NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Americana Music Association℠ and the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will partner once again to offer one-of-a-kind programs during the 18th Annual AMERICANAFEST℠: The Americana Music Festival & Conference, September 12-17.
The mission of the Americana Music Association℠ is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “Part of our own mission is to interpret this ever-changing art form. One of the ways we do that is through our educational programs. We are happy to partner once again with the association to further both our missions and offer what is sure to be an unforgettable week of music and conversation.”
“This year’s slate of AMERICANAFEST℠ programming at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum represents some of the best curation on the planet,” said Americana Music Association℠Executive Director, Jed Hilly. “It’s a thrill to be working with Kyle Young and his team for the eleventh straight year to bring amazing, educational, historical and of course, musical experiences that you will not find elsewhere. We are honored to partner to bring these wonderful programs to the community.”
AMERICANAFEST℠ activities at the museum begin Wednesday, September 13 in the Ford Theater with a special performances and conversation from Don Bryant, Yola Carter, Raul Malo and Joan Osborne and presented by Ann Powers of NPR Music.
On Thursday, September 14, Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus, an animated half-hour show chronicling the stories of some of country music’s most eccentric characters, will premiere. The event will feature a screening of two episodes from the series and a conversation with co-creator/executive producer Mike Judge, followed by a live performance musical tribute to the acts featured in the series featuring Brandy Clark, Brent Cobb, Elizabeth Cook, Dori Freeman, Jack Ingram, Jim Lauderdale, Sam Outlaw, Teddy Thompson and more to be announced.
On Friday afternoon, sisters Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer will perform songs from their new album and talk with NPR Music’s Ann Powers about the recording, the creative process, and sharing music as siblings. Later that day, Devon Allman, Pony Bradshaw, Michael Lehman,Buddy Miller, Joan Osborne, and John Paul White will join GRAMMY® Museum Executive Director Scott Goldman as they pay homage through stories and music in celebration of Gregg Allman’s final recording.
Saturday will round-out the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s AMERICANAFEST℠ activities with Bruce Robison in a Songwriter Session, and an interview and performance by Lee Ann Womack.
AMERICANAFEST℠ 2017 will feature 300+ acts performing in more than 50 venues across Nashville with multiple educational workshops and panels, making it Nashville’s most comprehensive music education event. Festival and conference registrations may be purchasedhere at the current rate ($349 for Americana Music Association℠ members / $449 for non-members) until Monday, September 4. Rates will increase to $499 on September 5 for walk-up admission. Dates, times, and additional information are included in the detailed schedule below. Several programs will be streamed live (check schedule below) at countrymusichalloffame.org and are presented in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. Each program is included with museum admission and free to museum members and AMERICANAFEST℠ badge holders. Limited seating. Program pass required.
Additional programming information can be found at www.countrymusichalloffame.org
AMERICANAFEST℠ AT THE COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME ® AND MUSEUM
Wednesday, September 13
Panel and Performance: Southern Streams
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
Available to live stream at countrymusichalloffame.org/
Americana music, like all American music, is fundamentally eclectic, born of the myriad cultural crossings that form the basis of our complex national history. Within every country song is a blues root and a soul heart; every folk ballad has traveled within a diaspora that may have touched the Caribbean, Mexico, or the Native American West. This songwriters round brings together four artists whose music reflects very different family legacies and life experiences, from Southern soul to Latin-tinged country to African-diaspora folk. Their songs and stories form a portrait of Americana music that reflects the true and varied foundation of Americana music. Moderated by Ann Powers of NPR Music, the program will feature performances and conversation from Don Bryant, Yola Carter, Raul Malo, and Joan Osborne.
Thursday, September 14
Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Series Premier and Musical Tribute
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
From Mike Judge, creator of Beavis & Butthead, King of the Hill, and co-creator of Silicon Valley, comes the premiere of Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus, an animated half-hour show chronicling the stories of some of country music’s most eccentric characters. The eight-episode series, debuting on Cinemax on September 22, will feature legendary country music artists including Johnny Paycheck, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Billy Joe Shaver, with uncensored accounts of their exploits as told by erstwhile bandmates and associates. The event will feature a screening of two episodes from the series and a conversation with co-creator/executive producer Mike Judge, followed by a live performance musical tribute featuring Brandy Clark, Brent Cobb, Elizabeth Cook, Dori Freeman, Jack Ingram, Jim Lauderdale, Sam Outlaw, Teddy Thompson and more to be announced.
Friday, September 15
Interview and Performance: Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer
Noon – 1:15 p.m.
Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
Available to live stream at countrymusichalloffame.org/
Though they have sung together since childhood, sisters Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer each pursued solo careers for over twenty years. With Not Dark Yet (out August 18), they collaborate on a recording for the first time, blending their vocals on nine covers and an original tune written together. Their distinctive voices join in effortless sibling harmony and their repertoire nods to eclectic influences, from the Louvin Brothers to Nirvana. Lynne has released over a dozen records and won a GRAMMY® for Best New Artist. Moorer’s nine albums have earned her nominations for GRAMMYs®, Oscars, and Americana awards. The duo will perform songs from the new album and talk with NPR Music’s Ann Powers about the album, the creative process, and sharing music as siblings.
Friday, September 15
Southern Blood: Celebrating Gregg Allman
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
Gregg Allman’s Southern Blood serves as a remarkable final testament from an artist whose contributions have shaped American music throughout the past four decades. Made shortly before his death this year, Southern Blood is Allman’s first all-new recording since 2011’s solo landmark,Low Country Blues. Produced by Don Was and recorded in Muscle Shoals where early seeds of the Allman Brothers Band were sown, Southern Blood is among the most uniquely personal of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s career. Devon Allman, Pony Bradshaw, Michael Lehman, Buddy Miller, Joan Osborne, and John Paul White join GRAMMY® Museum Executive Director Scott Goldman as they pay homage through stories and music in celebration of Allman’s salutary musical farewell.
Saturday, September 16
Songwriter Session: Bruce Robison
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
Available to live stream at countrymusichalloffame.org/
Austin, Texas-based singer-songwriter Bruce Robison has released a dozen albums (both as a solo artist and with his wife, singer Kelly Willis) containing new honky-tonk favorites such as “My Brother and Me” and “What Would Willie Do.” Robison’s “Angry All the Time” was a country hit for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill; George Strait scored with his “Desperately” and “Wrapped”; and “Travelin’ Soldier” became a Dixie Chicks hit. Robison’s latest release, Bruce Robison & the Back Porch Band, features a mix of original and cover tunes recorded in his all-analog Texas studio. The studio also serves as the set for Robison’s The Next Waltz, a website that showcases music, videos, and interviews with artists and songwriters.
Saturday, September 16
Interview and Performance: Lee Ann Womack
2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ford Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum
Available to live stream at countrymusichalloffame.org/
Lee Ann Womack is justly lauded as one of the finest vocalists in country music. A GRAMMY® winner and CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Womack has amassed a recorded catalog that is deep, rich, and rooted in the classic sounds at the heart of country and Americana music. She has joined voices with a diverse list of performers, from Dr. John to Dr. Ralph Stanley. Womack’s forthcoming album, The Lonely, the Lonesome, and the Gone, finds her coming into her own as a songwriter. The album was recorded at Houston’s legendary SugarHill Studios, where Lightnin’ Hopkins, George Jones, the 13th Floor Elevators, and many more made classic recordings. Peter Cooper will talk with Womack about her songwriting, her East Texas roots, and her musical journey.