Cain's Ballroom

Cain's Ballroom

The historic sign of Cain's Ballroom.
Address	423 North Main Street
Location	Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States
Owner	The Rodgers Family (Jim, Alice, Chad and Hunter)
Capacity	1,800
Opened	1924 (1924-MM)
Website
www.cainsballroom.com
Cain's Dancing Academy
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Coordinates	36°9′38.46″N 95°59′35.31″W
Architectural style	Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements
NRHP reference No.	03000874
Added to NRHP	September 4, 2003

Cain's Ballroom is a historic music venue located in Tulsa, Oklahoma, built in 1924 to serve as a garage for W. Tate Brady's automobiles. Madison W. "Daddy" Cain purchased the building in 1930 and named it Cain's Dance Academy, where he charged 10¢ for dance lessons. The academy was the site of The Texas Playboys' first regular radio broadcast, and they continued to play there regularly.

It fell into disuse until 1976 when Larry Schaeffer purchased the building, refurbished it, and reopened it with the current name, Cain's Ballroom. It hosted the Sex Pistols in 1978, and several bands from the Second British Invasion.

Cain’s Dancing Academy was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on September 4, 2003. It was listed under Criterion B and its NRIS number is 03000874.

History

Early years

Tate Brady used this building as a garage upon its construction in 1924. His garage was soon renamed "The Louvre" and opened to the public. It quickly became a night spot for the nouveau riche oil boom town.

Madison 'Daddy Cain' hosted dance lessons and evening gatherings under the new name of Cain's Dance Academy. Jazz, rag, blues, country, and other genres were among the band styles booked. Bob Wills became a regular performer. By 1932, Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys broadcast a popular radio show from Cain's on KVOO (1934–1942).

In the late 1960s, Cain's went dark for a brief time as the onset of mass Rock and Roll took the limelight. It was purchased by 82-year-old Marie Mayers, a Bob Wills traditionalist, in 1972. She planned to reopen Cain's as a full-time dance hall. It experienced very limited success with traditional dance evenings and concert rentals.

Revival

Cain's Ballroom at night.

In 1976, Marie sold Cain's Ballroom to rock concert investor Larry Shaeffer. His investment in Cain's focused on reviving the original elements and structure. Late 1977 marked the reopening of Cain's Ballroom with a concert by Elvin Bishop. Shaeffer's show production support was Little Wing.

The Sex Pistols were booked through Malcolm McLaren in early 1978.

After the Sex Pistols gig, Cain's primarily succeeded in music bookings and oddity performances. In the 1980s, Shaeffer took a business partner named Davit Souders. Souders focused on international artists in the 'new wave' scene.

In 2010, Pollstar ranked Cain's Ballroom at #26 worldwide for ticket sales at club venues.

In 2013, Oklahoma Joe's BBQ began serving lunch out of Cain's.

External links

• Cain's Ballroom Site
• Cain's Dancing Academy