Category Archives: Festivals

Americana Music Association Announces Initial Showcase Line-up

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Americana Conference Lineup

Nashville-based Americana Music Association has released an excellent initial artist line-up for showcase portion of the conference, festival and awards show. the selections show a broad range of diversity and excellence the of the genre. Great to see many Casa Twang favorites represented as well.

Artists include: Black Prairie, Billy Bragg, Rosanne Cash, The Devil Makes Three, Frank Fairfield, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors, John Fullbright, JD McPherson,
The Lone Bellow, Aoife O’ Donovan, Darrell Scott & Tim O’Brien, Richard Thompson, The White Buffalo, Holly Williams and The Wood Brothers

The 14th annual event will take place in Nashville, Sept. 18-22. I’ll be there. hope you are too!

Showcase artists confirmed to perform include:

Black Prairie
Billy Bragg
Rosanne Cash
The Del-Lords
The Devil Makes Three
Sam Doores, Riley Downing & the Tumbleweeds
Frank Fairfield
Field Report
John Fullbright
Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors
Hurray for the Riff Raff
The Infamous Stringdusters
Kruger Brothers
Pokey LaFarge
Nikki Lane
The Lone Bellow
Luella & the Sun
JD McPherson
Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale
Aoife O’Donovan
Old Man Luedecke
Lindi Ortega
Darrell Scott & Tim O’Brien
Shakey Graves
Sturgill Simpson
Sons of Fathers
Spirit Family Reunion
Steelism
The Stray Birds
Richard Thompson
Holly Williams
The White Buffalo
The Wood Brothers

Americana Music Awards Nomination Oversights – Son Volt, The Trishas, Lindi Ortega, Delta Rae

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lindi-ortega

Every autumn for the past 11 years the Americana Music Association honors Americana and roots music. Members of the association (of which I am one) get’s an email in early spring and are asked to submit up to 10 nominees for each of six categories – Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year Emerging Artist of the Year, Duo/Group of the Year and Instrumentalist of the Year. The eligibility period for the nominees runs from April 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013.

The numbers are tallied up and the 5 nominees for each category have just been announced last Tuesday. Though some have stated that the Americana music Association is playing it safe and should do more to grow the base.

But all they did was count the votes. The good portion of their dues paying voters are members of the music industry with a stake in the game and this list reflects, with a few glaring exceptions (which I will dress at the bottom), the Americana chart for the time criteria.

As a blogger, with no direct stake in promotion of any one artist over another, I’m bound only by my own subjective opinion. i voted for artists who I believed were the best of the best and some ended up on the final nominee list. Many did not. Here are a few glaring omissions that me, and some of my community on Facebook and twitter have, noticed.

Got your own? List ‘em in the comments below.

The first oversight is the most glaring. How is Lindi Ortega, one of the freshest voices in Americana, not up for Emerging Artist Of The Year? Seriously?!

Is there a better singer/songwriter in roots and Americana music than Chris knight? Little Victories was my top album of 2012 and it should be up for Album of the Year. Andd it’s high-time Knight be shown some Artist of the Year love. The man’s a damn legend!

Another fantastic new talent hitting her stride in American, root and pop is Caitlin Rose. Emerging Artist Of The Year and Album of the Year.

Jake Smith (aka The White Buffalo) is also an exciting newcomer in the Americana and roots field. Emerging Artist Of The Year and Album of the Year for How the West Was Won.

A legend, and one of the finest voices in roots music, comes out with her first of new material in sixteen-years on Sing The Delta and it doesn’t get a Album of the Year nod?!

alt.country legends, Son Volt, reach back to the classic country that’s always been a part of their DNA to make one of the best albums of their career and they’re passed over/ They should be up for for Album of the Year for Honky Tonk and I’d argue that Jay Farrar should be up for Artist Of The Year.

Ray Wylie Hubbard’s Grifter’s Hymnal is the legend at his gritty, greasy Texas best. Album of the Year.

Carrie Rodriguez has been around for a a while and deserves some Artist of the Year and Album of the Year love for her Give Me All You Got.

The Turnpike Troubadours are one of the best young bands that I saw at last year’s Americana Conference showcases. Album of the Year for their Goodbye Normal Street and Duo/Group of the Year.

The Trishas were also a highlight of last year’s Americana Conference and have put in their time. They earned nods for High, Wide and Handsome for Album of the Year and Duo/Group of the Year.

ON EDIT: When it comes to pop-Americana the Lumineers can’t hold a candle to Durham’s Delta Rae. I would nominate Delta Rae for Duo/Group of the Year and Bottom of the River for Song of the Year.

