Garth Brooks photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville
April 5, 2007 — At Nashville's internationally known Bluebird Cafe, the philosophy has always been that the song is what counts and that it deserves to be heard. Beginning in May, the Bluebird will kick off a year-long celebration commemorating its 25th anniversary and recognizing the talented singer/songwriters who call it home.
"I set out to open a restaurant 25 years ago, but the music quickly took over," says owner Amy Kurland. "Nothing could be more special than celebrating this milestone year with some of the same songwriters who were regulars back when we first opened the doors."
Those songwriters and more will be invited to a private birthday bash hosted by BMI on May 24. Later, the festivities will be open to the public when a 10-day series titled "Superstars of the Bluebird" begins on June 1.
The show will hit the road on a 12-city songwriter tour, kicking off in New York City at Joe's Pub on May 31 with a few of the founders of the "In the Round" format that originated at the Bluebird. Additional cities and dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Bluebird has been both testing ground and launching pad for some of the biggest names in country music. Garth Brooks' career began at the Bluebird, when a Capitol Records exec saw him substituting at the last minute for a performer who didn't show up — and promptly signed him.
"In my opinion, the songwriter is the foundation of music," Garth once said, "and the Bluebird is the rock on which that foundation sits."
The long list of those who have played the club includes Melissa Etheridge, Steve Earle, the Cowboy Junkies, the Indigo Girls, Townes Van Zandt, Mickey Newbury, Vince Gill, Janis Ian, John Prine, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Raul Malo, Radney Foster, Pam Tillis, Arlo Guthrie, Peter Case, Loudon Wainwright III, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, and the Monkees' Peter Tork.
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