Nashville Songwriter Showcases

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  • Writers in the round at BlueBird Cafe

Songwriter Showcases–The Heart and Soul of Music City

There’s no more authentic Nashville experience than listening to songwriters perform in listening rooms. No frills. No drum solos. No pyro. Just pure poetry set to music. They’re a draw for both locals and visitors, especially in-the-round performances featuring three or more songwriters swapping songs and stories.

I asked artist/songwriter Lockwood Barr to make a list of some of her favorite listening rooms. (That’s Lockwood above at The Bluebird.) Then I added a few.

Songwriter Rooms

Bluebird Cafe’

Long before the TV show “Nashville” made the Bluebird internationally famous, this jewel was a loosely kept secret among locals, a cozy little listening room that has launched the careers of both songwriters and artists. Due to TV exposure, it’s tough to secure a reservation–but worth the effort. Read the rules if you’d like a shot at Open Mic Monday. Parking is insane so consider a rideshare or cab.

The Listening Room Cafe

If you’re downtown, this could be your most convenient club because it’s just six blocks off Lower Broadway at 618 4th Avenue, S. The owners are respected by songwriters so respected songwriters are often on the bill. There’s a Lunchtime Tunes showcase and every Monday night a crew of female writers takes the stage with a revolving cast they call Song Suffragettes. The Listening Room also takes its food seriously so you’ll find finer fare than at some of its cohorts.

Commodore Grille

Yes, it’s in the Holiday Inn-Vanderbilt but you won’t find cheesy lounge acts here. In fact, it’s one of the city’s busiest venues for songwriter showcases with live music every night of the week. There’s even an open mic slot on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday with sign-ups starting at 5:45pm. For up-to-date talent info, visit the Commodore Grille’s Twitter account. FREE ADMISSION–No cover charge or drink minimum. Sun-Thurs, 5-10pm, Fri-Sat, 5-11pm.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

It’s often overlooked by the masses but the CMHoF has a monthly roster of Songwriter Sessions featuring some of the most notable tunesmiths in the industry. These sets are scheduled noon-12:45 so you don’t have to be a nightowl to enjoy them. The link above takes you to their calendar.

Regularly Showcases Songwriters

3rd and Lindsley

Can’t stay up late? Here’s your solution: Backstage Nashville. The pre-show starts Saturday afternoon at 12:15pm followed by a concert with four top writers. General admission is $20; a VIP experience is $125. Every week 3rd and Lindsley partners with Roots Radio WMOT to host Finally Friday, a noon showcase with doors opening at 11am. This FREE two-hour live radio show presents three or four Americana-ish acts in a friendly, laidback environment.

Chief’s on Broadway

In addition to emerging songwriters, Chief’s is booking some established hitmakers in the intimate concert hall called Neon Steeple. Just a sampling: Natalie Hemby, Kevin Mac, Kent Blazy, Keith Stegall, Lori McKenna and a curated gathering called Buddy’s Place. FYI: these are ticketed shows so reserve your spot early.

Assembly Food Hall

Located in the Fifth and Broadway complex, the stage welcomes singer/songwriters who may mix up familiar songs with their own compositions. Sit close to the stage to hear them well because they’re essentially performing in a food court.

Tin Roof–Demonbreun

Not to be confused with their Broadway location, it doesn’t cater to country fans as much as its sister venue. Its Tuesday night series called Revival Nashville is an artist showcase, a stone’s throw from Music Row. They’ve also added a songwriter series called Songbird.

Pindrop Songwriter Series

Pindrop is an almost-weekly series than moves among several local clubs. You’re more likely to find non-country songs than at some other places.

The Basement

Not strictly a songwriter hang, it’s primarily a small concert hall featuring solo artists and bands. But they don’t turn a deaf ear to local songwriters, particularly with their early shows. It has a reputation for being one of the best-sounding rooms in the city and musicians consider it a cut above many other clubs. Located about a mile south of downtown on 8th Ave. S.

The Basement East

Success breeds success so these folks hopped across the river to create an East Nashville location. (Same website for both.

