Tulsa band headed to L A

Hard work is paying off for a hometown band. In this culture of overnight fame, the band "The Hero Factor" has taken the slow and steady approach to stardom. <br/><br/>News on 6 anchor Craig Day says

Monday, April 25th 2005, 10:01 am

By: News On 6

Hard work is paying off for a hometown band. In this culture of overnight fame, the band "The Hero Factor" has taken the slow and steady approach to stardom.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day says with no managers and no industry insiders on their side, they've played stages in Tulsa for 2 and-a-half years, but now they're ready for the Hollywood spotlight and their time to shine.

Most hometown bands only dream of releasing their second album, to a packed house at Cain's Ballroom. But The Hero Factor saw their dreams come true. Band member Matt Fisher: "I was like, man I hope 600 to 800 people show up and there was like 1600 people showed up." But after two and a half years of recording albums, winning fans, and making the most of the Tulsa music scene. Lead singer Ben Kilgore: "I think we're all like ready for the next chapter to start.â€ Every new chapter though, costs money and cutting the record that could keep the band on a label's radar, nearly took them out of competition.

Strapped for cash, the band knew they had to answer when the opportunity of a lifetime came knocking. Matt Fisher: "We do realize we do need to make sacrifices so coming up with the money wasn't a big deal, and you know if the industry's not here, then you kinda have to go where it is." 'Where it isâ€™ - is Los Angeles, and The Hero Factor is one of only three bands in the country, invited to perform at a festival on Sunset Strip. It's a spotlight that makes them much more visible than any stage in Tulsa. Still, with big goals comes the possibility of big disappointment.

Ben Kilgore: "I think we're trying on purpose to not get our hopes way up and have huge expectations. 'Cause if we go and we play the showcase and you know, nothing happens, we went to LA and played in a cool venue."

But in a make or break industry, this band from Tulsa is finally catching the break they needed to make it big. The Hero Factor leaves for Los Angeles this weekend. They perform on Monday.