When Nashville and Santa Fe converge, the music of bluebirds fills the air.

The Bluebird Cafe in The Land of Enchantment

Talk about being enchanted, Santa Fe’s return of The Bluebird Cafe at the amazing Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection exceeded our expectations. Having attended the first installment of this remarkable series with my husband, ours were high. Music fans who live in or visit Nashville will likely know The Bluebird Cafe – the performance space where the “heroes behind the hits” are known to sample their wares and then launch them into the big world of contemporary music, where songwriters and artists perform, including Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, and Taylor Swift. The Cafe was even featured on the hit TV show “Nashville.” Call it an incubator for singer/songwriters or your favorite Nashville night spot, we in Santa Fe feel lucky and honored to have our own extraordinary taste of The Bluebird Cafe.

Singer/Songwriters for A-List Artists Share Trade Secrets

In January, February, and March, for the second season, The Bluebird Cafe descended upon the Bunkhouse on the Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection property and showcased an intimate experience with three artists who all have “cuts” under their belts, which is Nashville slang for having their songs recorded by well-known performers. The three we got to see – Annie Mosher, Tony Arata, and Don Henry – each have songs in their arsenal that have been recorded by Garth Brooks, Kathy Mattea, and Alan Parsons. Hearing a select few tunes performed from the source made us feel like we were let into the true inner workings of Nashville.

With holographic bluebird images projected on the wall, the luxe-rustic setting of the Bunkhouse transformed into an ambient nightclub. The three singers performed their songs in the round, one after the other, often joining in harmony, each captivating the audience with stories of the genesis of their songs along with where they landed. 

Annie Mosher’s songs were quirky, fun, and beautiful, Tony Arata brought a seasoned soulfulness to his performances and Don Henry made me cry with his vivid and moving storytelling. What they all shared was a gift for crafting exemplary lyrics and storytelling only a tried-and-true artist can conjure up painted over a gorgeous musical canvas. With entertaining and engaging commentary about their songs following each number, the show felt personal and moving. At the end of the performance, the artists welcomed questions from the audience. When a hand went up from a tween sitting with her family we were happy to learn she was already an aspiring singer/songwriter.

VIP or Not, the Bluebird Cafe Experience is Amazing

We had a few choices on how to attend the Bluebird Cafe Songwriters Series. We were gifted the VIP tickets both this year and last. This afforded us a delicious buffet and a chance to mingle with the café crowd and the very gracious artists Annie, Tony, and Don. SkyFire Restaurant, a quick walk from the Bunkhouse, hosted our group, offering a Western-style/New Mexican array of foods.

The couple with whom we shared our table had purchased the overnight package. I envied how they’d get to explore the amazing accommodations on 317 private acres smack dab in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and hope they indulged in the Bloody Mary’s at brunch the next morning, a favorite of ours.

Santa Fe’s Jewel in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains

Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection combines the feel of a remote sanctuary at the end of the world with the convenient proximity of Santa Fe, just a 10-minute ride away. Depending on the time of year, guests can enjoy nearby skiing facilities, a world-class opera house, a myriad of museums and galleries, five-star dining, or historic tours in the country’s oldest capital city founded in 1610. On the property, experiences abound for guests who might want to indulge in a horseback trail ride, a treat at the Spa, or even a curated cultural event for those who are hands on and love to paint or create art.

My husband and I both share a love for music. Between us we have about a dozen guitars, a mandolin, a dulcimer, and a baby grand piano. One of us has played professionally but we’ll keep that our secret. We are selective about the musical acts we choose to experience, and the three singer/songwriters – Annie Mosher, Tony Arata, and Don Henry – hosted at Bishop’s Lodge, Auberge Resorts Collection Bunkhouse are as good as they get. We haven’t yet had the good fortune to visit the actual Bluebird Cafe in Nashville but applaud the quality of the music the organizers brought to Santa Fe. If you love good live music as much as we do, put this on your ‘to do’ list for next year.

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Cover photo courtesy The Bluebird Cafe

Kim Weiss has worked as a PR Professional for decades, most notably heading up the publicity department from 1994-2019 for the major book publisher, HCI Books, best known for launching the bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Currently, she runs Kim Weiss Publishing Services and freelances as a publicist for numerous authors. Kim is also the author of her own book, Sunrise Sunset: 52 Weeks of Awe & Gratitude (HCI – 2012). She lives with her husband John, and her cat Sachi in Santa Fe, NM.