay it forward to Norman’s less fortunate.

“This offer was a big deal,” Hilliary said. “I saw this as an opportunity to use music and community to help.”

Bob Thompson, the long-time owner of Norman’s Midway Deli, 601 W Eufaula St., had been engaged in a casual music conversation with Hilliary when the subject came up. Thompson gave Hilliary the green modest furnishings in no small part because The Summit is more substance than style. Like its host space, over time it has settled into a comfortable groove like a turntable needle.

“I think the formula is perfect,” Hilliary said. “I pick a feature. The feature picks the charity. The community gathers around that cause. 100 percent of the donations go to that charity.”

Never a ticketed event, The Summit is free to all ages, and dona- light on the spot to start a new program at the legendary neighborhood eatery, and a new page in Norman music was born.

Now, about once a month, a packed listening room of local musicians takes turns in sharing songs for charity. Christened the Midway Community Musical Summit (since shortened to, simply, The Summit), the laid-back event raises funds for local nonprofits while giving artists of any experience level the chance to participate. Hilliary puts out an open call on social media before each date, and while The Summit is built on many familiar faces, new ones come through often.

Held within Midway Deli’s dining area, audiences are surrounded by over a half-century of local art, politics and signature sandwiches. The event feels at home with the venue’s memorabilia-filled shelves and tions are encouraged in no particular terms. Hilliary typically keeps a box in view for folks to contribute as they are able, and this unstructured, guiltless format has proven fruitful. The Summit has raised hundreds of dollars at a time for causes such as Women’s Resource Center, Second Chance Animal Rescue and Norman Care-A-Vans. Headliners have included Jared Deck, Ken Pomeroy, and Tanner Miller, but the star of each show is the communal power of music.

“I think Norman has an amazing music and art scene. There are so many creative, thoughtful, energetic, and talented people here,” Hilliary said. “Four of my six neighbors play musical instruments with one more right across the lot. I hear their music every time I go check the mail. Right down the street, there are Pow Wows and Native drum circles. Music is always in the air in Norman, and I love it.”

Not everyone has been so accepting of the prevalence of live music in the area, however. When Midway Deli built an outdoor stage last summer, it drew complaints from some of the neighbors, and as Thompson worked to address those concerns, The Summit was tempo- getting signed to a label. Though a major achievement, it would grant him easy access to a drug habit that would eventually strand him at rock bottom years later. He turned to Food and Shelter, and with its resources and community, he was able to build stability and hope into his life again.

“This place has been wonderful rarily without a venue. Fortunately, the music community had proven once before that The Summit will not die so easily.

“We were scheduled for March of 2020 but had to cancel the show because of COVID. Bob and I were both immediately of the mindset that we wanted to protect our community, and we needed to cancel the shows until the virus was better understood and controlled,” Hilliary said. “The beautiful thing is that when we came back together, we didn’t miss a beat...Our community was already there ready to make music again.”

Over the months that Midway Deli was off limits, the greater music community pitched in to keep The Summit going. The event found temporary hosts with Bluebonnet Bar, The Alley Way and The Depot.

“Big thanks to Gordon McKinney, Heather Burns, Tanner Miller and Shari Jackson for letting us make music in your venues. You are all amazing,” Hilliary said.

This month, The Summit is having its second return show following its nomadic period.

“We are back at the Midway for good,” Hilliary said.

For this show, the chosen nonprofit will carry special significance. The feature is Irish Gipson, and he is performing for Food and Shelter, a Norman organization with a mission as straightforward as it sounds. He credits the program for helping him get his life back.

As explained in a recent Food and Shelter newsletter, Gipson lived a rock and roll lifestyle from a young age, finding success with a band and to me,” Gipson said, “It gives me purpose, and I feel like I’m doing something well.”

Irish Gipson is now employed by Food and Shelter, and in a seeming twist of destiny, so is Mike Hilliary.

“I work with Irish,” Hilliary said. “He’s a joy to talk with, has a huge heart, and he is always singing.”

Gipson’s voice carries a rock ‘n roll old soul that knows the blues but relishes in the electricity of funk. When with a full band, he explodes with charisma on stage. In a listening room environment, though, his Elvis-like bellow is bound to grip even the most casual attendee.

“He knows what it’s like to struggle. He knows what it’s like to overcome,” Hilliary said. “His voice conveys his life experience.”

Irish Gipson headlining The Summit is a high point among high points in the series. It is the culmination of its design for a community-led gathering, unified by music, in service of lifting neighbors in need.

It is The Summit coming full circle.

When Hilliary, who himself has been a part of Norman music for over two decades, landed a show at one of his favorite venues four years ago, he could have opted to boost his music career, but he chose to lift others instead. The decision may go against conventional music industry savvy, but that is what makes The Summit special. It does not see music as a commodity. Music is a gift to be shared with everyone.

