Our first Open House of the year is coming up! Ever wanted to step inside The Bluebird without the risk of missing out on tickets? A few times a year we open our doors for you to stop by and shop merchandise, take photos, and enter exclusive giveaways. Mark your calendar for Sunday, March 16th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. No ticket required! 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. â Feb. 12, 2025 â Discover the musical story of Tennessee from the ones who are writing it during Tennessee Songwriters Week. From January 26 through February 8, more than 1,200 songwriters performed at nearly 50 qualifying round venues across the state. Now, select artists will compete at one of seven showcase events for the chance to perform their original music at the iconic Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Helmed by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the seventh annual Tennessee Songwriters Week supports music venues, provides songwriters with live performance opportunities in all genres of music, drives visitation and inspires travelers to experience the state’s musical stories, history, attractions and venues. Since its inception in 2019, more than 4,000 songwriters have shared their original songs on Tennessee stages during the annual celebration each February.
Qualifying Rounds
Songwriters performed in big cities, small towns, music venues, coffee houses, breweries, distilleries, historic theaters and creative live stages throughout the stateâin cities including Memphis, Collierville, Jackson, Nashville, Gallatin, Granville, Murfreesboro, Linden, Knoxville, Cleveland, Chattanooga, Kingsport, Johnson City, Bristol, Gatlinburg, Sevierville and more. Songwriters performed in big cities, small towns, music venues, coffee houses, breweries, distilleries, historic theaters, and creative live stages throughout the state. Qualifying rounds featured highly esteemed judges including Grand Ole Opry member Mandy Barnett and musician, producer and three-time Academy of Country Music Guitar Player of the Year award winner Derek Wells, who served as a judge at Harken Hallâs qualifying round in Madison. Many qualifying round venues broke attendance records with sold-out crowds, driving visitation and economic impact.
Showcase Events
Selected songwriters will move on to one of seven Tennessee Songwriters Week showcases:
The showcase events highlight cities and regions that have played a major role in the musical development of Tennessee across a diverse range of genres including R&B, blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ânâ roll. One songwriter from each showcase will be chosen to perform at Nashvilleâs iconic Bluebird Cafe during a private event on March 30. Each of the finalists will also receive additional prizes, including a one-year membership to Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), a $100 gift card, hotel stay at Motif on Music Row in Nashville and a commemorative Taylor guitar.
Former Tennessee Songwriters Week finalists who continue to build their careers are set to take the stage with performances at this yearâs seven showcases, including pop artist Harzee in Memphis, Meagan Allen, who recently released new music after winning at Franklin Theatre in 2024, captivating musician Jack Settle, established Billboard chart topper Aaron Bucks, blues and indie artist Katrina Barclay from Chattanooga, songwriter and passionate music advocate Chancellor Lawson who will take the stage in Bristol and many more. Maura Streppa, whose music has garnered attention from industry heavyweights, including Billboard, SiriusXMâs âThe Highway,â and iHeart Radioâs âWomen of Country,â will host the showcase at Ole Red in Gatlinburg, and will perform in Portland.
Hosts for the showcases this year include President and CEO of Soulsville Foundation Pat Mitchell Worley in Memphis, President of East Tennessee Bluegrass Association Evie Andrus in Knoxville, Program Director for Birthplace of Country Music Kris Truelson in Bristol, Director of Cultural Tourism for Chattanooga Tourism Donna Elle Harrison, WHIN Radioâs Jeff Shannon in Portland and Music Row Veteran Lisa Harless in Franklin.
Judges for this yearâs events include musicians, singer-songwriters like Jessica Ray of Memphis, radio show hosts, publishers, Grammy-nominated producers, representatives from The Bluebird Cafe, NSAI, creative visionaries and community leaders like Karen Collins of The Velvet Chair Experience in Chattanooga and more. The showcase at The Franklin Theatre will be judged by acclaimed music industry creatives including GRAMMY nominated, No.1 songwriter Monty Criswellâwho has penned songs such as George Straitâs âI Saw God Todayâ and Parker McCollumâs âHandle On Youââand record producer/engineer Jacquire King, who has worked on projects for the likes of James Bay, Zach Bryan, Norah Jones, and many more.
Songs will be judged by the quality of the song (original lyrics/melody and clear narrative) and performance (ability to understand lyrics and connection with the audience). View the 2025 Tennessee Songwriters Week Sweepstakes Official Rules.
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development partners with The Bluebird Cafe, NSAI, Taylor Guitars, music venues and local convention and visitorsâ bureaus, chambers and partners across the state, all committed to ensuring songwriters can share their original work onstage with audiences and other writers. Follow the journey of these songwriters and join the fun by following @tnvacation, #tnsongwritersweek and #tnsoundsperfect on social media
Follow the Music
Sing along to Tennessee songs while uncovering the stories of songwriters, artists and producers who changed the world.
