November 16, 2021
The 22nd annual NSAI Song Contest presented by The Bluebird Cafe and CMT is officially underway. From now until November 30th @ 5PM (CT), submit your songs or lyrics for a chance to win big from Rhett Akins and Ali Tamposi to a one-year single-song contract, and more! It all begins with a song!
For more information and to view all the prizes, visit http://nsaisongcontest.com
Thursday, April 15, 2021
The 56th ACM Awards, honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in Country Music, is live in Nashville again this year. The broadcast will take place across three Nashville venues: The Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and The Bluebird Cafe. This year’s show will feature over 30 exciting performances from over 25 performers, including unprecedented collaborations, surprising moments and more. Click HERE to see all 56th ACM Awards nominees! The show will be broadcast Sunday, April 18th at 8/7 pm CT on CBS and Paramount Plus.
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
The Bluebird Cafe and Taylor Guitars have partnered once again to bring back The Bluebird Golden Pick Contest!
Contest Entry Guidelines:
Guidelines:
Winners will automatically advance to the front of the line at The Bluebird Cafe’s 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 Cafe’s staff.
There will be 12 winners selected by the Bluebird Cafe over one calendar year starting January 18th, 2021 ending December 20th, 2021. Winners will be guaranteed an opportunity to perform TWO [2] original songs as follows:
The Bluebird Cafe is currently closed due to COVID-19. Once The Bluebird Cafe reopens to full capacity:
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 Québec), 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 “Promotion Entities”), 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. (“Taylor Guitars”) is not a “Sponsor” or “administrator” of the contest/sweepstakes, and is therefore not responsible for the collection, submission or processing of entries, the administration of the Bluebird Café 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.
*All rights and interest in the videos filmed at Taylor’s Soundcheck Studios will be held by the respective artist; provided that Taylor Guitars and Bluebird Cafe shall be granted a non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free license to use and promote artist videos on each of their respective digital media platforms. Bluebird Cafe will coordinate with each winner to determine the means in which they want to receive their prizes, either by shipment or for pickup during their visit at Taylor’s Soundcheck Studios.
*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 Friday, January 1 2021, ending December 1, 2021.
*Selected winners will perform on the 3rd [third] Monday of every month (either virtually or in-person, determined in The Bluebird Cafe’s sole discretion) at The Bluebird Cafe’s Open Mic Night starting Monday January 18th, 2021, ending December 20th, 2021.
*Taylor Guitars®, Grand Theater©, and Grand Pacific© and certain of the distinctive details of the guitars are trademarks of Taylor-Listug, Inc. All Rights reserved.
The Bluebird Cafe and Alive Hospice Announce Year-Long Streaming Series Plus a New Partnership with Nashville’s Green Door Gourmet Will Help Raise Funds for Hospice Patients
Annual Tradition Updated for COVID-safety with Streaming Concerts Via StageIt and Outdoor Venues
Nashville, TN (December 21, 2020) – For the past 28 years, in January, The Bluebird Cafe and a host of songwriters, have helped raise funds for Alive Hospice. Revenue from a month’s worth of shows, donated by the songwriters performing, has provided a significant portion of the nonprofit hospice’s annual budget over the years.
Alive at The Bluebird’s 2021 lineup features new and returning performers not limited to:
COVID-19 has forced the longtime friends and partners to reimagine how this fundraiser can go forward with the tiny venue’s continued closure and lack of opportunity for social distancing. Their solution is to channel their creativity in new directions that include livestreaming from the cafe via StageIt’s platform plus a new partnership with Green Door Gourmet to ensure that the show will go on.
“Over the past 28 years, Alive at The Bluebird has become a joyful reunion where old friends reconnect, and new members of the community are welcomed into the circle. This year’s event will embody that same spirit,” said Kimberly Goessele, Alive’s President/CEO.
“This year forced all of us to think more about what really matters and find creative ways to sustain our work. When it came time to start planning Alive at The Bluebird, we knew we couldn’t let uncertainty overshadow a beautiful tradition that means so much to our community,” said Erika Wollam Nichols, President/GM of the Bluebird Cafe.
