Bluebird Cafe: Managing Success & Building Community

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

THANK YOU

JAIME SCORBY| JAIME@BLUEBIRDCAFE.COM

ROB VAN DISSELDORP | ROB@BLUEBIRDCAFE.COM