Nashville, TN

Welcome to the South’s oldest, most-revered music city. Its other name - Music City - should hint at the fact that there is a lot of music being made here. Songwriters, performers, producers and many other folks who make the music business tick have moved here over the many decades in hopes of creating or witnessing something great, and the tradition continues today.

Though many still know Nashville as a place that makes music, with songwriters working for pop and country stars and studios acting like hotels for megastars, live music still thrives. Events like Next Big Nashville bring the best in local talent, showcasing acts like Wax Fang, Umbrella Tree, De Novo Dahl, Glossary and How I Became The Bomb as bands who have proudly taken the mantle of Nashville’s new guard.

Just over three hours from Memphis and four hours from Atlanta, Nashville is an obvious stop on a southeast tour. But it can also serve as a gateway stop before trekking off to another region like the Midwest; the city is just under five hours from St. Louis and four hours from Cincinnati.

Guide to Gigging in Nashville

Book a Gig: Venues

The Cannery Balroom/

The Mercy Lounge

1 Cannery Row, Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 251-3020

www.mercylounge.com

Built in 1883, Nashville’s historic Cannery building houses both the Cannery Ballroom and the Mercy

Lounge. The Mercy Lounge is on the second floor and holds 500 people, while the Cannery Ballroom has a capacity of over 1,000 and is on the main floor. Email John Bruton at papawags@comcast.net for booking information.

Exit/In

2208 Elliston Pl., Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 321-3340

www.exitin.com

Owned by the same folks from Zydeco in Birmingham, Exit/In brings a smorgasbord of hip bands from Bombadil to The Black Angels to its 500-capacity room. National acts should call Great Big Shows at (615) 296-9008 to book a gig, while local bands can email booking@exitin.com or call the number listed above.

The Rutledge

410 4th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37201

(615) 782-6858

www.myspace.com/therutledgelmv

If you want a gig at The Rutledge, make sure you have an EPK with SonicBids first. Then email Andy A. at booking@therutledgelmv.com or send him a message via MySpace.

12th & Porter

114 12th Ave., N., Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 254-7250

www.12thandporterlive.com

A legendary venue that has hosted rare gigs for the likes of Townes Van Zandt and Neil Young, as well as having influenced Ryan Adams’ songwriting, 12th & Porter has a great sounding, 450-capacity room. Email owner Justin Roddick at justin@autumnaddict.com to book a show.

The End

2219 Elliston Pl.,Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 321-4457

www.myspace.com/theendnashville

One of the best spots in Nashville for indie rock, with bands like Colour Revolt and The XYZ Affair stopping in, The End requests that bands call owner Bruce Fitzpatrick Monday through Friday, 1 - 5 p.m. to book a gig, and “be persistent.”

The Basement

1604 8th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37203

(615) 254-1604

www.thebasementnashville.com

Nestled below Mike Grimes’ record store Grimey’s, The Basement has a handy form to fill out on its website for bands looking to book a gig.

3rd & Lindsley

818 3rd Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37201

(615) 259-9891

www.3rdandlindsley.com

Bringing in acts from Ed Harcourt to Tift Merritt, 3rd & Lindsey packs the music tightly into its 400-capacity room. Email Ron Brice at mail@3rdandlindsley.com or call him at the above number between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on a weekday to book a gig.

Bluebird Café

4104 Hillsboro Rd., Nashville, TN 37215

(615) 383-1461

www.bluebirdcafe.com

A true Nashville songwriter’s haven, Bluebird Café features many In The Round, Open Mic and Writers Nights gigs to showcase the city’s talent. There are dates and information on how to audition or sign up for each night on the venue’s website.

The 5 Spot

1006 Forrest Ave., Nashville, TN 37206

(615) 650-9333

www.myspace.com/the5spotnashville

Definitely on the louder side, The 5 Spot leans toward the rougher indie rock of garage and the grittier side of country that is rockabilly. There is an $80 production fee and the rest of the door is split between the bands, so know what your share is going in. Also be prepared to bring 80-100 people to fill the room in order to get a gig. Email booking manager Todd Sherwood at the5spotnashville@gmail.com to get a gig.

Promote a Gig: Media

The Nashville Scene

2120 8th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37204

(615) 244-7989

www.nashscene.com

Nashville’s free independent weekly does a great job of covering music from its own scene as well as that of national touring acts. Collin Wade Monk’s cleverly titled “Scenecast” packs a ton of taste into a quick podcast. Email your show to listings@nashvillescene.com or send a message to the editor on the Contact Us page.

Gear/Repairs

Corner Music

2705 12th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37202

(615) 297-9559

www.cornermusic.com

You can’t go wrong with a store that has been voted Nashville’s Best Musical Instrument Store for four years in a row. And those aren’t the only awards the store has won. Having been around since 1976, Corner Music knows its stuff when it comes to the guitars, basses, amps, recording equipment and other products. The staff repairs guitars, basses, banjos and mandolins and has over 30 years of experience. An experienced expert also does amp repair. Call to make a repair appointment or drop by.