Also please join me on December 6th as I watch the CMT coverage of the awards and shows from this one, learn more about that HERE. This eidition as well as ALL OF THE OTHERS will be updated MANY MANY TIMES!
Our conference portion features numerous panels, seminars, exclusive day time performances, and much more, proudly providing Nashville’s most educational music industry forum. This special event covers the interests and needs of artists, managers, labels, radio stations, publishers, agents, promoters, retailers, legal and business affairs executives, merchandisers and new media professionals – all enthusiastically attended and presented by music industry leaders. And FYI, you do not have to be a member of the Americana Music Association℠ or in the music industry to purchase a conference registration and attend all the events. We encourage all music lovers to be apart of the conference experience.
If you choose not to be a part of the entire AMERICANAFEST experience through a conference registration, then our festival wristband is the option for you. For six nights, AMERICANAFEST will feature 230+ live performances at almost 40 of Nashville’s most prominent venues and much, much, more! However, wristbands do not guarantee entry if venue is at capacity. In the event of a line, conference registrants have priority access. If there is a must see band on your list we suggest arriving to the venue early.
It’s no secret that music brings people together. 2019 AMERICANAFEST® Festival Wristbands are on sale now for a chance for you and a loved one to discover your next favorite artist in Music City, Sept. 10-15, 2019.
For just $75, you’ll be able to experience hundreds of showcasing acts in various venues across Nashville and have the opportunity to attend select special events that offer even more music, some food and good times.
From intimate singer-songwriter moments over a glass of wine to rocking out a dive bar with a beer in hand, there’s no shortage of memories to be made at our 20th annual AMERICANAFEST.
Looking for the perfect compliment to a 2019 Festival Wristband?
Our merch store is loaded with AMERICANAFEST gifts and goodies suitable for any holiday budget. With 10% off all 2018 merch, we’ve lined out some options to help ensure you’re making the right choice without breaking your wallet.*
* To receive your order by December 25, domestic orders must be placed by December 17 and international orders must be placed by December 9.
In case you missed it:
Set your DVRs: Catch highlights from this year’s Americana Honors & Awards during the premiere of “2018 AMERICANAFEST®,” airing this Thursday, Dec. 6 at 9/8c on CMT. Read more
2019 AMERICANAFEST® Gold Circle Packages and Conference Registrations are also on sale for our 20th annual event on Sept. 10-15, 2019 in Music City – buy your preferred pass here.
We’ve announced our new artist resource, the Americana Tour Blueprint! This new member benefit is an ongoing map of today’s Americana-friendly venues, radio stations, record stores and publications designed for artists to use as a tool to book a tour while supplementing their run of shows with potential marketing support. Read more
How You Can Attend the 2019 Honors & Awards
Photos: Getty Images
It’s a special night when you can share a moment with distinguished artists from the Americana music community. From commemorating legends to welcoming the next generation of pioneers, the Americana Honors & Awards gives you a seat to witness great acts be recognized and celebrated for their musical impact.
You’ll see once-in-a-lifetime performances at the historic Ryman Auditorium by artists you would otherwise never see on the same stage in one night.
Only attendees who purchase a 2019 AMERICANAFEST® Conference Registration are eligible to purchase tickets* to the Honors & Awards show.
Want to attend? If you purchase a Conference Registration by May 1 at 11:59 p.m. (CDT), you can have an early shot** at securing seats for this cannot-miss event.This year, you’ll be able to choose any available seat at the prestigious ceremony so we can provide you with the best experience on September 11.
We also have ticket price tiers starting at $90*** so you can make the best choice for your budget. To view the seats that will be available for purchase, please click here.
If you can’t purchase by May 1, we’ve created a ticket purchasing schedule to help ensure that the earlier you buy a Conference Registration, the better chance you’ll have at scoring a great seat.
What happens after I buy my Conference Registration? On these select dates notated below, an individualized code will be sent at 10 a.m. (CDT) to each unique email address associated with a 2019 Conference Registration. The ticket sale will begin at Noon (CDT) on these same dates. Please note that codes are only sent and valid while tickets last.