New Americana Festival Coming to Franklin, TN

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Cross County Lines

I love the Transatlantic Sessions, a BBC produced series that follows part of the Americana music lineage back to Europe and showcases breathtaking performances. The Cross County Lines is off to a great start to meet that lofty goal with a premier featuring Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas, Shawn Colvin, Amos Lee, Sarah Jarosz, Angel Snow and Teddy Thompson.

(NASHVILLE, Tenn) April 22, 2013 – The Americana Music Association announced today plans to produce “Cross County Lines,” a one day festival/celebration of Roots inspired music to take place in Middle Tennessee during the early summer of 2014. A kickoff event has been planned, hosted by Alison Krauss and Jerry Douglas, to raise awareness and funds to support the not for profit music association’s mission and will take place Saturday June 1, 2013 at Liberty Hall at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.

Legendary artists Krauss and Douglas will host and perform at the premiere event and have invited special guests Shawn Colvin, Amos Lee, Sarah Jarosz, Angel Snow and Teddy Thompson to join in what will be a memorable night of music.

The format of the performance is inspired by the Transatlantic Sessions, a series based in Scotland, co-conceived and musical directed by Jerry Douglas The event brings together enormously talented musicians who collaborate under the direction of Douglas and promises to be a once in a lifetime evening. In addition to the aforementioned artists, a triple scale house band of Gabe Dixon, Shannon Forrest, Viktor Krauss, Andy Leftwich and Bryan Sutton will perform throughout the evening with all of the artists.

The event will take place in Franklin, Tennessee’s landmark Factory in Franklin building, which originally was built as a wood burning stove factory in 1929. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

All proceeds will go to the benefit the Americana Music Association. Tickets will go on sale Friday April 26 at www.americanamusic.org with seating at $65 per ticket and General Admission at $45. Guests also have a premier seating option to purchase Patron tables

Bob Dylan, Wilco, & My Morning Jacket Team Summer AmericanaramA Festival Tour

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bob-dylan-wilco-my-morning-jacket

Coming through this summer Bob Dylan, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket, Richard Thompson Electric Trio and Ryan Bingham will be featured for the AmericanaramA Festival. Pre-sale tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 24th.

Though I would squabble with some of the inclusions in an “Americana” showcase this should be a cool show.

The tour kicks off in West Palm Beach, FL on June 26th and hits over 20 U.S. different cities before concluding in Mountain View, CA on August 4th. Check out the itinerary below.

Bob Dylan 2013 Tour Dates:
04/21 – Bowling Green, OH @ Bowling Green State University – Stroh Center *
04/23 – St. Louis, MO @ Peabody Opera House *
04/24 – Springfield, MO @ Missouri State University – JQH Arena *
04/25 – Champaign, IL @ University of Illinois – Assembly Hall *
04/27 – Murray, KY @ Murray State University – CFSB Center #
04/28 – Louisville, KY @ The Louisville Palace #
04/30 – Asheville, NC @ U.S. Cellular Center*
05/01 – Charlotte, NC @ Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheatre *
05/02 – Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater *
05/04 – Charleston, SC @ Family Circle Magazine Stadium *
05/05 – St. Augustine, FL @ St. Augustine Amphitheatre *
06/26 – West Palm Beach, FL @ Cruzan Amphitheatre &
06/27 – Tampa, FL @ Live Nation Amphitheatre &
06/29 – Atlanta, GA @ Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood &
06/30 – Nashville, TN @ The Lawn at Riverfront Park &
07/02 – Memphis, TN @ AutoZone Park & ^
07/05 – Noblesville, IN @ Klipsch Music Center & ^
07/06 – Cincinnati, OH @ Riverbend Music Center & ^
07/07 – Columbus, OH @ Nationwide Arena & ^
07/10 – St. Paul, MN @ Midway Stadium & ^
07/11 – Peoria, IL @ Chiefs Stadium & ^
07/12 – Chicago, IL @ Toyota Park & ^
07/14 – Clarkstown, MI @ DTE Energy Music Theatre
07/15 – Toronto, ON @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre & ^
07/18 – Darien Center, NY @ Darien Lake Performing Arts Center & %
07/19 – Bridgeport, CT @ The Ballpark at Harbor Yard & %
07/20 – Mansfield, MA @ Comcast Center & %
07/23 – Columbia, MD @ Merriweather Post Pavilion & %
07/24 – Virginia Beach, VA @ Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach & %
07/26 – Hoboken, NJ @ Pier A Park & %
07/27 – Wantagh, NY @ Nikon at Jones Beach Theater & %
07/28 – Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center & %
07/31 – Denver, CO, @ Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre & %
08/01 – Salt Lake City, UT @ USANA Amphitheatre & %
08/03 – Irvine, CA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre & %
08/04 – Mountain View, CA @ Shoreline Amphitheatre & %
* = w/ Dawes
# = w/ The Wild Feathers
& = w/ Wilco and My Morning Jacket
^ = w/ Richard Thompson Electric Trio
% = w/ Ryan Bingham

