THROUGH THE LENS: Insider’s Guide to AMERICANAFEST 2024

The fine folks at the Americana Music Association have curated another stellar lineup of roots artists for the the 24th annual AMERICANAFEST extravaganza in Nashville, September 17-21, 2024. As with previous years’ previews, most of the more recognizable performers are not highlighted, the focus is discovery. Similarly, panels, as tantalizing as many are, are not included as this guide is about the music.

This year’s edition is a bit different. While selected showcases and day events are featured, four new sections have been added. First, as there are always a few showcases that offer one-of-a-kind performances, five have been noted as not-to-be-missed this year. Second, there are some roots music legends who seem to be taken for granted or simply do not get the recognition they deserve. I have highlighted five. Third, the Association has always presented bluegrass performers, but as an acknowledgment of the genre’s surge in popularity, a few bluegrassers deserve special mention. Unfortunately, some are scheduled during the Honors & Awards show, but there are many more throughout the fest. Fourth, sitting quietly in nearby Madison, legendary Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge again hosts spectacular day and evening events all week long. No visit to Nashville would be complete without at least one stop at Dee’s. 

Keep a close eye on the AMERICANAFEST app. There are always scheduling changes. Make a list of the venues and their respective addresses that you’ll most likely visit, as there are a lot of new ones this this year. Stay hydrated, wear comfy shoes, and, no matter how well you’ve mapped out your schedule, be open to serendipity and spontaneity. Venue space is limited and getting around town can be time consuming, so consider spending the evening at a single location.

Some events are RSVP-only. Unless otherwise specified, all showcases listed below are 45 minutes long. Some showcase artists are also scheduled to appear at various day events, and searching the app is the best way to identify which ones. Some of the events, I’ve noted below, are not on the app.

ABSOLUTELY NOT-TO-BE-MISSED SHOWCASES 

A Tribute to Mary Gauthier, Tuesday 7 p.m. – 8 p.m., City Winery: The lineup is fabulous: Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Steve Poltz, and more

Tami Neilson, Thursday 7 p.m, 3rd & Lindsley: Neilson is a dynamo singer-songwriter whose songs can channel Aretha one moment, Patsy the next.

Whitney Rose, Thursday, 11 p.m., Station Inn: Illness had sidelined Rose for awhile. But, with one of the best albums of 2023, she’s back full-force.

Mindy Smith, Friday, 7 p.m., 3rd & Lindsley: Don’t let Smith’s lilting voice and soft delivery fool you, inside her is the heart of a tiger. 

Alice Wallace, Saturday, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m., The Basement: Wallace turns back the clock to the last great decade of country music, the 1980s when folks like Lyle Lovett and Nanci Griffith were considered to be both artistically and commercially viable.

ROOTS MUSIC LEGENDS

Chris Smither, Thursday, 8 p.m., City Winery Lounge: Drawing deeply from the blues, folk, and modern poets, Smither has no equal.

Kevin Gordon, Thursday 9 p.m., The Vinyl Lounge: Gordon’s songs of rambling, soul searching, and introspection are without peer.

Ruthie Foster, Friday 7 p.m., Analog at Hutton Hotel: From gospel and blues to jazz and folk, with her gregarious stage demeanor, Foster seems to hold the soul of all humanity within her.  

Swamp Dogg, Thursday, 2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m., Country Music Hall of Fame (RSVP required); Friday 8 p.m., Station Inn: For the past 50+ years, Dogg (Jerry Williams Jr.) has been a cult figure. See what the fuss is all about. 

Grayson Capps, Saturday, 9 p.m., 3rd & Lindsley: Alabama troubadour Capps’ new album title says it all, Heartbreak, Misery & Death.

BLUEGRASS HIGHLIGHTS

Missy Raines & Allegheny, Wednesday, 7 p.m., Station Inn:  Raines, the most awarded bass player in IBMA history, fronts a band to be reckoned with.

Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers, Wednesday, 8 p.m., Station Inn: Mullins is top tier bluegrass.

The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys, Wednesday, 9:30 p.m, 3rd & Lindsley: This quintet from the Smokey Mountains will knock your socks off.

Tray Wellington Band, Wednesday, 10 p.m., The 5 Spot: Winner of two IBMA awards, Wellington represents a new force in bluegrass.

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Wednesday, 10:30 p.m., 3rd & Lindsley: Vincent has broken more glass ceilings than you can count. Her mandolin playing is spectacular and she has a kickass band.

AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Wednesday, 11 p.m., The Basement East: The band was No Depression‘s Spotlight artist for July 2024.

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Wednesday, 11 p.m, The 5 Spot: Molly Tuttle’s fiddler steps out on her own and has a new album, to boot.

Twisted Pine, Friday, 10 p.m., Jane’s Hideaway: The band may have started in traditional bluegrass but now even the term “progressive bluegrass” fails to describe their sound, which also includes buoyant pop and R&B grooves. 

Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Saturday, 8 p.m., Analog at Hutton Hotel: The four-time IMBA winners may have an easy-going, down-to-earth sound, but they take it to new heights every night. 

EVENING SHOWCASES 

TUESDAY 

Ken Pomeroy, 7 p.m, Mainstage at Cannery Hall: Pomeroy’s intuitive nature and insightful songs belie her young-ish years.

THURSDAY

ANTI- Records 25th Anniversary, 7:30 p.m. – 12:15 a.m.: The Basement East: Neko Case, Waxahatchee, Madi Diaz, Leyla McCalla, and more

Vanessa Collier, 8 p.m, The Vinyl Lounge: Collier did not originate the blues-jazz-saxophonist-vocalist tradition, but currently she’s its most evocative force. 

The Langan Band, 9 p.m., Station Inn: If you like your Celtic music mixed with some punk, this Scottish trio is for you.

Emily Barker, 9 p.m., City Winery Lounge: This Aussie’s (and one-third of Applewood Road) mesmerizing songs speak to the human condition like few others. 

India Ramey, 10 p.m., The 5 Spot: As ND reviewer Rachel Cholst said in their review of Ramey’s new alum, she can “kick ass, play honky-tonk, and chew bubblegum — and she’s all out of gum.”.

FRIDAY

Warbringer Southwest Bourbon Presents: Americana Joy Jam, Friday, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., Nashville Palace: The evening begins with mini-sets by Alice Wallace, Matt Axton, Lisa Sanders, and others, followed by a full performance by Nikki Lane. It ends with a jam featuring Seth Walker, Maia Sharp, and others. (Not on the app.)

Hooks, Lines & Singers: 30A Songwriters Presents, 7:00 p.m. – 10:45 p.m., Analog at Hutton Hotel: Ruthie Foster, Tim Easton, Kim Richey, and Shannon McNally.

Kaitlin Butts, 8:15 p.m., Musicians Corner at Centennial Park: Songs filled with intrigue and murder have put Butts at the top of the Texas music charts.

Jon Muq, 8:30 p.m., Mainstage at Cannery Hall: From Uganda, fresh from being featured on PBS News Hour last week, the troubadour Muq has a unique soul searching sound that blends Afropop, soul, and folk.

Margo Cilker, 9 p.m., The 5 Spot: Cilker updates the cowgirl tradition that began with Patsy Montana and Rose Maddox.

The Cactus Blossoms,  8 p.m., The Mil at Cannery Hall: Rooted in folk, early country with a twinge of bluegrass the Blossoms’ vocals are the warmest, this side of The Everly Brothers.

SATURDAY 

Rissi Palmer, 9 p.m, The Mil at Cannery Hall: Palmer and her songs are at the forefront of reclaiming Black heritage in country music.

