Musicians, look no further...

In the past year, an increasing amount of aspiring bands and musicians are obtaining good fortune in the music industry through Guestroom Records in Norman, Okla.

Guestroom, a two store syndicate located in downtown Norman and northwestern Oklahoma City, has been assisting eager artists in their musical endeavors by providing free ad space and consignment. Bands seeking notoriety are welcomed into Guestroom. Here they can drop off promotional fliers for upcoming shows and CDs to earn cash. Guestroom then contributes all the money made off these albums back to the band.

Travis Searle and Justin Sowers, the cofounders of Guestroom Records, began their musical business in two individual record stores, Shadowplay and CD Zone, located just north of the University of Oklahoma on Campus Corner. After shutting down these establishments, Searle and Sowers opened Guestroom Records in Norman, and later expanded to Oklahoma City.

If the musical incentives are not enough for the ambitious Norman musician, Guestroom additionally collaborates with the Opolis and the Deli, two very popular Norman music venues, to steer talented bands for show-booking at these sites. Furthermore, Guestroom has begun to issue their own record label, which many bands, such as the Starlight Mints, Rainbows Are Free, the Boom Bang, and Gangstar Museum, have committed to, Searle said.

With various music organizations collaborating to develop their homegrown talent, the Norman and Oklahoma City metropolitan area is gradually becoming the powerhouse in the Oklahoma music scene. With exceptional establishments like Guestroom, this endeavor will be achieved in no time.