Monday Night Open Mic, 6 PM to 9 PM
In 1986 I got the chance to fill in when the host of the Sunday Writers' Night went out of town. The original owner of the club, Amy Kurland, had just decided to add a second show each night and offered me a job hosting two of them, one being the Monday Open Mic. I was thrilled at the chance and can honestly say that all these years later I still feel blessed to preside over the stream of talent that comes through the doors on Monday nights. I've seen newcomers Kenny Chesney, David Wilcox, Dierks Bentley and Garth Brooks drop by in their quest for success. I've watched writers including Tim Johnson, Dave Turnbull. Chuck Cannon and Bret Jones grow from playing a couple songs for free to writing hit singles.  It's always an entertaining show as writers from all over the world gather to take their chance on the famous Bluebird stage. You never know just what you'll hear, but you can be sure you'll hear it all.

Sunday Writers’ Night
This is the longest running writers’ night in Nashville and one of the best attended. The show consists of ten to twelve writers who play three songs each and it ends with a set by a writer who has enjoyed commercial success. There is no pay for the show but writers are welcome to sell CD's.

AUDITION PROCEDURE
To play on a Sunday writers night you must first pass a live audition. The only exception to the audition rule is made for touring artists who are performing professionally. They may, instead of the audition, send a press kit marked "writers nights" to The Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Rd., Nashville TN 37215 or email an on-line press kit or website link to earlyshowbooking@bluebirdcafe.com .

The auditions are open only to writers who live within 100 miles of Nashville or members of a chapter of the Nashville Songwriters Association. If you would like to receive notice whenever an audition is scheduled, Sign up for my mailing list and be sure to check the box for auditions.

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Early Shows -  Tues, Wed & Thurs 6 to 8 PM, Fri & Sat 6:30 to 8:30 PM
These shows usually consist of four writers taking turns trading songs for 2 hours. Generally the rounds are put together by one writer who invites the other three. There is no pay for the shows but performers are welcome to sell CD's. 

BOOKING PROCEDURE
To be considered for an early round, writers must begin by passing the audition for a Sunday writers night. Once they have played four Sundays they can ask to be considered for an early round. For the most part, writers must be able to assemble a four person round that will provide great music and will help fill the house. Touring artists who are performing professionally can bypass the live audition and mail a press kit marked "early shows" The Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Rd., Nashville TN 37215 or email earlyshowbooking@bluebirdcafe.com with an on-line press kit. The openings for these shows are extremely limited and in most cases touring artists will be recommended for a Sunday Writers Night. Writers can also get scheduled, whether or not they have passed the audition and played on Sundays, if they are invited by another writer to be part of a round.

Sunday Band Spotlight
The only opening at The Bluebird for a full band that does not already have a large Nashville following is the Sunday Spotlight Show at 6:30 PM each week. Bands of up to six pieces play a one hour set. 

BOOKING PROCEDURE
Writers who would like to play on the spotlight show with their band must begin by passing the audition and playing four Sunday Writers Nights. Touring bands who are playing professionally may send a press kit marked "Sunday Spotlight" to The Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Rd., Nashville TN 37215 or email  an on-line press kit to earlyshowbooking@bluebirdcafe.com .  

Late Shows Mon thru Sat
These shows are booked by the manager of the club, Erika Wollam-Nichols, erika@bluebirdcafe.com and they are reserved for multi-hit songwriters and touring acts with a large following.

click here to see the schedule