Bob’s Cowboy Bar & Saloon’s Open Mic Nights With Dakota Hughs
Open mic nights provide a platform for both emerging and experienced musicians to share their talents. Dakota Hughs has brought this opportunity to Guymon, Oklahoma, by hosting open mic nights at Bob’s Cowboy Bar & Saloon. After moving from Tulsa for work with his Shawnee tribe at the casino, Dakota noticed a lack of music events in the area. Wanting to change that, he approached Bob’s about hosting an open mic night, and they agreed.
A Growing Community of Musicians
Dakota has been hosting open mic nights at Bob’s for five months, and participation has steadily increased. He’s seen talented musicians step forward, many performing publicly for the first time. His goal is to provide a space where musicians can gain confidence and connect with others who share their passion for music.
Photo of Aaron Sandoval and Dakota Hughs by Otis Hughs.
“I wanted people that are ‘closeted-talented’ musicians to come out and express themselves any way they can.”
Open mic nights at Bob’s originally took place from 9 PM to midnight on Wednesdays but have now shifted to 7 PM to better accommodate participants. Dakota encourages new performers by offering his instruments if needed and keeps a sign-up sheet, allowing friends to sign up on each other’s behalf to help ease stage fright.
Dakota’s Musical Background
Logo of Vulgar Desolation by Dakota Hughs.
Hosting open mic nights isn’t new for Dakota—he previously performed at similar events in Tulsa, including at The Fur Shop. In addition to hosting, he is a musician himself. Dakota is the frontman of Vulgar Desolation, a band that blends heavy music with humor. His latest album, released on New Year’s Day, features songs with playful themes, such as “Extended Problems”, a heavy track about an extended car warranty. “I knew I wanted to make a band that was just silly. I listen to really heavy music and it’s too serious for all the wrong reasons.” Dakota said. A TikTok reaction video from a creator with half a million followers helped boost the album’s visibility, leading Dakota to continue writing more lighthearted heavy music.
When performing at open mic nights, Dakota plays a mix of original songs and covers. Under his own name, he performs softer, heartfelt songs like “So Long for Now” alongside covers of bands like Caamp. He also plays crowd favorites such as “She Hates Me” by Puddle of Mudd and “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles).” His goal is to keep the energy engaging while ensuring others get a chance to take the stage. Many first-time performers step up nervously but gain confidence after hearing the crowd’s support. “I try to push people to sign up. Some tell me they don’t know what to sing so I suggest the ‘Tequila’ song.”
Family Influence: Otis Hughs
Photo of Otis Hughs by Dakota Hughs.
“Music is a universal language that’s understood by everybody and expresses true, heartfelt emotion.”
Music runs in the family, as Dakota’s father, Otis Hughs, is also a regular performer at Bob’s open mic nights. Otis plays classic outlaw country, covering legends like Waylon Jennings. His performances bring a traditional country feel to the event, adding to the diversity of music styles showcased each week.
Challenges and Triumphs
Running an open mic night comes with its challenges. Dakota sometimes struggles with finding new songs to play and getting people to sign up, even when they have years of experience. However, once they overcome their initial hesitation, many return with greater confidence. Seeing performers grow in their stage presence and watching the crowd support them makes it all worthwhile.
“There are several musicians talking to each other now. It’s bringing people together and opening them up to creativity, and I love it when people find other people who share the same passion”
A particularly memorable moment for Dakota was adjusting the start time to 7 PM at the request of a talented musician who had attended since the beginning. Watching this performer play with emotion and deep connection to the music reinforced Dakota’s passion for creating a welcoming space for musicians.
The Impact on Guymon’s Music Scene
Photo of Paul Baker by Dakota Hughs.
Dakota believes open mic nights are valuable for local musicians. Many previously had to travel to perform, but Bob’s open mic provides a local outlet for expression. These nights encourage networking, collaboration, and new friendships. Dakota enjoys seeing musicians connect and involving the audience—whether leading them in the chorus of “Simple Man” or responding to the calls for “Free Bird.”
Spreading the Word
Photo of Otis Hughs, Nik Urias, and Joe Duren by Dakota Hughs.
Promotion for Bob’s open mic nights primarily comes through the venue’s weekly social media posts, which Dakota shares. Beyond that, he spreads the word through conversation. Attendance has grown, and more musicians are participating each week.
As open mic nights continue to gain popularity, Dakota remains committed to providing a space for local talent. Whether through his own performances, support for new artists, or his unique approach to music, he is contributing to Guymon’s growing music scene.
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