Buy Some Chili, Get Some Music

If you have been to a show in Tulsa, chances are you have seen Brian Horton. He has been a mainstay in the Tulsa music scene for years. In the late 2000’s, if you wanted to find a video of a local band playing live, the first place you would check was Brian’s Facebook page. Seeing the need for local artists to receive help recording, releasing, and promoting albums, Brian started Horton Records. The non-profit record label focuses completely on Tulsa musicians, and furthering the reach of Oklahoma artists.

The record label has a hand in many different artists, genres, and events across Tulsa. Musicians who have worked with Horton Records include the Dustin Pittsley Band, Paul Benjamin, Wink Burcham, Pilgrim, Jacob Tovar and the Saddle Tramps, Lizard Police, And There Stand Empires, and many more.

Horton Records is completely volunteer run. There are no paid employees. While this keeps the expenses down, it still costs a lot of money to run a record label, especially one pressing and distributing vinyl. In order to raise money for the 501c-3 organization, musicians and community members are turning to chili. For the fourth year, The Cain’s Ballroom will host the Rock n’ Folk n’ Chili Cookoff to benefit Horton Records on Saturday, November 11.

This event features some of Tulsa’s favorite musicians and restaurants serving all-you-can-eat-chili. There will be vegetarian and gluten-free chili available. Of course, it would not be a Horton event without music. John Fullbright, Paul Benjaman’s Sunday Nite Thing, Mike Dee & Stone Trio, Combsy (Chris Combs of JFJO), Jared Tyler, Seth Lee Jones, Carter Sampson, Beau Roberson, and Chris Blevins will perform throughout the evening. Admission is $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and $12 with a military or student ID at the box office. Attendees can also donate a non-perishable food item to benefit Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, or a coat for those in need at the door and receive $15 admission and a free raffle entry.