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Live from Cain’s launches May 29

Cain’s Ballroom is known for many things—its storied history, impeccable sound, and, of course, stellar live performances. But this month will mark a first for the legendary home of Bob Wills.

Singer-songwriter Robbie Fulks will host the pilot episode of Tulsa’s newest radio show, Live from Cain’s, at the historic venue on May 29. Paul Benjaman and the Oklahoma Specials will join Fulks as the house band for the show.

Live from Cain’s will be recorded in front of a live audience and shared with the Public Radio Exchange (PRX), where any public radio station can download it for free to fill in their sandlot, or unprogrammed, spot.

“The hope is that they will air it and then give us feedback, which we will consider when developing a mini seven-season series next,” co-producer Julie Watson said.

Grammy-award winning singer/songwriter Bonnie Bishop will join Paul Benjaman, John Fullbright (keys), Aaron Boehler (bass), Paddy Ryan (drums), Jeremy Watkins (fiddle) and Roger Ray (steel guitar) for a rendezvous of musicians unique to this show only.

“There’s an added amount of excitement because when I do a normal show, I got my same guys,” Bishop said. “When you have great players like this event, you’re creating something live with people. You haven’t done it a million times. For me as a songwriter it brings the music to life in a whole new way.

“There’s always a bit of nervousness for everybody,” she said. “Because it’s like, ‘Oh shit, are we gonna pull this off?”

The show will also feature guest appearances from guitarist Kevin Odegard, who played guitar on Bob Dylan’s iconic 1975 album Blood on the Tracks.

“We’re actually going to do a shared version of ‘Tangled Up in Blue’ with each of the vocalists on stage taking one of the verses, which should be cool because Kevin played the guitar that is actually on the song that is on the original Dylan album,” Watson said.

After the show is recorded, Watson noted there will be additional content for the live audience, including an interview with musician and music journalist Jeff Slate. Tickets for the live show run from $25–40 and can be purchased on the Live from Cain’s website. The $40 ticket includes a VIP reception catered by Head Country following the event.