THROUGH THE LENS: From AmericanaFest to Thriving Roots — Americana’s Main Event Reinvents Itself for 2020

Guy Clark - AmericanaFest 2012 - Photo by Carol Graham
The Americana Music Association describes itself as a “professional trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American Roots Music around the world.” Having been an active participant during the past decade, not only could I not agree more, but also I can attest that the Association has admirably achieved its lofty goals and continues to raise its already high bar. Its work throughout the year culminates in a weeklong series of activities each September: the Americana Music Festival & Conference and its Honors & Awards show. Collectively, it is commonly referred to as “AmericanaFest.”
However, as with everything else this year, AmericanaFest has had to reinvent itself. First, it’s gone virtual. Second, it’s scaled down from six days to three. Third, there will be no Honors & Awards show at the Ryman this month. Fourth, and this one hurts the most, Nashville will not be overrun by tens of thousands of roots music lovers from all over the world to hear over 300 artists perform over 1,000 sets in dozens of venues around town, from noon to way past midnight.
THRIVING ROOTS
This year, the Association offers us “Thriving Roots: A Virtual Community Music Conference.” While it may be light on live music (though there will be quite a few “music breaks” throughout each day, with one evening of music scheduled), this year’s conference lineup is the most artist and music-lover friendly I have ever seen. Yes, there are sessions that are more “industry” oriented, but more than ever there are music and artist sessions that are extremely appealing. Panelists including Rhiannon Giddens, Emmylou Harris, Brandi Carlile, Rosanne Cash, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Thile, and Lucinda Williams, and Angela Davis, among many others, are by themselves worth the scaled-down registration fee. Tickets are still available and well worth it as we’ll all get the best seat in the house.
A DECADE OF MEMORIES
AmericanaFest is about the only time I get to see and hang out with many people I have grown close to over the years. From Rob Dickens from Australia to Scotland’s Carol Graham, who’s a regular contributor to this column, and everyone in between, I am going to miss everyone so much this year. I’ll also miss: the lack of sleep, scurrying around all over town trying to find a parking space, lugging my camera equipment from venue to venue, the heat of last year, losing 10 pounds, and writing up my yearly wrap-up article while running way past empty. It’s a drug-free weeklong high.
In lieu of my annual preview, here are some indelible memories from years gone by.
Individual Sets
Robert Plant and Band of Joy (The Ryman, 2010)
Following the 2010 Honors & Awards show it was announced that folks might want to stick around for a special performance. Nearly all did, and what a way to end the night and begin a festival.
Hard Working Americans with Todd Snider and Elizabeth Cook (The Cannery, 2014)
This set still divides people. Snider and Cook had performed earlier that evening at the Honors & Awards show, but Snider was noticeably upset about something, leaving the stage before his song was over. Their scheduled set after the show started over an hour late, and the audience was getting restless, and apprehensive. Snider walked out on stage in the same “wife-beater” T-shirt he wore earlier, but with “Will Fuck For Trophy” written on it. What happened next was performance art — pure theater, not of the absurd, but one where Snider acted like a shaman, with Cook and band using every conjuring trick in the book to rile us, outrage us, seduce us. It was as though we were watching Hendrix coax the flames from his burning guitar to rise higher and higher, brighter and brighter until we became the flame.
Amy LaVere (Mercy Lounge, 2011)
I had seen LaVere earlier in the day on a panel about life on the road. Her Dali-inspired, Memphis swinging, rockabilly set later that evening was just the beginning of a beguilement that has continued unabated.
Lucinda Williams (3rd & Lindsley, 2013)
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of her Rough Trade album, Williams and her band (including an adoring Jim Lauderdale, who’d played on that album) performed it with grace and gratitude, with nary a trace of nostalgia. It’s as though the demons had let go of her, and she had let go of them.
Rosanne Cash (3rd & Lindsley, 2013)
Months before the release of The River & the Thread, Cash and the biggest band I have ever seen her with performed the album with such a bluesy, rocking intensity that it sucked the air out of the room.
Margo Price (Nashville Palace, 2016)
The 2016 festival was Margo’s: she was everywhere, and after over a decade of trying to make it, she had arrived. I caught her every set and mini-set, but this one, where she busted a guy texting on his cellphone, was the one to remember.
Annual Events
Hillbillies & Hot Dogs (Compass Records)
Even before No Depression began co-hosting this event, I started every Wednesday at AmericanaFest feasting on the best dogs in town and watching from just a few feet away a slew of the label’s artists, including Molly Tuttle, Colin Hay, and of course, label co-owner Alison Brown.