ABOUT TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST DEVELOPMENT
The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) is dedicated to driving economic growth and tourism in all 95 counties. TDTDâs global marketing efforts increase visitation to Tennessee, which boosts tax revenue, creates jobs and attracts new investment across the state. Tennessee is a global destination of choice offering visitors world-class music, live entertainment, family-friendly experiences, charming communities, innovative and classic culinary creations, renowned scenic beauty and outdoor adventureâall centered at the crossroads of rich history and unrivaled hospitality. Vacations âsound perfectâ in Tennessee. Visit TNvacation.com and follow @TNvacation on social media for travel inspiration.
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The Bluebird Cafe is partnering with 3rd & Lindsley to once again present the very successful Bluebird on 3rd series (at 3rd & Lindsley Bar & Grill). Our spring series takes place every Monday from March 17, 2024 to May 19, 2025. Shows run from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Bluebird on 3rd shows feature both up-and-coming and established songwriters on the 3rd and Lindsley stage, blending two long-standing independent music venue icons. Come by to grab a delicious lunch and hear some amazing music
Tickets are on sale NOW:
Monday, March 17 (Ryan Larkins, Marla Cannon-Goodman & Brice Long with Trae Sheehan & Piper Madison)
Monday, March 24 (Dustin Christensen, Austin Jenckes & Justin Klump with Justin Love & Mary Mauldin)
Monday, March 31 (Mark Irwin, Jenn Schott & Lee Thomas Miller with Maddy Hicks & Aron Rosing)
Monday, April 7 (Brinley Addington, Adam James & Bobby Hamrick with Brittany Moore & Ajaye)
Monday, April 14 (Catie Offerman, Fraser Churchill & Blake Chaffin with Anslee Davidson & Mallory Johnson)
Monday, April 21 (Victoria Banks, Phil Barton & Emily Shackelton with Avery Kern & Glenn Thomas)
Monday, April 28 (Kent Blazy, Gary Baker & Danny Myrick with Tony Memmel & Elizabeth Evans)
Monday, May 5 (Marv Green, Leslie Satcher & friends)
Monday, May 12 (TBA)
Monday, May 19 (Tony Arata & friends)
*This series is located at 3rd & Lindsley Bar & GrillâNOT The Bluebird Cafe*
3rd & Lindsley
813 3rd Ave. S
Nashville, TN 37210
Since 1982, Nashvilleâs iconic Bluebird Cafe has celebrated the artistry of songwriters, offering an intimate, acoustic environment that pulls back the curtain on the âHeroes Behind the Hits.â Over four decades, countless artists and songwriters have launched their careers at The Bluebird, giving audiences an exclusive front-row seat to the creative process.
For the first time, this one-of-a-kind experience expands to the Schermerhorn Symphony Centerâs grand stage, where the musicians of the Nashville Symphony join forces with The Bluebird Cafe to bring you Bluebird at the Symphony. In this artistic collaboration, celebrated songwriters will perform their familiar favoritesâhits made famous by superstars like Lady Gaga, Lauren Daigle, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Luke Bryan, Rascal Flatts, and moreâreimagined with magnificent orchestrations performed live by the GRAMMYÂź-winning Nashville Symphony.
Bluebird at the Symphony offers an unforgettable fusion of Nashvilleâs rich songwriting tradition and the unparalleled talent of the musicians of the Nashville Symphony, showcasing the songwriting soul of Music City in a new way. Witness the creativity of the songwriters, enhanced by the grandeur of world-class musicians of the Nashville Symphony, as timeless songs come to life like never before.
February 3 – Lee Thomas Miller, Wendell Mobley & Chris DeStefano
March 10 – Kelly Archer, Natalie Hemby & Trannie Anderson
April 18 – Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Cary Barlowe
The Bluebird Cafe and Taylor Guitars have partnered once again to bring back The Bluebird Golden Pick Contest for its sixth season!
Contest Entry Guidelines:
Guidelines:
Winners will automatically advance to the front of the line at The Bluebird Cafeâs Monday night Open Mic Night (either virtually or in-person in Nashville, Tennessee) on the third Monday of every month, which guarantees you time to play TWO (2) original songs.
ONE [1] winner will be chosen by The Bluebird Cafe the first week of each month for a 12-month period (one entry per person per month). Winners will be selected and contacted via Direct Message (on Instagram) by The Bluebird Cafeâs staff.
