Now that Kurt Cobain has as much relevance to 17 and 18 year olds, as say, Grand Funk Railroad (or the Peloponnesian War), things aren't exactly what they use to be in the Seattle music scene, even with recent Sub Pop festivities. To counter that trend, Seattle is launching a slew of incentives to increase the city's musical liveliness. New programs include a $13,000 local scholarship, the formation of a music commission to come up with further strategies, increased K-12 music education and, here's the kicker: health insurance for musicians.

Seattle may still draw musicians to the city based on reputation alone, much like New York still draws the punks. With enough incentives, health insurance being the crown jewel, something may actually come of this initiative. With gentrification to contend with, that is easier said than done. The economy what it is, however, we all may be poor anyway, musician or not.

[Idolator]