Americana Fest returns to Nashville after COVID pause last year
by Luke Taylor
September 21, 2021
The Americana Music Association's Americana Fest takes place this week in Nashville, Tenn. Between Tuesday, Sept. 22, and Saturday, Sept. 25, large numbers of artists, music fans, and industry professionals visit Music City for panels, performances, and Wednesday night's keynote Americana Honors and Awards ceremony at the Ryman Auditorium.
Related:
• List of nominees for the 2021 Americana Honors & Awards, May 26, 2021
Radio Heartland's Mike Pengra won't be attending Americana Fest this year, but did attend the previous Americana Honors and Awards show in 2019, his first and only time (so far) to visit the Ryman. "The place is magic," Pengra says. "There aren't 'seats,' so to say. You sit in church pews, but there are no hymnals. And the Honors and Awards isn't just any old concert. I got to see some of the biggest names in Americana music all in one night!"
Wednesday night's program at the Ryman includes live performances by Honors and Awards nominees Brandi Carlile, Charley Crockett, Steve Earle, The Highwomen, Jason Isbell, Sarah Jarosz, Valerie June, Amythyst Kiah, Margo Price, and Allison Russell.
United States of Americana host Bill DeVille has attended several in the past. As a fan of Charley Crockett, DeVille is excited to see Crockett up for an award and appearing on the list of performers. "He has an awesome story," DeVille says. "Growing up in small-town Texas, he has a relative in New Orleans and went there to visit, where he picked up guitar at young age. He first got into hip-hop, and is now a total aficionado of country. He's lived all over the world, he's busked all over the world. And his records just keep getting better."
For his part, Pengra wishes he could be on hand to see Carlile perform. "And I've seen Steve Earle in concert a number of times," he adds, "but would love to see his set at the Ryman this year. He never ceases to impress me."
The Wednesday-night program will also include the presentation of Lifetime Achievement Awards. The recipients of those awards are the Fisk Jubilee Singers, receiving the Legacy of Americana Award, co-presented with the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM); The Mavericks, Trailblazer Award; Keb' Mo', Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance; Trina Shoemaker, Lifetime Achievement Award for Producer/Engineer; and Carla Thomas, the Inspiration Award.
Regarding the Trailblazer Award recipients, DeVille is impressed. "I really dig the Mavericks," DeVille says, "ever since the first time I heard them. They blow me away every time I see them. They're magical to me. Nobody's ever put together country music that has the Cuban influence like that. To see them get this award — I think they're deserving of all their accolades. Good for them!"
DeVille and Pengra are both enthused to see Keb' Mo' honored with the Lifetime Achievement for performance. "Keb' Mo' is more country blues," DeVille explains, "so he fits neatly into the Americana mode, and he's been doing it for a long time, so he deserves these accolades."
Providing the Honors and Awards' vital backing sound is band leader Buddy Miller with Don Was, Jen Gunderman (whom DeVille points out played with the Jayhawks during Karen Grotberg's family leave from the band), Jim Hoke, David Mansfield, Jerry Pentecost, Aaron Lee Tasjan and the McCrary Sisters. "With Don Was on bass and the McCreary Sisters helping out on vocals," Pengra says, "those performers are part of the event too, and I wish so much that I could be there."
Although there is a spirit of jubilation as Americana Fest returns after being canceled in 2020, the shadow of COVID looms large over the proceedings. According to a recent article by reporter Blake Farmer at Nashville Public Radio, Tennessee currently has the highest rate of COVID transmission in the country.
Americana Fest has put some COVID protocols in place, including a requirement that all attendees must present a valid proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test, along with a valid photo ID, to be admitted into Americana Fest events, but it adds that five venues are not requiring such documentation. The festival is offering what it calls a Health Check wristband; functioning much like a wristband that identifies over-21s or VIPs, the Health Check wristband is valid all week for attendees who produce the documentation described above — again, for those venues that would require it.
The 20th annual Americana Honors and Awards ceremony takes place Wednesday, Sept. 22, at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Look for a recap of the awards right here at thecurrent.org.
External Link
The Americana Music Association - official site