|
|
By: Sara Douga [IG: @saradouga] Photos: Haley Hogan of Nomad Soul Photo
AmericanaFest: Day 5: Final Day
The last day of Americana Fest had us all tired and so happy from all the music from the week. I made it in to see Maggie Rose and Brandy Clark. Maggie Rose was welcomed by a riot of crowd. She was definitely a fan favorite and I can see why. She has so much sexy and powerful energy. She is so strong and sure of herself without pushing it onto you. Her stage presence and performance was so bold, and fit so nicely into her absolutely rocking band! Rose's vocals, set to quite possibly the coolest grooves that Nashville has ever heard, reminded me a bit of Christina Aguilera. She is just an absolute powerhouse. The whole crowd could not help but dance and feel good about themselves. I 10-out-of-10 recommend. You must see a Maggie Rose concert. I'd like to mention too that I spent a good bit of time around a few members of her team and they were all so happy and loving towards each other. It was so beautiful to see. You can tell how much they all believe in their artists. God, I love Nashville. I love the music in this town.
My final concert of this wildly beautiful Americana Fest 2021 was Brandy Clark. I am an absolute fan of Brandy for so many reasons. One being her songwriting. She's amazing. Two, her just totally cool presence and attitude. She absolutely owns the stage but remains entirely calm and chill. I could listen to her all day without tire. She's just COOL. Her fans were fanatical indeed and knew most of the words to her songs. She had them singing and dancing, all while remaining calm and cool , Brandy. We crossed eyes a few times backstage and my goodness, y'all. She's so beautiful. I guess because most of her artwork is set farther back, or she has sunglasses on in her pictures, I wasn't expecting to be taken aback by her... but I was. I thought she was just a total star in every way. What a stunning woman inside and out.
My final concert of this wildly beautiful Americana Fest 2021 was Brandy Clark. I am an absolute fan of Brandy for so many reasons. One being her songwriting. She's amazing. Two, her just totally cool presence and attitude. She absolutely owns the stage but remains entirely calm and chill. I could listen to her all day without tire. She's just COOL. Her fans were fanatical indeed and knew most of the words to her songs. She had them singing and dancing, all while remaining calm and cool , Brandy. We crossed eyes a few times backstage and my goodness, y'all. She's so beautiful. I guess because most of her artwork is set farther back, or she has sunglasses on in her pictures, I wasn't expecting to be taken aback by her... but I was. I thought she was just a total star in every way. What a stunning woman inside and out.
I must say that I am extremely grateful to have been able to experience this past week and to take you along with me for the ride. I have loved getting to pour my heart out to you like a diary of my musical experience. This world we live in is a beautiful place full of wonderfully talented people with gorgeous hearts; much like you, I presume. I'm so grateful to be connected ot you and I can't wait to get back to the UK, hug your necks and fill your hearts with songs.
Until then... All my love,
AmericanFest: Day 4: Friday Nigh Fever
Friday was a wild adventure!! There was so much music that one could hardly decide where to go. I started my day in the audience to watch and support Mr. Americana, Jim Lauderdale, interviewed by the great Peter Cooper at The Country Music Hall of Fame in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of Jim’s first major label record, Planet of Love. Peter Cooper’s love for Jim was so obvious and heartwarming. He recalled intimate details over the span of Jim's career thus far and it was really interesting to hear the stories of how Jim's first record came to be. I especially loved hearing tales from the days of The Palomino in Bakersfield. It was such an important period in time for country music, and I think Jim's contributions to our sound today are quite obvious. I am so grateful that he has and continues to persevere through so many ups and downs in his career, all to serve the legacy of Country Music. Perhaps the most notable song of the album was "King of Broken Hearts", which Jim wrote by himself. Wow. I could go on for ages on this subject. The interview was aired on SiriusXM The Outlaw, so perhaps it can be traced and heard again if you're interested.