The Honors & Awards Show (The Ryman)
The hottest ticket in town always has some special moments, including Our Native Daughters’ “Black Myself” that opened last year’s show and some things we will never see again: John Prine and Bonnie Raitt’s “Angel From Montgomery;” Robert Hunter’s “Ripple;” Gregg Allman’s “Melissa;” and Guy Clark’s “My Favorite Picture of You.” And you never know who you’re going to be seated next to. In various years, I’ve found myself alongside fellow ND contributors Chris Griffy and Henry Carrigan as well as Tamara Saviano and Ann Powers.
The Backyards of Nashville
This is where it all begins, on front porches, in living rooms and backyards. You do not know what it is like to catch folks such as Molly Tuttle, Yola, Erin Rae, Margo Price, and so many more in such informal settings.
The Aussie BBQ & Sounds Australia (Various locations)
Can you believe that the Australian government sponsors a dozen or more of their artists to spend a week in Nashville promoting their work? The past few years they’ve raised the bar by offering daily events. One year I closed the fest down hanging out with Kasey Chambers and All My Exes Live in Texas after their 5 Spot shindig.
Bloodshot Records (The Groove)
This insurgent country label from Chicago offers up the best they have to offer, from Ruby Boots to Sarah Shook. If you want to be on the cutting edge, this has been the place to be.
Now, photos from previous years by Aaron Caleb Fishbein, Boom Baker, Brenda Rosser, Carol Graham, Chad Cochran, Jill Kettles, Kim Reed, Larry John Fowler, Rick Davidson, and Ross Nickow. You will not see a wider, deeper selection anywhere.
- Courtney Marie Andrews – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Elizabeth Cook -AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Kelsey Waldon – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Kim Reed
- John Prine – AmericanaFest 2016 – Photo by Chad Cochran
- Jontavius Willis- AmericanaFest – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Amanda Shires -AmericanaFest 2014 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Ruthie Foster – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Guy Clark – AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Maggie Rose – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Aaron Caleb Fishbein
- Dom Flemons- AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Boom Baker
- John Prine – AmericanaFest Awards Show 2018 – Photo by Carol Graham
- John Hiatt – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- 110 in the Shade -AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by by Kim Reed
- All Our Exes Live in Texas – AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- AmericanaFest Awards Show 2019 – Photo by by Kim Reed
- Aaron Lee Tasjan – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Andrew Leahy – AmericanaFest – Photo by Jill Kettles
- Amy Speace – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by by Boom Baker
- Birds of Chicago – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Angaleena Presley – AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Bonnie Bishop – AmericanaFest – Photo by Jill Kettles
- Charlie Sexton, Doug Sahm Tribute – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Aoife O’Donovan – AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Chuck Mead – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Lauren Morrow – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Billy Bragg and Joe Henry Union Station – AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Blue Rose Code -AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Billy Strings BMI Rooftop – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Bobby Rush – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Jill Kettles
- Bonnie Montgomery & Bonnie Whitmore-AmericanaFest 2018-Photo by Boom Baker
- Bonnie Raitt & John Prine – AmericanaFest Awards Show 2019 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Buddy Miller – AmericanaFest – Photo by Jill Kettles
- Boo Ray – AmericanaFest – Photo by Aaron Caleb Fishbein
- BR 549 – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Brandi Carlile – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Bonnie Raitt -AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Brent Cobb at Robert’s Western World – AmericanaFest – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Caleb Caudle – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Jill Kettles
- Carlene Carter, Robert’s Western World AmericanaFest – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Carrie Elkin & Danny Schmidt Family – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by by Kim Reed
- Christine Parri & Sue Ray – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Dr. John – AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Jewel- AmericanaFest-2015 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Back Lillies – AmericanaFest 2018-Photo by Boom-Baker
- David Olney -AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Del McCoury – AmericanaFest 2016 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Della Mae – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Tami Neilson, Doug Sahm Tribute – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Van Morrison – AmericanaFest – Photo by Carol Graham
- Elvis Costello & Jim Lauderdale – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Doug Williams – AmericanaFest 2018- Photo by Boom Baker
- The Earls of Leicester – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- War and The Treaty -AmericanaFest 2017 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Elizabeth Cook – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Emily Barker – AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Emmylou Harris – AmericanaFest 2016 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Fats Kaplan – AmericanaFest – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Awards Show Finale – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah & Allison Russell- AmericanaFest 2019 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Graham Nash-AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Guy Clark – AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Guy Clark – AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- James McMurtry -AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Marcus King – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Hayes Carll & Cary Ann Hearst – AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Imogen Clark – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Lilly Hiatt – AmericanaFest 2018 -Photo by Boom Baker
- Jackson Browne & Ry Cooder – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires – AmericanaFest Awards Show 2017 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Jed Hilly & Kevin Gordon AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Jim Lauderdale-AmericanaFest 2018-Photo by Boom Baker
- Jimmy LaFave – AmericanaFest Awards Show 2016 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Kasey Chambers -AmericanaFest 2017 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Lula Wiles – AmericanaFest – Photo by Aaron Caleb Fishbein
