Blaine Bailey, a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
Blaine Bailey, a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer

It started with a drum circle and traditional dancers Monday evening. Then, five local Native musicians took the stage and swapped songs for an audience of hundreds celebrating the first-ever Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom.

The event was organized by Tahlequah country singer Blaine Bailey, a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, and his wife, Kelly.  

He called on friends R.C. Edwards, a Cherokee Nation citizen and member of the Turnpike Troubadours, Choctaw singer-songwriter Samantha Crain, Cherokee singer-songwriter Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey and Cherokee-Muscogee singer-songwriter Kalyn Fay to join him on stage and play their favorite songs. 

The Baileys saw an opportunity to expand on Tulsa’s Native American Day celebration and host a concert spotlighting diverse tribal influences and styles in one of the most revered music venues in the country — that just so happens to be within the Muscogee Nation Reservation. 

After each performer played a first song, Bailey smiled and told the crowd, “this is one of the best moments of my life.” 

Then they all kept playing their songs. 

  • Five Native musicians perform as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    Five Native musicians perform as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • Blaine Bailey, a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    Blaine Bailey, a citizen of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • Cherokee-language songwriter Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    Cherokee-language songwriter Agalisiga “Chuj” Mackey performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • Choctaw singer-songwriter Samantha Crain performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    Choctaw singer-songwriter Samantha Crain performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • Cherokee-Muscogee musician Kalyn Fay performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    Cherokee-Muscogee musician Kalyn Fay performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • R.C. Edwards, a Cherokee Nation citizen and member of Turnpike Troubadours, performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    R.C. Edwards, a Cherokee Nation citizen and member of Turnpike Troubadours, performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • Tulsa Indian Club members drum as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    Tulsa Indian Club members drum as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • A young dancer performs on stage as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    A young dancer performs on stage as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • A dancer performs on stage as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    A dancer performs on stage as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
  • R.C. Edwards, a Cherokee Nation citizen and member of Turnpike Troubadours, performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain's Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026.
    R.C. Edwards, a Cherokee Nation citizen and member of Turnpike Troubadours, performs as part of the first Indigenous Day at Cain’s Ballroom, Oct. 12, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer

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Tim Landes is the food, arts and culture editor at the Tulsa Flyer. Prior to joining the inaugural editorial team at the Tulsa Flyer, Tim spent a decade managing media relations for Cherokee Nation businesses,...