Song Suffragettes at Listening Room Cafe
Every Monday evening at 6 PM, the Listening Room Cafe hosts Song Suffragettes—Nashville's only all-female acoustic songwriter showcase. Since its founding, this showcase has provided platform for over 400 women to perform, with approximately 25% securing recording or publishing deals afterward. This isn't just an open mic—it's a curated showcase with one "chair" reserved each week for a new performer.
The Vibe: The Listening Room Cafe opened in 2006 and has earned reputation as "the best sounding room in Nashville." Owner Chris Blair, himself a songwriter, designed the venue specifically to showcase songwriters with premium acoustics, professional sound, and intimate atmosphere that emphasizes the connection between artist and listener.
The venue operates in a converted historic building with main room capacity of 255 seated (450 standing), VIP balcony, and front bar area. The Monday night Song Suffragettes showcase fills the main room with music lovers, industry professionals, and supporters of female artists navigating Nashville's male-dominated songwriting scene.
Song Suffragettes was created to address gender imbalance in country music radio and publishing. The showcase provides consistent platform for female songwriters to perform, network, and be heard by industry decision-makers. The Monday night residency at the Listening Room—one of Nashville's premier venues—signals that this isn't a token gesture but a serious commitment to female artists.
The atmosphere balances professional showcase energy with supportive community vibes. Artists in the round trade songs and stories, with each performer bringing unique perspective and style. The audience includes dedicated fans who return weekly, industry professionals scouting talent, and newcomers discovering the wealth of female songwriting talent in Nashville.
Performances: Each Monday night features scheduled performers—established artists within the Song Suffragettes community—plus one "chair" reserved for a new performer. Aspiring participants must apply to play (application process available through Song Suffragettes), ensuring quality while still providing opportunity for emerging talent.
The showcase format is "in the round"—multiple songwriters sitting together, taking turns performing songs while sharing the stories behind them. This creates intimate storytelling atmosphere where the craft of songwriting takes center stage.
There's a $10 cover charge for attendance, which is reasonable given the venue's premium sound and the caliber of talent. The Listening Room requires $15 minimum food and beverage purchase per person, which is standard for the venue's ticketed shows.
What makes Song Suffragettes special is its track record of career development. Artists like Carly Pearce, RaeLynn, and dozens of others performed in Song Suffragettes before securing major deals. The showcase serves as both proving ground and networking opportunity—a place where female songwriters can connect with each other, meet industry professionals, and build the support systems necessary to sustain careers in a challenging industry.
For female songwriters, Song Suffragettes represents rare dedicated space in a city where opportunities often skew heavily male. The Monday night residency at the Listening Room provides consistent platform to perform for knowledgeable audiences in world-class acoustic environment. The community built through weekly showcases creates mentorship opportunities, co-writing partnerships, and solidarity among women navigating the music business.
The Listening Room's commitment to hosting Song Suffragettes every Monday—giving prime time slot at Nashville's best-sounding room to an all-female showcase—makes a powerful statement about the venue's values and the importance of creating equitable opportunities in the songwriting community.