AMERICANAFEST 2023: “The coolest music scene today.” — The New York Times (Concord Records and The Optimist joined forces Tuesday night to help kick off the AmericanaFest, the “coolest” music festival on the planet. The music, the food, and the atmosphere were primo at the big Concord celebration, with festival goers wining, appetizing and mingling in the restaurant’s spacious dining area before heading down for live performances in the concert hall. It’s my favorite party of the year bar none. The food at The Optimist was absolutely delicious with a wide assortment of seafood, including jumbo boiled shrimp, oysters on the half shell, and lobster rolls (with hush puppies and out-of-this-world sauces). Desserts ranged from gourmet brownies to coconut pie. Chef Ford Fry’s dining concept has become a big hit in Music City, and Concord Records goes all out (even providing free drinks for attendees.) But the highlight is the live music of course. Taking the stage were the talented Bahamas, Bella White, John R. Miller, Katie Pruitt, Logan Ledger, Nat Myers, and Sarah Jarosz… all introduced by emcee Scooter Jennings. Events like this always delight with the unexpected. It was great to run into singer-songwriter Frankie Staton and her son. And MCAU contributing writer Wil Comstock forced me to pose with a younger lookalike (i.e. the same shirt syndrome). Tonight marks the official start of the festival with the annual Americana Honors & Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium. Then everything revs up with concerts and parties at a host of venues around town. I can’t wait… More reports to come!) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #AmericanaFest #AmericanaMusicFest #AmericanaMusic #Americana #ConcordRecords #TheOptimist #MusicCityArtsUpdate #MCAU #Music #LiveMusic #Festival #Bahamas #BellaWhite #JohnRMiller #KatiePruitt # LoganLedger #NatMyers #SarahJarosz #ScooterJennings #FordFry #Art #Arts #MusicCityArts 9-20-23
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Photos and text by MCAU Editor Chuck Whiting
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