Ozark Living

music and creative industries who have built and are expanding the tradition of Americana." But AMERICANAFEST isn't just about celebrating the past. It highlights the robust collection of current songwriters and their champions who are building a regional and national reputation. One of the organizations that has been working to put Northwest Arkansas on the musical map is House of Songs, based in Bentonville. In fact, they were instrumental in the selection of Arkansas as this year's theme at AMERICANAFEST. "Every year AMERICANAFEST focuses and spotlights a different region in the country that is musically relevant," said Graham Weber, Artistic Director of House of Songs. "In the past they've focused on New Orleans, Memphis, one year they did the Carolinas together. And we were lobbying and hoping they would choose Arkansas. We were up against some pretty stiff competition but, in the end, they selected us." Started in Austin about 12 years ago, House of Songs made the move to nonprofit status five years ago aer they opened an office in Bentonville. Founder Troy Campbell moved to Bentonville when the Walton Family Foundation reached out to him and encouraged him to open a House of Songs on Northwest Arkansas. "We did a test project up in the area with some international and regional artists for a songwriting summit," Graham said. "We fell in love with Northwest Arkansas and the possibilities of it. We purchased a property in Bentonville and hit the ground running. We even built an event space in the back of our building. "Our main goal is connecting people, artists and fans," Graham said. "Our focus is on artists getting together with other artists that they can work with in the future and collaborate awith rtistically. We also try to get money in the pocket of these artists. e pandemic was hard on everyone but really hard on the artists. We are working to help them get back on their feet and get their music out into the world." e fact that House of Songs chose Northwest Arkansas speaks volumes to the vibrant growth of Northwest Arkansas' music scene. "e only other House of Songs besides Austin and Bentonville is in New York City," Graham said. "And, frankly, our main focus for the past few years has been Northwest Arkansas." And House of Songs is not alone in their support of the music and artists in the Northwest corner of the Natural State. Since 2019, Creative Arkansas Community Hub & Exchange (CACHE) has worked with creatives, organizations, and communities in Northwest Arkansas. "At CACHE we do work across all different creative disciplines," said Jesse Elliot, Chief Strategy and Creative Officer at CACHE. "And one of the remarkable things we've seen in Northwest Arkansas is the investment of time, energy, resources and infrastructure happening across multiple different disciplines that you don't really see in other regions of the country. "I think a lot of places pick and choose an area of focus," Jesse continued. "Oen times it's music because everybody loves and understands music. But here in Northwest Arkansas, we were really intrigued by the fact that music was just one of the creative disciplines that is being nurtured. You take something like Crystal Bridges and the Momentary, that complement the music ecosystem. at is a real differentiating factor to me. And if you add to that their current and future- looking attitude as well as the rich cultural history, the Northwest Arkansas creative infrastructure is really unique." Another part of that cultural infrastructure in Northwest Arkansas is Haxton Road Studios, a world-class recording studio that has been making a regional and national name for itself. "In a lot of smaller towns, you get the owner-operated studio where that one person does everything," owner and producer Neil Greenhaw said. "We kind of have a full production house where we've got producers, engineers, songwriters, session players. We are basically a turnkey operation like you might find in a major city. "What we've seen happening in in Bentonville over the last decade has been so impressive as far as growth," he continued. "But I think it's also been very thoughtful. Everyone is focused on how to build something that's sustainable. How do we build something that benefits all, that is inclusive to all. And I think that we're just beginning. ere are already some really great assets in place here as far as music venues and a place that artists can really come and make their home. I think in the next two to five years we're just going to see a radical change for this area." Johnny Cash Charlie Rich Glen Campbell oZArK LIvING • November 2022 • 31

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