Calling All Songwriters: Sign up for “Tennessee Songwriters Week” Qualifying Rounds for Chance to Perform at The Bluebird Cafe

Tennessee Tourism Expands Second Annual Competition

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development is set to expand its second annual Tennessee Songwriters Week in 2020 with the addition of qualifying rounds across the state. Starting December 9, songwriters can sign up to perform at qualifying rounds at venues across Tennessee the first two weeks of February.

The full confirmed list of official qualifying round venues can be found at tennesseesongwritersweek.com. Sign-ups will be handled directly by each individual venue. Songwriters should contact venues directly for specific information regarding sign-ups. Qualifying rounds are scheduled to take place between Feb. 1-15, 2020. Top songwriters from the official qualifying rounds will perform during one of the six “Tennessee Songwriters Week” showcases in the following cities:

• Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020 – Puckett’s in Franklin
• Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020 – Lafayette’s Music Room in Memphis
• Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 – The Bijou in Knoxville
• Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 – Songbirds Guitar Museum in Chattanooga
• Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 – Ole Red in Gatlinburg
• Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020 – The Down Home in Johnson City

Finalists from the showcases get a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to share their original songs on the historic stage at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. The Bluebird Cafe’s long-time open mic night host and songwriter Barbara Cloyd will serve as emcee at the showcases, and a panel of local judges will select the top songwriter from each event. Six total finalists (1 from each showcase event) will receive a prize pack and perform their original material during the finale event at The Bluebird Cafe on Sunday, March 29, 2020.

Songs will be evaluated and scored on a numerical scale considering both the song and the performance. Judges look at originality, vocal and/or instrumental talent and the ability to create an emotional connection to the audience.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development partnered with the Bluebird for the showcase events, which emphasize a state statute honoring songwriters passed in 2018. It annually designates the last full week of February as “Tennessee Songwriters Week.” The week is designed to celebrate the foundation of the craft, recognize past and present songwriters and pave the way for future artists.

Separate from the qualifying rounds, venues and businesses are encouraged to participate in the second annual Tennessee Songwriters Week (Feb. 23-29, 2020) by programming special events such songwriter showcases, in-the-rounds and educational opportunities to celebrate songwriters and drive visitation.

For more information and ongoing updates, visit tennesseesongwritersweek.com. Join the conversation on social using #TNsongwritersweek.

About the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll-delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history and family adventure, infused with music that creates a vacation that is “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” Tennessee’s tourism industry generates $22 billion in economic impact, more than $1.8 billion in state and local tax revenue and more than 189,000 tourism-related jobs.

Explore more at tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers by following “tnvacation” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube or “Tennessee” on Snapchat.

Press Contact:

Jill Kilgore

615-927-1320

We are thrilled to announce that our documentary BLUEBIRD will be hitting digital platforms on Tuesday, December 3, 2019!

Where to watch:

• iTunes

• Amazon

• Google Play 

• Playstation

• Xbox

• Comcast/Xfinity

• VUDU

• FandangoNOW

• iN Demand Movies VOD

• AT&T

• Bell

• Vubiquity Movies

• DirecTV

• Dish

• Telus

DVD/Blu-ray Release

1/21

Preorders now available via Amazon here 

Preorders now available via Target here

Last fall, in celebration of her return to Nashville, Carlene Carter organized a series of performances at the Bluebird Café in which she invited other female songwriters to join her in a series she dubbed Carlene Carter’s Wonderful World of Women Who Write.  Now, from her new base in her hometown of Madison, TN, and in the wake of her pervasive presence on the Ken Burns Country Music series, this celebrated “Carter Girl” has put together two more evenings under that same banner. They’re set for two successive Wednesdays, October 30 and November 6. Rolling Stone declared the WWOWWW sessions “yet another reminder of the empowering role of women in country music” and “a musical homecoming shared with family and friends.”  This month is doubly propitious for Carlene as it marks the release of The Carter Family – Across Generations from Reviver’s Legacy label.  Produced by her brother, John Carter Cash, it is the first time that all five generations of the Carter Family are housed, so to speak, under one musical roof. 

