BMI Acoustic Lounge Returns to Iconic Bluebird Café for 2026 Series

BMI returned to The Bluebird Café in Nashville, TN, on January 20, for the 2026 launch of its monthly series, BMI Acoustic Lounge. The showcase hosted BMI/Electric Feel Entertainment songwriters KC Bruner, Eddie And The Getaway, Thomas Edwards and Ricky Manning who traded songs while sharing the stories behind them. Sponsored by Dogfish Head and Shure, the evening was hosted by BMI’s Executive Director of Creative, Nashville, Shannon Sanders.

“BMI Acoustic Lounge reinforces our commitment to creating meaningful spaces where our songwriters can be heard, and we are fortunate to pair the series with one of the most rooted venues in Nashville’s songwriting history,” Sanders said. “Erika Wollam Nichols and her team at the Bluebird have originated an intentional environment where our songwriters can authentically connect with an audience that is there to listen.”

BMI expanded its long-standing BMI Acoustic Lounge series across multiple markets in the US and London. The showcases, which provide emerging songwriters with a platform to perform new music, debuted in Los Angeles in 2005, before being introduced to New York City in 2012 and Nashville in 2024. In addition, the company’s Austin office rebranded its Saxon Songwriters Series to BMI’s Acoustic Lounge in 2024, and new showcases were launched in Atlanta, Miami and London in 2025. The series has featured hundreds of talented BMI creators over the years, including Ray Benson, Carter Faith, JORDY, Lauren Daigle, Lucky Daye, Lauv, K. Michelle, Kimmie Rhodes, Maggie Rogers, The War And Treaty, Vanessa Zamora and many more. A full list of 2026 dates for Nashville’s BMI Acoustic Lounge can be found below.

BMI Acoustic Lounge at The Bluebird Café Dates:

• February 24
• March 17
• April 21
• May 19
• June 23
• July 21
• August 18
• September 22
• October 20
• December 15

BMI’s Shannon Sanders introduces BMI songwriters Thomas Edwards, KC Bruner, Eddie And The Getaway and Ricky Manning at BMI’s Acoustic Lounge at The Bluebird Café. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI.

Thomas Edwards (BMI), KC Bruner (BMI), Eddie And The Getaway (BMI), Ricky Manning (BMI) trade songs and share stories during BMI’s Acoustic Lounge at The Bluebird Café. Photo: Aubrey Wise for BMI.