Bluebird Café facts for kids
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| Address | 4104 Hillsboro Pike |
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| Location | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Coordinates | 36°6′7.3″N 86°49′0.6″W / 36.102028°N 86.816833°W |
| Owner | Nashville Songwriters Association International |
| Type | Music venue |
| Genre(s) | Country |
| Capacity | 90 |
| Opened | June 1982 |
The Bluebird Café is a small, famous music club in Nashville, Tennessee. It opened in 1982 and can seat about 90 people. This special place is known for its acoustic music performances. Many performers are talented singer-songwriters who play their own songs. Others sing songs written by different artists. The Bluebird Café welcomes over 70,000 visitors every year. You might have even seen it on the TV show Nashville.
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How Did The Bluebird Café Start?
The Bluebird Café was started by Amy Kurland. She opened its doors in June 1982. The building at 4104 Hillsboro Pike in Nashville had been many things before. It was once a game room, a bar, and even a pizza place! Amy first wanted it to be a fancy restaurant. She thought live music would be a nice extra touch. So, she added a stage. Soon, the music became the main attraction.
When Did The Bluebird Become Famous?
Just a few months after opening, in March 1983, a singer named Kathy Mattea got a record deal. She had been playing regularly at The Bluebird Café. After this, the club became known as a great place for musicians to perform. Other songwriters who played there also started getting record deals.
What is "Writer's Night"?
On July 1, 1984, The Bluebird held its first "Writer's Night." This is a special evening where new songwriters can play their original songs. A successful songwriter joins them as a guest. Don Schlitz was the first special guest. He had already won a Grammy for writing the song "The Gambler" for Kenny Rogers. In 1985, "Sunday Writer's Nights" became a regular part of the club's schedule.
What is "In The Round"?
The first "In The Round" show happened on March 29, 1985. Songwriters Thom Schuyler, J. Fred Knobloch, Don Schlitz, and Paul Overstreet performed. Knobloch and Schlitz suggested this unique format. In an "In The Round" show, the writers sit in the middle of the room. They take turns playing their songs and sharing stories behind them.
This format became very popular. Most shows at The Bluebird Café, and many other clubs, still use the "In The Round" style. Knobloch, Schlitz, and Schuyler still play together "In The Round" at The Bluebird Café at least once a month. They are often joined by harmonica player Jelly Roll Johnson.
How Do Songwriters Get to Play?
Songwriters have to try out, or audition, to play on The Bluebird's small stage. This stage is used when shows are not "In The Round." On June 6, 1987, a young singer named Garth Brooks auditioned. He was booked for a "Writer's Night" a month later. Soon after, he had a special showcase. During this showcase, a music representative from Capitol Records saw him. Garth Brooks was signed to Capitol the very next day!
Garth Brooks often came back to The Bluebird's "Writer's Nights." He looked for songs to record. Bluebird regulars like Kent Blazy, Tony Arata, and Pat Alger wrote some of his biggest hits. These included "If Tomorrow Never Comes" and "The Dance".
What Other Shows Does The Bluebird Have?
In 1987, dinner shows and "Open Mic Nights" were added. The Bluebird usually has two shows each night. Dinner is available at both. During the week, shows are often at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM. On weekends, they are at 6:30 PM and 9:30 PM. Monday nights are "Open Mic Night." Anyone can play as long as they perform their own original songs.
The first "Women In The Round" night was held in November 1988. It featured talented artists like Ashley Cleveland, Tricia Walker, Pam Tillis, and Karen Staley.
The Bluebird Café in Movies and TV
In 1992, a movie script about young songwriters in Nashville started circulating. The Bluebird Café was a very important part of the story. Amy Kurland even went to Los Angeles to help as a technical advisor for the film. This movie was The Thing Called Love, directed by Peter Bogdanovich. It starred River Phoenix, Samantha Mathis, Dermot Mulroney, and Sandra Bullock. Some scenes were filmed right in Nashville. This was River Phoenix's last complete movie.
Around 2000, a TV show called "Live from the Bluebird Café" aired on Turner South. It showed songwriters performing their famous original songs. The show was on for five years.
Awards and Discoveries
In 2002, a book called The Bluebird Café Scrapbook was published. It tells the history of the club through stories from writers and employees. Also in 2002, The Bluebird Café won an Academy of Country Music Award for Night Club of the Year.
A very famous moment happened when Taylor Swift was discovered at The Bluebird Café. She was only fourteen years old! Music executive Scott Borchetta saw her perform there.
The Nashville Songwriters Association International bought The Bluebird Café on January 1, 2008. In November 2019, a documentary film about the club, simply called "Bluebird," was released.
