What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1478755
Sean Clancy Arkansas Democrat-Gazette T he term Americana, at least when applied to music, is somewhat amorphous. It's specific, but also quite broad; it's one thing made up of all these other things, which is kind of like America itself. What do we hear when we hear music labeled Americana? Well, it's music derived from all or parts of other music — country, folk, bluegrass, rock 'n' roll, blues, R&B, maybe even a little jazz and gospel. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary actually has a more streamlined definition: "A genre of American music having roots in early folk and country music." So there. And when it comes to Americana music, Arkansas is kind of a big deal. Several of the genre's foundational artists — Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Johnny Cash, Levon Helm, Ronnie Hawkins, to name a few — are from here. That's why Arkansas is being showcased during the 22nd Annual AmericanaFest music festival and conference in Nashville, Tenn., presented Sept. 13-17 by the Americana Music Association. This year's lineup of performers includes Adia Victoria, James McMurtry, Taj Mahal, Phosphorescent, The War and Treaty, Nikki Lane and more. Joining them will be a delegation of musicians and others from Arkansas who will perform at showcases and speak at panels, spreading the gospel of the Natural State's roots-music legacy. It's a chance to shine a light on Arkansas and attract tourists, fans and musicians to a place that has had a significant impact on American culture. "We took a look at Arkansas and realized that there are a lot of legacy artists that fed the Americana genre that came from there," says Danna Strong, producer of the festival's conferences, seminars and panels. Greg Spradlin, the guitar wizard and singer-songwriter whose latest album is 2020's "Hi-Watter," has been working with the Americana Music Association, Arkansas Tourism and others to highlight the state at the festival. It's something that's been in the works since 2020 and, after delays caused by the pandemic, is finally coming to fruition. "We need to put our flag in the ground and announce who we know we are and the importance we have," says Spradlin, who grew up in Pangburn and now lives in Little Rock. "AmericanaFest is such a great opportunity for Arkansas to be recognized. Music people know about [Arkansas' musical legacy], now it's time to show the rest of the world." Beginning Sept. 14, a series of performances will feature Arkansas musicians Spradlin, Erin Enderlin, Jason Weinheimer, Bonnie at Sunday, Sept. 18 3-7 pm Please register at www.bgozarkS.org 4703 N Crossover rd • Fayetteville • 479-750-2620 Free Family-Friendly event! www.malco.com www.malco.com www.malco.com www.malco.com elsewhere 12 What's up! september 11-17, 2022 see Americana Page 39 The State Of Americana americanaFest showcases arkansas' musical legacy Phillips County native Levon Helm plays mandolin during a 2010 performance at his barn in Woodstock, N.Y. helm, who died april 19, 2012, in New York, will be honored with a tribute concert at americanaFest next week in Nashville, tenn. (ap photo/times herald-record, John Desanto) AmericanaFest WHEN — sept. 14-17 WHERE — Nashville, Tenn. COST — $175-$499 INFO — americanamusic.org BONUS — lucinda williams, Chris Isaak, Brandi Carlile and the Indigo Girls are among the performers who will take the stage at the Americana honors & Awards sept. 14 at ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The show will be livestreamed beginning at 6:30 p.m. CDT on several social media platforms and nprmusic.org. It is also slated for broadcast on the Circle Network later this year and PBs in 2023.