One of my favorite things about attending music conferences and festivals are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from this year’s Americana Festival.
I played the Tonight Show and all my mom’s friends stopped asking me what my other job was. Hayes Carll
You are, by far, the best audience we’ve ever played for… In a Westin ballroom. Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys to the seated crowd in, you guessed it, a Westin ballroom in the middle of the day
I come, actually, from the land of the ice and snow. Robert Plant introducing himself at the Awards show
“Hello, you might remember me from the 80’s.” Lyle Lovett recalling the voicemail that Chris Isaak left him before they toured together this past summer
If you think there isn’t a drunk asshole in this room, it’s probably you. Will Hoge
Never ruin a good story with the truth. Kevn Kinney
Friends, I started playing the accordion because people make fun of me for playing the banjo. Willie Carlisle
If I can’t hear it, I can’t play it. Aw, fuck it. Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls when her stage monitor wasn’t working
The tuning may be a bit off because they were played by a professional, but the resale value has gone up. Will Hoge after Skunk Baxter borrowed his guitars for a show earlier in the day
We’ll keep singing and doing what we’re doing and if you don’t like it, there’s the door. Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys
I’m here for Americana week, but only to play the hangover show. Kevn Kinney at his Sunday night performance
Buddy is gonna sing “Stairway to…”, oh, no, um, “Wide River to Cross”. Robert Plant introducing his friend Buddy Miller
Maybe it’s a song I wasn’t supposed to sing. McMurtry forgetting some lyrics
This song is called “Who’s Gonna Make my Mistakes”. I wrote it before I realized I was a perfectionist. Caroline Spence
I’m gonna teach everyone the original lyrics to this song and hopefully you can sing along. “la la la la la la la”. William Prince introducing his song “All I Know”, which he apparently started as a melody without any real lyrics
This song is a sad song. It’s kinda what I do. Freedy Johnston introducing his new song “Darlin’'”
Here’s a song about moving to Nashville, because no one has ever done that before. Grace Pettis (on both moving to Nashville and writing a song about it….)
I did, at the very last minute, remember that I live here so I could bring merch. Nashville resident Caroline Spence at her showcase
I thought I’d see bad poems blowing down the street like tumbleweeds. Kevn Kinney on moving to NYC early in his career
I’m coming out with a country music records next year. Don’t be scared. Some people use those words and don’t know what they mean. Brennen Leigh
There’s a long tradition in Americana of tall white men singing about their feelings so I wouldn’t want to let y’all down. Willie Carlisle
This must be where I’m playing. There’s plenty of parking. Jon Byrd
The sadder the tune, the happier it makes me. Theo Lawrence
How much time do we have? Time is a construct, man. Jesse Daniel asking how much time was left in his set
Hope y’all don’t like this song too much, because you can’t hear it after today. Until the new record comes out. William Prince previewing a new song
I was singing “Jesus and Elvis” by Hayes Carll in my head so I fucked that verse up. William Prince, sitting near Hayes Carll, explaining why he did an impromptu reprise of the last verse and chorus of the new song mentioned above
I got a new album. It’ll be out someday, as soon as Taylor Swift stops clogging up all the pressing plants. Kevn Kinney
We started this band on a 30 dollar bet. Ken Casey of Dropkick Murphys – it was money well spent
Whiskey is the rich man’s yoga. Noah Harrington, bass player for Alisa Amador
Santa Claus knows if you aren’t singing. Garrison Starr introducing a sing-along
My momma said safety first. Lee Roy Parnell disinfecting the mic before singing into it
I’m not gonna pass my torch to anyone. I’m gonna keep it and use it to help others light theirs. Amy Ray recalling a conversation with Joan Baez
Music is one of the best friends you’ll ever have, and you’ll make your best friends through it. The incomparable Will Kimbrough speaking truth.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.