Being relatively new to Nashville and the Music City way of life, AMERICANAFEST felt like the perfect way to immerse myself. Five days later, I felt like I could be a tour guide.
For nearly a week, an entire city became one big venue. Rooftops, bowling alleys, hotel conference rooms, neighborhood bars, the Ryman Auditorium and even a hot chicken joint became a place for likeminded individuals to congregate, share stories, honor Americana royalty, and discover up and coming artists from all over the world.
Here are the highlights of my first AMERICANAFEST:
Tuesday
My introduction started appropriately on Music Row atop BMI’s rooftop for their official AMERICANAFEST kickoff soiree. With panoramic views of the city, complimentary food and drinks were served while select artists graced the stage serenading the many minglers. Bay Area folk artist Meels was the first artist of many I’d see, and she did not disappoint. Other artists that performed included Hayes Carll, Clay Street Unit, and more. Needless to say, it was a damn good introduction to what lied ahead.
Wednesday
Aside from seemingly countless performances and parties, Wednesday gave me a first look of the other half of AMERICANAFEST. In the Embassy Suites downtown, an array of panels and speaking engagements took place in select conference rooms with a who’s who in the music industry — an educational and informational experience I would soon learn.
There is an entire ecosystem of logistics behind casually listening and seeing music, which is not something everyone realizes or thinks about. It’s fascinating to see the curtain pulled back to see how the sausage is made so to speak, and one such panel that revealed as much was one called Touring, Merchandise, and New Revenue Models. Moderators included Keith Levy and Matt Runner from The Team, along with Trey Wilson from The Gray Slate, Tom West from OneLive, and Kailtyn Moore from M. Theory, who touched on things like fan engagement, ticket pricing, the value of authenticity, and much more.
Aside from the panels, a lane of booths from various music organizations lined the corridor, along with official AMERICANAFEST merch and helping hands. Stopping to chat with select vendors and picking up free koozies, shirts, guitar picks, and other swag adds to the many festival perks.
That night proved to be magical, as the 25th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Show took place at the Ryman, one of this new-to-town girl’s favorite places (naturally). It was just announced that morning that none other than thee original Heartbreakers would reunite on stage for the first time in years, with Chris Stapleton filling in for the late great Tom Petty, a Gainesville native such as myself.
To mass applause, The Heartbreakers kicked things off with “American Girl,” into “Breakdown,” and finally “You Wreck Me.” The crowd erupted after each song, enamored by the sight of the classic rock icons paired with modern country royalty. It was an epic way to kick off the night.
For several magical hours, icons of music past meshed with modern newcomers making a name for themselves, creating full-circle moments within the Americana and roots community. Hosted by the comedic pair The Milk Carton Kids, other notable performers and speakers included Robert Plant, Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Margo Price, Molly Tuttle, Jesse Welles, and many others.
Award winners included Tyler Childers, who took home Album of the Year for Snipe Hunter, Artist of the Year went to Molly Tuttle, Ken Pomeroy won Emerging Act of The Year, Brandi Carlile snagged Song of the Year with “Returning to Myself,” and many more.
For someone still learning the ropes in Music City, experiencing this star-studded variety awards show inside the Mother Church was beyond special.
Thursday
This is when I started to appreciate the geography of AMERICANAFEST (thank God for GPS). Unlike most festivals, it isn’t confined to one specific area. The entire city turns into a musical playground at seemingly every turn.
We started the day at Hattie B’s in East Nashville, where John Prine’s Oh Boy Records celebrated their 45th Anniversary. Trays of fried chicken sliders, chicken tenders, coleslaw, and piping hot pimento mac and cheese greeted patrons for this mix and mingle, while the surrounding TVs played old footage of Prine and other artists.
Then it was off to WMOT and NPR’s day show at Eastside Bowl. Walking along the vintage 70s carpet past the neon band-imaged tables, we made it to the back of the bowling alley for the music. With loads of folks filling up folding chairs in front of the stage and more lined up and down the bar, Bella White lit up the room with her mellow four-piece band. The roots singer-songwriter put out her latest album, A Sign in the Weather, this June.
That night, after an epic Rodeo Mouth show at The Villager Tavern, we capped it off with Salt Lick’s burger hang at Lipstick Lounge. Oh, what a night.
Friday
Friday brought us back to the conference rooms at Embassy Suites, but this time it was for something much more intimate, and turned out to be one of my favorite moments of the week.
In the Meadow A&B conference room, legendary songwriter Swamp Dogg and Eli “Paperboy” Reed sat down for a conversation about the life and times of The Dogg himself.
With a career spanning more than half a century, Swamp Dogg — aka Jerry Williams — talked about the music that inspired him as he made his way in the business. The two discussed things like career changes, notably him going from Jerry Williams to Swamp Dogg, which he decided to do after he felt he had hit a wall in his music career. Swamp Dogg had all kinds of wisdom and comedic bits to share, often having funny quips when he would get a little confused in discussion, losing his train of thought or veering from a question.
It was all very endearing, as you can’t help but admire his grandpa-like presence. To close the discussion, the two delivered a raw, stripped-down version of “(Don’t Take Her) She’s All I Got,” a country soul classic Swamp Dogg wrote more than half a century ago, made famous by Johnny Paycheck.
And just when you think things can’t get much cooler at AMERICANAFEST — they do.
To wrap up the night, we traversed back to the east side to catch 90s country icon Wynonna Judd take the stage at The Basement East. If there ever was a true performer, it’s her. Accompanied by her excellent band — including her husband on drums — they tore down the house, playing her old hits and tender new ones alike. She blew the roof off with a rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock n’ Roll.” Hot damn.
Saturday
By Saturday morning, after running wild in the blistering heat all week, there is only one logical way to close out the week: Sheryl Crow and some chicken and waffles.
Thirty Tigers delivered both, as they kicked off their 14th Annual Gospel Brunch, which served up a sermon of soul, spirit, and spice. Their diverse array of artists who performed included Channing Wilson, Madeline Edwards, Mary Gauthier, The McRary Sisters, Jake Bugg, and the one and only Sheryl Crow.
After some highly notable performances, which included the greatest tambourine solo I’ve ever seen courtesy of The McRary Sisters and a deeply personal performance from Edwards, Crow quickly delighted the crowd with “Everyday is a Winding Road.” From there, she unveiled sneak peaks to her upcoming record, including performing her newest single, “Freight Train.” Watching someone perform in an intimate setting who I’ve heard on the radio for years as a kid while eating chicken and waffles just hits different.
Conclusion
AMERICANAFEST is like a treasure hunt. You’ve got the map, and it’s up to you to pick and choose accordingly to see what gold you might find. Also, being present a few feet away from legendary songwriters and artists is not the norm for this Gainesville gal, and boy is a treat.
What struck me the most was the closeness of like minded folks getting together from around the world to celebrate the magic of real music from real songwriters. The energy and atmosphere is like none other, and somehow all of these things happen in the same week, in the same city. And this is just a small, small fraction of all the showcases and events that went down.
10/10 would recommend.