There will be 12 winners selected by the Bluebird Cafe over one calendar year starting January 20, 2025 ending December 15, 2025. Winners will be guaranteed an opportunity to perform TWO [2] original songs as follows:
Official Terms & Conditions
*No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning.
*One song entry per person per month. Submissions must be in by the 1st of the month by 11:59 pm central time to be considered for that month.
*The Bluebird Cafe Golden Pick Contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram. By entering our contest, you release Instagram of every possible responsibility and accept their terms & conditions.
*Only legal U.S. residents of the fifty (50) United States and District of Columbia, Canada (excluding QuĂ©bec), and legal residents of the United Kingdom who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry are eligible to enter. Officers, directors and employees of Organizer and its subsidiaries, affiliates, distributors, retailers, sales representatives, advertising and promotion agencies or anyone professionally connected with the Sweepstakes (all such individuals and entities collectively referred to herein as the âPromotion Entitiesâ), and the immediate family members and/or those residing in the same household of each are ineligible to enter the Sweepstakes or win a prize.
*Taylor-Listug, Inc. (âTaylor Guitarsâ) is not a âSponsorâ or âadministratorâ of the contest/sweepstakes, and is therefore not responsible for the collection, submission or processing of entries, the administration of the Bluebird Cafe Golden Pick Contest or the selection of winners.
Taylor Guitars, its parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies and each of their respective officers, directors and employees shall be released from all claims.
*This sweepstakes is void where prohibited by law.
*For live performance at The Bluebird Cafe, selected winners are responsible and must pay for their OWN travel and housing expenses to include; airfare, train, bus, car rental, fuel, food, insurance, hotel (housing rental, etc).
*By entering The Bluebird Cafe Golden Pick Contest you release Instagram of every possible responsibility and accept their terms & conditions.
*The winners will be judged, chosen, and filmed by The Bluebird Cafe staff and posted on the @bluebirdcafetn Instagram feed.
*Taylor Guitars will pay the shipping costs of all Taylor branded prizes and The Bluebird Cafe shall pay the shipping costs of any Bluebird Cafe branded prizes. Taxes are the responsibility of the winner.
*The Bluebird Cafe Golden Pick Contest submissions will take place between January 1, 2025, ending December 1, 2025.
*Submissions from prior Bluebird Golden Pick contest winners will not be considered until one year after the end of their winning contest year. For instance, the winner of January 2024 may not submit again until January 2026.
*Selected winners will perform on the 3rd [third] Monday of every month (either virtually or in-person, determined in The Bluebird Cafeâs sole discretion) at The Bluebird Cafeâs Open Mic Night starting Monday January 20, 2025, ending December 15, 2025.
*Taylor GuitarsŸ, American Dream©, and Grand Pacific© and certain of the distinctive details of the guitars are trademarks of Taylor-Listug, Inc. All Rights reserved.
(NASHVILLE, TN â THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2024) â Since partnering with The Bluebird Cafe in 2021, The Bob Kingsley Estateâs efforts have supported a multi-year preservation project involving the audio recordings from The Bluebird Cafe across the venueâs 40-plus-year history. That project, now complete, was celebrated during the November installment of Bob Kingsley Presents @ The Bluebird Cafe, honoring Kingsley Estate archivist Shannon Lynn with a chair dedication at the famed venue.
Now, as the Kingsley Estateâs Bluebird collaboration enters its fourth year, Bob Kingsley Presents @ The Bluebird CafĂ© renews for a second season in 2025. The first season saw some of country musicâs most successful songwriters performing their most notable songs alongside audio snippets of Kingsleyâs on-air storytelling about their work. Bob Kingsley Presents @ The Bluebird Cafekicks off the new season on Wednesday, February 19th during the 9pm show.
âWe are so grateful for Nanâs continued support of The Bluebird Cafe,â says The Bluebird Cafeâs GM Erika Wollam Nichols. âThanks to the Kingsley Estate, the audio legacy of The Bluebird is preserved. We could not be more thrilled to continue the Kingsley Presents series in 2025 and hear Bobâs voice reflecting his admiration and love for these heroes behind the hits.â
The 2024 inaugural season featured performances by Rhett Akins, Bob DiPiero, Jeffrey Steele, Shane Minor, Leslie Satcher, and Kent Blazy.
âBob loved visiting The Bluebird Cafe, and he certainly loved spotlighting the writers behind the hits in the countdown,â says Nan Kingsley. âBeing able to hear the passionate way Bob spoke of these talented songwriters on the air, while then being able to hear the hits they wrote performed in their voices, brings the journey of a song full circle.â
The second season will premiere Wednesday, February 19 at 9 p.m. Additional installments of Bob Kingsley Presents @ The Bluebird Cafe will be announced throughout 2025.
