The Americana Honors and Awards Show
Celebrating Bettye LaVette and Others
Ryman Auditorium/Nashville City Winery
Sept. 20, 2023
AMERICANA FEST 2023: “The music business needs music, but you don’t need the music business to make music.” — Steve Jordan, music producer (Americana artists who never found a complete fit in narrower music genres like country or pop have found their heavenly place, as well as a “family” to sing, strum and jive along with. And fans couldn’t be happier. The Americana Honors and Awards Show at the Ryman on Wednesday presented a delightful mix of soul, gospel, bluegrass, jazz, blues, country (and any rootsy, unidentified genre in-between), drawing applause after applause. People long to hear what’s true. Artists like Bonnie Raitt, The War and Treaty, Sista Strings, Nickel Creek, the McCrary Sisters, and Logan Ledger have been creatively unleashed to be totally themselves (without the constraints of pre-conceived notions), lifting music lovers to places they’ve never been. If you haven’t heard of Bettye LaVette (recipient of the Legacy of Americana Award), then start searching YouTube. This blues-and-guts singer (a Grammy nominee who has recorded in Muscle Shoals) has been filling entertainment venues for 62 years, but I bet Motown never told you. I’m always awed when I hear Rufus Wainwright sing… such a distinctive voice. Bonnie Raitt seemed to be the perfect musical bridge between Bettye LaVette and Nickel Creek. There were special moments, including a funny quip from a talented and long overlooked Bettye, who said, “I also want you to know at this point, if you’ve had 62 years of success, you feel a little different than you would after 62 years of struggle. I’ve lost all of my humility. Whatever you give me now, I deserve.” The crowd roared. Learn more about the awards show and other aspects of the AmericanaFest 2023 at www dot Americana Music dot org.) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #AmericanaFest #AmericanaMusic #Americana #Awards #Honors #SteveJordan #BettyeLavette #BonnieRaitt #TheWarandTreaty #SistaStrings #NickelCreek #McCrarySisters #LoganLedger #RufusWainwright #Music #Art #Arts #MusicCityArts 9-22-23
Text and photos by MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @Chuck.Whiting or @MusicCityArts
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