Nashville’s airport is designed to keep you moving, with an easy flow to and from the terminal’s 45 gates. The award-winning airport features a range of dining and retail options, two massage bars, a nail salon, terminal-wide Wi-Fi access, an extensive Arts at the Airport program featuring visual art and live entertainment, a full-service business center with foreign currency exchange – and even space for one last meeting before you head home. Airport Information Center: Call 615-275-1675 or visit flynashville.com.
The AmericanaFest Shuttle is the free shuttle that runs between the host hotel and most AmericanaFest venues. During the daytime events, the shuttle service will be available to and from any venue that is not within a walking distance of a mile from the hotel. Please check the details of the specific event for shuttle availability once the schedule is announced. For the nightly showcases, the shuttle will make a continuous loop to every participating venue from 7pm until 1am departing approximately every 30 minutes. The shuttle service is provided as a convenience. If you need to be at a certain event at a specific time, you might consider taking alternative transportation.
The wait is over. Gold Circle Packages, Conference Registrations and Festival Wristbands for next year’s event are now available for your purchasing pleasure.
For those wanting the ultimate AMERICANAFEST® fan experience, our Gold Circle Packagesare now on sale at $999 with a very limited amount available.
If these packages are outside of your budget, don’t fret. Whether you’re looking to get the most our festival has to offer with a Conference Registration at our early bird rate* of $299 ($199 for Americana Music Association® members) or just jam out at all of our nightly showcases with a Festival Wristband at only $75, you can now secure your pass to this destination music event.
Buy your preferred pass below and join us for our 20th anniversary on Sept. 10-15, 2019 in Music City.
Need somewhere to stay? Come stay with us at The Westin Nashville – our hotel block is now open! You can make your reservations at our host hotel by calling (615) 248-2800.
Here’s a Sneak Peek of Our 2019 Conference
We’re bringing you a keynote with Brandi Carlile, a conversation with Jade Bird, two live podcast tapings of Chris Shiflett’s “Walking The Floor” featuring Delbert McClinton and Yola plus more
Photo: (L-R) Brandi Carlile // Top Row – Jade Bird, Keb’ Mo’ // Bottom Row – Yola, Erin Rae
In less than one month, we’ll be bringing our community together to talk about today’s topics and issues at our 20th annual AMERICANAFEST Conference.
Our conference is a forum that invites music industry professionals, artists and fans for an opportunity to experience the current state of the music business. From insightful conversations with your favorite musicians to the impact of streaming on A&R and current publicity trends, there’s a topic for anyone who’s interested in learning about more about our industry. We even provide CLE (continuing legal education) panels for attorneys who are looking to get into entertainment law, thanks to our friends at the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville.
Here is the first glimpse into what we have in store at our conference headquarters at The Westin Nashville on Sept. 11-13.
Get to Know the Artist Behind the Music
AMERICANAFEST is bringing you a chance to hear from the artists behind your favorite tunes. 2019 Americana Artist of the Year Nominee Brandi Carlile will be giving a keynote interview during a sit-down with Tracy Gershon(Change the Conversation) as she looks back on her milestone year and ongoing mission to support women in music.Jade Bird, one of our Emerging Act of the Year nominees, will be sitting down with her label’s founder and president Daniel Glass (Glassnote Records) for a conversation on what artist development looks like in 2019, moderated by NPR Music’s Bob Boilen. From her own celebrated debut this past year to opening slots with acts like The Lumineers, Bird has a lot to share from her own experiences in her quickly rising career.Chris Shiflett will have a one-on-one discussion with this year’s Lifetime Achievement for Performance Honoree Delbert McClinton during a live podcast taping of “Walking The Floor.” 2019 Americana Album of the Year and Emerging Act of the Year Nominee Yola will also be joining Shiflett for her own session. Both guests will be sharing their creative inspirations, hardships, triumphs and everything in between.
