LIVE FROM AMERICANA MUSIC CONFERENCE: Off-Topic
Friday, September 19th, 2008 by Patrick Ross
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NASHVILLE — No policy stuff here, so if that’s what you want keep on going.
Okay, for those still with us, I must share something. I absolutely love my job, but it is taxing. Most of our staff is part-time, we are involved in developing educational curricula, we’re building a grass-roots network, we’re active in the public policy space, we attend many conferences… well, you get the picture. But don’t get out the tiny fiddle, because the benefits can be amazing. Such as attending the Americana Music Awards in the historic Ryman Theater.
In one night, we heard Jason & The Scorchers, Justin Townes Earle, Mike Farris, Buddy Miller, Steve Earle, Levon Helm, a bunch more I can’t remember offhand, and some artists that I’m sure every one of our readers has heard of — Joan Baez, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant. (What does it say about Americana that Plant has come full circle, from helping create the best rock band ever out of Americana music to now cutting a best-selling Americana album? It says Americana doesn’t have to put on other clothes to have a broad appeal anymore.)
Surprise of the night for me? Mike Farris. The winner of New Emerging Artist of the Year, Ferris has a distinct sound. Imagine Lyle Lovett’s large band, the energy of Mike Ness or Brian Setzer and the spiritual underpinning of a tent revival. Wow, this guy is something. (Maybe I should be a music blogger like the folks I heard today?)
Yeah. My job ain’t too bad.
