Country Music Hall of Fame Nashville, Tenn., is the center of the country-music universe, and the city’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum pays homage to the stars of the past. NASHVILLE, Tenn. It’s Friday night at the Bluebird Caf , and waitresses balancing trays overhead deftly squeeze through the tightly packed club delivering beer and Buffalo wings to customers before the all-female band, Queen of Hearts, starts the show.

For wannabe songwriters in Nashville, this is the place to be, and everybody knows it. Songs heard here tonight could one day be picked up by big-name country-music artists and skyrocket to the top of the charts. It wouldn’t be the first time. Before Garth Brooks was a household name, he used to hang out at the Bluebird on Sunday Songwriters nights, belting out songs he wrote.

Also Online Nashville travel information This is no hotel lounge where music is just background noise to chitchat and laughter. A glance at the cafe’s slogan printed on the cover of its menu, Shhh, lets everyone know to save the conversation for between sets. A night at the Bluebird is like an evening of off-Broadway theater, and with a cover charge that is rarely over $10, it’s an inexpensive way to enjoy some of the best Nashville music this side of the Grand Ole Opry.

The eclectic audience consists of locals and out-of-towners, but one thing they have in common is a love of Nashville and its country-music culture. Pam Tillis, daughter of country-music legend Mel Tillis, describes Nashville as a giant incubator for musicians. She should know. Ms. Tillis played the club almost 20 years ago and made Bluebird history by being a part of the first Women in the Round show.