I was once again fortunate enough to attend the fall celebration of all things roots music, AmericanaFest. Taking place across most of a week, the traditional kick-off is the Americana Music Awards on Wednesday night. The official showcases also started Wednesday, and ended Saturday night. And this year the unofficial events started on Tuesday and stretched to Sunday. I may have lost track of all the artists I saw, but there were definitely a few sets that stood out for me.
Black Oak Artists Day Party: Held this year at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge, the annual showcase of the company’s artists was an exercise in time travel, with 18 musicians in 4 1/2 hours all playing their own sets. Grace Pettis sang perhaps the ultimate insider’s story in a song about moving to Nashville. She then paired with Rachel Laven to sing one of the best covers of Guy Clark’s Dublin Blues I’ve heard. Shortly after, Melody Walker previewed a couple of her new songs with partner Jacob Groopman. The day finished with a surprise: Side Pony doing a yodeling duet that knocked my socks off.
Compass Records and Cafe Rooster Records events: Compass Records opened their studio for a showcase on Wednesday afternoon. Trey Hensley and Rob Ickes did their usual mind-bending display of, respectively, guitar and dobro virtuosity. As is frequently the case, though, Steve Poltz stole the show. His inter-song banter plays perfectly in a smaller setting, and this time included pitching a folk singer friend to his record label in front of the crowd, and trading good-natured barbs with Compass co-founder Garry West. Cafe Rooster Records held their showcase Saturday afternoon at Basement East. Although I didn’t get to stay for the whole event, I really enjoyed the set by label co-founder Brian Wright and his band the Sneakups. Joe Purdy, as always, delivered a delightful set topped off by a duet with Garrison Star.
Double Takes: Many musicians perform multiple times during the weeklong festivities. With a little flexibility, this can be a boon for the music fan since if you see someone you really enjoyed early in the week, chances are you can catch them again a day or two later. Such was the case for me with Alisa Amador. Her style of Latin America-influenced jazz and folk caught me pleasantly off guard when I saw her at the 18//88 Media showcase (co-sponsored by Twangville). So later in the week I made it a point to see her full set at the Analog Lounge, and it was stupendous. I also got two shots of Jesse Daniel, first at the Space Colonel event with just a steel guitar accompaniment, and later with a full band at Robert’s Western World. I got a triple dose of Brennan Leigh, first following up recent collaborators Asleep At the Wheel at the Riverside Revival. Along with talented pals Kelly Willis and Melissa Carper she preceded Jesse at Roberts, and the trio did a fun set Saturday night at Station Inn, where they followed the legendary McCrary Sisters.
After all that, I can’t wait for next year.
Enjoy more Twangville coverage of the Americana Conference and Awards.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.