By JIM STAFFORD, The Oklahoman

NORMAN, Okla. -- Dwight Yoakam's cowboy boots never touched concrete when he played a concert at Oklahoma's Riverwind Casino.

It was in his contract.

Pat Benatar demanded that her own washer and dryer be installed in her dressing room before she performed at the Riverwind theater.

It was in her contract, too.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- One day in 1999, Dr. David Albert responded to the annoying "chirp" made by a smoke detector in his Oklahoma City home by replacing the failing battery.

When he tested the new battery and the smoke detector emitted the high-frequency alarm that would sound in the event of a fire, serendipity happened.