Trying to get started

[LDiggity]

Hello,
I'm planning a trip to Nashville to get a feel for the area. I am a solo singer songwriter and I'm just trying to get my foot in the door. I've repeatedly tried to get a show booked in Nashville but it has proved to be very difficult and I cant get anyone to give me a shot. So I'm traveling to Nashville on the 23rd of this month with the goal of getting some shows booked.
I play all original music (acoustic, progressive, rock.... John Mayer meets Incubus and Coheed and Cambria) but I play covers to make some money. I make a living here in Tallahassee playing cover gigs, but I hear that is close to impossible in Nashville due to the flood of musicians. So I'm open to the kind of shows I need to book, but all I really want is to play my originals and I will do that for free (maybe a bar tab :D).
So where do I go? What clubs would be good to solicit for original or cover shows? Where can I go to just plug in my guitar and play for people? Who can I go talk to to get some gigs booked? Any information anyone can give would help me greatly in getting started with my move to Nashville.
Thank you
Lawrence Trailer
myspace.com/lawrencetrailer

[Unregistered]

Hey man! Yea, it is very difficult to be heard in Nashville - especially if you're coming in just for a few days or a long weekend. Have you looked into any open mic or song writer nights? That's about all I can suggest and no one can even guarantee you'll be heard, but definitely worth a try! A few to mention - Broken Spoke, Hall of Fame Lounge and Blue Bird Cafe.

Good luck!

[LDiggity]

Thats definently what I was looking for... just a place to play and get a response or none at all. Just want to play while I'm in town. Thank you
Lawremce

[Unregistered]

Lawrence -

Did you ever make it to town? How did it go and were you able to play anywhere?

[Unregistered]

I actually met up with James Rae and am now a member of RAMA. I couldnt have asked for a better trip.. but no gigs, just good contacts. I'll be back up the last week of January.
Thank you for your help
Lawrence Trailer

[Unregistered]

Very cool! -Although drawing a blank - who is James Rae?

Do you think you'll have anything lined up at the end of January?

Paulie

[holleringjohn@yahoo.com]

I am trying to book a country music showcase in Nashville during January or February 08. I need contacts to help do the legwork.
Do you know of an event planner who specializes in setting up musical showcase events?

[Unregistered]

Normally you'd have a booking agent or a manager that does this type of legwork. However, I suggest you call the venues yourself since they don’t book people without hearing them first.

[Unregistered]

Aka James Rae Denny, Jim Denny, of historic Nashville fame died in the 1960's after a lifetime of producing and promoting.