Watch Out! Sarah Jarosz Live at the Troubadour EP – Special Record Store Day Exclusive [VIDEO]

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Sarah Jarosz

in honor of Record Store Day 2013 Austin native and folk singer/songwriter Sarah Jarosz is offering a new live release, Live at the Troubadour. The five song EP was was recorded the famed Los Angeles venue and features longtime collaborators Nathanial Smith (cello) and Alex Hargreaves (violin.)

Four live performance videos, shot by videographer Alex Chaloff, beautifully capturing the grace Jarosz of her live shows were created especially for the release. These were originally featured on The Bluegrass Situation, CMT Edge, Bluegrass Nation and RecordStoreDay.com.

Currently wrapping up her senior year at the New England Conservatory of Music, Jarosz will spend her summer making appearances at major festivals including Del Fest, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, High Sierra, Forecastle, Ossipee Valley and Newport Folk Festival.

LIVE AT THE TROUBADOUR track listing
1. Tell Me True
2. Kathy’s Song
3. Mansinneedof
4. Shankill Butchers
5. Broussard’s Lament

Look for Sarah Jarosz new Sugar Hill release is coming this fall.

Sarah Jarosz Tour Dates
2013-4-19 Burlington, VT – Flynn PAC – with John Prine
2013-4-20 Portsmouth, NH – The Music Hall – with John Prine
2013-5-03 Austin, TX – AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center
2013-5-23 New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall
2013-5-25 Cumberland, MD – Del Fest
2013-6-12 The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe Coffee Shop
2013-6-13 Wimberley, TX – Blue Rock Artist Ranch – Blue Rock Studio
2013-6-14 Dallas, TX – Poor David’s Pub
2013-6-15 Santa Fe, NM – The Downs of Santa Fe – with Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris
2013-6-16 Phoenix, AZ – Musical Instrument Museum
2013-6-18 Salt Lake City, UT – The State Room
2013-6-21 Telluride, CO – Telluride Bluegrass Festival
2013-6-22 Telluride, CO – Michael D. Palm Theatre
2013-7-06 Quincy, CA – High Sierra Music Festival
2013-7-07 Quincy, CA – High Sierra Music Festival
2013-7-13 Louisville, KY – Forecastle Festival
2013-7-25 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall
2013-7-26 Hiram, ME – Ossipee Valley Music Festival
2013-7-27 Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival
2013-7-28 Ogunquit, ME – Jonathan’s Restaurant
2013-8-10 Portland, ON – Oregon Zoo Amphitheatre
2013-8-11 Seattle, WA – Woodland Park Zoo Amphitheatre

Outside Lands Announces Lineup – Willie Nelson, Dawes, Camper Van Beethoven, The Lone Bellow To Perform

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outside-lands-2013Outside Lands has revealed the lineup for this year’s festival, taking place place August 9th-11th in my back yard at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, CA.

Notable country and roots artists performing are Willie Nelson & Family, Band of Horses, Camper Van Beethoven, The Head and The Heart, The Mother Hips, Dawes, Gary Clark Jr., Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, The Easy Leaves and The Lone Bellow.

Also topping the bill is Paul McCartney, Nine Inch Nails and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Advanced three-day and VIP tickets will go on sale Thursday, April 18th at Noon PDT through the festival’s website.

Listen up! Amanda Shires Single Premier – “Bulletproof”

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amanda shires

With her newly released single, Bulletproof, Amanda Shires continues to explore a variety of musical influences – folk, blues and jazz -she began in her last release “Carrying Lightening.”

The song sets Shires warm-honey vibrato and fine fiddling against a Tom Waits-like junkyard orchestral accompaniment. The song details potential supernatural impenetrability against a litany of physical and emotional armaments. Like a whimsical protective talisman set to a cha-cha beat

No word on an upcoming album title or release date came with the press release. but when I know , you’ll know

[audio mp3="http://www.twangnation.com/mp3s/Bulletproof.mp3" autoplay="off" loop="off" preload="on" controls="on" flash_fallback="on"]

Bulletproof was released to coincide with Shires showcases at South-By-Southwest. Catch her at one of the performances below:

THURS MARCH 14 @ 11 PM
St. David’s Episcopal Church
Historic Sanctuary
hosted by Utne and Thirty Tigers
official SXSW showcase!