Friday night, I was finally able to catch a Garrison Starr show at City Winery. Garrison and I work with a few of the same people and I had been hearing wonderful things about her. She lived up to everything I had heard and more. Wow. She is a powerhouse without even trying to be a powerhouse. She lit up the stage with her God's honest truth that everyone could feel straight from her heart. Her vocals are pure and strong and resonate. I really enjoyed her attitude as well. She is just a strong woman. I encourage you to check out her music as well as her work with Sean McConnel, My Sister My Brother. She brought Sean up on stage for the last song and it was really beautiful. Their voices fit together so nicely.
Beth Neilsen Chapman trailed right after Garrison and started her set with a big song she had with Keb Mo'. Beth had a full band with her and she had a very energized stage presence. It was fun to watch!
Friday night, I was finally able to catch a Garrison Starr show at City Winery. Garrison and I work with a few of the same people and I had been hearing wonderful things about her. She lived up to everything I had heard and more. Wow. She is a powerhouse without even trying to be a powerhouse. She lit up the stage with her God's honest truth that everyone could feel straight from her heart. Her vocals are pure and strong and resonate. I really enjoyed her attitude as well. She is just a strong woman. I encourage you to check out her music as well as her work with Sean McConnel, My Sister My Brother. She brought Sean up on stage for the last song and it was really beautiful. Their voices fit together so nicely.
Beth Neilsen Chapman trailed right after Garrison and started her set with a big song she had with Keb Mo'. Beth had a full band with her and she had a very energized stage presence. It was fun to watch!
Friday night, I was finally able to catch a Garrison Starr show at City Winery. Garrison and I work with a few of the same people and I had been hearing wonderful things about her. She lived up to everything I had heard and more. Wow. She is a powerhouse without even trying to be a powerhouse. She lit up the stage with her God's honest truth that everyone could feel straight from her heart. Her vocals are pure and strong and resonate. I really enjoyed her attitude as well. She is just a strong woman. I encourage you to check out her music as well as her work with Sean McConnel, My Sister My Brother. She brought Sean up on stage for the last song and it was really beautiful. Their voices fit together so nicely.
Beth Neilsen Chapman trailed right after Garrison and started her set with a big song she had with Keb Mo'. Beth had a full band with her and she had a very energized stage presence. It was fun to watch!
Beth Neilsen Chapman trailed right after Garrison and started her set with a big song she had with Keb Mo'. Beth had a full band with her and she had a very energized stage presence. It was fun to watch!
|
After City Winery, I zipped over to 3rd & Lindsley to catch Lauderdale's Official Showcase. He was amazing as always and he had a full and ready to dance crowd waiting for him. His stories and songs are so entertaining and heartfelt. I love getting to see him with his full band. Getting to be backstage at 3rd & Lindsley for the first time since before the pandemic was a bit like going to grandma's house after being away from college. I got to see all of my musician friends that feel like family and it just filled my heart. I ran into Nicolette Hayford backstage who was there to support her friend, Aaron Raitiere (also fabulous). Nicolette is an incredible songwriter and just a super cool artist. She won many awards this year with her Ashley McBryde hit "One Night Standards" (Shane Macanally, Ashley McBryde, & Nicolette Hayford). I remember hearing that song for the first time and screaming out "MAN! WHAT A HOOK!". That song is incredible. My favorite song of Nicolette's is one called "Jonesin' ".
Just WOW! Country Music, baby! Take a listen! |
|
Nicolette told me that she has a new project coming out soon so keep an eye out for that. What a woman. I think her whole last project sounds like the perfect soundtrack for so many movies. Her descriptive lyrics are so cool and soothing.
We ended the night at Basement East to celebrate songs from 1971. Jim (Lauderdale) sang "Wild Night" by Van Morrison, and I got to catch some of Joshua Ray Walker a bit before Jim and I really enjoyed his truly country voice.
