How many of you have had the great pleasure of listening the Grand Ole Opry? Ever been fortunate enough to attend an Opry broadcast? Whichever way you've experienced the Opry, you know full well how special that organization is. It's an institution steeped in history, one that's been going on for almost 90 years and shows no signs of letting up. For many, the Grand Ole Opry is regarded as the "home" of country music. It's tough to disagree.
Americana has it's own home. That home is Music City Roots and, similar to the Opry, it is a weekly radio show broadcasting the finest performers in Americana to the world on Hippie 94.5 FM in Nashville, and around the world on the internet via live stream. The show is a live performance held from the stage of the Loveless Barn at the "edge of Music City." Some of the artists to have graced the Roots stage the World Famous Headliners, Kathy Mattea, Eric Brace and Peter Cooper, Todd Snider, Chris Altmann, John Cowan, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Bobby Bare, Jr., Justin Townes Earle, The Vespers, Amanda Shires, Mike Farris and so many more incredible artists that there's not enough space to list them here. The incomparable Jim Lauderdale is your weekly host, with Nashville radio legend Keith Bilbrey as your emcee. Craig Havighurst conducts in-depth interviews that connect the performers with the audience.
Music City Roots began its run four years ago, ironically on the same radio station that carries the Opry. Recently, Music City Roots issued a call to it's many listeners and followers to help offset some of the costs of producing this important weekly radio show. The cost of a ticket is $10 and Music City Roots is asking for their listeners, either online or radio, to consider making a donation to help keep the Roots strong. I am proud to say that I have donated, as this show is arguably the best live music show on radio today. And yes, I'm including the Grand Ole Opry in that conversation.
Music City Roots is a show that deserves to be on the air for many, many years to come. It is to Americana music what the Grand Ole Opry is to country music. It's a home base. It's an institution. It's an important part of the musical and cultural fabric of North America. If you have not had the pleasure or opportunity to watch and/or listen to a Music City Roots broadcast, tomorrow night's show has a lineup that is stacked from top to bottom. Grammy nominees Sarah Jarosz and John Fullbright take the stage, along with the North Mississippi All Stars and Bobby Rush with Blind Dog Smokin'. The previously mentioned, and also Grammy-nominated Jim Lauderdale hosts the festivities.
Click here to make a donation and to learn more about what your donation will be supporting. If you want to check out the show, click here for tomorrow's live stream and to check out past episodes of Music City Roots, Americana's Opry.
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