FRI MARCH 15 @ 7 PM
Wyndam Garden Hotel
on the patio @ the bar area!
3401 IH 35 Austin, TX 78741
free! open to the public!!

SAT MARCH 16th 6 PM
Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
700 San Jacinto & 8th Street
lobby lounge located @ the atrium!
free! open to the public!!

Alabama Shakes Announce Spring/Summer dates – Debut Album Boys & Girls Is RIAA Certified Gold

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alabama shakes SNLAlabama Shakes is riding a wave of buzz from their GRAMMY Awards nominations, the band’s appearances on “Saturday Night Live” and “Austin City Limits,” and their debut album, Boys & Girls (ATO Records) and selling 100,000 copies and being certified RIAA Gold (just proves people are still willing to buy good music.)

Alabama Shakes has just announced Spring/Summer tour dates that include South America, Canada and Europe. The roots/rock band will kick off a North American headline tour on June 18 at LC Pavilion Outdoors in Columbus, OH. The outing will include two nights at Los Angeles’ Hollywood Palladium (July 17 & 18).

For further details, visit www.alabamashakes.com.

Upcoming Tour Dates

March
12 – Dallas, TX @ Palladium Ballroom – SOLD OUT – with Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Doores and Riley Downing supporting
13 – Austin, TX @ Rodeo Austin – with Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Doores and Riley Downing supporting
15 – New Orleans, LA @ The Sugar Mill – SOLD OUT – with Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Doores and Riley Downing supporting
16 – Jackson, MS @ Hal + Mal’s Street Dance – with Michael Kiwanuka, Sam Doores and Riley Downing supporting
27 – Mexico City, Mexico @ Jose Cuervo Salon
30 – Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Lollapalooza Brazil
31 – Sao Paulo, Brazil @ Cine Joia

April
1 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil @ Circo Voador
3 – Buenos Aires, Argentina @ Quilmes Rock 2013
6 – Santiago, Chile @ Lollapalooza Chile

May
10 – Napa, CA @ Bottle Rocket Music Festival

June
1 – Houston, TX @ Free Press Festival
2 – Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros SOLD OUT
7 – Birmingham, AL @ Sloss Furnace – SOLD OUT
8 – Birmingham, AL @ Sloss Furnace – SOLD OUT
18 – Columbus, OH @ LC Pavilion – Outdoors
19 – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theatre
20 – Toronto, ON @ Echo Beach
22 – Dover, DE @ Firefly Music Festival
23 – Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre
30 – London, UK @ Olympic Park/Hard Rock Calling w/Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

July
13 – Louisville, KY @ Forecastle Festival
14 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
15 – Albuquerque, NM @ Popejoy Hall-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
18 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
19 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Theater-w/Fly Golden Eagle & Hurray For The Riff Raff supporting
21 – Alta, WY @ Targhee Festival
23 – Vancouver, BC @ Vogue Theatre
25 – Calgary, AB @ Calgary Folk Music Festival
26 – Edmonton, AB @ Interstellar Rodeo
28 – Minneapolis, MN @ Cabooze Outdoor Plaza

August
7 – Oslo, Norway @ OYA Festival
8 – Gothenburg, Sweden @ Way Out West
9 – Skanderborg, Denmark @ Skanderborg Festival
10 – Haldern, Germany @ Haldern Festival
13 – Barcelona, Spain @ Apollo
14 – Porto, Portugal @ Paredes Da Coura
18 – Hallendoorn, Holland @ Lowlands Festival

September
7 – Guthrie, OK @ Gentlemen of the Road w/Mumford & Sons – SOLD OUT

The Sin City Social Club Annual SXSW 2013 Bash

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SC_SXSW-_2

Twang Nation is proud to announce sponsorship of The Sin City Social Club Annual Bash, the premier South-By-Southwest roots and Americana music showcase.

Now celebrating it’s 11th Anniversary, Sin City Social Club knows how to put on a party. This is one of thier best line ups and you won’t want to miss it! And make sure to try the great food at Maria’s Taco Xpress

The Sin City Social Club Annual Bash
Maria’s Taco Xpress in Austin, Texas
Fri, March 15, 12pm – 9pm
Free! No badges or wrist bands needed. All ages.

