Oklahoma City’s Temple of Song

Our July/August 2024 issue of Oklahoma Today is on newsstands now, featuring a miraculous cover story by Ben Luschen about the hundred-year history of Cain’s Ballroom, Oklahoma’s Mother Church of music—the most legendary venue in the state and in the pantheon of must-visit music halls across the country. From Fitz and the Tantrums and the Scissor Sisters to Chris Stapleton and Nickel Creek, I’ve seen some truly mind-bending shows at Cain’s, and I was delighted we got to spotlight it on this issue’s cover.

To be sure, Tulsa’s music scene is something to behold. The Colony, Soundpony, the Guthrie and Dylan centers, Thelma’s Peach, Cain’s, Guthrie Green, the BOK—venues of every size and shape bring a truly world-class roster of acts through T-Town.

For a long time, there was no comparing the Tulsa and Oklahoma City music scenes. Oklahoma City’s always had its share of venues, but the balance felt off. The last decade or so, this has changed, as places like the Tower Theatre, Beer City Music Hall, Resonant Head, and the Jones Assembly have come online.

But if Cain’s is the Mother Church of Oklahoma music, Oklahoma City has a holy shrine of song all its own. Tucked on a side street near Oklahoma City University is my personal favorite venue in the state: The Blue Door.

BettySoo and James McMurtry during an evening show at Oklahoma City's Blue Door.

Greg Johnson opened the Blue Door in Oklahoma City in 1992. An Oklahoma City native who’d spent years living in Austin and organizing Woody Guthrie tribute concerts there, Johnson’s first show at what then was known as the Hotel Bohemia was by Austin singer-songwriter Michael Fracasso (who continues to play the venue regularly). In the three-plus decades since, the little hundred-seat listening room has seen the likes of Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, Shelby Lynne, and Ellis Paul, to name a few. Okie standbys like Jimmy Webb, Kevin Welch, and John Fullbright make regular appearances, as do traveling troubadours from all over the world. This year alone, I’ve seen Robyn Hitchcock and James McMurtry with BettySoo at the Blue Door; both shows blew my mind (no pun intended). My friends K.C. Clifford and Beau Jennings take the stage in October (K.C. on October 4; Beau Jennings and the Tigers on October 18).

So what makes the Blue Door so special?

It’s hard to point to details. There’s the intimate atmosphere—I’ve seen world-renowned artists from just an arm’s length away here—and the fact that there’s no loud bar or food service (policy is BYOB—bring in your own beer and wine, but try not to make a racket). There are the room’s unique angles, creating a near-perfect acoustic atmosphere. And there’s Greg himself, a delightful presence greeting guests at the door and announcing the artists from the stage as his good friends.

John Fullbright

Robyn Hitchcock

But all those details point to the true spirit of the Blue Door, the reason it’s such a treasure: Here, the song is central. This isn’t a place to chat with friends and clink beer glasses while some music tinkles in the background. This is a listening room, designed with excellent sound and a cozy atmosphere specifically curated so visitors can sit back and take in the lyrics, the instrumentation, the arrangement, the harmonies—the beautiful mélange of artistries that combine to make a song. Greg curates his acts to spotlight great songwriting.

That’s the other wonderful thing about the Blue Door: It’s a venue where you can show up not ever having heard of that night’s act and be assured an excellent show. I’ve laughed myself achy and cried myself stupid in these seats, these lyrics and melodies reaching in and grabbing me by the heart, the stomach, the funny bone, and getting inside, making my soul expand. The Blue Door is a place where human connection happens via song, and it’s beautiful.

So if you’re looking for a spot to really sit and admire the artistry of songwriting, a place you’re sure to be moved and connected and enjoying yourself, get a ticket and head to the Blue Door. Your ears and your soul will thank you.

Written By

Nathan Gunter

A sixth-generation Oklahoman, Weatherford native, and Westmoore High School graduate, Nathan Gunter is the magazine's editor-in-chief. When he's not editor-in-chiefing, Nate enjoys live music, running, working out, gaming, cooking, and random road trips with no particular destination in mind. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University and the University of Oklahoma. He learned how to perform poetry from Maya Angelou; how to appreciate Italian art from Terisio Pignatti; comedy writing from Doug Marlette; how to make coconut cream pie from his great-grandma; and how not to approach farm dogs from trial and error. A seminary dropout, he lives just off Route 66 in Oklahoma City.