2004 Americana Music Association Conference

I am very pleased to see Americana finding an identity of its own apart from the Nashville hat scene, although the conference is in … Nashville, of course. The 5th annual event will be held from September 23-25 at the Nashville Convention Center, with evening showcases to be held at the Mercy Lounge, Station Inn and 12th & Porter.

But I am telling you, the talent lineup for this conference is so good I may have to saddle up my old nag and go – check this out: Adrienne Young & Little Sadie, Anne McCue, Arthur Godfrey, Asleep at the Wheel, the Avett Brothers, Bernie Leadon, Billy Joe Shaver, BR549, Bruce Robison, Buddy Miller, Burrito Deluxe, Chris Hillman, Dan Colehour, Dave Alvin, Delbert McClinton, the Greencards, Grey DeLisle, Gurf Morlix, Jackie Greene, James Talley, Jason Ringenberg, Jay Farrar, Jon Dee Graham, Junior Brown, Kate Campbell, King Wilkie, Lori McKenna, Mando Saenz, Mark Erelli, Melonie Cannon, Michelle Shocked, Mindy Smith, Moot Davis & Pete Anderson, Mountain Heart, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Shawn Camp, Slaid Cleaves, Tift Merritt, Todd Snider, Tom Gillam, Tony Joe White and Troy Johnson. The complete performance schedule with dates, venues and times should be available by mid-August.

In addition, the following new and emerging artists have been selected from over 500 submissions received this year and will be been offered a performance slot at this year’s event. They include Ben Weaver, Boris McCutcheon, Carlos Guitarlos, the Hosty Duo, Jen Cass, Jenny Whiteley, Korby Lenker, the Mammals, Nels Andrews, and Otis Gibbs. Alternates include AJ Roach, Audrey Auld, Greg Spradlin and Polecat Creek.

I mean you’ve got every kind of cool twang from the last three generations: bluegrass, singer/songwriter, swamp, traditional folk, roots rock, Texas tornado, guitar slingers, alt-country – b’damn!

We’ll do more on this as it gets closer. In the meantime:

This year’s Songwriter workshop will feature Bruce Robison, Radney Foster and Cowboy Jack Clement, and will be moderated by Frank Liddell of Carnival Music. The 90 minute session will feature performances, stories and insight on how to make a living as a songwriter and Americana artist without having to compromise your music. Additional panel topics this year will cover non-traditional marketing, technology & digital music, touring, management, DVD production/sales, publicity, radio and more. Details will be made available soon.

Jim Lauderdale will host the 2004 Americana Honors and Awards Show, to be held Friday, September 24th at 7:00pm at the Nashville Convention Center. The show will honor merit and achievement within the Americana music genre with five annual awards in the categories of Artist, Album, Song, Instrumentalist and the newly created New/Emerging artist of the year. Five additional achievement awards will be presented during the show to individuals who have been tremendously influential to the Americana genre and industry. Performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.

More info and registration here.