Nashville's Bluebird Cafe

It's not touristy and a bit out of the way, and it's a venue to visit for earnest listening, so the rules don't allow speaking during the music.  If you know of the Bluebird Cafe but have not been there in the flesh, you might be shocked at how small it is.

Tucked away in a non-descript line of establishments on Hillsboro Road in Green Hills, with a scarcely obvious sign, the Bluebird Cafe is a flyspeck hole in the wall restaurant and pub, where four songwriters play from the center of the room, in the round. It's a extremely free and easy, intimate setting, in which to experience some of Music City's aspiring and proven musicians.

As a matter of fact, the musician in the round setting was initiated at the Bluebird.  Artists Fred Knobloch (Used to Blue and Meanwhile), and Don Schlitz (The Gambler and Forever and Ever, Amen), according to legend after an evening of drinking, determined to set up four seats facing each other in the center of the place, kill the lights, and simply see what takes place. This setting proved to work so well, that you're likely to view it at many songwriter's events around Music City.

The Bluebird has not solely developed to be noted as Nashville's most well thought of venue to listen to songwriters, but it has been the beginning spot for lots of renowned country songwriters, beginning back in 1983 when Kathy Mattea got a record agreement after playing at the Bluebird for merely a few months. As soon as that occurred, the Bluebird turned into one of the most sought after rooms to sing.  And this phenomenon would continue to repeat again and again, as several of the Bluebird's songwriter fixtures continued to land record deals, and singer-songwriter after singer-songwriter came to fame in the same way. (There have been overly many stars "born" at the Bluebird to list every one here, but have you heard of Garth Brooks? - Yes, indeed, he got his start at the Bluebird, as well,also.)

The Bluebird Cafe exhibits two shows every night, and reservations are recommended, which you can get on their website (probably the optimal manner) or by phone. But if you have not got reservations and wish to travel over there at the last minute, you really should give it a try - the Bluebird staff will do everything possible to get you into the show. The Bluebird certainly must be on any visitor's list of Nashville attractions to enjoy.