Part of the American Music Town Series
If Tulsa isn’t on your radar as a music town, it should be. At the foothills of the Ozarks, is a blend of Americana steeped in history that continues to flourish. What is most impressive is the state it is nestled in, Oklahoma, the influence of music innovators that have continued to make their mark on greats to come. These artists include, Woody Guthrie, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Gene Autry, Wanda Jackson, and Leon Russell. The lineage of these influencers directly impacted artists such as Bob Dylan, George Strait, Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, and artists who were part of the Bakersfield Sound, among countless others. At the center of this Oklahoma music scene, Tulsa has been both honoring the past and the celebrating a newer generation of music through its cultivation of venues, state of the art recording studios, iconic music museums, record companies, and wealth of talent, especially Americana Artists.
Tulsa MUSIC Venues
Cain’s ballroom
This once ballroom studio became famous through the radio station KVOO am and Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. The house band would play through the airwaves from coast to coast during AM radio’s heyday.
The Colony
A songwriter’s open mic every, Monday night, this iconic venue was the favorite hangout for trying out new tunes. Only 7 minutes from Church Studio, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, and JJ Cale are among some of the big names that have played at this historic Tulsa dive bar. Newly owned, by local artists Cassie Latshaw, Joe Westbrook, and Jared Frederick, the atmosphere is one that celebrates music and is a safe space for all who enter.
Low Down
Formerly known as Duet Jazz Club, this downtown venue, Low Down, is a perfect Americana and Jazz spot. The atmospheric room with round tables and a bar creates a premium listening experience in Tulsa. Being able to be up and close and personal to the band gives an electric ambiance to this venue.
Maggie’s Music Box
Located in Jenks, just 15 minutes from downtown Tulsa, is a hidden gem called Maggie’s Music Box. This indoor and outdoor venue is perfect for lounging with some friends, listening to some great music, and drinking a bear from the bar, all while eating gastropub food. Littered with posters from some of Oklahoma’s most iconic shows, although it’s only been around since 2020, this is a venue you are sure to fall in love with.
Tulsa Music Museums
Woody Guthrie Center
The Woody Guthrie Center houses a museum, a venue, a shop, and most importantly, a library that houses the archives. The Woody Guthrie Center Archives does not just house Woody Guthrie Collections, but also the Bob Dylan Archive, Tom Paxton Papers, and Phil Ochs Papers among many, many more.
Bob Dylan CENTER
With Bob Dylan’s hero’s museum (Woody Guthrie) being only two doors down, it’s poetic that the greatest songwriter of generations whose songs include “Like a Rolling Stone”, “Blowing in the Wind”, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door”, and “Mr. Tambourine Man” has the same street name. His music defined more than his and other musicians careers, but defined an era. A recorder of a time of the Vietnam War and yet his songs continue to reach with similar conviction generation after generation. In the Bob Dylan Center you’ll find photos, song lyrics, and artifacts catering to those who were his biggest fans to those who may have just heard of him.
THE CHURCH STUDIO MUSEUM
Within The Church Studio walls if you listen close you can hear the stories of those who’ve hallowed it, including Leon Russell, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, JJ Cale, Freddie King, Tom Petty, Phoebe Snow, and Willie Nelson to name a few. The studio once owned by Leon Russell has since been not only restored, but also made a world class music studio where most recent studio recordings include Elle King, The Dropkick Murphys, Taj Mahal, Jimmy Webb, and Kristen Chenoweth. As long as no one is recording you can tour the studio in the attached museum with all kinds of memorabilia including gold records and more with a majority of the collection being those of Leon Russell.
The RECORDING Studios
The Church Studio
This world class studio is a gem in Oklahoma, trusted by world class artists. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, The Church Studio’s history of legends who have graced its doors (see list in museum description) would be reason enough to record there, but how it’s been updated to compete with any Nashville or New York Studio is what is most impressive. They also provide the option to record in Analog or Digital, and they have four isolation booths.
Teegarden Studios
Grammy winner David M Teegarden, Sr. runs Teegarden Studios across the street from The Church Studio. Member of the 60s and 70s psych-rock group Teegarden & Van Winkle and of The Silver Bullet Band David has worked with an impressive list of musicians including J. J. Cale, Eric Clapton, Leon Russell, Joe Walsh and Bob Seger.
The Record CompanieS
Horton Records
This record company gave the start to several artists including Ken Pomeroy and Carter Sampson. Their most notable distribution work is an album sung completely in Cherokee, in efforts to preserve the language. The album is called Anvdvnelisgi ᎠᏅᏛᏁᎵᏍᎩ.
Black Mesa Records
Their artist lineup includes Travis Linville, Tim Easton, Beau Jennings and the Tigers, Beth Bombara, M Lockwood Porter, R.R. Williams and Anna Ash.
Where to find vinyl records in Tulsa
Josey Records
Located on historical Route 66, you can find both used and brand new records at Josey Records. It’s also a little more organized if there is something specific you are looking for. You’ll also find cool music events here as well.
Gardner’s Books and Music
Gardner’s is the largest used book store in Oklahoma, with a large selection of used Vinyl Records.
Tulsa Area Artists You Should Know
Ken Pomeroy
With both a recent cameo and part of the Twisters soundtrack, Ken Pomeroy, Wilderado, and James McCalister sing “The Wall of Death” originally sung written and sung by Richard and Linda Thompson. This folk standard previously covered by R.E.M. and Nanci Griffith, and now with these three’s version of their own fresh version of the song.
Recently signed with Rounder records, Ken Pomeroy is a force of nature with impeccable timing and haunting vocals. Her songwriting is beyond her years with recent songs like Cicadas equally matched with her vocal abilities reminiscent of a Joni Mitchell and her song Pareidolia in which both were featured on the Hulu show Reservation Dogs.
Casii Stephan
From her song “Ghost Ships” which received Honorable Mention from the USA Songwriting competition to covering “A Song for You” at Leon Russell’s Church Studio to her most recent knock-out EP release, “Relationship Status”, Casii Stephan is an artist you should know. Although the comparison to Fiona Apple and Carole King can sometimes be overused for female songwriters whose medium is piano, when Julie Watson for NPR’s Artists to Watch compares them to Casii Stephan, it is no far stretch for Casii’s songwriting muscles, vocal pipes, and originality holds the same standards of the innovative female songwriters. Furthermore, without stretch of the imagination, she could also be placed in the same category of pop and rock sensibilities as Leon Russell and Elton John.
Desi and cody
Desi and Cody are where pop sensibilities meets folk and country, and laid back California meets Tulsa underground cool. Their harmonies are individual and iconic. Their sound is unmistakable and their upcoming album with the last few singles as teasers has unleashed a force of nature developed from years of songwriting chops and performing. They’re true to what’s been know in northeastern Oklahoma as The Tulsa Sound since the legendary Leon Russell roamed Trenton and 3rd street at his recording studio.
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