The Summit returns April 21 at 6:30 pm. There is no cover or age requirement to attend, but donations to Food and Shelter are encouraged. Visit midwaydeli.com

These are events recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members. For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

WEDNESDAY, APR. 5

Amarillo Junction, JJ’s Alley Bricktown Pub.

COUNTRY

Jake Xerxes Fussell, The Blue Door. FOLK

Trett Charles, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa.

COUNTRY

Wade Cockrill, The Jones Assembly. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Watchouse (FKA Mandolin Orange), Tower Theatre. FOLK

The Wednesday Band, The Deli. COUNTRY

THURSDAY, APR. 6

Aborted/Hallowed/Center of Disease, The Vanguard, Tulsa. METAL

Blake Bricker, Frenzy Brewing Company.

ACOUSTIC

The Cadillac Three, Tower Theatre. COUNTRY

Carvin Jones, 89th Street—OKC. BLUES

Courtney Patton, Grady’s 66 Pub. COUNTRY

Jason Scott, The Jones Assembly. SINGER/

SONGWRITER

Knoll/God is War/The Tooth/Bashed

In/Snub Nose, The Sanctuary. METAL

Miss Brown To You, UCO Jazz Lab. ACOUSTIC

Parmalee, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa.

COUNTRY

Rose’s Pawn Shop/Ben Brock Band, Blue Note. BLUEGRASS

Shelly Phelps and The Storm, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES

Short & Broke/The BlueRays/JL Jones, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

Thursday Night Live Concert Series, American Solera Edmond. VARIOUS ARTISTS

Uncle Lucius/Casper McWade, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. ALTERNATIVE

FRIDAY, APR. 7

Amarillo Junction, Bandee’s Barbecue.

COUNTRY.

C-Kan/MC Davo/Dharius, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. HIP-HOP

Caleb McGee/John Elisha, The Deli. BLUES

Everybody Else’s Girl, Full Circle Bookstore. JAZZ

Josh Roberts, The Jones Assembly. POP

Kenny Pitts, Core4 Brewing. ACOUSTIC

Kierston White Trio/Matthew & The Arrogant Sea/Cowboy Jr., Blue Note. POP

The Red Stripes and Different Strokes (The White Stripes and The Strokes Tributes), Beer City Music Hall. TRIBUTE

Through Being Cool - Emo Karaoke, The Vanguard, Tulsa. KARAOKE

Touch of Sax, The Lounge at Johnnie’s. JAZZ

SATURDAY, APR. 8

Amarillo Junction, Fuel Bar & Grill. COUNTRY

Copeland, Beer City Music Hall. ROCK

Garrett “Big G” Jacobson, UCO Jazz Lab. BLUES

Goddess Awakening, Factory Obscura.

VARIOUS ARTISTS

The Last Ten Seconds of Life/Vomit Forth/ Cell, 89th Street—OKC. METAL

Straight Tequila Night: ‘90s Country, Tower Theatre. TRIBUTE

Travis Linville, The Blue Door. FOLK

Wade Bowen/Trenton Fletcher, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. COUNTRY

SUNDAY, APR. 9

Copeland/Kevin Garrett, The Vanguard, Tulsa. ALTERNATIVE

Tin Can Gramophone/Hosty, The Deli. FOLK

Young Nudy, Tower Theatre. RAP

MONDAY, APR. 10

The Aints/Bailey Gilbert & Friends, The Deli. AMERICANA

TUESDAY, APR. 11

Bruce Benson & Studio B, 51st Street Speakeasy. BLUES

Cal Scruby, 89th Street—OKC. HIP-HOP

Caleb McGee, The Deli. BLUES

HIRS Collective, The Sanctuary. ALTERNATIVE

Jxdn, Tower Theatre. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Levi Parham, The Jones Assembly. BLUES

Teethe/Charlotte Bumgarner/Greyland, The Vanguard, Tulsa. ALTERNATIVE

WEDNESDAY, APR. 12

Amarillo Junction, JJ’s Alley Bricktown Pub. COUNTRY

Edgar Cruz and Friends, Broke Brewing Company. ACOUSTIC

Isaac McClung, The Jones Assembly. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

Sullivan King, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. DANCE

Trett Charles, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. COUNTRY

THURSDAY, APR. 13

Badfish, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. COVER

Brandon Birdwell, The Jones Assembly. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

The Cactus Blossoms, Ponyboy. COUNTRY

Country Music Group Therapy/Biscuits & Groovy, The Deli. COUNTRY

Sammy Kershaw/Aaron Tippin/Collin Raye, River Spirit Casino Resort, Tulsa. COUNTRY

Shelly Phelps and The Storm, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES

Short & Broke/The BlueRays/JL Jones, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

SubDocta, The Vanguard, Tulsa. DANCE

Thursday Night Live Concert Series, American

Solera Edmond. VARIOUS ARTISTS

FRIDAY, APR. 14

Chloe-Beth, The Jones Assembly. FOLK Grandpa Vern/Shaka/Tar Creek/Field

Dressed/Otis VCR, 89th Street—OKC.

