Nashville's Broadway - Playing gigs and working in the clubs as a musician

They call it Nashvegas... the Broadway strip is like no other place I've played and a great place to make some money as a musician but it can be a grind.
Here's a Spotify list of the tunes we play downtown: open.spotify.com/playlist/3ba...
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[@TheRoyalHounds]

Thank god for Robert’s Western World. It’s the only bar down there where I can play the music I truly enjoy instead of just what will sell drinks. Not knocking the musicians who play at the other bars, I’m just personally grateful I have a shift at Robert’s.

[@FiveFigsDigital]

They fired my friend, a guitar genius, by text a few years ago. He was the afternoon band. I miss Don Kelley.

[@toothbrush5190]

Some of those players are remarkable. David Graham is fantastic and original.

[@glenncanale9225]

Love the Stage on Broadway 15 to 20 years ago

[@livingadreamlife1428]

I’m a couch guitar player and enjoy going to Broadway and hearing live music. Not a huge drinker but I could and do watch and listen to guys play guitar for hours. My .02 cents.

[@DanMcDermott]

This is really interesting. I was there in 1995 and I’m sure it’s even crazier now. Everywhere you go down there you bump into talent.

[@jz5005]

Wow, that’s tough slugging. Respect. I played live & taught guitar for a couple years, and as you mentioned, it kind of drained my creative energy. So I became a lawyer instead, who also plays & writes in the basement for a couple hours everyday. It reenergizes me. Some open mics etc., but for the most part I haven’t directed much effort to ‘being heard’, or whatever. Trying to start changing that this year.

[@foundvhs]

Hair on point and that peacock wall color is a whole vibe.

[@mattoliver7270]

TY so much for this video. I'm about to start playing on BW and you set so many of my worries at ease, TY man!

[@BlackBeltMusician]

Glad I could help!

[@RobinJamesHurtMusic]

01:20 Temple Bar, Dublin, Ireland 💯💚🎵 Excellent video and such a brilliant attitude, I gig full time in T Bar, I feel and hear all this, huge respect sir

[@jimmycrabtree-tb6jc]

Great to hear this!

[@BlackBeltMusician]

Right on

[@crewmax4240]

Very interesting info. The first thing that I thought about was equipment. I guess you haul a small amp around to three gigs a day.

[@ScootinIsLife]

20+ dollars to park , no longer a safe atmosphere and gigs don't pay that good !

[@TravisRocco]

Brutal.

[@marakima]

Reminds me of cruise ship gigs (piano bar, yes Friends In Low Places getting requested 4 times per night). Could hack it for 7 years, but there's a limit.

[@BlackBeltMusician]

At least it was a short commute!

[@chandlerengland1029]

Thank you brother

[@redstrat1234]

Amazing

[@kennyg63]

My observation is many of these bands have front man who forms the pick up band. The front man is the lead singer as well as solicitor for the tip jar. On numerous occasions the band members are on ultimate guitar learning a song on the fly. I am a novice guitar player and could spend the whole day watching. I am a big country fan and love the 10:25 10:25 Bakersfield compressor sound with Tele. Steel guitar snd electric violin is awesome. I don’t care if it is perfect. Just love the vibe!

[@BlackBeltMusician]

yes in that regard it's actually quite fun to go for it as long as everyone on stage can do that, it's really hard when someone in the band for that "shift" isn't ready and bringing the whole thing down.

[@FiveFigsDigital]

SoBro is all about the SlowBro Bad country. I used to go to Nashville 3 or 4 times a year from the 1990s to 2009, I went back in 2019 to shoot a film and I did not recognize it. It is ruined.

[@bma411utube]

Bourbon St. works the same way. It should be treated as a gym. Work out, get better on your instrument and really use that time to learn how to put on a show. It can serve you well. Bar owners are using you to sell beer. Use them to get better.

[@mitchmadness4376]

Hey man thanks for the info. I'm one of Nashville's newest singing drummers (high harmonies too). I'm living a mile from B'Way while looking for property. I'm in a great spot because I'm retired so I have no money motivation. I just want to play with GREAT players again. I have not played-out in 30 years. Gonna start learning as many of the songs as I can for now. I won't have my gear here until May. If ya want, let me know when you're playing again and I'll grab the 22 bus down there !

[@BlackBeltMusician]

Right on man

[@batchelerjr]

Thanks for sharing. Two rules. Dont interrupt the flow of beer. Then...dont ask questions. I play everyday at home and can hardley go dowtown. So you should get with the elite. Americana. Downtown is a meat gri der. In the past you would lose bar musicians to tours. Americana audienes listen.

[@MikeKelsoJr]

I never really liked playing bars ! I like just playing some of my original songs a few covers but I don’t really play live much anymore !?

[@chappy2312]

Silly question, but where online or maybe this chat can I acquire the 100 songs of her mostly played on lower Broadway. I’d like to run through them and make sure that that I am familiar with them

[@911elijah]

I expected to hate Nashville like I hated LA but I actually liked it. It wasn't a corny as I thought it would be.