New Partners
In seeking COVID-safe spaces to expand the series throughout the year, Goessele turned to friend and farmer, Sylvia Ganier, co-founder and President of Green Door Gourmet.
Green Door Gourmet will partner with Alive for a series of fundraisers at their 350-acre farm including concerts and invitation-only tastings. The local, family business is finding new ways to connect to the community as an outdoor venue, and the partnership with Alive is part of this initiative.
“Connection is desperately needed right now, and so is the support Alive provides to local families at the end of a life. Green Door Gourmet is proud to be able to help,” said Sylvia Ganier.
Alive at the Bluebird Details
This year’s Alive at The Bluebird series will consist of fifteen live streamed shows from The Bluebird over the course of the year. Shows will stream every Thursday at 7:30 PM Central in January (January 7, 14, 21, and 28) and the first Thursday of each month thereafter. Starting in February, The Bluebird will continue to donate proceeds from one show per month to Alive. Follow Alive and The Bluebird Cafe to learn about performers as they are announced.
Tickets
In keeping with The Bluebird’s tradition of providing an affordable and intimate space to interact with the songwriters, tickets will cost $20 and attendance will be limited. Audience members will be able to send applause, donations, requests, and messages to the performers via SategeIt’s live chat feature.
Visit www.stageit.com/signup to create your account now. It takes about a minute and will allow you to purchase tickets to any of StageIt’s shows.
Tickets can be purchased at stageit/BluebirdTN once an account is created.
This year’s Presenting Sponsors are Buffkin/Baker and Galante Entertainment.
Alive at The Bluebird Souvenirs
Each year, a local artist creates the designs for our souvenir merchandise. This year’s collection is based on a carved wooden heart created by Bluebird employee Karleen Watt. Alivehospice.org/shop.
Alive at the Bluebird T-shirt $20
Alive at the Bluebird Wine Glass – $15.00
Alive at the Bluebird Trucker Hat – $25
Alive at the Bluebird Poster – $5.00
About Alive
Alive is the only nonprofit provider of hospice care and end-of-life services in Middle Tennessee. Its mission is to provide loving care for people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families, and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives. This includes in-home and in-patient hospice care, grief support, advance care planning, outreach, support to underserved communities, education, financial assistance, a comprehensive volunteer program, and professional training through the Alive Institute. A pioneer in the “good death” movement, Alive established the third hospice in the nation in 1975. Today, it remains true to its roots as an innovator and leader, helping individuals Adapt to Life Limiting Illnesses Very Effectively (ALIVE). To learn more or volunteer, visit AliveHospice.org or call 615-327-1085.
About The Bluebird Cafe
Amy Kurland opened the small but influential 90-seat Bluebird Cafe in a nondescript strip center just south of downtown Nashville in June of 1982. She added a stage as an afterthought, and live music became a staple of the eatery. Offering the club as an outlet for songwriters and aspiring artists to perform encouraged regular performers Thom Schuyler, Don Schlitz and J. Fred Knobloch to pioneer the idea of presenting songwriters “in the round,” where writers set their chairs in the center of the room to play their original material, telling the stories and inspirations for their songs. Both Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift were signed after performing in the Bluebird Cafe. Numerous aspiring artists and songwriters have been discovered and countless songs were first heard by artists, A&R execs, producers and others in the small venue. In 2008, Kurland sold the legendary venue to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). More of a donation than a corporate sale, Kurland saw NSAI’s mission to “educate, elevate and celebrate songwriters” as a way to continue the Bluebird’s relationship to songwriters and to the community. The venue was a featured character in the hit television show, “Nashville,” adding to its list of fans. Outside of its home base, The Bluebird Cafe continues a host of events that bear the iconic name. Bluebird on the Mountain – a sold-out concert series at Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory in Nashville, the Bluebird Cafe at London’s Country2Country Festival, Bluebird at Blackberry Farm, Bluebird at the Ballet, and the 16th anniversary of the Bluebird Cafe Concert Series at Utah’s Sundance Resort. For more information www.bluebirdcafe.com.