Secret Emchy Society, 11 p.m., The 5 Spot: While Cindy Emch of the Secret Emchy Society has been called a Queer Country Icon and the First Lady of Queer Country, that’s just the tip of this explosive, no-holds-barred, fiery iceberg. Fasten your seatbelts, it’s gonna be a whale of way to close out the week!

DEE’S COUNTRY COCKTAIL LOUNGE

The Old Fashioned String Band Throwdown Presented By WMOT, Tuesday, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Fans of bluegrass and old-time music will love this one, with Rhonda Vincent, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, The Downhill Strugglers, and more.

Byrd’s Auto Parts with Jon Byrd & Paul Niehaus, Wednesday, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.: This is what real country music used to sound like. (Separate $5 admission, but it’s worth it.)

No Depression’s Video Series: Thursday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Amy Helm, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Emily Nenni, and Shemekia Copeland; Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.: Christian Lee Hutson, Ruthie Foster, and Gaby Moreno. These sets will be videotaped for later viewing via No Depression.

Wild Ponies’ 10th Annual Happy Hour, Friday, 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Wild Ponies, East Nashville legends, also happen to have been No Depression’s Spotlight Artist for August 2024. Their Friday night sessions, with special guests, are to die for.  

Black Oak Artists Fourth Annual All Day Party, Saturday, 12 p.m. – 8p.m.: Alice Wallace, Grace Pettis, Crys Matthews, Kim Richey, Maia Sharp, and a whole lot more. (Not on the app.)

See all the happenings at Dee’s during AMERICANAFEST week, and more, here.

DAY EVENTS

WEDNESDAY

Magnolia Roads Fall Hoedown: Mary Sack Tribute, 11:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., The 5 Spot: Amelia White, Matt Axton, Amelia K. Spicer, Tommy Womack, and more. (Not on the app.)

THURSDAY

Little Saint Party at AMERICANAFEST, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Estelle: Aaron Lee Tasjan, Erin Rae, Jobi Riccio, Joshua Hedley, and more.

Lightnin’ Management Medicine Show Hosted by Ray Benson, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., 3rd and Lindsley: Tami Neilson, Willi Carlisle, Brennen Leigh, Joshua Hedley, and more. (RSVP encouraged, but not required.)

Twang City Hoedown Happy Hour Presented by Magnolia Roads, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m., The Underdog: India Ramey, Manda Moser, and more. (Not on the app.)

FRIDAY

3rd Annual Mountain Stage/Missing Piece AMERICANAFEST Shindig, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., Analog at Hutton Hotel: Swamp Dogg, Margo Cilker, and more. Hosted by David Mayfield. RSVP required. (There will also be two full Mountain Stage shows in nearby Franklin on September 21 and 22. Separate tickets are required, information here)

Celebrating the One and Only Mary Ford and Women in Music, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Gibson Garage: The HawtThorns, India Ramey, Sophia Gault, and more.

The California Country Show, 12 p.m. – 7 p.m., ACME Feed & Seed: Jenny Don’t & The Spurs, Pi Jacobs, Christina Vane, Deb Morrison, Manda Moser, and more.

Bay Area Americana, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Love and Exile: Northern California country from the Wild West Coast featuring  ISMAY, Cindy Emch, and more.

SATURDAY 

Keystone Artist Connect Presents Unofficial Americana Afternoon, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Fitting Room Studio, Madison: Alice Wallace, India Ramey, The HawtThorns, Jade Jackson, and more. (Not on the app, by invite only.)

Andy’s AmericanaMitzvah IV, 12 p.m. – 6 p.m., Love and Exile: Kevin Gordon, Amelia White, Lisa Sanders, Jon Byrd & Paul Niehaus, Malin Pettersen, Lily Winwood, and more. (Not on the app.)

Americana East, 3 p.m. – 6p.m., Music Makers Stage at Delgado Guitars: Amy Speace, Amelia White, The HawtThorns, and more. (Not on the app.) 

Click on any photo below to view the gallery as a full-size slideshow.