At the Shrine of Bob Wills: Samantha Fish at Cain's Ballroom

Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa, Oklahoma, May 10, 2026

Using guts, grit, and guidance, along with a solid work ethic, Samantha Fish has established a name for herself in the arena of roots rock/Americana performance over the past decade. She intelligently times the release of her new music logistically to coincide with her touring, which she does all the time. Presently, Fish is touring to support her Grammy Award nominated Paper Doll (Rounder Records, 2025) and anticipating her upcoming release, Paper Doll Live (coming June 15, 2026). The tour is extensive, including domestic and international legs.

On the hallowed ground of Cain’s Ballroom, Fish kicked out the jams, opening this two songs from Paper Doll, “Can You Handle the Heat” and the title song, raising the temperature and humidity adequately for her vigilant audience to have our full attention. Next, from the same recording is the driving “I’m Done Running.” Fish made her way back into her catalog featuring songs from Chills & Fever (, 2017) (“Hello Stranger”); Kill of Be Kind (, 2017) (“Bulletproof” and the rare “Dreamgirl”); leading to her typical closer, “Black Wind Howlin’” from her 2013 recording of the same title.

Within her individual tours, Fish typically features handpicked cover songs. These songs include Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put a Spell on You,” Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs,” and most recently, Neil Young’s “Don’t Let It Bring You Down” (which was included on her Paper Doll (Rounder Records, 2025) release. For this show, Fish burned down the house with a corrosive reading of Nina Simone’s “Either Way I Lose.” This was a fine recital in one of the most fabled venues existing.

Setlist

“Can You Handle the Heat;” Paper Doll;” “I’m Done Runnin’;” “Hello Stranger;” “Gone for Good;” “Either Way I Lose;” “Sweet Southern Sounds;” “Lose You;” “No Apology;” “Bulletproof;” “Miles to Go;” “Rusty Razor;” “Dreamgirl;” “Black Wind Howlin’.”

Musicians

Samantha Fish: vocals, guitar; Ron Johnson: bass; Jamie Douglass: drums; Mickey Finn: keyboards.