About Green Door Gourmet
Green Door Gourmet is a heritage family 350 acre farm located in Nashville which provides the Middle Tennessee community access to locally grown vegetables, fruit herbs and flowers as well as educational and agritourism experiences. By using organic methods and regenerative agriculture practices, Green Door focuses on sustainability and accessibility for its operations, featuring a CSA program, culinary demonstrations and U-Pick opportunities. A specialty On-Farm market offers fresh Green Door Grown products and also works with the very best local and regional purveyors to offer a full range of farm products. Farm education programs reach thousands of students of all ages yearly by focusing on understanding where food comes from, food waste prevention and a healthier lifestyle by incorporating fresh food choices. Find out more at www.greendoorgourmet.com
About StageIt™
StageIt is the premier ticketed livestreaming platform and community. Founded in 2009 for artists, by artists, StageIt is on a mission to enable live intimate experiences, providing a stage for every creator and a front row seat for every fan. As an early industry leader StageIt offers a platform for artists to perform live, interact with fans and monetize shows, while creating unique experiences for fans that are never archived. www.stageit.com
MEDIA CONTACT:
Erika Wollam Nichols, President/GM of The Bluebird Cafe
615-306-6377
[email protected]
Liz Haas, Alive’s Director of Communications and Marketing
615-613-1720
[email protected]
November 24, 2020
If you love music; as a fan or as a player, the RIAA is an important organization to you – and you may not even realize it!
The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world, investing in great artists to help them reach their potential and connect to their fans. Nearly 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States is created, manufactured or distributed by RIAA members.
Investing in great artists and protecting their creative freedom is at the heart of their work. Their members work tirelessly to find new artists, help them reach their potential in the business and connect to fans. They support record labels by recognizing excellence through the Gold & Platinum Program, protecting music copyrights, providing tools for parents and helping music creators maintain production standards.
The RIAA recognizes the importance of The Bluebird Cafe as providing opportunities, not just to established writers and artists, but also to those who are developing their talents and their careers. Our Open Mic and our Sunday Writers’ Night processes, both auditions and the actual shows, are where many up and coming songwriters take their fledgling steps on stage and through the process, develop their skills and their craft. We are grateful to the RIAA for their support and their belief in The Bluebird Cafe and our rising stars. Many thanks to everyone at The Recording Industry Association of America®!
September 20, 2020
Open Mic Nights have been a longstanding tradition for The Bluebird Cafe. Whether it’s your first time on stage or you’re a seasoned performer, we love hearing your original songs on Open Mic Night. Although we remain closed, we are pleased to announce that we will be bringing this beloved show, hosted by Barbara Cloyd, to our online audience!
Our virtual Open Mic Nights will be held the third Monday of each month during our closure. Here are the dates for the rest of the year:
Sign-ups for Open Mic Night begin the Friday before each scheduled Monday show at 11 am CT. We will be accepting 12 performers for the show. Please read all of the rules before sign up.
The Bluebird Cafe’s Open Mic Nights are made by possible by the RIAA.
September 15, 2020
We are ecstatic that our documentary, Bluebird Movie is now available digitally for audiences in the U.S., Canada, and most recently, the U.K.! Our movie tells the origin stories of megastars like Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift, while follow emerging singer-songwriters as they chase their dreams inside The Bluebird Cafe, an accidental landmark that altered the course of music history.
Watch the trailer here.
Watch the film here.
