In broadest terms, there are two things Lawrence is known for: KU basketball and live music.

And while the music scene hasn’t ever taken home the equivalent of a national championship, it certainly is a strong contender every year.

But let’s clear up one myth right away: This is not a diverse music town. This is a place that champions “college music.” Though that term can refer to everything from punk rock to rockabilly, it still encompasses the type of artists most likely to be found in a dorm room CD player.

Sure there are pockets of additional styles  folk, bluegrass and other Americana tones have strong roots in the heartland. There are even small but passionate hip-hop and Latin scenes that flourish locally.

But you want jazz? You won’t find it here in Lawrence. (And don’t be fooled by the name The Jazzhaus, 926 1/2 Mass., either. It is to jazz what Max’s Kansas City is to KC.) Luckily, you can always hop on 1-70 East for 45 minutes if you’re hankering for be-bop or swing.

You want country? Unless there’s a Y’allapalooza festival happening at a nearby amphitheater, there’s little in the way of live entertainment. Save for the scattered cover bands and canned tunes at Cadillac Ranch, 2516 W. Sixth Street, and Coyote’s Night Club, 1003 E. 23rd Street, the best bet for C&W is cable’s CMT.

But if pressed to find a vibrant music scene with national recognition, Lawrence ranks up there with the most prominent college towns. It’s a breeding ground for talent that is constantly replenishing itself, and also offers a built in audience of rabid concertgoers. The music industry on both coasts never forgets this fact, either.

The main reason for Lawrence’s status can be linked to proximity. There are few national tours that DON’T stop here at some point. North to South, East to West, being in the heart of the country does have an advantage for luring artists  especially given the other options within a 300-mile radius. Where would you rather play, Lawrence or Omaha. Lawrence or Oklahoma City? Lawrence or  gack  Wichita?

It’s not much of a question, and the majority of national tour schedules usually read like a roster of NFL franchise cities … and Lawrence.

Also helping matters locally are the broad amount of venues that showcase live music  a few even boast six nights a week. Lawrence is probably better prepared for a walking musical pub crawl than any city in the Midwest.

Just consider in downtown alone how many venues cater to harmony-hungry crowds: The Bottleneck, 737 N.H.; The Replay Lounge, 946 Mass.; Abe & Jake’s Landing, 8 East Sixth St.; Raoul’s Velvet Room, 815 N.H.; Coco Loco, 943 Mass. The Jazzhaus, The Granada, 1020 Mass.; Liberty Hall, 642 Mass.; etc.

Add to that list other spots strewn around the city, such as Stu’s Midtown Tavern, 925 Iowa; Set ‘Em Up Jacks, 1800 E. 23rd Street; Johnny’s Tavern, 401 N. Second St. and Kaspar’s Bar & Grill, 3115 W. Sixth St. Not to mention the various places associated with the campus of Kansas University  from the Lied Center to Kansas Union Ballroom  which frequently put those student fees to work by drawing big-name acts.

Additionally, nearly every building in Lawrence at one point has featured some kind of in-house music. Whether it’s a blues trio in a beer garden, a classical guitarist at a breakfast eatery or an acid jazz turntablist in a clothing store, there are always loads of musical goings-on. (Just look at the sheer volume of street musicians camped out along Mass. Street on weekends. Note, however, that honking for hemp is not necessarily a means of musical expression.)

We admit, there are plenty of things absent from Lawrence that people can justifiably complain about: no mountains, no ocean, no professional hockey franchise and no Ethiopian food. Just don’t complain that there’s no good music.