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 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 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 donations 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 temporarily 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 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 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
