Cain's Ballroom

Cain's Ballroom, in a 1924 downtown Tulsa building, evolved from W. Tate Brady's garage into a dance hall after Daddy Cain opened Cain's Dance Academy in 1930. In the 1930s and 1940s it became a center of Western swing through Bob Wills's frequent performances and radio broadcasts, while also welcoming Black artists such as Count Basie and Ernie Fields during an era of segregation. After decline in the 1960s and failed revival efforts in the early 1970s, new ownership in 1976 restored its importance by booking rock acts and emerging bands. Renovated again after 2002, it remains a celebrated national touring stop and Oklahoma music landmark.

Tulsa, Oklahoma · United States