- Joe Purdy & Amber Rubarth -AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- Lillie Mae – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Joe-Henry – AmericanaFest 2014 Photo by Kim Reed
- John Hiatt – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- John McEuen – AmericanaFest 2016 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Justin Townes Earle – AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Leanne Womack – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Lindi Ortega – AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Shawn Colvin – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Lucinda Williams – AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Luck Reunion River Cruise – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Lukas Nelson – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- Mandolin Orange -AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Margo Price -AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Maria Muldaur -AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Jill Kettles
- Mark & Maggie O’Connor – AmericanaFest – Photo by Aaron Caleb Fishbein
- JS Ondara – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Michaela Anne – AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Nicki Bluhm – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- Old Crow Medicine Show – AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Molly Tuttle – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Nicole Atkins – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Nikki Lane – AmericanaFest – Photo by Aaron Caleb Fishbein
- Old Crow Medicine Show – AmericanaFest – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Rainbow Girls – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Parker Milsap Band – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Raul Malo – AmericanaFest – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Paul Thorn -AmericanaFest 2018 -Photo by Boom Baker
- Ray Wylie Hubbard AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Phil Madeira & The McCrary Sisters -AmericanaFest 2016 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Rhiannon Giddens & John Jeremiah Sullivan – AmericanaFest – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Punch Brothers – AmericanaFest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Molly Tuttle – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- Red Dirt Band – AmericanaFest – Photo by Aaron Caleb Fishbein
- Sierra Hull – AmericanaFest 2016 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Rhiannon Giddens & Hubby Jenkins – Americanafest 2012 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Richard Thompson – AmericanaFest 2018 -Photo by Boom Baker
- Dom Flemons – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Rhiannon Giddens & Dirk Powell – AmericanaFest – Photo by Aaron Caleb Fishbein
- Shelby Lynne & Alison Moorer -AmericanaFest 2017 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Margo Price -AmericanaFest 2014 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- War & The Treaty – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Rhiannon Giddens & Joe Henry -AmericanaFest 2017 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Sheryl Crow & Bonnie Raitt – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Whitney Rose – AmericanaFest 2016 – Photo by Chis Griffy
- Rodney Crowell at CMHOF – AmericanaFest – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Roseanne Cash – AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Rosie Flores at Robert’s Western World – AmericanaFest – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Ry Cooder – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Stephen Stills – AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Bela Fleck & Billy Strings – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Sheryl Crow – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Jill Kettles
- Shovels & Rope -AmericanaFest 2013 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Boo Ray – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Sounds Australia, Bluebird Cafe – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Tanya Tucker – AmericanaFest 2019 -Photo by Aaron Caleb Fishbein
- Steve Earle – AmericanaFest 2016 – Photo by Carol Graham
- Steve Poltz -AmericanaFest 2018 -Photo by Boom Baker
- Taj Mahal – AmericanaFest 2014 – Photo by Kim Reed
- Yola on Luck Showboat – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Courtney Marie Andrews -AmericanaFest 2017 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Tanya Tucker & Elizabeth Cook, CMHOF – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Ross Nickow
- Telisha Williams of Wild Ponies – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- Tim Easton – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- Lucinda Williams -AmericanaFest 2014 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Tony Joe White – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- The Milk Carton Kids – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- The Brother Brothers – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Boom Baker
- Brandy Clark -AmericanaFest 2017 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Che Apalache – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Steve Poltz – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Elsie Mae -AmericanaFest 2014 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Grayson Capps – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Todd Snider -AmericanaFest 2014 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Marcus King – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Bonnie Whitmore – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- John Prine -AmericanaFest 2018 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Maya De Vitry – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Mike Farris – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Joey Ryan of Milk Carton Kids – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Ordinary Elephant – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Samantha Fish -AmericanaFest 2018 -Photo by Brenda Rosser
- Richard Thompson – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Brent Cobb – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Keb’ Mo’ – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Rebecca Loebe – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Sawyer Fredericks – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Will Hoge – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Tami Neilson – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Chris Griffy
- Amanda Shires – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Sean McConnell – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Yola – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Rick Davidson
- Jerry Douglas – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Amber Rubarth & Joe Purdy – AmericanaFest 2018 – Photo by Larry John Fowler
- Rhiannon Giddens – AmericanaFest 2019 – Photo by Chris Griffy