Stay Up-to-Date on Today’s Industry Topics, Tools & Issues
Presented by the Artist Rights Alliance, Keb’ Mo’ will be joining an in-depth look at the state of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) alongside additional panelists including
U.S. Copyright Office General Counsel Regan Smith and Concord Music’s PublishingBrad Kennard. Haven’t been keeping up with this important legislation? No worries, consultant Erin McAnally will provide a brief overview during the panel to get you up to speed.
Freelance writer Marissa Moss (Rolling Stone, Billboard) has curated “Out of Balance,” a panel to address the gender imbalance often found on music festival bills. She’ll be joined byMark Cunningham (Red Light Management), Ali Harnell (Live Nation), Traci Thomas (TT Management) and Erin Rae, who is also nominated for the Emerging Act of the Year category at this year’s Americana Honors & Awards.
Caitlin Canty will be recalling blazing the trails on the inaugural trek of the Americana Tour Blueprint last winter, sharing insight on her experience with our membership resource. Moderated by Craig Havighurst (WMOT Roots Radio), she’ll be joined by our Manager of Membership Relations Anna Lee Crenshaw, her agent Mark Lourie (Skyline Artists Agency), Bruce Houghton (Hypebot) and Jesse Lundy (Point Entertainment).
Learn About The Roots of Our Community (pun intended)
Discover the many musical threads of the Americana umbrella during “Americana Music: Voices, Visionaries and Pioneers of an Honest Sound.” Author Lee Zimmerman will look at the history of Americana including how influential artists and our association have impacted its growth. He’ll be joined by Lellie Pittman Capwell (LPC Media), Robert Evanoff (1888 Media), John Lilly (Blue Yonder), Scott Miller (Artist) and Garry West (Compass Records).
Gospel music went through a transformative era following the passing of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Gospel scholar and DJ Kevin Nutt will guide a deep dive into the 1970s gospel music movement that was led by The Staple Singers, whose successes inspired several southern groups to experiment with funk and more. Formerly the lead singer of the Staples Jr. Singers, Annie Caldwell will be sharing her own experiences from this time with Nutt and Luaka Bop President Yale Evelev during “The Time for Peace is Now: Navigating African-American Gospel in the 1970s.”
When are these panels happening? Scheduling details and times are available here.
How can I attend? Our conference is exclusively open to those with a 2019 Conference Registration. If you haven’t bought your pass yet, click here.
Here Are This Year’s Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees
Find out who’ll be recognized at the 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards and how you can attend Americana music’s biggest night on Sept. 11
Felice and Boudleaux Bryant President’s Award
Delbert McClinton Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance
Elvis Costello Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting
Maria Muldaur Trailblazer Award
Join us as we honor The Bryants, Elvis Costello, Delbert McClinton and Maria Muldaur at our Americana Honors & Awards on September 11 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Want to share this special moment in music history? Tickets to the Americana Honors & Awards are exclusively available to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants for purchase. For details on Americana music’s biggest night, click here.To learn more about this year’s honorees, check out this article here courtesy of our friends at Variety.
In addition to this incredible slate of honorees, our 2007 “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech Award RecipientMavis Staples will be recognized at this year’s Americana Honors & Awards.
In case you missed it …Rhiannon Giddens and the late Frank Johnson are the inaugural recipients of the Legacy of Americana Award.
Established in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), this award has been instituted to honor an artist, writer, producer or educator who has either made a lasting impression through music or inspired art to recognize the legacy of Americana music traditions.
Experience the Music of North Carolina at This Year’s Festival & Conference
From showcases to a keynote and musical book reading, here is an inside look at our programming spotlighting NC
Photo: (L-R) Top Row – American Aquarium, Rhiannon Giddens // Bottom Row – Jim Lauderdale, Rising Appalachia
Presented in partnership with Come Hear NC and Visit North Carolina, we’re proud to spotlight North Carolina as our regional music focus this year and bring you this incredible programming on Sept. 11-14 during AMERICANAFEST® week.