Press Quotes:
“A mesmerizing documentary about the Holy Grail of country music, Bluebird is a masterpiece. A must-see film!” – Larry Gleeson, HolywoodGlee
“Brian Loschiavo’s portrait of a club… is a beautiful look at a post-honkytonk hot spot that treats songwriters like kings and gives some of the folks behind the hits you love the spotlight.” – David Fear, Rolling Stone
“As affectionate as a love letter, Bluebird capably balances household names and unsung heroes. An engaging documentary.” Joe Leydon, Variety
“I don’t cry very often in movies. The Bluebird documentary made me emotional. I loved it” – Hunter Hayes on The Bobby Bones Show
“The doc does a brilliant job of evoking all the senses of this cafe. The intimacy of the picture is what impressed me… it makes you feel like you’re in the roo. It felt tangible, as if it were welcoming its viewers home. Bluebird will deepen your appreciation for the art of storytelling through music.” – Sian Francis Cox, Flixist
“For Fans of Country Music, Bluebird is pretty much a must-see and for everyone else, it makes for a pleasant, if not exactly essential, watch.” Peter Sobczynski, eFilmCritic
“Truly a heart-warming, entertaining and informative film – especially if you dream of becoming a songwriter.” – Connie Wilson, Weekly Wilson
“This film should be shown far and wide to remind people that no matter what’s going on in the world, there’s always a little bit of joy to be found, down in a blink-and-you-miss-it spot in Nashville, Tennessee.” – Lex Brookman, Medium
“There is a cool balancing act going on between the multi-platinum acts which began there and showcasing some up and comers trying to break in the music industry. The documentary really allows you to dive into the place.” Carey-Ann Pawsey, Orca Sound
Accolades
#1 Documentary on iTunes/AppleTV
Official Selection of:
SXSW Film Festival
Nashville Film Festival
Newport Beach Film Festival
Woods Hole Film Festival
Circle Cinema Film Feestival
Dead Center Film Festival
More info at bluebirdthemovie.com
September 14, 2020
For the first time in its history, the ACM Awards are coming to Nashville. The Academy of Country Music announced Monday that it will hold its 2020 awards show in Nashville on Sept. 16. The show will take place at three Nashville venues: the Ryman Auditorium, the Bluebird Cafe and the Grand Ole Opry House. The move comes after the Academy was forced to postpone its 2020 ceremony — originally planned for April 5 in Las Vegas — due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ACM CEO Damon Whiteside made the announcement at Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s Monday news conference. “Being in Music City allows us to honor a rich legacy at the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and Bluebird Cafe,” Whiteside said. Whiteside said the decision on whether the broadcast will include a live audience would be announced at a later date. The show will broadcast live from the Bluebird Cafe and Opry House, but segments at the Ryman Auditorium will be taped in advance.
The ACM clarified this point Monday afternoon after questions were raised about the annual Americana Honors & Awards Show, which is still scheduled to take place at the Ryman on September 16. The awards’ first-ever move to Nashville comes more than 50 years after its founding. Originally named the Country and Western Music Academy, it sought to promote the country music made in the Western states — in contrast to the music made in Nashville.
As that distinction has faded in mainstream country music, the organization’s Nashville presence has grown. For the last decade, it has held its annual ACM Honors ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium.
The ACM Awards will air at 7 p.m. CT Wednesday, Sept. 16, on CBS.
– Dave Paulson, Nashville Tennessean
June 20, 2020
Looking to discover some new tunes while you’re stuck at home? The Bluebird staff has you covered! Each weekend, we’ll be putting out a new quarantunes playlist curated by one of our staff members. Today’s playlist is brought to by The Bluebird Cafe resident funnyman and Sunday Writers Night host, Steve Goodie! Find out what he’s been listening to, what inspires him, and more!
Dolly Parton
“9 to 5″
What’s not to like about this song? Brilliantly clever lyrics, earworm-y melody of all time, and a movie starring (among others) the genius that is Lily Tomlin.
Neil Young
“Harvest Moon“
This classic will always resonate… if you’ve never heard it, prepare to start a new phase of your life as soon as you click the link.
Meatloaf
“Took The Words Right My Outta My Mouth“
This song has it all. Absolutely classic production by Todd Rundgren, killer vocals, amazing band, and snarky humor really DO go together! This song (and the album) ARE the 1970s.
“Weird Al” Yankovic
“Word Crimes”
Perhaps Al’s finest wordplay, he takes a grossly misogynistic song and makes it all about spelling and grammar. Priceless!
