How do you celebrate 40 years of being a premier music venue in Nashville? Well, you throw yourself a big ‘ol week-long, birthday bash, and that is just what Nashville’s Exit/In is doing this week.
In September of 1971 Nashville was coming of age as Music City U.S.A. The “Rock Block” on Elliston Place was born out of a storefront transformed into a music venue to be known as Exit/In – Nashville’s Music Forum. From humble beginnings this seemingly out of the way club (entrance in the rear) was to become the ground breaking effort for the now vibrant live music culture in Nashville. Forty years later Exit/In has hosted so many bands, it is sometimes hard to comprehend. Just look at one of their two wall of artists that have played there. It is truly amazing how this venue has acted as home to so many acts that have rolled through town over the years.
Exit/In is celebrating this great heritage with a series of concerts all this week. The shows will feature greats who have played there from the very beginning down to the current time. In recognition of the efforts of musicians who have backed, traveled and recorded with such artists, proceeds from the event will benefit MusiCares (non profit arm of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, NARAS) which assists musicians and their families in need.
There are too many artists slated to discuss each one individually, but you should head over to Exit/In’s website to check out the lineup and pick a day to get out and help them celebrate this week!