Lineup:

12:00 * The Mercy Brothers (S. Louisiana)
12:40 * So Long Problems (Austin)
1:20 * Rod Melancon (Los Angeles)
2:00 * Chelle Rose (Nashville)
2:40 * Israel Nash Gripka (Austin)
3:20 * Deadman (Austin)
3:45 * Deadstring Brothers (Detroit)
4:25 * Shurman (Austin)
5:05 * Out of Our Tree (Feat. Tim Easton & Megan Palmer)
5:45 * Elijah Ford & The Bloom (Austin)
6:20 * Mike Stinson (Houston)
6:55 * Ian Moore & The Lossy Coils (Seattle)
7:40 * Jesse Dayton (Austin)
8:30 * Two Hoots & A Holler (Austin)

Brought to you by: Sin City Social Club * Rootsy Records * Twang Nation * Chris Kro Art Design * Lone Star Beer * Lone Star Music * Mojave Audio * Little Brother Music * Maria’s Taco Xpress

Other great SXSW Americana showcases:

Official SXSW Little Brother Showcase Tuesday, March 12 – 8:00pm until 2:00am

Guitartown/Conqueroo Block Party Kickoff – Wednesday, March 13 – 11:00am until 9:00pm

Grand Ole Austin SXSW Showcase – Thursday, March 14 – 11:00am until 9:00pm

Hillgrass Bluebilly Records presents: X-SXSW 6 Unofficial Showcase - Open to the Public – $10 Fri. 03/15 | 6:00PM

Twang Nation Podcast Episode 10 – Chris Knight, Buddy Miller,Jim Lauderdale, John Fullbright, Gurf Morlix

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podcastEpisode #10 (alright double digits!) of Twang Nation Podcast pulls from my first 10 of a list of 21, Cream of the Crop selections from 2012. It’s been a great year for Americana and roots music. T Bone Burnett has done a fine job of sliding roots artists like Lindi Ortega and Shovels and Rope within a Music Row soap opera with ABC’s Nashville. The Americana Music Association continues to burnish the brand and their conference and wards show set attendance and submission records. Even that bastion of Music Row glitz, CMT, saw crossover potential and launched CMT Edge which has featured artists like Jason Isbell and Justin Townes Earle.

2013 shows no signs of slowing down with upcoming releases from Kris Kristofferson, Dale Watson as well as joint releases from Kelly Willis and her hubby Bruce Robison and Emmylou Harris and ex Hot Band member and legendary songwriter Rodney Crowell.

As the Americana music culture and industry grows and becomes more of a mainstream staple, with bands like Mumford and Sons and the Avett Brothers leading the way, I applaud the advantages and the opportunities for musicians and we who cover them. As I’ve said, I want the performers I cover to get more prestigious gigs, better recording facilities, more gear and to leave their touring vans behind and be bale to afford the relative comfort of a touring bus. I don’t believe musicians should suffer for tier craft (much!) Here’s to mutually rising boats.

In the new year I resolve to do my best not to follow the hyped path most traveled and do what I’ve always done, follow my heart and my ear to places more interesting and authentic for the love of music. I hope you come with me in and enjoy what I discover.

Thanks you for reading the site, following on twiiter , Facebook, Google+ and my work over at Grammy.com.

Happy holidays and a safe and happy New year to you all.

Opening Song – “Mr. D.J” – by Dale Watson
1.Chris Knight- song:”Little Victories”- Album: “Little Victories” (Drifter’s Church Productions)
2.Malcolm Holcolmbe – song: “Gone Away at Last”- Album: “Down the River” (GypsyeyesMusic – out now )
3.Darrell Scott – Song: Hopskinville – Album: Long Ride Home (Full Light Records)
4.Corb Lund – song: Gettin’ Down on the Mountain Album: Cabin Fever (New West Records)
5. Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale That’s Not Even Why I Love You. – Album: Buddy and Jim (New West Records)
6.Iris DeMent – song:Sing The Delta- Album:Sing The Delta (Flariella Records)
7.Dwight Yoakam – song:A Heart Like Mine- Album:3 Pears (Warner Bros. Records)
8.Turnpike Troubadours Song: Gin, Smoke and Lies- Album:Goodbye Normal Street (Bossier City Records)
9.John Fullbright song:Satan and St. Paul- Album:From The Ground Up (Bossier City Records)
10. Shovels & Rope- song:Fire On The Hill- Album:O’ Be Joyful (Dualtone Records)
11. Gurf Morlix – song:Present Tense- Album: Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense – Out March 5, 2013)
12.Robert Earl Keen- song:Merry Christmas from the Family- Album: Gringo Honeymoon