Since 1984, we have hosted Blue Monday. This weekly Monday night blues show calls back to the days when we were better known as a buzzing rock and blues club with full band performances into the early hours of the morning. Featuring legendary frontmen such as Roguie Ray and the late Mike Henderson over the years, this series lives on every Monday at 9 p.m.
Current regulars include some of the world’s best studio musicians such as Kevin McKendree, Pat O’Connor, Steve Mackey, and Yates McKendree. Guest performers often make appearances.
Blue Monday shows are Mondays at 9 p.m. with doors opening at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are not available in advance. They are available first come, first served at the door for $20. We seat 75-90 people from the walk up line for this show. There is a $12 food/beverage minimum per person with your server.
Please check our calendar for show times.
Southwest Airlines hosted a surprise concert on Flight #1989 from Nashville to Miami with GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter Liz Rose, who was traveling to watch the songs she wrote with Taylor Swift take the stage at the global superstar’s Miami show. This SouthwestÂź flight took place on Oct. 17 and celebrated the 100th concert of the airline’s signature Live at 35Âź program that started in 2011, which brings live music performances onboard at 35,000 feet.
“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 100 performances in the sky and our Live at 35 program than with a plane full of music lovers singing along to the hit songs Liz helped write,” said Sarah Falvey, Vice President of Communications and Brand Reputation at Southwest Airlines. “We recently added service across the network to support big events and loved surprising Flight #1989 with a performance by this incredible songwriter who played a role in inspiring the big event.”
“As a songwriter, I love engaging with people through words and music, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to sing along with Flight #1989 at 35,000 feet on my way to Miami,” said songwriter, Liz Rose. “Southwest’s Live at 35 program is a creative way to give musicians a lift while surprising Customers in the sky.”
Customers sang along and held up heart hands as Rose performed “All Too Well” and “You Belong with Me.” Following the performance, Customers received commemorative inflight concert cards and custom friendship bracelets made by Southwest Employees that said “Flight 1989” and “Spread LUV.”
Past Live at 35 performers include artists of all levels, including those from Southwest’s On The Rise program. Through On The Rise, the airline supports those in creative spaces as they reach new heights in their careers and achieve their goals.
Rose was accompanied by hit songwriter Phil Barton on the guitar for this Live at 35 performance as a collaboration between one of country music’s most historic and iconic music venues in Nashville, The Bluebird Cafe, and Southwest AirlinesÂź. The Bluebird and Southwest have been official partners since 2015. The Bluebird Cafe is a venue where up-and-coming songwriters and artists, including Liz Rose, rise to fame and build their careers.
Visit Southwest.fm to learn more about music at Southwest and to watch past Live at 35 performances.
About Liz Rose
Liz Rose is a GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter, 2007 SESAC Nashville Songwriter of the Year, CMA & ACM Award winning songwriter, founder of a music publishing company, a member of the national Songwriters Hall of Fame, a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, and a Texas Heritage Songwriter Hall Of Fame inductee.
Born and raised in Texas, Liz Rose moved to Nashville and began writing songs at the age of 37. She has since penned 16 songs with Taylor Swift, including the No. 1 crossover hits “Tim McGraw”, “Teardrops On My Guitar”, “You Belong With Me”, GRAMMY Award winning Best Country Song “White Horse”, and ACM Song of the Year “Crazy Girl”. Rose has also written songs for many other artists including Alison Krauss, Blake Shelton, Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young, Gary Allan, LeeAnn Womack, Miranda Lambert and Tim McGraw. Together, her songs have sold more than 20 million copies.
About Southwest Airlines Co.
Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 117 airports across 11 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline1. Based in Dallas and famous for an Employee-first corporate Culture, Southwest maintains an unprecedented record of no involuntary furloughs or layoffs in its history. By empowering its more than 74,0002 People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 137 million Customers carried in 2023. That formula for success has brought industry-leading prosperity and 47 consecutive years3 of profitability for Southwest Shareholders (NYSE: LUV). Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship. As the airline with Heart, Southwest has set a goal to work toward achieving net zero carbon emissions by 20504. Southwest has also set near-term targets and a three-pillar strategy to achieve its environmental goals. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/planet.
Calling all Nashville TV show fans! The Nashville: Reunion Tour is coming to town and we’re celebrating by opening up our doors for special hours on Sunday, November 23 before the show! Stop by from 10 AMâ2 PM to take pictures, shop merchandise, and step on the same stage as Deacon and Rayna.
No reservations required.
Planning a Fall break trip to Nashville? Donât miss our Fall open house on Sunday, October 13 from 10 AM â 2 PM. Stop by for special merchandise deals, photo opportunities, and more! No ticket required.