ALTERNATIVE

Hippie Sabotage, Cain’s Ballroom, Tulsa. DANCE Kenny Pitts/Matt Mann & The Shine Runners, VZD’s Restaurant & Bar.

ACOUSTIC

Koe Wetzel, BOK Center, Tulsa. COUNTRY

Micky & The Motorcars, Beer City Music Hall.

RED DIRT

Niko Moon, The Tulsa Theater, Tulsa. COUNTRY

Scotty Laughlin, Stonecloud Brewing Co.

COUNTRY

Select Showcase Anniversary Show, The Vanguard, Tulsa. VARIOUS ARTISTS

Shortt Dogg, UCO Jazz Lab. BLUES

SATURDAY, APR. 15

The B-Sides, The Aloha Backyard. COVERS

Bendigo Fletcher, Ponyboy. FOLK

The Flannels, 40 West Bar & Grill. COVER

G20 Funk, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewing. JAZZ

Hippie Sabotage, The Criterion. DANCE

Howard Brady, Full Circle Bookstore. BLUES

Kyle Earhart/Amanda Earhart/Tanner Massey/Madison Eckerson/Chelsea

Thiessen-Blakely/Brock Dunning, Rodeo Opry.

COUNTRY

Susan Herndon & The Bella Counsel, The Blue Door. FOLK

TBF/The Odyssey/A Mixtape Catastophe/ Second Glance, The Vanguard, Tulsa. HIP-HOP

SUNDAY, APR. 16

Carver Commodore, Factory Obscura. ALTERNATIVE

Judah & The Lion/Will Gaines, The Jones Assembly. FOLK

Knuckle Puck & Real Friends, Beer City Music Hall. PUNK

No Whiners Aloud, Mojo’s Blues Club. BLUES

Paul Thorn, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewing. COUNTRY

Tin Can Gramophone/Hosty, The Deli. FOLK

Wage War, Diamond Ballroom. METAL

MONDAY, APR. 17

The Aints/Bailey Gilbert & Friends, The Deli. AMERICANA

City Morgue, The Criterion. HIP-HOP

Ron Pope/Caleb Hearn, The Blue Door. FOLK

TUESDAY, APR. 18

Bruce Benson & Studio B, 51st Street Speakeasy. BLUES

Caleb McGee, The Deli. BLUES

Eric Alexander, The Jones Assembly. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

Rittz/Emilio Rojas/Noble Poets/Kickd Hopeless, The Vanguard, Tulsa. RAP

Heat and Frost Insulators Apprenticeship

The Heat and Frost Insulators

Joint Apprenticeship Committee is seeking applicants, male and female, for apprenticeship training in the commercial and industrial insulation trade. The JAC anticipates selecting up to 10 or more apprentices this year. Note: Apprentices receive training in commercial insulation, industrial and process plant insulation, refrigeration and low temperature insulation and prefabrication of fittings, head covers and related work.

Applications may be picked up at the Heat & Frost Insulators Local #94 union office, 716 SE 79th St, OKC, OK, Mon –Fri 9:00am-4:00pm, on May 1st– May 12th, 2023 and must be returned no later than May 31st, 2023. Applicants will be selected based on highest qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex or national origin. The Contractors party to the Heat & Frost Insulators Workers’ JAC Agreement are Equal Opportunity Employers. Please call 405-632-6767 for additional information.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Age of 18 years or over

• High School Graduate or GED (High School transcript required and proof of GED, if applicable)

• U.S. Citizen or legal resident alien (Documentation required)

• A Valid Driver’s License

• Physical exam & drug test will be required prior to indenturement

Carter Sampson singer-songwriter from Oklahoma, known for her heartfelt and soulful performances that blend elements of country, blues, and folk. Hear her live April 7 at The Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley Ave., 405-524-0738, bluedoorokc.com. FRI, APR 7

Photo OKG archive

Jo James, El Coyote Bar & Cantina. SINGER/ SONGWRITER

The Order of Elijah/Homicyde/OBJECTOR, Snug Bar. METAL

Pedro The Lion, Beer City Music Hall. ROCK

Pop Punk Nite, 89th Street—OKC. COVER

Live music submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Visit okgazette.com to submit your lisitngs or email listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted. GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!