This year’s WWOWWW kicks off on October 30 with guests Terri Clark and Erin Enderlin and will also serve as a Breast Cancer Awareness Month* event.  The Bluebird will literally “go pink” that night in terms of lighting and Carlene will be signing and selling posters, the proceeds from which will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. 

Terri Clark who hails from Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, made her way to Nashville in the late 80s and, from her first local performance at Tootsie’s Orchard Lounge, proceeded to become one of the top selling country artists, female or otherwise, of the era.  To date she’s sold 5 million albums, has been inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and is currently the only Canadian woman on the Grand Ole Opry.  Her top 10 hits include “Better Things To Do,” “If I Were You,” “Poor Poor Pitiful Me,” “Emotional Girl,” “Now That I Found You,” “You’re Easy on the Eyes” and “I Just Wanna Be Mad.”  She’s had a hand in writing many of her own hits and hosts an internationally syndicated “Country Gold” radio show heard on 165 stations through Westwood One.

A comparative newcomer to Nashville, Erin Enderlin began writing songs in her native Conway, Arkansas at the age of ten.  She moved to Nashville to attend Middle Tennessee State University and by her senior year had co-written a Top 5 single (“Monday Morning Church“) for Alan Jackson.  Other artists who have recorded her songs include Lee Ann Womack, Luke Bryant, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Bill Anderson and Jeannie Seely. No less a talent than fellow songwriter and “Wonderful World of Women…” participant Terri Clark recorded five Erin Enderlin songs on her recent Raising The Bar album.  

The November 6th installment perhaps, mandates an asterisk in light of the fact that two of the performers are decidedly not female. Matraca Berg, of course, is and she’s making a return WWOWW appearance. This CMA Song of the Year Award winner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee has had her songs recorded by Ray Price, Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless, Randy Travis, Deana Carter, Trisha Yearwood. Reba McEntire took Matraca’s  The Last One To Know” to #1 on Billboard’s country Singles Chart.

Matraca’s husband is Jeff Hanna, who is a founding member of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and will be joining the WWOWW session in support, both musical and elsewise.  He’s a multi-instrumentalist, arranger, producer and songwriter of note.  His music having been recorded by Linda Ronstadt, Suzy Bogguss, Patty Loveless, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Carlene’s mother June Carter Cash, Steve Martin and, quite naturally Matraca Berg.  He is co-writer of “Bless the Broken Road” which earned him a Grammy for Best Country Song as recorded by Rascal Flatts.

Lastly, John Oates, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and half of the legendary duo Hall and Oates that has been part of the American musical landscape since the early 1970s will be featured.  Oates has pursued solo projects over the years and maintains a residence in Nashville. He bonded with Carlene at the recent introduction of the new Johnny Cash Martin Guitar and, of course, one thing led to another which landed him on the bill at WWOWWW.  His recent Arkansas album release is focused on rural blues and roots country music so, irrespective of such rock classics as  “Maneater,” “Rich Girl” and “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)”, he promises to be a good fit with the WWOWWW’s nurturing acoustic ambiance.  

Reservations will be available on a pre-paid basis for $25.00 one week ahead of each show date at www.bluebirdcafe.com

*Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women worldwide.  There are 41,000 deaths and 268,600 new cases diagnosed annually.  Breast Cancer Awareness Month is designed to bring Increased awareness of the disease and is a time to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The color pink and pink ribbons are a way to express support for this cause.  Locally, Susan G. Komen Central Tennessee hosts their annual More Than Pink Walk in October to raise funds for research and local services focused on those with the fewest resources.  They work with local organizations such as The Grand Ole Opry and The Bluebird Cafe to turn themselves pink to bring awareness to the disease.

