THE BLUEBIRD CAFE: MANAGING SUCCESS & BUILDING COMMUNITY
JAIME SCORBY | ROB VAN DISSELDORP
PRESENTERS
Marketing Manager, The Bluebird Cafe
ROB VAN DISSELDORP Events Manager,
The Bluebird Cafe
JAIME SCORBY
VENDINI MEMBER VENDINI MEMBER
AGENDA
HISTORY OF THE BLUEBIRD
CAFE
BIG BUSINESS IN A SMALL SPACE
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
Q&A
HISTORY OF THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
HISTORY OF THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
• 1982: Founded by Amy Kurland
• 1984: “Writers Night” debuts
• 1985: “In the Round” shows debut
• 1987: “Open Mic” nights are
added to the schedule
HISTORY OF THE BLUEBIRD CAFE
• 1987: Garth Brooks fills in
for an absent performer for
“Writers Night”
• 2008: Nashville Songwriters
Association International (NSAI)
become owners
• 2012: “Nashville” debuts on ABC
MUSICIANS WHO HAVE PERFORMED AT THE BLUEBIRD
CAFE (THE SHORT LIST)
• Garth Brooks
• Taylor Swift
• Toby Keith
• Kathy Mattea
• LeAnn Rimes
• John Prine
• Dierks Bentley
• Faith Hill
• Kris Kristofferson
• Deanna Carter
• Kix Brooks
• Kenny Chesney
• Steve Earle
• Emmylou Harris
• Townes Van Zandt
• Guy Clark
• Carole King
• Vince Gill
• Amy Grant
• Shelby Lynne
• Suzy Bogguss
• Dave Grohl
BIG BUSINESS IN A SMALL SPACE
BIG BUSINESS IN A SMALL SPACE• Manage Growth
• Look for revenue-generating opportunities
• Seek out trusted partners
• Stay True To The Mission• Never forget (or exploit)
your supporters
• Meet expectations, but don’t be afraid to try new things
BIG BUSINESS IN A SMALL SPACE• Located in a small, unassuming
strip mall outside of downtown
Nashville
• Entire venue seats just 90 patrons
• Receives over 70,000
visitors a year
BIG BUSINESS IN A SMALL SPACE• Sources of revenue
• Traditional food and beverage
sales
• Merchandise
• Corporate Partnerships
• Private Events
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
BUILDING COMMUNITY• A process designed to develop
talent as a community
• Open Mic Night
• Writers Night
• Early Shows
• Late Shows
BUILDING COMMUNITY• Respect both the audience
and the performers
• Silence is golden
• Fair pay for performers
BUILDING COMMUNITY• Charity and benefit shows
• Online • Social Media
• Email lists
RESOURCES
• bluebirdcafe.com
• facebook.com/bluebirdcafetn
• instagram.com/bluebirdcafetn
• twitter.com/bluebirdcafeTN
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