Official Press Release regarding the entrustment of The Bluebird Café to the NSAI:
Nashville Songwriters Association International
To Assume Ownership of Famed Bluebird Cafe
Amy Kurland Announces Extraordinary Contribution
and Will Remain As Founder
Kris Kristofferson Kicks Off Celebration with Private Performance
November 9, 2007, Nashville, TN-- Bluebird Cafe founder Amy Kurland will
entrust ownership of the legendary songwriter venue, effective January 1,
2008, to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). NSAI is
a trade organization committed to protecting the rights and future of the
profession of songwriting, and to educate, elevate the songwriter.
Through the announcement it was revealed that Kurland structured the
transfer to ensure that the Bluebird will provide financial support for
NSAI's mission, and allow the organization to continue the their important
work on behalf of the songwriting profession.
Thursday night, November 8, one of NSAI's founders, the legendary Kris
Kristofferson, with original band members Donnie Fritts, Billy Swan, Stephen
Bruton and friend Chris Gantry, performed at the Bluebird to celebrate the
historical moment.
"As the Bluebird turned 25, I looked back through the years of wonderful
music and started to consider the next 25 years," said founder Amy Kurland.
"By partnering with NSAI, I feel sure that The Bluebird will always be here
as a home for new and accomplished songwriters."
The NSAI Board of Directors agreed that the Bluebird Cafe would remain a
venue for songwriter performances.
"The NSAI Board meeting fell into stunned silence at the announcement of our
acquisition of the Bluebird Cafe," recalled board president Steve Bogard.
"Twenty-five of Nashville's best and most experienced songwriters were
literally speechless, humbled at the honor and responsibility of carrying on
the tradition of America's premier acoustic songwriting venue. The terms of
Amy Kurland's transfer of the Bluebird to NSAI can only be described as a
gift to songwriters everywhere. We know that this is a sacred trust and a
brilliant opportunity to create a synergy that will allow us to better serve
America's songwriters in Nashville, Washington D.C. and across the country."
NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison noted that "no changes" were planned
for the Bluebird Cafe. He said the same staff would remain along with the
format that Kurland started.
"Bluebird Founder Amy Kurland created something that simply does not exist
anywhere else. The musical magic created nightly over the years has earned
the Bluebird Cafe a place in songwriter history," said Herbison. "We, at
NSAI, intend to carefully guard the legacy of the Bluebird Cafe and protect
the special atmosphere Amy created."
Kurland opened the cafe in 1982 as a casual gourmet restaurant with some
live music. Since those early days, the Bluebird has become a showcase and
home for songwriters. In 1985, Sunday writer's nights were added as a
chance for new writers to audition and perform. Dinner
shows followed in 1987. The Bluebird Cafe is the setting for the 1995 film
"The Thing Called Love," starring River Phoenix, K.T. Oslin, Samantha Mathis
and Sandra Bullock.
Kathy Mattea, T. Graham Brown and Sweethearts of the Rodeo were discovered
at the cafe. Superstar Garth Brooks played Open Mic and Sunday Songwriters
shows, and nailed down his recording contract with Capitol Records at The
Bluebird.
Notable songwriters including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Nanci Griffith, Janis
Ian, Tony Arata, Bill Lloyd, Danny Flowers, Don Henry, Don Schlitz and many
others have worked their magic in the room.
About the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) NSAI is the
world's largest not-for-profit songwriters trade organization. Established
in 1967, the membership of more than 4,000 spans the United States and five
other countries. NSAI is dedicated to protecting the rights of and serving
aspiring and professional songwriters in all genres of music. For more
information, visit
www.nashvillesongwriters.com<
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