We ended the night at Basement East to celebrate songs from 1971. Jim (Lauderdale) sang "Wild Night" by Van Morrison, and I got to catch some of Joshua Ray Walker a bit before Jim and I really enjoyed his truly country voice.
AmericanaFest: Day 3: The Adventure Begins
Aubrie Sellers & Sara Douga
Americana Fest was wide open and in full swing by Thursday. I started the night with the immeasurably talented, Emily West. Wow. There is no vocalist to compare her to… she is just absolutely stunning. She gave the audience a taste of her new material and it was a wild ride of which we couldn’t get enough. She tells an entire story in 3 minutes as of you were on Broadway. Her band was fabulous as well. Tim Jones is a great back vocalist for her and I have to say kudos to the whole band because several songs changed rhythm and syncopation multiple times. Emily West is just enchanting.
Next was Waylon Payne, who is a dear friend and collaborator of mine. He was amazing. The audience absolutely ate him up! His energy was so good. It just felt good to hear good music, Y’all. I love Waylon’s last record: Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher, & Me. It’s such raw truth and perfect melodies.
Next was Waylon Payne, who is a dear friend and collaborator of mine. He was amazing. The audience absolutely ate him up! His energy was so good. It just felt good to hear good music, Y’all. I love Waylon’s last record: Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher, & Me. It’s such raw truth and perfect melodies.
Emily West and Sara Douga
Next I saw the newly joined, Aubrey Sellers and Jade Jackson for Jackson + Sellers. They were great. They put on a sweet show . Total rock chick vibes but sweethearts that obviously love each other. It was a cool garage country vibe that we have come to expect from Sellers. Jackson and her sound amazing together. Not surprising they should choose a Julie Miller song to cover “The Devil is an Angel too”, as they gave me definite Julie & Buddy Miller vibes.
Finally was the songwriting queen, Natalie Hemby who performed many songs from her new project, Pinwheel. The title track dropped this week, but we have been loving her singles so far; “Heroes”, “Radio Silence”, & “Pins and Needles”. Hemby has such a way of writing to good hooks, and it felt so good to hear them live. The crowd was clearly excited to see her. She’s absolutely is a queen. I also got to experience Hemby in a Panel put on by Leslie Fram of CMT, and Tracy Gershen for their Change the Conversation initiative for including more women in this industry. Hemby was gracious and inspiring.
I can’t wait to tell you of the rest of Friday’s adventures!
Finally was the songwriting queen, Natalie Hemby who performed many songs from her new project, Pinwheel. The title track dropped this week, but we have been loving her singles so far; “Heroes”, “Radio Silence”, & “Pins and Needles”. Hemby has such a way of writing to good hooks, and it felt so good to hear them live. The crowd was clearly excited to see her. She’s absolutely is a queen. I also got to experience Hemby in a Panel put on by Leslie Fram of CMT, and Tracy Gershen for their Change the Conversation initiative for including more women in this industry. Hemby was gracious and inspiring.
I can’t wait to tell you of the rest of Friday’s adventures!
AmericanaFest: Americana Awards
Last night’s Americana Music Honors & Awards show was nothing short of inspiring. As always, it was held at the historic Ryman Auditorium, which most of us already know was originally built as a church. I absolutely went to church last night, and I am pretty sure that I could even smell incense burning in there. It was beautiful. I’d like to mention a few honorees and performers that really struck me.
Firstly, Allison Russell’s vocals and stage presence blew me away. As soon as she started performing, I started crying. The whole place lit up. You may have heard of her from her group, Our Native Daughters with Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Amythyst Kiah.
Speaking of Amythyst; Lord have mercy! That woman has one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard. She reminds me deeply of Tracy Chapman’s style of blues and soul. Amythyst’s performance last night was absolutely fabulous.
On the note of inspiring women, Lifetime Honoree recipient, Trina Shoemaker (producer/engineer) gave one of the most delicate and inspiring acceptance speeches. I felt like I was lost in a great American novel while listening to her. One could easily tell why she has worked with such great acts as Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, and Brandi Carlile to name a few, because her attention to detail absolutely captivated every heart in the audience. Wow. I do hope there is a way to access that speech because I thought it was just wonderful. What a woman. What a story.
