Miles from Music Row, Blue Bird Café discovers diamonds in the rough

If you're looking for go-for-broke, balls-out fiery singers who would do it their whole lives for free if no one ever offered to pay them, you're gonna love the Blue Bird Café.

Garth Brooks and Faith Hill launched their careers here, "This Thing Called Love," starring Sandra Bullock was filmed here and Don Schlitz (Randy Travis' writer) has taken more than a few hits for a test drive on stage here. It's in-your-face, gritty, raw passion.

Amy Kurland opened the club 25 years ago as a restaurant with live music. Within a few years she began adding songwriter nights and before she knew it, she had a following of artists strutting their stuff to sold-out audiences.

On Thursday night (November 8) the ownership will pass to the Nashville Songwriters Association with Kris Kristofferson performing.

If you're visiting Nashville, don't expect a big splashy venue for all this kick-ass music. It's in a non-descript shopping mall, far from "Music Row" and it seats only 100 people. Some nights are smoke-free, while other nights are filled with smokers, so call ahead.

And be prepared to be shushed if you talk during performances - patrons of the Blue Bird Café take their music seriously.

Talk Back, Girlfriend and rate this post!