Christopher Cross
“Arthur’s Theme”
Okay, I’m a sap. “If you get caught between the moon and New York City” is maybe the best lyric ever written for a movie starring a drunken Brit.
Dire Straits
“Romeo And Juliet”
Okay, I’m still a sap. The guitar work by Mark Knopfler is always a treat… as is the entire pristine production. But it’s the romantic-slash-clever-slash-tongue-in-cheek lyrics that knock me out every time.
Traveling Wilburys
“End Of The Line“
Take a Beatle and a Heartbreaker and a Dylan and an Orbison and a Lynne, and put em all in a sepia-toned room to make one album. That will probably work out pretty well, don’t you think?
Zoee And The Band
“Nashville”
I discovered this Australian and her band at the Bluebird Cafe in June 2019 and I was an instant fan — and apparently she’s a fan of Nashville in return! This very catchy and heartfelt ode to Music City features the only didgeridoo solo that I don’t hate. (And I believe I’m in this video somewhere…)
The Police
“Canary In A Coalmine“
Of all the infectious songs of The Police, I think this is the most incurable. It’s just SO good-sounding! I first heard it as a teenager and I had no idea what the heck they were talking about… but I didn’t care. This just rocks, and it’s only three guys in a huge hurry and with almost no time for overdubs.
Howboy Catts
“Beat It Heart“
Nashville country rockers Walter Cherry and James Frame knock me out with this one. They’re not afraid of reverb! They’re not afraid of bass solos! They’re not afraid of insane tambourine! They’re not afraid of a song title that everyone mis-hears! They’re not afraid of ANYTHING!!
Ty Hager
“Our Boy And Bubba”
Recorded live at the Bluebird Cafe in 2006, this brilliant and very politically-incorrect song still makes me grin. As the years go by, its humor becomes less and less appropriate… and the more I grin and sing along. Note the exceptional bass-playing.
Carla Ulbrich
“If I Had The Copyright (The F-Word Song)”– live performance
How to play it
This is arguably the cleverest song by the cleverest South Carolinian in New Jersey! This song has offended audiences around the world, and it’s a hoot! Watch both of these videos… you won’t regret it! The second one mentions the genesis of this opus in line outside the Bluebird Cafe. That’s right! Please note… she never actually says the word… phew!
-Steve Goodie
June 13, 2020
Looking to discover some new tunes while you’re stuck at home? The Bluebird staff has you covered! Each weekend, we’ll be putting out a new quarantunes playlist curated by one of our staff members. Today’s playlist is brought to The Bluebird Cafe’s longtime Open Mic host, Barbara Cloyd! Find out what she’s listening to in her car, before shows and more!
I grew up in the sixties so all the protests happening now seem strangely familiar. I couldn’t resist making a list of songs that were a big part of my life back then that feel just as relevant today.
Buffalo Springfield
This summed up the mood of the times, which seems to be making a comeback.
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
This song was written in 1969 after the Kent State shootings when National Guard soldiers shot at unarmed protesters, killing four students and wounding nine others. My father, a WWII veteran, had been a supporter of the Vietnam war, but not after that.
Sam Cooke
This has such a hopeful message and it breaks my heart to think it came out in 1963 and so much still needs to change.
Peter, Paul and Mary
This song was written by Bob Dylan but I chose this version because it’s the one I fell in love with. It’s the first song I ever learned to play on the guitar and it still moves me as much as ever. And it’s still just as relevant.
Sly and the Family Stone
This was a radical song back in it’s day. I love how it skewers racism with a simple, positive message.
The Beatles
I appreciated John Lennon’s voice of reason in turbulent times.
The Beatles
McCartney’s beautiful, gentle affirmation of the civil rights movement, and a lick that every person with a guitar tried to learn.
Stevie Wonder
If this passionate expression of the cold, hard truth doesn’t move you, check your pulse.
The Youngbloods
This came out in 1967, the Summer of Love, and became a hippie anthem. When I hear this song I can feel my long hair swaying and smell the pot smoke.
-Barbara Cloyd
