Venue Spotlight: Cain's Ballroom

Facts and lesser-known knowledge biscuits

It was built in 1924 as a garage for He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named.* It was bought by Madison W. “Daddy” Cain in 1930 and named the Cain’s Dance Academy (dances lessons were 10 cents). It was the site of the first radio broadcast by The Texas Playboys (arguably the world’s first Rock ‘n’ Roll band). It was in bad shape in 1976 when Larry Schaeffer bought it and re-christened it Cain’s Ballroom. It is one of the only remaining venues from the ill-fated 1978 Sex Pistols tour. The drywall that Sid Vicious punched out is still on display in the office. #punkrock 

The Rodgers family bought Cain’s in 2002, completed its ceiling reconstruction in the summer of 2003 and re-opened that October with Dwight Yoakum. A new floor went in around Christmas 2007. In addition to touring shows, Cain’s hosts numerous benefits, private parties and occasional weddings and receptions.

With such a diverse roster of talent passing through its doors over the years, the venue has seen tame crowds, lame crowds and a few unholy crowds. Box Office Manager Hunter Rodgers said only two acts have been banned from Cain’s Ballroom:

“Insane Clown Posse, because of the use of Faygo (overly-sweetened soft drink that went on the walls and ceilings and everything else that night)—the destruction they bring isn’t worth the time and money that we may make,” said Rodgers. “At one point, we had kinda banned David Allen Coe. There was a time when we first took over where he threw a mic stand from stage and hit somebody in the audience. He has played since then. That didn’t go well, either, so he’s definitely not coming back.” 

*Tate Brady (Dumbledore would say it and so are we.)

For more from Andy, read his interview with Robert Simonson.