Live Music at Johnny B Club

Getting the Most Out of a Night of Live Music

Outlaw country has deep roots in this part of the country. The style took shape in the late 1960s and 1970s, when artists such as Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Billy Joe Shaver pushed back against the polished Nashville sound. They favoured rawer production, personal songwriting and the freedom to play their own way. Oklahoma has its own strong claim to that spirit. The state gave the world the Red Dirt scene, and Tulsa helped shape the Tulsa Sound associated with J.J. Cale and Leon Russell. A saloon stage in Tulsa carries that history whether a band leans toward honky-tonk, Southern rock or stripped-back acoustic sets.

Planning your visit

• Check the lineup first. Acts and start times can change, so look at the events page before heading out, especially for weekend shows.
• Arrive early for popular nights. Outlaw-country lineups and touring acts tend to draw bigger crowds. Getting in before the first set usually means a better spot near the stage.
• Plan your ride home. Arrange a designated driver, a taxi or a rideshare ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy the night.
• Eat before the music gets loud. Ordering from the bar menu before the headliner starts makes it easier to talk with your server and get your food quickly.

Tips for open-mic performers

Open-mic nights reward preparation. Bring a short set of two or three songs you know well, and tune up before your name is called. Keep any spoken introduction brief. If you play acoustic guitar, a pickup or a cable-ready instrument makes the sound check faster. Ask the host how sign-ups work and how long each slot runs, since this often varies from night to night. Most of all, stay for the other performers. Open mics work best as a community, and the musician you cheer on tonight might be the one sharing a bill with you later.

Bringing a group

If you want to celebrate a birthday or an office night out around a favourite band, take a look at the options for private parties. Reaching out ahead of time is the simplest way to find out what fits your group size and date.