Wrapping Up AmericanaFest: Americana Artists and Fans Thrive on Originality

 “Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else.” — Judy Garland (I’m worn out, but totally satisfied. AmericanaFest was even better than in years past with outstanding performances by legends and emerging artists (and plenty of surprises). Friday night, my fellow MCAU writer and I saw a splendid show at the Analog featuring legendary pianist/songwriter Benmont Tench of the Heartbreakers (on Steinway), along with Michaela Anne, Abigail Rose, and Nicole Atkins (with surprise guest Chris Isaac). We soaked in (while sweating) amazing live music for 12 hours on Saturday (the final day). Highlights included the soulful McCrary Sisters at the Americana Gospel Brunch with surprise guest Sheryl Crow (City Winery), the bluegrass-accented Commonwealth of Kentucky Party (Basement West), the Texas swing band Eddie Slide and His Cowtown Dozen (Basement East), and sassy heartbreaker Ashley Monroe (Station Inn). As always, we struck up conversations with visitors from far and wide, which shows just how popular Americana music is (and how far this wonderful festival has come). I also ran into friend/songwriter Lisa Aschmann as always. Unlike the CMA Fest (which spotlights mainstream artists represented by the major labels), AmericanaFest is tried and true, down-in-the-gut originality by immensely talented musicians who have to be themselves. That authenticity (heart and soul) is what music fans like me are yearning for.) #ChuckWhiting #ChucksDiary #AmericanaFest #Music #MusicCityArts 9-21-26 Check out our coverage at https://musiccityartsupdate.blogspot.com/?m=0 

MCAU staffers Chuck Whiting & Wil Comstock… 

Western Swing Twirls Fans and Dancers at The Basement East During AmericanaFest

 By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Eddie Slide and His Cowtown Dozen, The Basement East (Sept. 19, 2026)

     After the Thirty Tigers Gospel Brunch and seeing a few acts at The Commonwealth of Kentucky Party at the Basement on Eighth Avenue, we headed over to The Basement East.  Over the years, I intended to go there but never quite made it. On the AmericanaFest app, I read that some cow band was going to be playing.  Hmmm, we’ll see how that goes.  At least I’ll get to finally see the venue and have a beer.

     There was no one playing when we got there.  After a few minutes, a tall skinny guy with a white cowboy hat appeared at the mike and said the show would begin in a few minutes.  Did you notice his cowskin tie?  Hmmm.

     True to his word, Eddie Slide and His Cowtown Dozen soon took to the stage.  All in white shirts and black trousers and a few black skirts, these guys and gals made a grand musical entrance.  This was Texas swing at it’s finest.  With five brass, fiddles, guitars, a harp (yeah, a harp), a marimba, and keys,  they swung like no band had ever swung before at the Basement East. I counted 17 musicians including the two girl singers. People were dancing, really tearing up the rug on the dance floor. Toes were tapping, hands clapping, everyone was smiling. Eddie was dancing on stage during a musical interlude and did the split! My friend Chuck put down his beer and joined the dancing merriment.  Look at him go!  I didn’t know he could dance like that!

Eddie introduced “My Blue Heaven,” saying it would be 100 years old next year.  I thought of my parents, now gone. They would have loved this.  Chuck Mead of BR549 was brought to the stage to cheers from the crowd to sing a song about “Cigarettes.” 

I couldn’t find a web site for the band. There was very little on their Facebook page. They are based in Nashville and will be performing on Sept. 30 at Skinny Denny’s Starlight Jamboree. It starts at 7 p.m. There are dance lessons at 6. If you are looking for great entertainment, you should be there!  I will be! 

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Annual Americana Gospel Brunch Adds Spirit and Soul to AmericanaFest

 By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Thirty Tigers Presents the 14th Annual Gospel Brunch at City Winery (Sept. 19, 2026)

     For the third year in a row, Kim Kelly hosted the Thirty Tiger’s Gospel Brunch at City Winery. Barry’s Home Cooking provided complimentary chicken and waffles while pre-show music was supplied by DJ Tim Hibbs. The venue was filled to capacity.

     This year’s show had a super lineup kicked off by Channing Wilson. This gritty, blues-country artist grabbed my attention with “Heaven Waits for Me.” Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier, known for her literary-style lyrics and deep emotional truths performed “Mercy Now” with her musical partner Jaimee Harris.  The discovery of the morning for me was Madaline Edwards.  Her soulful vocals and gospel keyboards rally got a hold of me.  Everyone seemed to love her song “How Strong I Am.”  We were all surprised when UK singer songwriter Jake Bugg took the stage.  His crowd pleaser “All I Need” delighted everyone.  

