America Music Association Day 2

2008-09-18T06:19:00.001-07:00

I started Day 2 with The First Amendment Center show in the Listening Lounge. The Title of the event was FREEDOM SINGS.
The Moderator was Gene Policiski. The Performers were:
Bill Lloyd one half of the Country Rock 80's Duo Foster and Lloyd. He is a producer and songwriter that has worked with Steve Earle, John Kay and Rodney Crowell.
Don Henry. Jonell Mooser a Kentucky native who has been in Nville since the 80's as a singer and songwriter. Joseph Wooten Fourth Brother of the quintet "The Wooten Brothers", and Brother of Victor. He is a keyboard player and songwriter. Playing Drums was Craig Kraumpf, whos songwriting credits include, Oh Sherrie, Bette Davis Eyes and Only The Lonely.
The show featured songs that had been banned, censored or served as social anthem in America to tell the story of the five freedoms guaranteed by the first amendment.
Songs included Louie Louie, Times They Are A Changing, Puff The Magic Dragon, With A Little Help From My Friends, Yellow Submarine and Short People. Intertined between the songs were the history of the time.

At 2 PM, I returned to The Listening Lounge for the Americana Songwriter Showcase hosted by Peter Cooper with Tift Merritt, Julie Lee and Casey Driessen.
Peter Cooper is a Spartanburg Native, who Graduated from Wofford College and is the staff Music Writer for The Nashville Tennessenne Newspaper. He is also a singer songwriter and Todd Sniders bass player. Peter did a few songs including one about Hank Arron. His writing reminds me of Todd.
Tift Merritt did three songs Broken, Keep You Happy and My Heart is Free.
Julie Lee is also a great writer and singer who has been recorded by Allsion Krauss. I caught her show one noght with Shannon Whitworth at Berts.
Chris Driessen os a suzuki fiddle player and songwriter.
Tift and Julie really shined and I wish it had been a hour of their playing.

Seventh Annual Americana Honors and Awards

I must start out by telling you that two of the Artist that have played for us this year WON AWARDS. Joyce here at Americana always takes care of me with great seats, I was sitting down front and center near Sam Bush and John Hiatt, also saw our friend Mike Farris all dressed up with the Family Julie and Christian.

The show started out with Buddy Miller and the Band doing "Why Baby Why".
Next Jason and the Scorchers took the stage to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award, then they rocked the Ryam with two songs.

Performances included: Joe Ely, Sam Bush, Ryan Bingham, Justin Townes Earle (Steve's Son), The Steeldrivers, Chris Thile, Levon Helm, James McMurtry, Joan Baez (Winner Spirit of Americana Award), Kane Welch Kaplin, Tift Merritt, Mike Farris, Jim Lauderdale, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer.
The Winners were:
Album of the Year: Allison Krauss Robert Plant
Artist: Levon Helm
Instrumentalist: Buddy Miller
Song: HAYES CARLL, "She Left Me For Jesus"
Duo: Allison Krauss Robert Plant
Lifetime Achievement: John Hiatt
Check out the website to read more.
OH by the way MIKE FARRIS WON EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR. GO MIKE
I got some great pictures, it was great hanging out with him.
After hanging out with Mike and Julie, I went to the the Mercy / Cannery Ballroom and saw the Waybacks, Jason and the Scorchers, Buddy Miller and the All Star Tribute to Jerry Garcia.

Check out the good looking Farris Family.

Americana Music Association Day One

2008-09-18T06:19:00.000-07:00

What a opening NIGHT! This is my fifth year here at the conference and the talent always Great. The first show I went to was Levon Helm's Ramble At The Ryman. The Band rolled through many old favorites in addition to cuts off the newest release Dirt Farmer. Special Guests included:
Little Sammy Davis a 78 year old blues singer and harp player.
Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt, Sam Bush, Buddy Miller, Delbert McClinton, Allison Krauss, Robert Plant, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer.
How can the awards show top this line up?
After that show I went over and caught a showcase with Karin Kane, Kevin Welch doing a acoustic set. Then Marcia Ball hit the stage with a great horn player and the music made you think you were on Bourbon Street. Next up was Kim Richey, Will Kimbrough and Mando Saenz. Kim is a great singer songwriter who has been in and out of Nville for a while I have always been a fan. Will is a Mobile Alabama native who also is a great writer and guitar sideman for Rodney Crowell. While I was checking that set out I heard a voice from the crowd and it was our Buddy Bonnie Bishop, she was looking great, getting married in December and now living in Nashville. She is currently working on a new release with Will producing. Well that is the update from day one at the AMA's. This is the first time I have done this I hope you enjoy. Dan

Hello all!

2008-09-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

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