Firstly, Allison Russell’s vocals and stage presence blew me away. As soon as she started performing, I started crying. The whole place lit up. You may have heard of her from her group, Our Native Daughters with Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Amythyst Kiah.
Speaking of Amythyst; Lord have mercy! That woman has one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard. She reminds me deeply of Tracy Chapman’s style of blues and soul. Amythyst’s performance last night was absolutely fabulous.
On the note of inspiring women, Lifetime Honoree recipient, Trina Shoemaker (producer/engineer) gave one of the most delicate and inspiring acceptance speeches. I felt like I was lost in a great American novel while listening to her. One could easily tell why she has worked with such great acts as Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Nanci Griffith, and Brandi Carlile to name a few, because her attention to detail absolutely captivated every heart in the audience. Wow. I do hope there is a way to access that speech because I thought it was just wonderful. What a woman. What a story.
Not meaning to make this write up entirely about women, but I was also BLOWN AWAY by Brandi Carlile’s performance. I expected the Highwomen and their guest, Yola, to be absolutely fabulous, and yes, they were! But I was not readily prepared for the powerhouse vocalist that is Carlile. I have heard tales of superstars like Martina McBride absolutely bawling in the audience as she listened to Brandi, and now I know why. Brandi has the unique capability of tapping into her own power and truth and it just EXPELS through the top of her head vocals effortlessly. I mean she absolutely struck me. It was as if some celestial beam of light shot out through her head. She is magnificent. It is no wonder she won Artist of the Year.
There were many other performances that were amazing, and I do hope you got to catch them on the story or highlight reel from last night via my Instagram takeover, but here is the takeaway that I gathered; The Americana Music Association is ripe with powerfully talented vocalists and musicians. They are all raw, and real, and honest, and true, and beautiful. Every one of them. I really enjoyed seeing Dan Was and Buddy Miller on stage in the house band, as well as The McCrarys Sisters. Every single act was astonishingly talented and real light shined all through last night’s award show.
Other award and honor recipients included:
Artist of the year: Brandi Carlile Album of the Year: Sturgil Simpson,
Song of the Year: I Remember Everything (John Prine and Pat McLaughlin) Duo/Group of the year: Black Pumas
Emerging Act of the Year: Charley Crockett, Instrumentalist of the Year: Kristen Weber
Americana Achievement Honors were all presented to the following:
Legacy of Americana Award, presented in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music: Fisk Jubilee Singers
Trailblazer Award: The Mavericks Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance: Keb’ Mo’
Lifetime Achievement Award for Producer/Engineer: Trina Shoemaker Inspiration Award: Carla Thomas
There were many other performances that were amazing, and I do hope you got to catch them on the story or highlight reel from last night via my Instagram takeover, but here is the takeaway that I gathered; The Americana Music Association is ripe with powerfully talented vocalists and musicians. They are all raw, and real, and honest, and true, and beautiful. Every one of them. I really enjoyed seeing Dan Was and Buddy Miller on stage in the house band, as well as The McCrarys Sisters. Every single act was astonishingly talented and real light shined all through last night’s award show.
Other award and honor recipients included:
Artist of the year: Brandi Carlile Album of the Year: Sturgil Simpson,
Song of the Year: I Remember Everything (John Prine and Pat McLaughlin) Duo/Group of the year: Black Pumas
Emerging Act of the Year: Charley Crockett, Instrumentalist of the Year: Kristen Weber
Americana Achievement Honors were all presented to the following:
Legacy of Americana Award, presented in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music: Fisk Jubilee Singers
Trailblazer Award: The Mavericks Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance: Keb’ Mo’
Lifetime Achievement Award for Producer/Engineer: Trina Shoemaker Inspiration Award: Carla Thomas
Americanafest: Day 1: The Pre- game
The evening before Americana Fest officially kicked off was ripe with excitement and the joy of gathering again over live music.
