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PLEASE
NOTE
Club schedules change frequently, so
please check the venues to verify information before
attending. More complete listings of Nashville writers
nights and open mics can be found in the Friday Tennessean
newspaper, the free weeklies Nashville
Rage and Nashville
Scene, and in the free monthly Nashville
Music Guide.
When approaching hosts about
booking it is important to remember that the clubs are in
the business of selling food and drinks. Be prepared that
you may have to play open mics or just visit the writers
nights and get to know some people before you get booked to
play. Nashville is a city
over-loaded with amazing talent and entertainment options
and almost no one goes to a show unless they already know
the people performing. Traditional promotion such as flyers,
ads and press releases have limited effectiveness. Even if
performers are so good they sell out other rooms all over
the country, they play to empty rooms here unless they are
already known in town or are on the bill with locals who
have a following.
Bluebird
Cafe
See the Bluebird page of this
website for detailed information about the club.
Monday 6 to 9 PM Open Mic - sign up at 5:30
Sundays 8 PM Writers Night - scheduled by audition only
Tues through Sat - Early shows feature some of the best
up-and-coming writers.
Late shows feature hit writers and established bands.
Ri'chards
Cafe
4420 Whites
Creek Pike 299-9590
Richard's Cafe' is a
Louisiana style restaurant and live music original
songwriter / artist venue a few minutes north of Nashville.
There is a full PA and three mics and DI inputs for
performers. The patrons are a fun upscale family crowd who
come to dine, talk, listen and even tip and buy CD's.
Open mic / auditions for showcases are 5:30 - 6:15
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays - and most nights after
8:30.
There are scheduled Indie Artist / Writer Showcases Tuesdays
- Saturday nights and Sunday Brunch -
To book one call 615-299-9590
leave a message or send information including music on the
web to richardscafe@comcast.net
for showcase concideration.
Commodore Sports
Bar at the Holiday Inn, Vanderbilt
2613 West End Ave, 615-327-4707
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6:00 PM
- hosted by Debi Champion
with rounds and featured writers. If you are
new to Nashville and want to start meeting people and
learning the ropes, this is one of the best places to do
that. Debi has hosted
nights for many years in Nashville and does a great job of
booking hit writers and gathering a regular following of
talented writers who are serious about their careers. Be
there by 9:00 PM to play at the late-night open mic, which
serves as an audition for future bookings. Check out her website
for the complete line-up.
Fridays and Saturdays 6:30 PM
- hosted by Lorna Flowers and Rick Stewart with rounds and featured writers.
Visit Lorna and Rick at the club on their nights to inquire
about booking a night with them.
Douglas Corner
2106 8th Ave,
(615) 298-1688
Tuesdays
8 pm to close. To play this long-running Open Mic hosted
by Rick Campbell writers must call 292-2530 between 2:00 and
6:00 PM on the day they want to play. They perform in the
order in which the messages are received. Writers play two
songs each in rounds of four. Those who show up without
calling will play late. The show continues until everyone
has played.
Wednesday, 8 to 11 PM.
Hosts Joy Collins and Joe Hrsa are moving the popular
writers night they began at Limelight to this well loved
venue on the edge of Music Row.
Dan
McGuinness
1538 Demonbreun St, (615) 252-1991
Mondays
7:30 to close - McGuinness Girl's Night hosted by Terri Jo Box
This popular show has been running for years. Terri Jo features
4 song sets by women only. Nashville writers should drop by
on a Monday night to inquire
about booking. If you're planning a trip to Nashville you
can email Terri Jo at tjbox71@hotmail.com
about the possibility of
playing when you're in town.
James
Breedwell Writers Nights
James hosts writers nights every night of the week except
Wednesdays. He features writers doing short sets of two or
three songs. There are also "Friends" nights
where one writer invites friends to fill the night. He
also offers some opportunities for getting a U-Tube video
of your set free of charge. You can find out more about
what he does at www.myspace.com/jamesbreedwell.
For booking inquiries, email to Nashvillemusicgroup@yahoo.com.
Sundays
6-9PM CRAGNACKERS 21 AND
UP, MUST SHOW ID
4700 Old Hickory Blvd., Old Hickory TN 37138
Tuesdays 7-10PM HOOTERS
4119 Lebanon Pk., Hermitage , TN 37076
Mondays & Thursdays 6 to 9PM
NASHVILLE PALACE
2611 McGavock Pike, Nashville , TN 37214
Fridays & Saturdays 6-9PM
CHIC-FIL-A
303 Old Lebanon Dirt Rd., Hermitage , TN 37076
The Hall Of Fame
Lounge
Best Western, Music Row,
1407 Division St, (615) 242-1631
The Hall of Fame Lounge features songwriters seven nights a
week. Drop by to inquire about playing or call Steve Jones at the club in the evenings.
Cafe
Coco Backstage
210 Louise Ave
(615) 321-COCO (2626)
This popular coffee house is open 24 hours and serves
beer along with great food and a variety of beverages. They
serve breakfast around the clock and have the largest
dessert
selection in Nashville.
Thursday -
7 - 11 PM Open Mic
Sign up is at 6 PM and usually fills up quickly. Drums and
keyboard are available. All types of music are welcome
- even stand-up comedy. You must be present at 7pm to play.
Sundays
4:30 to 7:30 - Jazz Jam
All
instruments and singers welcome
- drum kit and piano
provided.
To get booked at Cafe Coco start by attending open mic or go to their website for info on how to
pitch your press kit.
OTHER
MUSIC CLUBS
Here are a few of the other other clubs that feature
original music. They do not host regular writers nights but
they book a variety of sets by featured artists, bands and
songwriter rounds. The clubs listed above also feature other
original music on nights they do not have writers night.
When
approaching clubs about booking it is important to remember
that clubs only stay in business if they sell food and
drinks. Be prepared that you may have to play open mics or
just visit the writers nights and get to know some people
before you get booked to play. Nashville is a city over-loaded with amazing talent
and entertainment options and it is extremely hard to draw a
crowd. Local music lovers are bombarded with dozens of
emails and phone calls every week from friends urging them
to attend their gigs. Traditional promotion such as
flyers, ads and press releases have limited effectiveness
because almost no one goes to a show unless they already
know the people performing. Even if performers are so good
they sell out other rooms all over the country, they play to
empty rooms here unless they are already known in town or
are on the bill with locals who have a following. It is not
impossible for unknown out-of-town performers to find a
booking, but don't take it personally if it's harder than
you're used to.
12th
and Porter
3rd
and Lindsley
Rutledge
Mercy
Lounge
The Listening Room
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