The Cimarron Songbird and the Queen of Oklahoma kick off a new season of Block 34 Live

Monica Taylor and Carter Sampson opened Block 34 Live's 2026 season Saturday on the KICKER Soundstage in downtown Stillwater, drawing hundreds of attendees for the first of 14 free concerts planned this year.

The season opener, billed as "Girls From Oklahoma," featured Taylor — known as the Cimarron Songbird — and Sampson, the Queen of Oklahoma. Both are among the state's most celebrated singer-songwriters, and the pairing set the tone for what organizers are calling the series' most ambitious year yet.

VIP section out, bigger season in

Block 34 Live offers free, all-ages concerts featuring original music from local and regional artists in the heart of downtown Stillwater. Now in its second year, the series is expanding to 14 events and making a structural change: the VIP section is gone.

"We're never doing the VIP section again," organizer Jarrod Beckstrom said. "Some people didn't like the optics of it, and truthfully, it was a lot of work. In the offseason, we were fortunate enough to receive sponsorships from Simmons Bank, BancFirst, and Kicker. The lesson learned is that people believe in what Block 34 Live is and can be."

The decision reflects a core principle of the series. "Because it's in a public space, people should inherently feel like they belong there," Beckstrom said. "It's their space, we're just providing great music. That's one big hurdle with some venues — people just don't feel like they belong or have reasons they won't or can't go to a bar to listen to music."

New programming this season includes Indie Soul, Global Grooves, and an outer-space-themed Halloween show. The single largest bet comes next week: Stillystock on April 18, a partnership with the Oklahoma State University (OSU) Music Industry Student Association featuring Ben Quad, an Oklahoma City emo band that has been touring since 2018 and released its second album, Wisher, last fall.

"That's a big swing, and a big swing early," Beckstrom said. "It'll bring a whole new demographic and energy to Block 34. A successful show will be a template for a recurring, potentially large, show every year."

The Cimarron Songbird

Taylor opened the evening backed by her husband, Travis Fite, on guitar and suitcase drums; Jordan Hehl on upright bass; and Jared Tyler on dobro. Together they turned the outdoor space into something closer to an intimate listening room, and the crowd settled in accordingly.

Her set was a masterclass in storytelling. It culminated in a song performed in both Cherokee and English, drawn from her own family history and her grandmother's journey on the Trail of Tears.

"The people are really attentive," Taylor said after her set. "It's a big space, but people are in their chairs and listening. That was really nice. Stillwater, in general, is a place that is known for songwriting, so I think the Stillwater community respects that."

Asked for a single word to describe the night, Taylor said she felt honored.

The Queen holds court

Sampson, who played the first Block 34 Live show a year ago in the summer heat, said she was looking forward to the cooler conditions. "It was like 115 degrees last time, so this is going to be awesome," she said during soundcheck. "I love playing in front of big groups of people and diverse groups. I like watching dogs play while I play music."

With a full band — The Jackalopes, featuring Jack Waters on drums, Luke Mullenix on bass, and Mike Satawake on guitar — behind her, Sampson's sound carried an energy that shifted the evening from reflective to electric. Satawake drove the set with sharp guitar solos throughout, and the band moved with her through an eclectic setlist without missing a step.

Sampson teased a new project, a record of songs written in the 1940s, and delivered an unexpected jazzy turn midset. She also told the crowd the story of Catherine Slaughterback, urging them to "look it up."

As 9 p.m. came and went, the crowd stayed — many in blankets, some with dogs — until the last note. Sampson closed the evening with a thematic one-two punch: a cover of "Queen of the Silver Dollar" followed by her own "Queen of Oklahoma."

What's ahead

"Expect the best parts of last season, but we're stepping it up this year," Beckstrom said. "We're adding new artists and genres that we're super stoked about, while still focusing on original music from local and regional acts."

Block 34 Live continues Friday, April 18, with Stillystock on the KICKER Soundstage. All shows are free and all-ages. The full schedule is available at block34live.com.