Aussies head back to Nashville’s Americanafest

Thirty-one country music acts from around Australia join the annual delegation heading off to Nashville next month to showcase at Americanafest 2015.

Tuesday September 15 sees the presentation of two Tamworth Presents ‘Australiana @ Americana' shows at the iconic Bluebird Café, presented by Sounds Australia.

'A Taste of Australia Lunch' is held at Soulshine Pizza Factory on Friday September 18.

The famous ‘The Aussie BBQ’ is on Saturday September 19 at the 5Spot live music venue in East Nashville. The final Americanafest event, on Sunday September 20, is Tamworth Presents 'The Sister City Jam' at The Blue Bar.

The full list of participants has Allan Caswell, Amber Lawrence (pictured), Beth Brown, Bill Jackson, Brad Butcher, Chris Altmann, Dan Parsons, Daniel Champagne, Emma Swift, Geoff Atchison, Halfway, Henry Wagons, Imogen Clark, Janine LeClair, Josh Rennie-Hynes, Julie Kember, Kirsty Akers, Kristy Cox, Liam Gerner, Liz Stringer, Loren Kate, Matt Ellis, Oh Pep!, One Up Two Down, Pete Ewing, Raised By Eagles, Ruby Boots, Steve Grady, Sue Ray, Teischa andTracy McNeil & The Good Life.

Of these, Swift, Wagons, Halfway, Oh Pep! And Raised By Eagles were chosen for official Americana Music Association (AMA) showcases.

After Americana, organisers will present the 5th 'Downunder' Special at Music City Roots at The Factory in Franklin (Wed September 23) with Swift, Ruby Boots, Raised By Eagles and Oh Pep!.

At the festival, the Australians will join fire-power acts as Steve Earle, Jewel, JD Souther, Los Lobos, Patty Griffin, Loretta Lynn, Gillian Welch, former Civil Wars member John Paul White, Bela Fleck, Nikki Lane and Eric Heywood.

As the popularity of Americana music grew, so has the importance of Americanafest to find and sign acts. Since 2010, registration to its conference rose by 40%, while membership of the AMA has jumped 37% to nearly 2,000. Showcases now draw a total of 20,000. Last year, the festival pumped $5.1 million directly into the Nashville economy, up from $1.2 million five years ago, and almost $10 million indirectly.

As a result, Australians have targeted Americanafest as an important entry point to the US and global country music industry and as a place to do business. Last year posted a record attendance from Australia. Nashville-based producer and Australian expatriate, Mark Moffat, pointed out that, “Australia has emerged not only as a key market for Americana music but has also developed its own very strong roots music community with many of its artists recently attracting global industry attention.”

Dobe Newton President of the Country Music Association of Australia and Sounds Australia representative, said that it was important for veteran and emerging acts to play to “one of the world’s most discerning music audiences, in a city where music really matters. We make new friends, get treated wonderfully and hear amazing music.”