Bluebird Cafe

The Bluebird Cafe is one of the most famous listening rooms in the world. Tucked into a strip mall in Nashville's Green Hills neighbourhood, the intimate 90-seat venue has been the launchpad for countless careers since opening in 1982. The room operates on a strict listening policy — no talking during performances — which gives every act, from unknowns to legends, the audience's full attention.

The Bluebird is best known as the place where Garth Brooks was discovered. In 1987, a young Brooks played an open mic night and was spotted by Capitol Records executive Bob Doyle, who signed him to a publishing deal. Within two years Brooks had a record deal, and by the early 1990s he was the biggest-selling solo artist in American history.

A teenage Taylor Swift played open mic nights at the Bluebird Cafe in the early 2000s. During one performance, she caught the attention of Scott Borchetta, who was in the process of launching Big Machine Records. He signed the 14-year-old Swift as one of his first artists, and the rest is pop culture history. Swift has spoken about the Bluebird as a pivotal place in her journey from Pennsylvania kid to global superstar.

Before Kings of Leon were filling arenas worldwide, the Followill family played their first Nashville gig at the Bluebird. Caleb Followill later described the songs they played that night as "pop country" — a far cry from the Southern rock sound they would become known for. The gig set off a chain of introductions that connected the band with manager Ken Levitan, who helped steer them toward a record deal and international success.

The Bluebird Cafe is at 4104 Hillsboro Pike in Green Hills, Nashville. It hosts shows most nights and reservations are essential — seats fill up fast. The venue also featured prominently in the TV series Nashville, which brought it to a whole new audience. Whether you catch a songwriters' round or a featured artist, you are sitting in the same room where Garth, Taylor and the Followills got their start.