Americanafest 2023 kicks off this week in Nashville, TN, featuring a long list of music industry professionals, including a performance by Jessi Colter. Hosted by the AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION, the event begins Tuesday, September 19, and continues through Saturday the 23rd. Over 200 bands and artists will perform at dozens of venues throughout Music City.
Americanafest History
In the late 1990s, a group of musical artists and industry veterans gathered at the South by Southwest conference in Austin, Texas, to discuss the future of Americana music.
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With encouragement from this first meeting, the Americana Music Association officially began in October 1999. The following year, in 2000, the association held its first convention, now known as Americanafest. 2023 marks the 23rd year of this musical showcase, featuring tons of live music and seminars designed to promote artist development and industry promotion.
Amerircanafest 2023 features well-known and up-and-coming musical acts.
The first Americanafest saw Johnny Cash and his wife, June, give their final performance together as Johnny accepted the first-ever “Spirit of Americana” award. Other artists who performed during that first event included Rodney Crowell, Sam Bush, and Jim Lauderdale.
How to Attend Americanafest
Early registration begins each Spring. However, you can still purchase walkup conference or festival passes for $499 and $149 at The Westin Nashville, just a stone’s throw from Music Row.
For attendees wanting to enlarge their music business knowledge, Americanafest seminars, special events, and meetings are held at The Westin and are available only to attendees holding conference passes. However, festival pass holders can see tons of music. Notable showcase venues with musical performances include The Ryman Auditorium, City Winery, Exit/In, 3rd & Lindsley, Station Inn, The Basement, The 5 Spot, and the infamous Bluebird Cafe.
Americanafest 2023 Highlights
Of the hundreds of artists attending this year, one of the standouts includes Jessi Colter, often called “The First Lady of Outlaw Country.” If the name sounds familiar, you may recognize her from the infamous 1970s The Outlaws album and as the wife of Country Music icon Waylon Jennings and the voice behind the crossover classic, “I’m Not Lisa.”
Her recently released album, Edge of Forever, includes the single “I Wanna Be With You,” produced by Margo Price, along with her son, Shooter Jennings. You can hear Jessi perform songs from her new project, along with a few classics, on Wednesday night at 3rd & Lindsey, beginning at 10 p.m.
Other well-known Americana staples include:
The Ban of Heathens, John Paul White, Yasmin Williams, Tommy Prine, Lindsay Lou, North Mississippi Allstars, Suzy Bogguss, Alex Hall, Julie Williams, Brennen Leigh, Bobby Rush, The Panhandlers, Joy Clark, Esther Rose, Sam Nelson, along with one of my favorite, Abe Partridge.
Americana Honors and Awards Ceremony
The association’s annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony happens on Wednesday, September 20, inside the historic Ryman Auditorium, just north of Nashville’s Broadway Avenue. Nominees include Tyler Childers, artist and producer Bruce Robison, Allison Russell, Billy Strings, Nickel Creek, Plains, The War and Treaty, Bonnie Raitt, and Zach Bryan.
Check out the association’s website for more information on the AMERICANA MUSIC ASSOCIATION, the Americana Honors & Awards, and notable venues where acts are playing.