The Americana Music Association Conference and Awards made a welcome return from the virtual world this year. The annual event showcased several hundred artists who collectively illustrate the breadth of the Americana umbrella. Here are some of my highlights from Americana 2022.
A couple of songs at the Yellowstone round wasn’t enough so I caught his official showcase on Wednesday night. I wasn’t disappointed. Prince is an incredible songwriter who fills his songs with tremendous emotion. I mean how many artists can play the stunning “Breathless” as the second song of their set and still leave the audience in awe for the remainder of the performance.
I’d previously only seen Spence perform solo so I was pretty excited to see her perform with a band. It was everything that I hoped it would be – a set full of songs that leaned heavily on True North – her wonderful new album that is one of my 2022 faves.
Come on, how do you not go see a legend when the opportunity presents itself. I didn’t catch his entire set, billed as Taj Mahal and friends, but my timing was impeccable – I got there to see Keb’ Mo’ join Mahal for a couple of songs. Epic.
Minneapolis singer-songwriter Brown was a revelation. I saw her first at Compass Studios, where she took advantages of a Wurlitzer keyboard to lean into her soulful side. Then I caught her at a day showcase later in the week where she unleashed her guitar for an intense and bluesy set.
L.A.-based Kamp crafts wonderful songs that put a great Americana twist on rock ‘n’ soul. His rooftop set at “The Buzz” party was a fine kick off to my Thursday agenda.
LEVON HELM TRIBUTE
The state of Arkansas had a strong presence at this year’s event, not the least of which was a tribute to home-grown hero Levon Helm. The nearly three hour show was chock full of highlights, from Mike Farris’ “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” to Autumn Nicholas’ “Atlantic City”, not to mention other great performances from Hayes Carll, Allison Moorer, Town Mountain, Shannon McNally, and Jim Lauderdale, to name just a few. Longtime Helm collaborators Teresa Williams and Larry Campbell joined late in the set and led the inevitable – but wonderful – closing “The Weight”.
Fort Worth’s Owen provided a fine Friday kick-off. His set showcased his tremendous guitar-playing and songs that drip with emotion. Alongside his wondrous originals, he shared brooding covers of Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” and Waylon Jennings’ “The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want to Get Over You)”.
The Nashville combo provided a fine late Friday jolt of energy with a set that showcased songs from the group’s fine debut album, released earlier this year. A little bit rootsy, a little bit rockin’.. and a whole lot of goodness.
Lucas recently returned from an extended time in Europe, so hopefully Lucas’ appearance at the Americana festival is the start of more frequent US touring. His set, although short, was a welcome reminder as to how well Lucas channels a punk rock attitude through his acoustic guitar.
Back ‘round 2000, Will Hoge’s first solo release was a raucous live album recorded at Nashville’s Exit/In. So what better place to see him in Nashville than at said storied institution. Hoge and company brought the rock, notably featuring songs from his just released new album.
My intended last Nashville show was Sunday night’s performance by Drivin N Cryin’s Kevn Kinney. Kinney, accompanied by noted guitarist Laur Joamets, previewed some newly recorded songs before digging into his band’s rich catalog and a pair of brilliant solo gems (“MacDougal Blues” and “Broken Hearts and Auto Parts”).
While Kevn Kinney was my last planned musical stop in Nashville, I wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to spend Monday afternoon in an East Nashville house/studio with the crew from the Paste Sessions. First up was Nashville-based The HawtThorns, who impressed some glorious Americana – a pair of songs from 2019’s Morning Sun and a wonderful one from this year’s Tarot Cards and Shooting Stars.
They were followed by members of Athens, Georgia-reared Futurebirds. Singer-guitarist Carter King and drummer turned pianist Tom Myers hit a magical and melancholy note with two from their recently released EP Bloomin’ Too and then one from 2020’s Team Work. That last song, “Waiting on a Call”, made for a particularly emotional moment in the studio.
(Watch the sessions and listen to me clap in the background… The HawtThorns and Futurebirds)
Enjoy more Twangville coverage of the Americana Conference and Awards.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.