Nashville wouldn’t be Nashville without young female party-goers flocking to the streets in their cut-off jeans, cowboy hats and cowboy boots, all prepped to party and set off in celebration.
However, to be sure, they weren’t there for this year’s AmericanaFest. Nevertheless, Nashville is many things to many people, due mostly to the fact that it’s “Music City USA.” There are literally dozens of venues to throughout the city and any number of artists and ensembles ready top stake their claim to fame and fortune. In a sense, that’s what AmericanaFest is all about, but in a larger sense it’s clearly something more.
It revolves around community and compassion, so while it’s impossible to experience every event and every concert, there’s still reason to celebrate whatever one does glean from the festivities. Yes, it’s easy to lament the fact that inevitably one must necessarily neglect certain shows simply for practical purposes. Yet on the other hand, it’s clearly worth celebrating what one does see, hear and feel.
Ultimately, AmericanaFest is as much about revelation as it is about the revelry.
AmericanaFest, which occupies the better part of a week in early September consistently fulfills that mission. It is, bar none, the most extensive gathering of artists within that realm to gather in a single city. Granted, Austin’s South By Southwest lays claim to being a sprawling gathering of exceptional size and design, but when it comes to one particular genre — and a cohesive one at that — AmericanaFest clearly holds sway.
That said, it’s hardly surprising that it takes a particular strategy to navigate one’s way through. Music is everywhere, but so too, most performances tend to happen simultaneously, making for a hard choice as to which will ultimately command attention. Given Nashville’s size and sprawl, a clear strategy is called for in order to see the performers one desires to see most without negating others that reside on a similar plateau.
Even the prelude to the festivities demanded a choice, in this case between Concord’s opening night reception and the BMI rooftop party. We chose the latter, and given that it was shoulder to shoulder as always, it came as little surprise that the food supply was extinguished in less than an hour. Those who had hoped to be fed had to be content with munching on hamburger rolls that were the sole survivors of what had been the buffet. Nevertheless, the bars were fully operational, satiating the need to satisfy one’s appetite in any way other than by liquid refreshment.
The highlight of any and every AmericanaFest is always the awards ceremony taking place on Wednesday at the fabled Ryman Auditorium. It’s not only an opportunity to catch a glance at Americana’s best and brightest but also a chance to see many of the major artists in one place even if it’s simply a fleeting glance. With actor/musician John C. Reilly occupying the role of this year’s emcee and the usual striking house band led by Buddy Miller, the evening was, as always, both entertaining and inspiring. Honors were bestowed on the McCrary Sisters, Joe Henry, Darrell Scott, the Old 97s, and newcomer Jesse Wells, and prior to their presentations, each of the artists affirmed their hallowed status courtesy of a riveting performance.
Winners of the annual awards included Sierra Ferrell (Artist of the Year), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (Album of the Year), I’m With Her (Song of the Year), Gillian Welch & David Rawlings (Duo/Group of the Year), MJ Lenderman (Emerging Act of the Year) and Alex Hargreaves (Instrumentalist of the Year).
So too, searing performances by John Fogerty, Emmylou Harris, Daniel Lanois, Jesse Welles,
I’m With Her, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Maggie Rose, Dawes, Margo Price, Joy Oladokun, Nathaniel Rateliff, and S.G. Goodman, with additional appearances by Brandi Carlile, Rosanne Cash, Tift Merritt, Valerie June, and William Prince affirmed the star-studded trappings. Fogerty in particular was a sight to be seen. At age 80, he retains the prowess and passion that has always assured his status as an American icon. He wrapped up the festivities with a three song mini-set, ending it all with a riveting rendition of “Born On the Bayou” featuring all the artists and presenters crowding on stage to participate in the song’s irrepressible refrain.
The fact that the festival embraces all, regardless of age, race or personal preferences sets this festival apart. So too, it was heartening to see Fogerty, Rodney Crowell and Rosie Flores, all aged 70s or older, still rocking relentlessly which made it heartening to say the very least. Flores happened to be celebrating on 75th birthday and seemed clearly in her prime. On the night he headlined at 3rd and Lindsley, Crowell led a sing-along of Dylan’s “Like A Rolling Stone,” and the communal spirit was effortlessly enticing.
Indeed, the abundance of extraordinary artists that shared stages throughout the course of the festivities provided one highlight after another. We managed to catch stellar performances from I’m With Her, John Cowsill and Vickie Peterson, Jim Patton and Sherry Brokus, Ken Pomeroy & The Droptines, Randolph, KP Hawthorn, Lance Cowan, Seth Walker, Amanda Shires, Rosie Flores, Marina Rocks, Liz Longley, Claudia Nygaard, Rodney Crowell, and Southern Avenue.
That said, there were special events and seminars that were essential to witness as well. Boston’s Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame offered an intimate peak at their current exhibition, “This Wheel’s Still On Fire: The Legacy of Levon Helm,” complete with a filmed appearance and a backstory focused on Helm and his Midnight Ramble band when they took the stage at the Ryman on September 17, 2008. It provided an excellent teaser for the must-see exhibition currently on display.
The keynote address shared by John C. Reilly and Jack White was especially enlightening as the two men addressed the challenges posed in an especially challenging era when distrust and division seem to be today’s overriding emotions. Reilly shared his strategy for rising above the fray while attempting to express common concerns.
As always, the Gospel Brunch, an annual event at City Winery, also proved compelling. The McCrary Sisters provided inspiration and featured performers Cole Chaney, Courtney Marie Andrews, Jay Buchanan, Kimberly Kelly, Sarah Potenza, Uwade, and Wes Bayliss managed to come across with equal inspiration.
An unequalled highlight of the festivities overall was the showcase entitled “Other Voices: Songs for Nanci Griffith,” a star-studded salute to the late, great singer and songwriter who clearly is remember so fondly. Program participants included Aaron Lee Tasjan, Amythyst Kiah, Alex Amen, Caroline Spence, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Elizabeth Cook, Kathy Mattea, Presley Haile, Robert Earl Keen, and Suzy Bogguss. Each artist replayed special songs from Griffith’s expansive catalog with obvious affection.
Ultimately, AmericanaFest is an event like no other, and a gathering that allows emotion, entertainment and attachment to sync in a timeless tandem. Given that it’s a large umbrella, there’s room for everyone. Indeed, for that one week in September, Nashville becomes home for all.
