Cain's Ballroom Alive With Music History

As rock rings through Cain's Ballroom on a balmy summer night, the sound supplants another historical significance. Surrounding the stage, the music making museum proudly displays portraits of the past. While backstage, signatures of stars serenade the wooden walls.

"I hear one of the coolest things from the people that play here is from up on that stage looking out to a sold-out show and seeing those old portraits of musicians that line the walls of the Cain's," said Chad Rodgers, General Manager and Talent Buyer for Cain's Ballroom.

It began with country singer Bob Wills and some 44 years later, Cain's made a comeback with The Sex Pistols in the late 70's. The Pistols left more of an impression at the ballroom than a Sid Vicious punch. It exploded an array of rock acts at the venue from Van Halen to The Ramones, all relishing the opportunity to grace the same stage as The Sex Pistols.

"It means a lot to a lot of people. Every time they come, whether it's an artist tonight or an artist next week, they all like to look at the pictures of Sid Vicious and Johnny Rotten on stage and talk about, ‘man I can't believe the Sex Pistols played here,'" Rodgers said.

More now than ever, Cain's is a Mecca for music. They're averaging 120 events per year and have made significant upgrades to the venue, but have preserved the historic look.

"When we first came in the place the doors were boarded up, just boarded up as locks. We've put in central heat and air, all new electric and plumbing," Rodgers said. "We bought the warehouse to the south of his and expanded to the back. We also added a new stage, sound, lights, you name it."

Cain's is back and booming, continuing to write its history one song and signature at a time.

"Hopefully some of the acts we're bringing in now will one day have the presence that the Van Halen's and the Metallica's have nowadays," Rodgers said.

By Kyle Dierking, Video Journalist.