Americana in Nashville

            I have just ended a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Nashville, Tenn.  The first meeting of the Americana Music Association was a roaring success.

            “We expected about 200 this first time,” said conference organizer Jessie Scott, “and over 400 have signed in!”

            I arrived Friday at 10 a.m., attended the organizational meeting at 4 p.m. and heard a showcase of Americana artists at Jack Legs, a local venue, at 9 p.m.

            Porter Wagner was the first emcee, welcoming us all to Nashville and stating his appreciation for the Americana support for the legends of country music.  “The Best I Am,” his first album in 24 years, is soon to be released.

            Second emcee for the evening was none other than our own local contribution to the world of music, Rod Kennedy.

            Whew, what a long day.

            The founding board of the AMA first met late summer of 1998; 35 met again in March 1999 at South by Southwest to keep planning.  They met in Nashville in October, brought a slate of directors to the meeting in November, and by January 2000 the organization will begin filling committees.  An exciting conversation for another way to get great music in front of new audiences.  Americana is an amorphous category with very distinct edges.

            “We’re all mavericks in a way, used to doing things our own way.  By coming together we can create more opportunities for all of us,” said Jesse.  “We have started from a blank page because we don’t want to be like other groups.  We’re doing the research, finding the demographics, creating ways to get the music out there.”

            Nashville, home of the corporate music business, the major labels in country music, seems a fitting place, with this convention taking place across from the newly constructed Country Music Hall of Fame.  Next year, this conference will be in September in the magnificent Hilton Suites across from this respected symbol of country music.

            Americana is not a catch-all for country acts who don’t make it, but it does become a place for artists who are hard to categorize.

            Let’s just look at the list of Americana artists in Texas:  Steve Earle, Jimmy LaFave, Jack Ingram, Joe Ely, Walt Wilkins, Pat Green, Terri Hendrix, Tish Hinojosa and most of the play list on KFAN Radio in Fredericksburg.  In fact, this radio station, along with KPIG in Santa Cruz, Calif., and KNBT in New Braunfels are helping define the genre.

            One ongoing discussion at this conference that showcased labels, publicity opportunities and touring possibilities, was a discussion of the big question, “What is Americana?  How can we market this without a clear picture?”

            Good questions.  And this group of 400 hard-core, passionate music fans started the description. 

            Rodney Crowell, with an album coming out on Sugar Hills Records, seemed to become a spokesperson after his Saturday performance at the conference.  He sang songs from his new album, “The Houston Kid,” an album straight from the heart.

            “Americana to me is the best form out there from artists of integrity doing their work, storytellers and disenfranchised artists who still hold on to idealism,” he said in an interview.  “It took me so long to realize where the heart of music is.  The acceptance [a standing ovation for five minutes] of this audience today nearly brought a tear to my eye.”

            Crowell said storytelling is the heart of the music, and most people want it and don’t even know it.

            “This Americana association can help draw attention to the artists,” he said.  “You know, a three-minute hook does not allow time for literature.  Much of this music is literature.”

            Right on, Rodney!  I invited him to visit Schreiner University this spring.

            I discovered new songwriters at this event.

            R.B. Stone is a man who follows his muse and knows how to make it work.  He plays for our armed forces around the world.  With more than 10 albums and tours in 24 countries, he has a story about music. 

            “I love seeing the reaction of the troops when I play Merle Haggard or Willie Nelson.  I also love to hear them call for my own songs, ones I’ve written from my own life experience.”

            His albums will be available in Texas soon, thanks to a distribution deal he has with Frank Wilson in San Antonio.  He may originally hail in Ohio, but years working on the railroad and with horses in Colorado have given him the experience to say, “I may live in Nashville now, but my heart is in the Southwest.  In fact, I feel at home in Texas.”

            We called KFAN Saturday night from Nashville, and he played a song on the air.

            His music is perfect for the singer/songwriter club and the Texas dancehall.  With a distinct country voice and some soulful, heartfelt lyrics, this boy is bound for Texas soon.

            Now you have part of the story.  Tune in to texasheritagemusic.org for the rest. 
            
Free Leonard and down the road.

eMail Kathleen:  kat@maverickbbs.com
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