[@brianstraubmusic3994]

I have alot of friends who play on Broadway if you dont like it. Dont do it. It is a hard way to make a living but its better than working in on a road crew

[@teammanagement139]

I m looking to be connected

[@BlackBeltMusician]

True

[@EddieSuri]

Hey Brian as a drummer ya gotta bring your own set and everything correct? Or does the honky tonk provide a drum set? I was at luke bryans and they had an e kit roland on the 2nd or 3rd floor

[@brianstraubmusic3994]

@EddieSuri most all bars have house kits. The drummer only needs to supply thier own cymbals. Snare, throne, kick pedal, sticks, and it's wise to have a hi hat clutch. And inears and a click if you use one

[@EddieSuri]

@@brianstraubmusic3994 thank you for the fast response

[@mikedavis3841]

Hey man is there a coffee shop scene in Nashville where everybody's not getting drunk and everybody's smoking and playing what they want to play

[@BlackBeltMusician]

I should open that

[@goodc713]

welcome to the new Disney tourist trap 😂❤. I've been here for 3 years, never played Broadway... If It wasn't for CCM.... I wouldn't live here anymore. It is pretty wild... 🎉

[@BlackBeltMusician]

What’s Ccm?

[@goodc713]

Contemporary Christian Music

[@Lutemann]

What's the name of the facebook (or whatever) site for Nashville bands looking for subs? I'm a horn player.

[@AdamsJamsYouTube]

I was wondering, I'm from the UK and heading to Nashville this May. Broadway is obviously somewhere we'll be going for the experience but are there any areas/venues in particular you'd recommend going to to catch something a little less "mass produced"? The underdog is on our radar, anywhere else?

[@BlackBeltMusician]

Underdog is cool -5 spot (east nashville) - honky tonk Tuesdays - American legion hall (east nashville) - Roberts western world (Broadway) - Laylas can be good too depending on the band. (Broadway) Dee’s (Madison) For Blues Bourbon street blues bar can be good depending on the band (printers alley) Papa Turney’s (the marina) Original bands (mostly east nashville) -east room -cobra -basement east Those will get ya started!

[@ATH_Berkshire]

Are there bars in town where you get “classic rock” covers or is the bar music almost exclusively country in its various forms?

[@tommy2x4]

i'm a drummer up in Louisville...what is the name of that facebook group? i'd love to come and play there!!!

[@trucks_n_tunes]

Nashville Musician Finder most likely.

[@mattmiddletonmusic]

It’s a closed group for Broadway players. You have to be invited by a member willing to vouch for you. Move to town, pay your dues, get to know the players, and someone will invite you.

[@Lexi-ex5yd]

Any advice on where to go to hear well done traditional country music? Visiting in October. Maybe not on broadway??

[@BlackBeltMusician]

Roberts western world or check in with my website! Rybradley.com

[@williamclinton6609]

Roberts Western World on Broadway! And don’t forget to order a fried bologna sandwich!

[@toothbrush5190]

Layla’s on Broadway.

[@musiccitymadness3187]

The Station Inn, but mostly bluegrass.

[@lofideltaguitars8484]

Dozens of baseball capped, bearded white male performers in my area. They’re mostly iPad readers who never look up and genuinely engage their audiences. Post COVID live music is not too good…

[@raulsegovia2260]

Guys, how can I get a gig? I'm very good at playing the guitar, solos and everything, what's the list of songs I need to learn? , I'm more in heavy metal and things like that.

[@BlackBeltMusician]

Hi Raul, I’d suggest getting very familiar with the songs and tradition of country music. Many of the bands play rock stuff, so I’d say work on the styles you’re not familiar with. That and go make friends who are playing already. Actual friends. This is a community town and the best gigs come from more than just talent.

[@timmcalpine9518]

Work your fingers to the bone what do you get ? Bony fingers - did 3 shifts 7 days a week in key west for 35 years. 70 yrs old now tendonitis, trigger fingers from handles on cases organs amps, back problems, never got a raise in pay lived the dream and nobody really gives a shit about it. Get your money

[@BlackBeltMusician]

🎸

[@larrytrejo1882]

I thinking about retirement or social security benefits when you're done. How does that work. Or doesn't work

[@Life101-lm2ut]

@@larrytrejo1882it doesn’t work very well. Even many of the mega hit stars are broke and tired by their golden years. Better have a plan B to insure a happy old person life.

[@Life101-lm2ut]

Thanks for the reality check. Many young folks don’t think they’ll ever get old.

[@jaredsmith3236]

Are you an LLC as a hired gun in Nashville?

[@BlackBeltMusician]

yep! for all my music work

[@monkusbee]

Sounds like what the early Beatles did

[@patrickclune3600]

Yep, hard work, talent and paying their dues payed off. I read in the beginning they’d steal piano wire for guitar strings when theirs went flat or broke. I’m sure they got little $$$. They’ll always be # 1 to me.

[@foundvhs]

Yeah, don’t come

[@howlinwaters]

$100 tip to play Sweet Home AL ... a Starbucks coffee rep might make $100 for an 8hr shift, before taxes ... hmmm, what to do? ✌️🤔

[@campbellmarty36]

You better damn sure love Ramen Noodles, and sleeping with a ton of friends to afford living this life style!!!. It’s a HARD earned living! And you better fit in a part time job at a local Lowes to help the offset of wages!!!☝️🤣🤣

[@batchelerjr]

Hes tell you anout the cold dark underbelly. Swift came to nashville with 9 million and her Dad. Never repeat songs for love or money. If i ownrd a bar, i would not allow it. They leave

[@guildbass1234]

It's a mess down there, way to loud and a lot of mediocre playing