THE HEARTBREAKERS featuring CHRIS STAPLETON It was hard not to be moved, from exhilaration to overwhelming emotion, watching the founding Heartbreakers reunite for the first time in more than 20 years and then accept a lifetime achievement award. (Don’t miss Shawn’s Americana Honors awards show coverage) JOHN PRINE TRIBUTE John Prine would have been 80 […]
Now & Then: Ian Noe’s Canyon Falls Trailer Band and the reach of Grievous Angel
Country music has always had room for musicians whose ambitions exceed their prospects. Ian Noe gives those musicians a whole album on Canyon Falls Trailer Band, imagining a group taking its shot at a Nashville showcase. Gram Parsons makes a fitting companion: an artist whose attachment to traditional country helped expand what younger songwriters could do with it. The connection becomes especially clear when Noe introduces some interstellar visitors with country music on their minds.
AmericanaFest 2026, Mayer’s Picks (Part 2)
Neelys Band This group’s weekly gig at Nashville institution American Legion Post 82 was required attendance even before their AmericanaFest blowout. Their performance alone was a thrill. Then came the special guests: Margo Price delivering a rip-roaring “9 to 5,” Shakey Graves joining Price for an incredible duet of “Islands in the Stream,” and Duane […]
AmericanaFest 2026, Mayer’s Picks (Part 1)
BOY GOLDEN I caught Boy Golden twice, and both sets were terrific in song and stagecraft. At the second show, I recognized a guy in a Boy Golden t-shirt from the previous set. I struck up a conversation and it turned out to be Dad Golden. Boy Golden also had to follow the reunion of […]
Readers’ Pick: Ian Noe – Canyon Falls Trailer Band
You picked Ian Noe – Canyon Falls Trailer Band as your favorite new release for the week of September 25, 2026.
Americanafest 2026, Todd’s Take
Going into this year’s Americanafest there was no “one big thing” that I had to see. I was open to anything. Sure, there were a few acts that I had on my wish list, but there wasn’t anything as exciting as last year’s Daniel Lanois appearance so I decided not to make much of a […]
AmericanaFest 2026 – Shawn’s Favorites
Having just wrapped up its 26th edition, AmericanaFest has grown considerable in the years I’ve been going. In the early years a shuttle bus continuously made the rounds between the half dozen or so clubs that were hosting official showcases across the 3-nights of shows (plus the kick-off Awards and Honors event Wednesday night). Now […]
2026 Americana Music Awards
Although the official events of the weeklong Americana Music Association’s AmericanaFest start on Tuesday, the main event is the Honors and Awards show Wednesday evening (Sept 16th) at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. It was streamed live on a variety of sites, and you can see a recap later this fall on PBS. This year’s hosts […]
Mine to Love – A Premiere from Ever More Nest
Photo credit: Greg Miles When was the last time you heard a waltz? And the last time you saw clowns waltzing? I’m guessing that the former is more likely than the latter. Either way, New Orleans’ Ever More Nest has you covered, red noses and all. The waltz in question is “Mine to Love,” and […]
Levi Foster on Luxury Road Food and Wanting to Be Johnny Cash
Singer-songwriter and guitarist Levi Foster, a Rustburg, Virginia native now based in Nashville, recalls writing his first song at 13 in the back of an I Spy book. He talks about framing houses with his dad and brother and living in his van when he first arrived, and shares the one thing he wishes he’d known when he started in music.