Nashville's Best Songwriter Stage - The Bluebird Cafe

It's off the tourist-beaten track, and it's a locale worth finding for attentive listening, so the rules don't tolerate talking during the performances.  If you've heard of the Bluebird Cafe but have not been there in the flesh, you will likely be surprised at how diminutive it is.

Almost hidden in a characterless strip of shops on Hillsboro Road in Green Hills, with a barely visible sign, the Bluebird Cafe is a midget hole in the wall eating place and bar, where four musicians sing from the center of the venue, in the round. It's a extremely folksy, cozy scene, in which to experience some of Nashville's up and coming and accomplished musicians.

Actually, the musician in the round setting got its start at the Bluebird.  Artists Fred Knobloch (Used to Blue and Meanwhile), and Don Schlitz (The Gambler and Forever and Ever, Amen), purportedly after an evening of drinking, resolved to stick four seats facing each other in the heart of the cafe, kill the lights, and just behold whatever takes place. This format proved to go so well, that you're likely to see it at the majority of songwriter's gatherings in Nashville.

The Bluebird has not solely come up to be famous as Music City's most respected venue to enjoy artists, but it has been the starting place for many noted country musicians, starting back in 1983 when Kathy Mattea landed a record contract after playing at the Bluebird for just a short time. Once that came about, the Bluebird became one of the most competitive places to sing.  And this phenomenon would persist to repeat over and over, as several of the Bluebird's musician regulars continued to get recording deals, and singer-songwriter after singer-songwriter attained renown in the one and the same way. (There have been too many popular musicians "born" at the Bluebird to name all of them here, but have you heard of Garth Brooks? - Yes, indeed, he got his big break at the Bluebird, too.)

The Bluebird Cafe provides two presentations every night, and reservations are recommended, which you can make on the web (probably the optimal way) or by calling in on the phone. But if you have not got reservations and wish to travel over there at the last minute, you really ought to give it a try - the Bluebird staff will do all they can to seat you at the performance. The Bluebird certainly ought to be on any visitor's list of Nashville attractions to enjoy.