Tulsa Folk Music – What You Need to Know

Tulsa is home to a thriving folk music scene. If you’re new to the area or just want to learn more about this genre, check out this blog post. You’ll find everything you need to know about Tulsa folk music, from its history to the best places to see it.

Tulsa Folk Music Scene

The Tulsa Folk Music Scene has been growing rapidly in recent years. With the addition of new venues and the growth of existing venues, the Tulsa Folk Music Scene is becoming one of the most vibrant in the country. Tulsa is quickly becoming a hotbed for Folk Music, and there is no better place to experience it than in the historic Brady Arts District.

The Venues

If you’re interested in the Tulsa folk music scene, there are a few key venues you should know about. The first is Cains Ballroom, which has been hosting folk acts since the 1930s. Woody Guthrie even played there once! Cains has a long tradition of booking both local and touring folk artists, and it’s still one of the best places to catch a show in Tulsa.

Another great venue for folk music is The Brady Theater. The Brady doesn’t host as many folk shows as it used to, but when they do, it’s always a good time. This historic theater has hosted everyone from Bob Dylan to Joan Baez, and it’s still one of the best places to see a show in Tulsa.

If you’re more interested in catching a local act, there are plenty of great bars and coffeehouses around town that feature live music. One of our favorites is The Yeti, which has an intimate setting and always has a great lineup of local and regional talent. No matter what your taste in music is, you’re sure to find something you like at one of these great Tulsa venues.

The Artists

The Tulsa Folk Music scene is made up of a number of different artists who perform a variety of genres. While there is no one specific type of folk music that is associated with Tulsa, there is a common thread running through much of the music being created and performed here. That thread is a love of the land, the people, and the stories that make up the fabric of Oklahoma.

Some of the most popular folk artists in Tulsa include:
-The Turnpike Troubadours
-John Moreland
-Red Dirt Rangers
-Cross Canadian Ragweed
-The Reverend Horton Heat

Tulsa Folk Music History

Tulsa has a long and storied history with folk music. The city has been home to many famous folk musicians over the years, and has even been nicknamed “The Folk Capital of the World.” If you’re a fan of folk music, or are just curious about its history, Tulsa is the place to be. Here’s what you need to know about Tulsa’s folk music scene.

The Early Days

Tulsa Folk Music – What You Need to Know
The Tulsa music scene has a rich and varied history, but one of its most enduring genres is folk music. From the early days of Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly to the modern sounds of John Fullbright and Samantha Crain, Tulsa has always been a hotbed for folk music.

The early days of Tulsa folk music were shaped by the likes of Woody Guthrie and Lead Belly. Guthrie, who was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, just south of Tulsa, is considered one of the most influential folk musicians of all time. His songs about the American experience, such as “This Land is Your Land” and “Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos),” have become standards in the genre. Lead Belly, another Oklahoma native, was a blues and folk musician whose songs were often about his life as a convict. He recorded numerous hits for Columbia Records in the 1930s and 1940s, including “Midnight Special” and “Goodnight Irene.”

Tulsa has also been home to some of the most important figures in contemporary folk music. John Fullbright, who released his debut album From the Ground Up in 2012, is one of the brightest young stars in the genre. His songs have been praised by everyone from Bob Dylan to Leon Russell, and he was named one of Rolling Stone’s “New Guitar Gods” in 2013. Another Tulsa native making waves in the folk world is Samantha Crain, whose 2010 album You (Understood) garnered critical acclaim from publications like Pitchfork and No Depression. Crain’s voice has been likened to that of Gillian Welch, and her songwriting has been praised for its honesty and insight.

The Golden Age

The early 1900s saw a boom in Tulsa’s population and economy due to the discovery of oil in nearby Glenpool. Young people from all over the country came to Tulsa to find their fortunes in the oil industry, and with them came a new wave of music. Folk, blues, and jazz began to proliferate in the city’s musical scene as bars and nightclubs began to open up to accommodate the influx of workers.

One of the most famous folk musicians to come out of this period was Woody Guthrie, who was born in Okemah, Oklahoma, just south of Tulsa. Guthrie spent much of his youth in Tulsa, and it was during this time that he began to develop his unique style of folk music. Guthrie’s songs often addressed the issues facing everyday people, such as poverty and inequality, and his music proved to be popular with the working class residents of Tulsa.

The Golden Age of Tulsa folk music came to an end with the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929. Many of the bars and clubs that had hosted folk musicians closed their doors due to the economic downturn, and many of the city’s residents left Tulsa in search of work elsewhere. Despite this, some folk musicians continued to perform in Tulsa throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Among these was Wanda Jackson, who would go on to become one of the first female stars of country music.

The Modern Era

The modern era of Tulsa folk music began in the mid-20th century with the rise of country music. Country music, which takes its roots from both Anglo-American and Celtic traditions, has been a central part of Tulsa’s musical culture since the early days of commercial radio. In the 1950s and 1960s, Tulsa became a hotbed for country music, with a number of iconic country stars recording albums and performing in the city. Among the most famous country artists who have called Tulsa home are Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, and Reba McEntire.

In recent years, Tulsa has continued to be a major center for country music, with a number of top country radio stations and a thriving live music scene. A number of modern folk artists have also found success in the city, including John Fullbright, Samantha Crain, and Parker Millsap.

Tulsa Folk Music Today

Folk music in Tulsa is as old as the city itself. With a long and storied history, Tulsa folk music has been a part of the city’s identity since its earliest days. Today, Tulsa’s folk music scene is as vibrant as ever, with a new generation of musicians carrying on the tradition. If you’re interested in learning more about Tulsa’s folk music scene, here’s what you need to know.

The Venues

Tulsa has a vibrant and thriving folk music scene, with many great venues to catch a show. Here are some of the best places to enjoy live folk music in the city.

The Root: This popular bar and restaurant in the Brady Arts District is known for its great food and music. The Root regularly hosts folk musicians from all over the country, and is a great place to catch a show.

The Blue Door: The Blue Door is a world-renowned acoustic music venue that has been hosting folk musicians since 1992. The venue showcases a variety of local, regional, and national acts, and is a must-see for any fan of live folk music.

Cain’s Ballroom: Cain’s Ballroom is a historic venue in downtown Tulsa that has been hosting live music since 1924. The venue is best known for its roots in country and western music, but also features a variety of other genres, including folk.

The Artists

There are many different types of folk music, and each one has its own unique history and origins. In Tulsa, we have a rich history of folk music, dating back to the early settlers who came to the area. The artists who perform this type of music today are keeping the tradition alive, and they are doing it in their own unique way.

The artists who perform Tulsa folk music today come from all walks of life. Some are professional musicians who have made a career out of playing this type of music, while others are amateurs who play for the love of the music. No matter their background, these artists all share a passion for folk music and a desire to keep the tradition alive.

If you’re interested in hearing Tulsa folk music, there are many different ways to do so. You can attend live concerts, listen to recordings, or even take part in workshops and classes. No matter how you choose to experience this type of music, you’re sure to enjoy it.