It's been a little over two weeks since the conclusion of the 2012 Americana Music Association Conference and Festival, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention a couple of related noteworthy events in the honky-tonks of Broadway.
Canada was well represented as Toronto-based record label Six Shooter Records and Starfish Management got together to present the Outlaws and Gunslingers Luncheon at The Second Fiddle. The well-fed guests were treated to an awesome lunchtime show featuring Americana artists from their respective rosters. In all, four of the finest performances of the week took place on the Second Fiddle stage, as multi-talented trio Belle Starr chamed the audience and Joe Nolan made his Nashville debut. The superb Deep Dark Woods closed out the luncheon, while arguably the hottest duo in Canadian Americana music, Whitehorse, amazed the crowd with their unique sound and outstanding musicianship. This was my first time seeing Whitehorse in action, and I really enjoyed their sense of experimentation and "anything goes" attitude, it lent itself to fantastic set that really worked well.
Another awesome hang was the Red Beet Records Happy Hour at the Crossroads. This event featured a wonderful array of artists from East Nashville, as well as some Americana legends. With this event being held on Friday in the late afternoon, it served as the perfect warm up for the nights activities at hand. This event featured the lovely Anne McCue and Mary Gautier (who put on an outstanding set), as well as David Olney. The packed house was treated to a wonderful performance by East Nashville mainstay's Eric Brace and Peter Cooper, whose version of the old Herb Pederson song "Wait a Minute" is absolutely killer.
In addition to the showcases in the evening, it's events like these and many others that take place through the day that make the Americana Music Festival and Conference one of the best festivals today. It's at events like these that make you truly feel welcome in the Americana community. It is a special musical movement that is happening and one that I am proud to be a part of.
Speaking of something to be proud of, this piece represents the 100th piece that has been written on this blog. I thank all of you who have stopped by to read, comment, share, laugh and/or cry at anything that has been written. This blog started two years ago and since then, over 7,500 of you have stopped by to check it out. All with virtually no advertising. It's been 100 posts, and I feel like I'm just getting started. I look forward to continuing this journey with all of you well in to the future.
