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Here is a list of Barbara's
favorite places for songwriters to play and network.
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. 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.
LYRIX,
A Music Bar and Cafe
FAREWELL TO
LYRIX - it was a wonderful asset to our songwriting
community, but it is no more. They closed the doors Oct
31st. Thanks to Tanya and Tammy for all their hard work. I
wish them well with the next chapter.
Ri'chards
Cafe
4420 Whites
Creek Pike 299-9590
Richard's Cafe' is a 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 an fun upscale family
crowd who come to dine, talk and listen.
Open mic is 5:45 - 6:30 Tuesday & Wednesday - and most
nights after 9:00.
There are also scheduled early week writers rounds and
showcases.and Indie Artist Showcase Fridays, Saturdays and
Sunday Brunch - To book one call 615-299-9590 leave a
message.
Allen Goodson is currently booking 4 song sets on Thursday
nights with every other Friday being his choice cuts
showcase sliced from his Thursdays. .Contact Allen for
Thursday slot at allengoodson@hotmail.com
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 7:00 PM
- hosted by Lee Rasconne with rounds and featured writers.
Lee brings in a mix of hit writers from the past, present
and future and keeps the nights lively with his colorful
personality. Bring him a CD if you are interested in getting
booked.
Douglas Corner
To play
this Tuesday 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.
.
.
Music
City Monday
at Blue Bar, 1911
Broadway, (615) 327-8001
9 PM to close, Hosted by Amanda Williams
Host Amanda
Williams features original music of all genres. Unlike most
other Nashville area writer's nights, Music City Monday
rarely has writers in the round. Instead, performers go up
one at a time to play several original tunes back to back.
There are usually couple of featured writers who play longer
sets - usually with a small ensemble accompaniment. There
may even be time to work in a few folks who just drop by.
Visit Amanda on a Monday to inquire about getting scheduled.
The Hall Of Fame
Lounge
Best Western, Music Row,
1407 Division St, (615) 242-1631
Mon 9PM to close - Open Mic - Anyone who drops by can play 3 songs.
Tues & Wed, 7 PM - Writers Night and open mic hosted by Davidlee
Slate
Talk to Davidlee about getting scheduled. - anyone who drops by can play.
Thursdays - 9 PM to close - Hit Writer Chuck Jones performs (no open mic.)
Fridays 7 PM to close - Writers Night and open mic hosted by Davidlee
Slate
Talk to Davidlee about getting scheduled. - open mic starts
at 10 PM.
Saturdays Writers Night hosted by Tuesday Hawkins
To get scheduled, talk to her at the club. Open mic
starts about 10 PM
Sundays CLOSED
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.
The
Broken Spoke
Country Music Inn, I 65 at Trinity Lane, (615) 226-3230
Mon- Tues, Wed - 6 PM to close - Writers Night and Open
Mic
To get schedule, call Darlene at 615-668-9517 or email brokenspoketn@aol.com..
Writers can drop by to play open mic. Everyone who comes in
will get to play.
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.
Last Friday of each month - Open Mic 8 to 10 PM hosted by
Biscuits and Gravy
Sundays
4:30 to 7:30 - Jazz Jam
All
instruments and singers welcome
- drum kit and piano
provided.
Sundays 8 PM Songwriter Showcase
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 . 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
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