LIVE Music In Ogden

Breaking down the current state of the live music scene in Ogden, Utah

An overview of the artists, bands, venues, organizations and festivals that make live music in O-Town.

OGDEN'S LIVE MUSIC HISTORY

In tracing Ogden’s musical DNA, it’s evident that the “Crossroads of the West” or “Junction City” music scene dates back to the early days of the city’s diverse railroad culture. Music in Ogden has traditionally been diversionary in nature; a way for predominantly blue-collar workers to unwind. Ogden's recording studios may not be as iconic as those in Nashville, Los Angeles or New York, but smaller studios and home recording set-ups abound. Ogden isn't loaded with musical theaters like Branson, but it isn't short on live music venues.

Ogden’s music culture developed in bars, restaurants and hotel lobbies, and that DNA trait is still clearly exhibited. Such a foundation undoubtedly contributed to a lot of collaboration and the resulting “jam” culture that exists today across musical genres.

Looking at Ogden’s musical history, the most iconic local musician is undoubtedly the Legendary Joe McQueen, who passed away in 2019 at 100 years of age. This Texas-born saxophone player began his music career at age 16. He landed in Ogden in 1945 en route from Las Vegas when his band leader gambled away the troupe’s earnings, forcing the band to dissolve. Joe put the pieces of the band back together and decided to stay in Ogden.

McQueen became a fixture at various bars and clubs around the area, but was most consistently found performing at the Porters and Waiters Club on Historic 25th Street…which, back then, was just 25th Street or “Two-Bit Street.” No doubt, Joe played a big part in the street earning its “Historic” status in subsequent years.

In post-WWII Ogden, hundreds of thousands of passengers en route to San Francisco or Kansas City stopped in Ogden as their layover in switching from the Central Pacific to the Union Pacific. Unlike today’s airport layovers of one to two hours with just enough time to grab a Cinnabon and a $12 beer while answering emails on your smartphone, these train layovers were much longer and passengers spilled out of Union Station and up 25th Street in search of a drink and a bit of entertainment. Word of Joe McQueen quickly spread and for decades, he was known as “The Legendary Joe McQueen.”

McQueen became a fixture at various bars and clubs around the area, but was most consistently found performing at the Porters and Waiters Club on Historic 25th Street…which, back then, was just 25th Street or “Two-Bit Street.” No doubt, Joe played a big part in the street earning its “Historic” status in subsequent years.

In post-WWII Ogden, hundreds of thousands of passengers en route to San Francisco or Kansas City stopped in Ogden as their layover in switching from the Central Pacific to the Union Pacific. Unlike today’s airport layovers of one to two hours with just enough time to grab a Cinnabon and a $12 beer while answering emails on your smartphone, these train layovers were much longer and passengers spilled out of Union Station and up 25th Street in search of a drink and a bit of entertainment. Word of Joe McQueen quickly spread and for decades, he was known as “The Legendary Joe McQueen.”

As various bands toured the country via rail, they would inevitably layover in Ogden. On such layovers, regardless of the hour, they would call Joe McQueen and enjoy informal jam sessions. Patrons of the Porters and Waiters Club were treated to sessions with Joe along with Charlie Parker, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Dizzie Gillespie and others.

As impressive as Joe’s talent, longevity and connections were, it was his willingness to mentor subsequent generations of musicians around town that kept live music in Ogden alive through some lean years. Among his proteges is blues man, Brad Wheeler…also occasionally referred to as Reverend Brad Wheeler, but most recognized as “Bad Brad Wheeler,” the former afternoon drive-time DJ for local, independent radio station KRCL and KUAA radio.

On his way to “local radio icon” status, Wheeler, along with his lap steel and harmonica case, was a member of The Legendary Porch Pounders along with Daniel Weldon and his blazing guitar. When the duo wasn’t gigging locally, touring regionally or launching the “Blues in Schools” program in remote areas of Alaska, Brad handled the music booking for Beatniks…now Brewskis on Historic 25th Street.

Brad quickly became a musical sponge, soaking up every influence that frequented Beatniks and enjoying the mentorship of Joe McQueen, Roby Kap, Dan Weldon and others. Decades later, he continues to develop musical connections and now counts Mickey Raphael (long-time harmonica player for Wille Nelson) as one of his closest friends. And like a sponge, Brad not only soaks in knowledge, but wrings it out and dowses a new generation of musicians with his wisdom and skill.

He regularly conducts harmonica clinics as part of the Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music (OFOAM) Festival. He mentors groups as small as attendees at the University of Utah Medical Center’s “Burn Camp,” where burn survivors gather to learn the healing properties of music. He holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for conducting the world’s largest “harmonica army,” an event where he distributed harmonicas to a crowded Lindquist Field, used the public address system to teach “When the Saints go Marching In” to hundreds, then led them in its performance.

LIVE LOCAL MUSIC

The best bars to catch live local music include Funk 'n Dive, Kamikazes, and Brewskis. A couple of new all-ages venues have recently popped up in Ogden that are providing great spaces to hear up-and-coming younger local artists. Check out Black Lung Society and Suntea's Boiler Room.

Slackwater has been a long-time supporter of local artists and regularly features live music several days a week. Check out their calendar.


VAN SESSIONS

A can't-miss local live music event is the live taping of the Van Sessions podcast on the first Friday of every month at The Monarch. What began as a humble audio podcast of local singer-songwriters inside the vintage "Tan Van" has grown into a full-blown video series that showcases artists from all along the Wasatch Front. It has since spilled out of the van (where it is still engineered) and into larger spaces at The Monarch with sizable audiences. Fully mixed episodes are released weekly on YouTube, but there's something about being there and watching it happen live.

PRIMARY VENUES

Throughout the summer, the Ogden Amphitheater hosts the Twilight Concert Series. Over the span of 6 years, this series has brought in some incredibly impressive names from the world of progressive music.

Every Sunday from Father's Day weekend to early August, Snowbasin hosts their “Blues, Brews and BBQs” outdoor concert series featuring regional and national touring acts. These 5-hour shows typically feature at least 2 bands and have more of a festival atmosphere than a small concert feel.

As autumn rolls around (August 17th to October 6th), enjoy SnowWiesn Oktoberfest every Saturday and Sunday. This German-themed fall festival in the mountains includes amazing cuisine, a beer garden and live music.

Live music at Snowbasin Resort

OGDEN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Speaking of festivals, the annual Ogden Music Festival typically spans the first weekend in June every year at Fort Buenaventura.

The Ogden Music Festival brings together friends and fans of acoustic music from Ogden and beyond, and is the perfect way to start your summer on a high note, whether it's high, lonesome bluegrass or some hot licks on the fiddle.

SUPPORT LOCAL MUSIC

Everything covered above should make it clear that Ogden has a good thing going with its vibrant music scene. However, the plethora of artists, venues, concert series and festivals can make it easy for music lovers to take this rare musical climate for granted.

Bottom line: don’t just make it a point to frequent live music performances around town…make it a point to thank venue operators and sound engineers for their investment. Drop some cash in musicians’ tip jars and go out of your way to talk to them during set breaks. Drop a few bucks on one of those EPs that are sitting in their guitar case and slap their free sticker on your coffee mug or even a random light pole. Share funky Instagram selfies of you and the artist. Tag your friends in social media posts from venues and let them know that where you are is far better than binge-watching some series on Netflix…unless that series is “Sonic Highways,” in which case it’s only slightly better (because that’s a great show). Point being, get out and enjoy great music the way it was meant to be heard: LIVE…in Ogden.

Related Blogs

Related Content