A LARGE contingent of Australia’s finest artists and musicians participated in Nashville’s annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, held in and around downtown Nashville from September 18-22.
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Featured Australian roots artists included The Bushwackers, The Hillbilly Killers, Paul Kelly, Mustered Courage andMelody Pool. Throughout the week, each artist had their own showcase in addition to the AMA events at various music venues in Nashville.
Additional Aussie artists who participated in the week-long event included Bill Chambers, The BordererS, Breaking Hart Benton, Katie Brianna, Gena Rose Bruce, Tracey Bunn, Donna Dean, Melody Feder and Michael Muchow, Sam Hawksley, Damian Howard, Anne McCue, Kelly Menhennett, Cameron Milford, Jen Mize, Tamara Stewart, Emma Swift and The Weeping Willows.
The artists performed at four AMA-sanctioned events, including Tamworth Presents the Australiana At Americana showcase at the Bluebird Café, the Sister (Cities) Are Doing It… at the Sheraton Listening Lounge, Maton Presents A Taste of Australia at The Second Fiddle, and The Aussie BBQ at The Basement.
Sounds Australia project manager Dobe Newton said this great event had become a very important focus for Australia’s roots music artists and business people.
“The hard work is now producing genuine career and business opportunities,” he said.
For the fourth consecutive year, Australian music industry and government-supported organisation Sounds Australiasponsored the overseas trip through its partnership with the Nashville-based Americana Music Association.
“Sounds Australia’s fourth involvement in the Americana Festival and Conference was a resounding success,” Dobe said.
“Our 25-strong party of performers, and especially our five showcase artists, were received with great enthusiasm by this very knowledgeable music community.
“Americana fans now look forward to our yearly involvement, and we’re excited already about next year’s event. Love you Nashville!”
Glenn Dickie
, a Sounds Australia executive, also considered the event a success.
“It’s been incredible to see and experience Nashville first hand as part of the Americana Music Festival,” he said.
“I’ve met some incredible people here, everyone seems accessible and Nashville is so much more than Music Row.
“The depth of music and the talent here is exceptional and it’s the closest I feel I’ve come to an American city that has a similar spirit to Australia.
“I’ve had some myths crushed, my mind opened, and have no doubt that the Australian music industry – from the artists and writers to managers, publishers and our thriving creatives – could all benefit from establishing ties in this American hub.
“Thanks to all the Australian artists that more than held their own – and thanks to Americana Music Festival for having us again.”
Plans are already under way for returned participation in the 2014 Americana Festival.
To learn more about Sounds Australia, visit www.SoundsAustralia.com.au