We’ve got not one but two official showcases dedicated to the many influences that come out of the great Appalachian state. On Thursday, Sept. 12, catch night one at 3rd & Lindsley featuring performances by Chatham County Line, Malcolm Holcombe, Jim Lauderdale, Rising Appalachia, Emily Scott Robinson and Sarah Siskind. On Friday, Sept. 13, stop by night two at Mercy Lounge which will include showcases by American Aquarium; Liz Brasher; Jonathan Byrd & The Pickup Cowboys; Dixon, Easter & Stamey; Sarah Shook & The Disarmers; and Travers Brothership.
Explore the Musical Origins of NC & Their Current State
An array of industry professionals and musicians with NC ties will dive into the state’s musical roots and today’s landscape during panels at The Westin Nashville. On Wednesday, Sept. 11, sit in on “A Brief History of North Carolina Music,” which gives insight into the many threads of Americana music that lead back to the state.
Next, on Thursday, Sept. 12, Chris Stamey will treat audience members to a musical book reading of his memoir during “A Spy in the House of Loud.”
The last day of the conference will be capped off with a keynote by Rhiannon Giddens and writer John Jeremiah Sullivan as the two discuss the erasure of American music history on Friday, Sept. 13.
Attendees can also get to know the musical hotbed of the city of Asheville on a panel that will include key players from one of the state’s flourishing music scenes. The following day, a special songwriter session at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will bring together American Aquarium’s BJ Barham, Jonathan Byrd and Sarah Siskindfor a glimpse into their creative processes as the three artists discuss their own approaches to writing music.
Celebrate the State’s Heroes & Contributions
On Saturday, Sept. 14, grab some friends and head down to White Avenue Studios for a day party hosted by our friends at Come Hear NC and Visit North Carolina. You’ll hear an amazing lineup curated by Yep Roc Records.That evening, make sure to stop by The Bluebird Cafe as our North Carolina spotlight draws to a memorable close during “Amazing Grace: Celebrating Doc Watson.” Americana musicians from the community will be honoring this icon in song. Don’t miss it!
Rhiannon Giddens & Frank Johnson Are Our Inaugural
Legacy of Americana Award Honorees
Learn more about this year’s recipients, the new Americana Award and our partnership with the National Museum of African American Music
Rhiannon Giddens // Photo: Ebru Yildiz
We’re proud to reveal that Rhiannon Giddens and the late Frank Johnson are the inaugural recipients of the 2019 Legacy of Americana Award.
This new honor will be awarded during the 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards on September 11 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Both of these individuals have made incomparable contributions to the legacy of Americana music in completely different eras, yet they share a connection. A MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient, Rhiannon has dedicated her career to carrying on the underrepresented origins of African roots music and breathing new life into its deep history. In the U.S., her work can be traced back to the late Johnson.
Frank Johnson was a traveling folk musician and brass band leader of his own band, which was the most well-known group in his home state of North Carolina during the 19th century. Sadly, his contributions have been largely forgotten to the extent that finding a photo of him is seemingly virtually impossible.
Our new award was created to spotlight musicians like these and their enduring influence on our community.
What is the Legacy of Americana Award? Established in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM), this award has been instituted to honor an artist, writer, producer or educator who has either made a lasting impression through music or inspired art to recognize the legacy of Americana music traditions.
The awards will also be showcased at the museum, which is scheduled to open in early 2020 in downtown Nashville.
Want to share this special moment in music history on Sept. 11? Tickets to the Americana Honors & Awards are exclusively available to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants for purchase. For details on Americana music’s biggest night, click here.
Rhiannon will speak more about Johnson and his contributions during her panel at this year’s AMERICANAFEST on Friday, Sept. 13 at The Westin Nashville. During a sitdown with writer John Jeremiah Sullivan, the two will discuss the erasure of American music history.
To attend this panel and more like it at our 20th annual music festival and conference, you can buy a 2019 Conference Registration here.