Situated on one of the tallest hilltops in Nashville, the concerts are scheduled around glorious sunsets on the portico of the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory.  Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, food, and drink and relax on the Observatory’s front lawn to enjoy a fabulous evening of sunset, music, and stars.  After the performance, when the stars begin to shine, the telescope is opened for visitors to cap their night with views of celestial wonders.

Concert Series Dates and Line Up

Saturday, May 18 8PM
Scooter Carusoe, Marv Green, JT Harding
                                                
Saturday, June 22 8PM
Tony Arata, J. Fred Knobloch, Thom Schuyler and Jellyroll Johnson
                   
Saturday, July 27 8PM
Steve Seskin, Sinclair, March Beeson
                                                
Saturday, August 24 8PM
Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, Sean McConnell
                                                
Saturday, September 21 7PM
Ashley Cleveland, Tom Douglas, The Warren Brothers
                                                
Saturday, October 5 7PM
Bill Montana, Randy Montana, Dave Turnbull

It all started in 2004 with, “Wouldn’t this be a wonderful place to have a concert?!”Standing on the plaza in front of the incredible 1950s building with the giant dome (which houses the Seyfert Telescope) and looking out at the surrounding oak and hickory forest, one can easily get a sense of how special this place would be for listening to talented musicians. On one of the tallest hilltops in Nashville, the concerts are scheduled around glorious sunsets on the portico of the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets, lawn chairs, food, and drink and relax on the Observatory’s front lawn to enjoy a fabulous evening of sunset, music, and stars. After the performance, when the stars begin to shine, the telescope is opened for visitors to cap their night with views of celestial wonders.

Individual concert tickets are available on the first day of the month prior to the show date at noon (i.e. the Oct 6 concert tickets become available Sept 1 at noon.) Concerts take place May through early October. Please note that tickets sell out quickly. A ticket is for a carload with up to 8 guests. For individual tickets, see Eventbrite.com.

Taylor and The Bluebird Cafe have partnered to create the Golden Pick Contest. Enter NOW for your chance to jump to the front of the line at The Bluebird Cafe’s Monday night Open Mic Night in Nashville, Tennessee ! 

Contest Entry Guidelines: 

Post a video of yourself playing an ORIGINAL song to your Instagram feed

You MUST follow both @bluebirdcafetn and @taylorguitars 

Tag @bluebirdcafetn @taylorguitars #bluebirdgoldenpick 

Tag TWO [2] other songwriter friends

Guidelines: 

Winners will automatically advance to front of the line at The Bluebird Cafe’s Monday night Open Mic Night 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 the first week of each month for a 12 month period (one entry per person per month). 

Winners will be selected and contacted via DM by the Bluebird Cafe’s staff. 

Winners will be guaranteed time to play TWO [2] original songs.

Winners must play the Bluebird Cafe’s house Taylor Grand Pacific guitar. 

Winners will receive a Taylor GS mini guitar. 

Winners will be invited to the Taylor showroom at Soundcheck Studios.

Winners will automatically be entered into a grand prize contest for a Taylor Grand Pacific guitar. 

There will be 12 winners over one calendar year starting August 19th, 2019, ending August 24th, 2020 

Official Terms & Conditions

*No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning.

*One entry per person per month. Submissions must be in by the 1st of the month to be considered for that month. 

*This is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by Instagram.

*The giveaway is open only to legal residents of the continental United States, who are 18+ years of age or older at the time of entry.

*Giveaway void where prohibited by law.

*Selected winner is 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 our contest, you release Instagram of every possible responsibility and accept their terms & conditions.

*The winners will be judged, chosen, and filmed by Bluebird Cafe staff and posted on @bluebirdcafe Instagram feed.

*Taylor Guitars will pay the shipping costs of GS Mini guitars. Taxes are the responsibility of the winner.

*The #BluebirdGoldenPick contest submissions will take place between Monday August 19th, 2019, ending August 24th, 2020

*Selected winners will perform on the 3rd [third] Monday of every month at The Bluebird Cafe’s Open Mic Night starting August 19th, 2019, ending August 24th, 2020