As a long time musician it was a dream come true to relocate to Nashville - Music City USA. Finally a town where musicians would be treated like real people. Like professionals. Like people who have put years of work and sacrifice into crafting an art. What a dissapointment then to get here and discover that some bar and club owners here still treat musicians so poorly.
After one particuarly depressing weekend where I played two shows as contracted only to have the bar owner decide afterwards that he wasn't going to pay what was agreed I began to wonder how we could put a stop to this. Afterall, I'd done my part so why wasn't I getting paid what was agreed? Just because he couldn't get people into his bar? The it hit me - if everyone who has these experiences shares them, we'll all know which venues are likely to act this way. And if we all know where they are, we'll know where to avoid. Maybe once these venues begin to have difficulty finding musicians willing to play we'll see some change in the way musicians are treated.
Don't get me wrong, I've had many great experiences playing local bars and clubs and that's why we are making this site a place where good venues and owners can be applauded too.
The only way this will work is if we are honest. If you didn't get paid because you turned up an hour late, were drunk, couldn't get through the show and embarrassed everyone - don't come on here complaining. If you went in, did what was agreed of you, did it well and STILL got screwed - we want to hear about it.
If everyone honestly rates the venues they play perhaps we can persuade the "bad" venues to improve and place a greater value on the talents of local musicians. And of course "good" venues will be shown as such making it easier for them to find good acts to entertain their guests.
How does it work? Simple - if you have recently performed at a Nashville area venue and wish to report to others on the experience, click "Rate A Club". Fill out the form (you don't have to identify yourself if you don't want to) and hit "SUBMIT". The review will then be added to the database. If you wish to view other people's reviews click on "View Ratings" where you will be able to read reports that other musicians have already left.
If you are a club or bar owner who has been reviewed on the site and you wish to respond, please email us via our contact page quoting the review code and the venue. We will display any responses received along with the original reviews. This way you get a chance to put your case.