Live Music, Nashville

UPDATE 5/6/11: Jesse Zane's Nashville Nights has closed. :-(

Jesse Zane's Nashville Nights is a fun place to hear live music - the band is really good. Jesse himself can be coaxed onto the stage with minimal encouragement (just scream for KISS!) I talked to a couple who seem to be regulars - they said Thursday night karaoke is a hoot! I'll have to check that out for myself! :-)

Dress Code: Casual - shirt and shoes are required, but that's about the extent of the dress code. The night I was there, you had girls in their sandals and sundresses, guys in shorts and jeans...

2 more images

This is a cool place to come hear live music - rock, punk, country - the Exit/In has hosted the unknown, the up-and-coming, the current, and the has-been. Basically, a huge room with a stage at the front, a bar to the side, and a balcony in the back - this venue has been around in various incarnations since 1971. There are a half-dozen tables on the balcony, but mostly SRO, so wear your comfy shoes - it's gonna be a long night!

Check out the packed monthy calendar - there will be something to suit your musical taste!

Dress Code: Shirt and shoes required...

the cadillac ranch is a bar and resturant located on broadway in the broadway entertainment district. the cadillac ranch offers live country & western music. a fun place to eat and drink and listen to music in downtown nashville.

Dress Code: casual.

tootsie's orchid lounge is located in the broadway entertainment district downtown. tootsie's is a great place to drink and listen to live music. tootsie's is my favorite bar in nashville. see the attached web site for their entertainment schedule.

Dress Code: casual.

1 more image

Tootsie's was originally called Mom's until Tootsie Bess bought the place in 1960 and had it painted an orchid color. In the early days, this bar near the Ryman Auditorium hosted such famous customers as Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Mel Tillis, Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings, Patsy Cline and others. Of course that was back when the Ryman Auditorium was still home of the Grand Ol' Opry radio show, and the singers just had to stroll a few blocks down the street for a drink.

Today Tootsie's is famous for its live country music all day every day from 10am until 3am.

Tootsie's also has locations in Panama City, Florida, and in the Nashville Airport. We stopped at the airport location where they had two performers taking turns singing old and new country hits. We relaxed for about 45 minutes while waiting for our flight and really enjoyed the music.

My video from Tootsie's airport lounge is located here.

Excellent place for live music. Smallish venue (maybe seats 150 at small tables & bar). The sound was great, and the venue is smoke-free, which works for me. Calendar list in on their website, and the music is eclectic.

3 more images

BB Kings was a great place! If you are looking to make conversation don't come here as it is VERY loud. Prices are very reasonable. I had the deep fried pickles and they were yummy!! The drinks were good too!! There is a cover charge but its well worth it to watch the live band. The place was packed but yet the service was excellent. It was one of my favorite places that we went while in Nashville.

Dress Code: Casual and fun

Very small and intimate - something like 20 tables, plus seating at the bar. Performances are generally "in the round" and feature songwriters performing their own original works. Come hear the songs you'll be hearing on the radio next year! This is a "listening room" and as such there is no talking during performances. No smoking, but the outside is wired for sound, so if you must step out you won't miss any part of the show. Early performances have no cover; late performances have a minimal cover - all shows have a $7 beverage minimum.

This place is world famous, and rightly so. Some of the best songwriters in the world showcase their songs here, and some world-class and famous people frequent here - both on stage and off. Lari White performed tonight, and was kind enough to autograph my CD!

Dress Code: I am unaware of any dress code other than the standard shirt and shoes...