TULSA — Tulsa has a long and storied reputation when it comes to top-notch musical talent.

Saturday, March 9th that tradition gets another boost with the presentation of the 2nd Annual We Are Tulsa Music Awards.

Co-founder Ryan Paquette tells KRMG despite all the legendary names that have come out of Tulsa haven’t meant a lot of attention from record companies for artists in the area.

“A lot of these A&R (artists and repertoire) guys will fly over us, they never stop here,” he said Wednesday. “The left and right coast, they just don’t... the light is not shined here any more.”

But it’s possible the WATMAs could change that trend.

“It was interesting, I was looking at the ticket orders,” Paquette said. “We’ve got Bungalow Records, we’ve got Sony, we’ve got A&R reps from Nashville. And I’m kinda leaking this out to all the musicians, saying ‘guys, guess what? They’re coming, they’re looking again.”

[Hear the full interview with Ryan Paquette and Andrew Mikus of We Are Tulsa Music Awards here, or click on the player below]

The 2019 show is at the IDL Ballroom, doors at 6:00 p.m., show at 7:00 p.m.

Expect to see a red carpet, and fashions ranging from tuxedos and formal gowns to heavy metal drag - and pretty much anything in between.

The show will include six live performances, and video screens will help introduce the nominees to the audience.

There will be more live music at the pre-party, which kicks off at Enso at 4:00 p.m., as well as the after party at the Unicorn Club.

Advanced tickets are sold out, but there will be about two hundred “walk-up” tickets available.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.