I started the night by swinging over to BMI’s pre-party located at 6th and Peabody and was happily greeted with that old familiar feeling of a real festival. The event was filled with industry professionals and teams from various labels who seemed so happy to see each other after what I’m sure was a long stretch of time. My time at the BMI event was short as I was eager to head over to Tin Roof on Demonbruen to listen to a round called Revival; only last night’s was humorously labeled “Amerijuana Fest”. This was a lighthearted hat tip to all of it’s country artists playing that particular round who also could fall into the ranks of what we call “Americana”. Revival’s slogan is “Hank Williams and Jesus are watching”. Artists sit on a church pew, in the back of a honky-tonk hangin’ style bar in the middle of midtown and sing country music as solid as it gets. I encourage all fans of real country music to check out this round that occurs every Tuesday night.
Last night’s Revival round was absolutely fabulous. I was so happy to see Mando Saenz, Meg McRee, Ben Chapman, and many others. Perhaps the highlight of my night was seeing Mae Estes. She is a fabulous songwriter with the most country music vocals I have heard in a while. Mae makes me feel like there is another female player on the real country music scene! GO TEAM! She is sassy and writes to really great hooks. My favorite last night was “Thinking about Cheating”.
In celebration of the onset of Americana Festivities, Adam Hood also treated us all to a surprise release of a new song called “Mo’ Damn Crickets”. Having written this song with his touring mate and producer, Brent Cobb, as well as Jimmy Westbrook and Philip Sweet of Little Big Town, the track is great and is a perfect combination of Hood’s Alabama soul and the soulful harmonic vibes we have come to expect from the Little Big Town sound. The song is quite a cheeky one, telling the story of sneaking out with “Lillie Mae” to go kissing under the disguise of “fishing”.
I can’t wait to get back out on the scene today for more Americana Festivities and awards show excitement. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update.
Happy Americana, Y’all!
I started the night by swinging over to BMI’s pre-party located at 6th and Peabody and was happily greeted with that old familiar feeling of a real festival. The event was filled with industry professionals and teams from various labels who seemed so happy to see each other after what I’m sure was a long stretch of time. My time at the BMI event was short as I was eager to head over to Tin Roof on Demonbruen to listen to a round called Revival; only last night’s was humorously labeled “Amerijuana Fest”. This was a lighthearted hat tip to all of it’s country artists playing that particular round who also could fall into the ranks of what we call “Americana”. Revival’s slogan is “Hank Williams and Jesus are watching”. Artists sit on a church pew, in the back of a honky-tonk hangin’ style bar in the middle of midtown and sing country music as solid as it gets. I encourage all fans of real country music to check out this round that occurs every Tuesday night.
Last night’s Revival round was absolutely fabulous. I was so happy to see Mando Saenz, Meg McRee, Ben Chapman, and many others. Perhaps the highlight of my night was seeing Mae Estes. She is a fabulous songwriter with the most country music vocals I have heard in a while. Mae makes me feel like there is another female player on the real country music scene! GO TEAM! She is sassy and writes to really great hooks. My favorite last night was “Thinking about Cheating”.
In celebration of the onset of Americana Festivities, Adam Hood also treated us all to a surprise release of a new song called “Mo’ Damn Crickets”. Having written this song with his touring mate and producer, Brent Cobb, as well as Jimmy Westbrook and Philip Sweet of Little Big Town, the track is great and is a perfect combination of Hood’s Alabama soul and the soulful harmonic vibes we have come to expect from the Little Big Town sound. The song is quite a cheeky one, telling the story of sneaking out with “Lillie Mae” to go kissing under the disguise of “fishing”.
I can’t wait to get back out on the scene today for more Americana Festivities and awards show excitement. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s update.
Happy Americana, Y’all!