On Friday, April 18th, 2025, the Nashville Symphony presented Bluebird at the Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, featuring acclaimed country songwriters Brett James, Hillary Lindsey, and Cary Barlowe. The trio performed hit songs made famous by superstars like Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Chris Young, and others. Under the direction of guest conductor Jason Seber and arranger/pianist Charlie Judge, this unique fusion of symphonic power and Nashville’s storied songwriting tradition delighted the sold-out audience.
For more than four decades, The Bluebird Café has been a launching pad for some of the biggest names in country music. Known as a critical venue for emerging songwriters, it served as the perfect partner for this ambitious collaboration with the Nashville Symphony. The idea for this partnership came from Charles Dixon, producer of Bluebird at the Symphony and acting section viola in the Nashville Symphony, along with Charlie Judge. Dixon shared how this partnership evolved:
“Charlie Judge, pianist and arranger, and I had been producing songwriters-in-the-round with the symphony for close to fifteen years under various titles, but the Bluebird had always been the strongest and most obvious way to brand the show for a broader audience. So, when the Nashville Symphony approached me to produce a songwriter series, I suggested a meeting with Erika Nichols at the Bluebird. Thankfully, all parties agreed it was a perfect fit.”
The concert itself captured the intimate, down-to-earth spirit of The Bluebird Café, even within the grand surroundings of the Schermerhorn’s stage. The musicians’ entrance set the tone, with Lindsey positioned between her two guitar-wielding bandmates like a queen, ready to take the audience on a journey through some of country music’s biggest hits. As Jason Seber raised his baton, the Nashville Symphony roared to life, opening with the anthemic “Damn Country Music” to a wave of applause.
According to Jason Seber, the combination of the Nashville Symphony’s rich, orchestral sound and the raw storytelling of the songwriters was a unique challenge. “Bringing these iconic songs to life with the power of a full symphony is a unique challenge, but the payoff is incredible,” Seber said. “The connection between the songwriters and the orchestra tonight was pure magic.”
Throughout the evening, each songwriter had the chance to reflect on their careers, sharing the stories behind their biggest hits. Brett James, a Grammy-winning songwriter with 26 number-one hits, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to share the stage with the Nashville Symphony. “Playing alongside my talented friends and the world-class Nashville Symphony was a dream come true,” he said. “It’s a gift.”
Cary Barlowe, known for his work with both contemporary Christian and country artists, echoed this sentiment. “The energy in the room was electric, and I can’t wait to do it again,” he added. Barlowe, a Grammy-nominated songwriter with multiple chart-toppers, reflected on how the symphony elevated his work, transforming familiar hits into something entirely new.
The songwriters-in-the-round format allowed each artist to shine. Brett James took the lead with “Brass Bed,” followed by Hillary Lindsey’s stunning renditions of “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Girl Crush.” Barlowe’s hits, including “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To,” rounded out the set, each song enriched by the full, lush sound of the symphony.
One of the night’s most touching moments came when Lindsey and Barlowe invited their ten-year-old daughter, Bennett Barlowe, to the stage for a heartfelt rendition of “American Honey.” For a brief moment, the spotlight shifted to the next generation of Nashville talent, and the young singer’s confident performance hinted at a bright future ahead.
Charlie Judge, the evening’s arranger and pianist, brought his extensive experience as a session musician and arranger to the project, crafting orchestral parts that seamlessly blended with the songwriters’ acoustic roots. “I tried to bring these top hit songs into a different life while implementing an orchestral sound,” he explained. “It’s always a challenge, but incredibly rewarding.”
Lee Thomas Miller, president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International and a Grammy-nominated songwriter in his own right, praised the vision behind the event. “Charles Dixon had the vision to blend the raw storytelling of Nashville’s top songwriters with the rich, orchestral sound of the symphony. It was a bold idea, and tonight it paid off beautifully.”
The night ended on a high note, with the orchestra soaring through a powerful two-song encore featuring the Grammy-winning “Jesus, Take the Wheel” (co-written by James and Lindsey) and the celebratory “When the Sun Goes Down” (James). The audience responded with a standing ovation, affirming the power of this unique musical collaboration.
Reflecting on the night’s success, Charles Dixon said, “It’s about elevating these already brilliant songs to a new level, integrating the full sonic range of an orchestra to create an unforgettable musical experience.”
Overall, Bluebird at the Symphony delivered an evening of musical storytelling that transcended genres, bridging the gap between Nashville’s rich songwriting tradition and the majestic sound of a full symphony orchestra.
Editorial Team: AGENDA Magazine | (All Photos by Sheryl Aronson)
