The growing roster of artists scheduled to perform during the 9th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, September 17-20, continues to swell with the additions of blues chanteuse Marcia Ball, neo-blues/folk synergist Langhorne Slim, innovative bluegrasser Tim O’Brien, southern rockers Cross Canadian Ragweed, Grammy award-winning favorite Kathy Mattea, groove-oriented quintet Band of Heathens and wry acoustic duo Folk Uke.
These additions join an already stellar lineup, including James McMurtry, The Belleville Outfit, Jim White, Paul Thorn, The SteelDrivers, and The Snake The Cross and the Crown.
The capstone of the festival is the annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards, scheduled for September 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium, and will broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio and rebroadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio and BBC2 Radio.
Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring a band led by Buddy Miller, the ceremony will honor winners in six member-voted categories: Album, Artist, Instrumentalist, New and Emerging Artist, Song and Duo/Group of the Year. John Hiatt will be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting, and Jason and the Scorchers with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Performance. Additional honorees and performers will be announced in the coming months. A limited number of pre-sale tickets are available through the AMA office for $45.
Showcase wristbands to all four evenings of live music showcases are now available for $35 via www.AmericanMusic.org, and Grimey’s New and Preloved Music. Wristbands can also be purchased at additional Nashville music retailers and other locations in early August. Registration for the Americana Music Festival & Conference is $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members until August 13; fees will increase after that date. Registration includes access to all panels and presentations, the trade show, select meals, invitations to all sanctioned parties, a conference program guide, goody bag, a ticket to the Honors & Awards ceremony, showcase wristband and more.
The Americana Festival and Conference offers seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center by day, while each evening brings more than 80 stacked Americana showcases in venues throughout the city. Approximately 2,000 industry executives, artists and fans are expected to attend this year.
