Published on October 17, 2018
Nashville’s Music Community Supports Alive, Middle Tennessee’s Only Nonprofit Hospice
Alive at The Bluebird Benefit Concert Series Features Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Charles Esten, and More Than 100 of Nashville’s Finest Singer/Songwriters
NASHVILLE, TENN. – (January 2, 2019) – Alive, the only nonprofit provider of hospice care and end-of-life services for Middle Tennessee, today announced the kick-off of its annual benefit concert series. Alive at The Bluebird, returns on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, for its 26th year. Featured artists include Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Charles Esten, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Pat Alger, Kathy Mattea, Kent Blazy, The Warren Brothers, Steve Wariner, Victoria Shaw, and 100 more.
A total of 29 benefit shows will be presented Tuesdays – Thursdays at 9:00 p.m., Fridays at 9:30 p.m., and Saturdays both at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the historic music venue.
Tickets are available on The Bluebird Cafe’s website. Most shows will follow The Bluebird’s standard reservation policy of one week in advance for Tuesday – Thursday shows and the Monday prior for Friday and Saturday night shows.
All proceeds from the month-long series are donated to Alive, a nonprofit hospice that also provides education and grief counseling to the community and financial assistance to hospice patients when insurance doesn’t cover everything. This year’s presenting sponsors are Bass, Berry, & Sims; Hub International; Jackson National; Tennessee Oncology; and WSM Radio.
“Seven years ago, my very first Bluebird round was part of this amazing Alive Hospice benefit concert series,” said actor and musician Charles Esten. “Since then, I have seen firsthand the incredible work done by the wonderful people at Alive. They are an immeasurable blessing to countless patients and family members at their time of deepest need. I’m very honored to again be able to play a small part in supporting this extremely special and vital organization.”
Songwriter Pat Alger Provides Original Art for the Series
Hit songwriter Pat Alger (“Unanswered Prayers,” “Small Town Saturday Night”) will also debut a new song written especially for the occasion. Although he is best known for songwriting, Alger is also a talented visual artist. At Alive’s request he created and donated this year’s original art, a deeply personal collage which pays tribute to his loved ones who have passed away. Posters and T-shirts are available at Alivehospice.org/Shop.
Both of Alger’s parents received hospice care, and he has been a committed supporter of Alive for many years. “I began participating in Alive at the Bluebird after they took such loving care of a dear friend and colleague who passed away in her prime. It became the place where friends and family could remain connected to her,” said Alger.
This unique partnership is the only one of its kind hosted by Nashville’s iconic Bluebird Cafe.
“We are incredibly grateful for our relationship with the Bluebird and the many talented songwriters who participate. As the only homegrown, nonprofit hospice in the region, it is our mission to bring loving end-of-life care to all who need it in Middle Tennessee,” said Alive’s President/CEO Anna-Gene O’Neal. “This incredible community supports us, and in return, we have the privilege of caring for their loved ones at the end of their lives. We are proud to be a member of this community.”
Auction Helps Raise Funds with Collector’s Items
Alive will auction off the original art work for this year’s series, signed posters, and a guitar. Bidding closes February 2 at 9:00 p.m.
About Alive
Alive is the only nonprofit provider of hospice care and end-of-life services in Middle Tennessee. Its mission is to provide loving care for people with life-threatening illnesses, support to their families, and service to the community in a spirit of enriching lives. This includes in-home and in-patient hospice care, grief support, advance care planning, outreach, support to underserved communities, education about the end of life, financial assistance, a robust volunteer program, and clinician training through the Alive Institute. A pioneer in the “good death” movement, Alive established the third hospice in the nation in 1975. Today, it remains true to its roots as an innovator and leader, helping individuals live fully while approaching death. To learn more or volunteer, visit AliveHospice.org or call 615-327-1085.
About The Bluebird Cafe
Amy Kurland opened the small but influential 90-seat Bluebird Cafe in a nondescript strip center just south of downtown Nashville in June of 1982. She added a stage as an afterthought, and live music became a staple of the eatery. Offering the club as an outlet for songwriters and aspiring artists to perform encouraged regular performers Thom Schuyler, Don Schlitz and J. Fred Knobloch to pioneer the idea of presenting songwriters “in the round,” where writers set their chairs in the center of the room to play their original material, telling the stories and inspirations for their songs. Both Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift were signed after performing in the Bluebird Cafe. Numerous aspiring artists and songwriters have been discovered and countless songs were first heard by artists, A&R execs, producers and others in the small venue. In 2008, Kurland sold the legendary venue to the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI). More of a donation than a corporate sale, Kurland saw NSAI’s mission to “educate, elevate and celebrate songwriters” as a way to continue the Bluebird’s relationship to songwriters and to the community. The venue was a featured character in the hit television show, “Nashville” adding to its list of fans. Outside of its home base, The Bluebird Cafe continues a host of events that bear the iconic name. Bluebird on the Mountain – a sold-out concert series at Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory in Nashville, the Bluebird Cafe at London’s Country2Country Festival, Bluebird at Blackberry Farm, Bluebird at the Ballet, and the 16th anniversary of the Bluebird Cafe Concert Series at Utah’s Sundance Resort.