Stompin’ Grounds

This multi-genre writers showcase happens on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday at the Noelle Hotel (200 4th Ave. N.) and the 1st and 3rd Thursday at Margaritaville (322 Broadway). Showtimes are 7-10pm at both locations.

19 Miles from Music Row

On the first Tuesday of every month, Franklin First United Methodist Church welcomes hitmaking songwriters, up-and-comers and appreciative audiences for an evening music and alcohol-free entertainment. Perfect for those who appreciate good songwriting but would prefer to steer clear of bars and rowdier venues. In addition to the church’s website, you can get more info on their Facebook page.

Franklin Theatre

Hats off to this multi-use historic venue for lining up cream-of-the-crop songwriters for their Songwriter Series. Check the calendar for these and other tasty music events.

Songwriter Nights

…but ALWAYS verify before heading out.

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

  •  Songnest—Green Light Bar near the Gulch, , 7-10pm. Possible open mic if time permits.
  • The Pitch Meeting–Open mic night for singer/songwriters. Artists play with a house band. Doors at 6:30pm, sign-up to play starts at 7pm.
  • Nashville Tour Stop at True Music Tuesday in the Cambria Hotel in SoBro. 6pm.
  • Open Mic Night at Twelve Keys Saloon in Hermitage.

WEDNESDAY

  • “Exit 209 Songwriter Series”–Weekly Wednesday rounds at the Twelve Thirty Club’s Supper Club on Broadway. Hosted by Storme Warren. 3-5pm.
  • Music City Freak Show at The Local, Vanderbilt area, 7-11pm, typically three rounds with four songwriters in each round.
  • Nashville Tour Stop at Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery’s Oak Room, Marathon Village, 6-10pm.
  • Writers at the Water—Springwater‘s weekly session, Vanderbilt area, Wednesdays, 5-8pm.
  • “Southern Rounds” at Analog in the Hutton Hotel, Midtown. Wednesdays at 7pm.
  • Twelve Keys Saloon in Hermitage.
  • Stories At The Station in the lobby of Union Station Hotel, Wednesdays, 7-10pm. Check with the hotel because the frequency seems unpredictable.

THURSDAY

  • Nashville Tour Stop at Hard Rock Cafe, Broadway, 6-10pm.
  • Grindhouse Nashville writers’ round at Live Oak, Music Row, 7-11pm
  • Songwriters Workshop@American Legion Post 82, Madison, 7-10pm.
  • Vue in the Round happens on the third Thursday of the month, 7-9pm. in the Listening Lounge of the Ford Ice Center in Bellevue. Admission is $10 and it’s family-friendly.

FRIDAY

  • Freak’n FriDaze at The Local, 6:00-10:30pm, multiple songwriter rounds. Vanderbilt area.
  • Songwriters at Thistle & Rye lounge in the Conrad Hotel, Midtown.

SATURDAY

  • Songwriters at Thistle & Rye lounge in the Conrad Hotel, Midtown.

There’s been a trend lately for hotels to feature songwriters so, if you’re staying in a hotel with a lounge, it’s worth an ask.

Take a few tips

1. Make reservations if possible. Every listening room has its own set of rules. Go to that club’s website and get details.

2. Silence your cellphone. You don’t wanna be “that person.”

3. Don’t talk during performances. It’s considered highly disrespectful and you WILL get the evil eye from others. Go to a honky tonk if you wanna talk over the music.

4. Be friendly. You may be asked to share a table. Or you may be elbow-to-elbow with the person seated next to you. Be nice. Remember, enjoying music is a shared experience.

5. Take your potty break before the show. The bathrooms typically have limited capacity and standing in line in a small venue is awkward.

6. Meet your minimum tab. Some listening rooms have cover charges. Some have minimum tabs (usually $15 or less per person). Some have both. And the rules may change depending on the show.

7. Be kind on open mic nights. Everybody starts somewhere. Open mic nights draw a mixture of rookies and seasoned vets.

8. Enjoy yourself with an authentically Nashville night on the town.