Located in a strip plaza, this non-descript building houses one of Nashville's most famous music venues, The Bluebird Cafe. Originally opening as a gourmet restaurant in 1982, the Bluebird added Sunday evening "Writers' Nights" as a way for performers and songwriters to showcase their talents. The success of those Sunday evening performances changed the restaurant's focus to a daily dinner and show. Patrons arrive early to eat dinner and then enjoy the show. The diners are very close to the performers, and any amount of talking is distracting. Therefore, "Shhhhh!" is the cafe's slogan.
Make no mistake. The songsters do not jam. Many times, the only instrument accompanying the performer(s) is a single guitar or a piano. Numerous stars perform at the Bluebird (Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Williams, to name a few), and new performers do their thing on Sunday evenings. Annually, the Freedom Forum holds a concert featuring songs that have been banned around the world.
Founder Amy Kurland recently sold the Bluebird to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). They have pledged to keep the Bluebird as it is . . . small, intimate, and fun.
Make no mistake. The songsters do not jam. Many times, the only instrument accompanying the performer(s) is a single guitar or a piano. Numerous stars perform at the Bluebird (Kathy Mattea, Garth Brooks, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Williams, to name a few), and new performers do their thing on Sunday evenings. Annually, the Freedom Forum holds a concert featuring songs that have been banned around the world.
Founder Amy Kurland recently sold the Bluebird to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). They have pledged to keep the Bluebird as it is . . . small, intimate, and fun.
8 comments:
Nice cozy place to enjoy some intimate music. I will try to remember the name just in case.
Now that would be a place I would like to visit.
who would expect that small place would be the place to hear good music.
I've seen many specials on this place via the T.V., and from what I can remember of it, it seems like a wonderful place to spend a weekend night! I'm sure the locals are happy with the new owners keeping the nostalgia and tradition alive and strong! Thanks for sharing!
Chris, thanks for stopping by New Orleans Daily Photo. Mardi Gras parades start this week end here -- the infamous Krewe du Vieux (everyone pronounces it the "crew du vue." Technically its the Krewe du Vieux Do -- as in Vodoo. It's a raucuous affair. The more traditional parades follow the weekend of January 25 -- the run that whole weekend skip two days,then run every day (and night) through February 5, Mardi Gras Day.
Sorry the school thing didn't work out for you down here, the Universities are still in a recovery mode, but their enrollments are coming back up fast. UNO is out on the lakefront which took the brunt of the storm.
If you're coming down for any of Mardi Gras, give me a shout.
--steve buser
New Orleans Daily Photo
How interesting. I'd love to see this place!
Pat
Guelph Daily Photo, Pat's Photo-a-Day
What a nice post this one is, Chris.
I hope you can come over and read about Charley.
hi - for the record - the bluebird was sold to the NSAI. the nashville songwriters association international.
love the pics!
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