I am often asked by visitors to Nashville about where they might go to hear live music during their stay. The answer depends on when they plan to visit and what their musical interests are. More than likely there is something in Music City to please anyone. Quite often people are interested to see some of the creative community of Music City in action--maybe hear an aspiring singer, a hot guitarist or a songwriter trying out a new tune. A look at the Friday entertainment supplement to The Tennessean newspaper lists over sixty places with live entertainment with quite a variety--alternative, blues, all the way to something listed as "Poetry and Songs" at a coffee house near one of the colleges here. Well, obviously sixty is too many, so I'll comment on a few favored by the locals.

I often suggest the Station Inn as the place to hear the best in bluegrass and acoustic music. You would be hard pressed to find anyone in bluegrass music who has not played at the Station Inn over the last thirty years. They operate smoke-free seven nights a week and the calendar is always filled with great talent. In addition to hearing and seeing the best in bluegrass there is always the possibility of legendary Nashville musicians sitting in on any given night. The focus is bluegrass but if you come on a Monday night you will be assured of hearing some fabulous swing music from the Time Jumpers. This group includes several top studio musicians and is not to be missed. On a Friday night this summer, the schedule featured the phenomenal young German guitarist Joscho Stephan playing hot Gypsy music with his trio. You might consider taking a cab to the Station Inn as parking can be a problem on weekends.

The jazz scene in Nashville has always been somewhat of a frustrating situation. Without a doubt, the town is filled with world-class players on every instrument but a viable dedicated jazz club has never been sustainable. There is, however, great music going on. In the Green Hills area of town F. Scott's Restaurant and Jazz Bar features jazz every night and is well worth seeking out, especially if Beegie Adair's Trio is playing. There is no cover charge and the bar is smoke free. On Sunday nights the jazz at Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel is as good as you will find anywhere with a good possibility of Dixieland breaking out at some point. Sometimes the small restaurant Caffeine on Demonbreun offers jazz. Also, it would be worth a call to the Nashville Jazz Workshop to see if they have a performance scheduled at the Jazz Cave. In checking their website I see guitarist Gene Bertoncini is listed for October 14.

Any discussion of the Nashville music scene inevitably includes the songwriters. As you might imagine, the number of successful and fledgling songwriters living in Nashville is large. They are a revered group and have a unique place in the music industry. Without a doubt, the work of songwriters and publishers drives the recording/video/touring machinery. In order to sell CD's and concert tickets, an artist has to communicate to the heart and ear of the public. The mantra heard often in Nashville is, "It all begins with a song." Do writers in Nashville ever ply their craft in public? The answer is yes, and you can find several Writers' Nights listed in the newspaper or the Nashville Scene. One venue missing from the current Tennessean is Puckett's Grocery, which actually has two locations. One is south of town in Franklin and the other is in the small community of Leiper's Fork. You would need to call in advance to see who is playing and secure reservations.

Since 1982 one place has endured as a venue primarily for the songwriter. Located not far from F. Scott's on Hillsboro Road is the venerable Bluebird Cafe. The room is relatively small but is a comfortable size for listening to music. Outside of the creative community, the Bluebird has kept a low profile over the years, but it's well known among those in the music business. The walls are filled with an impressive collection of the photos of past performers. Anybody who has anything to do with music in Nashville has performed on that tiny stage.

Although it is a restaurant, the Bluebird has built a reputation as being a listening room; the strictly enforced policy during performances is "Shhh!" At the Bluebird you might hear an established songwriter doing a medley of #1 familiar songs or playing a future hit for the first time in public. One interesting format that emerged years ago was the "In the Round" concept where three or four singer/songwriters perform together as well as take turns singing original material, often premiering songs that have been co-written. In this format you can get a sense of the mutual respect writers have for each other and for their craft.

Many now successful Nashville songwriters were once pulling a U-Haul into town from parts unknown, so how does a new writer get a foot in the door? The Bluebird Cafe has also served as a proving ground for aspiring writers. It is possible for any songwriter to audition and get on stage for Open Mic on Monday. Those showing promise are then permitted on the Sunday Writer's Night. The procedures for that process are available on their website www.bluebirdcafe.com. Also on the site are phone numbers for reservations. Given the small seating capacity of 21 tables, it is best to plan ahead if you plan on coming to the Bluebird Cafe.

The Nashville Songwriter's Association sponsors an event that may be of interest to many. It occurs the first week in April and is known as "Tin Pan South". The event features over 70 shows all over town showcasing songwriters- the legendary, the current hit makers and the up-and-comers. Tin Pan South is America's largest music festival dedicated to songs and songwriters and you can hear the stories and songs in an intimate setting directly from the source.

Also highly recommended during the summer is the bluegrass series at the historic Ryman Auditorium downtown. Everyone from Caruso to Flatt & Scruggs has performed downtown at the Ryman, former home of the Grand Ole Opry.

And speaking of the Opry, for the past 80 years there have always been the Grand Ole Opry broadcast performances. The Opry currently has shows scheduled three nights a week and features newer acts as well as some of the legends. A legion of serious country music fans descend on Nashville each year in the June heat for the four-day CMA Music Festival at the Coliseum across the Cumberland River downtown. In past years it was billed as Fan Fair® and showcases virtually every artist currently in country music.

And finally, to round out the musical spectrum, don't forget that Twang Town has the Nashville Opera and the Nashville Symphony. The Nashville Chamber Orchestra always offers interesting programs has done evenings in the past with guitarists John Jorgenson, Bryan Sutton, Pete Huttlinger, Phil Keaggy, Darrell Scott, Muriel Anderson, Brent Mason, Russ Barenberg, Jose Feliciano, harmonica wizard Howard Levy, fiddler Aubrey Haynie, Alison Krauss with Jerry Douglas and Union Station and many more.

At the risk of sounding like a spokesperson for the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, I invite you to plan a visit to come see us in Music City and guarantee you will hear something you like!