     My favorite time each year is listening to the genre-bridging gospel and roots act, The McCrary Sisters.  They had everyone standing and clapping on their rendition of “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun” and the rousing “Let it Go.”  

     Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow closed the brunch with “ Pick You Up” and “Freedom Road,” both songs from her new album “Pick You Up,” and her classic “Every Day is a Winding Road.”   

     All of the performers gathered on stage for the encore “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.”  Chicken and waffles never tasted so good!

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Talent Overwhelms Americana Music Lovers at Analog

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Analog at the Hutton, Friday Evening (Sept. 18, 2026)

     Arriving as Michaela Anne was finishing up her soundcheck, we spotted a table near the front with two empty chairs.  Tom, our new friend, was seated alone.  He recently retired from the University of New England with years in administration. He and his wife now live in Fairview, Tennessee.

     Michaela Anne is a little alt-country and a little indie pop-rock.  Her lyrics are honest and open. Giving us a window on her own life, caring for a mother recovering from a stroke, and her own challengers with early motherhood.  I was hooked by the second number, “Will You Still Love Me with a Broken Heart.”  Her warm, down-home vocals and easy going delivery reminded me of the artists I loved from the ‘70s.  Other favorites were “Desert Rose” and “These are the Days.”

     By the time Benmont Tench (Benjamin Montmorency Tench III) took the stage, there was standing room only. Benmont was born in Gainesville, Florida.  He met Tom Petty when he was 12 years old.  They later formed the band Mudcrunch, which morphed into The Heartbreakers. Besides playing keys with Petty, he is an in-demand session player for the likes of Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan and Aretha Franklin.  He and Petty penned several songs together for the band.  Tench also had his songs recorded by other artists, including the gut-wrenching “Unbreakable Heart,” my favorite.  He told us he had gone through reconstructive surgery for his jaw and tongue due to cancer, saying it gave him a lisp. But honestly, I couldn’t tell.  Highlights were “Under the Starlight” and “Waddle.”  Watching his set, I was very much aware I was in the presence of a musical songwriting genius.

     Be on the lookout for Abigail Rose!  This Nashville native has presence, a powerful voice, and her first album coming out next month.  I thoroughly enjoyed this indie folk artist’s enthusiasm for each song she forthrightly delivered.  Favorites were “Run Girl,” “Dying to Live,” and the beautiful “Heaven,” written on a trip to Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay.  

     Nicole Atkins grew up in Neptune, New Jersey, listening to her parent’s recordings of the Ronettes, Beach Boys, and Johnny Cash.  She went to college in Charlotte, North Carolina, for illustration and soon became involved in the local independent music scene.  She has never looked back.  With seven albums under her belt, and working with artists like Chris Isaac, Elvis Costello, and Tommy Stinson, this seasoned performer presented a great set, treating us to her new album “Drama” track by track.  I particularly enjoyed “ Trippin on Teardrops.” Like a Stranger” and “Cue the Symphony” a duet with her producer, Pat Sansone, of Wilco.

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AmericanaFest Brings Madison Cunningham and Hollow Hand to The Blue Room

 By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

The Blue Room, Thursday Evening 9/17/2026

     Arriving early, we parked at the foot of 7th Avenue and were among the first to arrive at The Blue Room.  I’m thinking there must have been a message from AmericanaFest to all of the venues this week to open the doors early, so no one is standing in line in the excessive and oppressive heat.  We were able to walk right in!   The Blue Room is located at Jack White’s Third Man Records.  A unique venue with a tree-lined atrium with tables and chairs, unisex bathrooms, and three small bars.  The Blue Room performance area has oriental rugs, taxidermy, and irregular walls.  I love this place!

     The indie pop retro sound of Hollow Hand was a pleasant surprise.  They reminded me of the Kinks, they reminded Chuck of the Who, the women next to me said Lou Reed.  All of us were right!  From the harmonic “Here Are the Tulips,” the rockers “Kiss the Boot” and “Heavy Metal T-Shirt,” to the closing groove ballad “Someone Else’s Dream,” I was captivated.  I felt like I was in on a secret that was about to explode across the globe.  This Brighton, England, band led by Max Kinghorn-Mills sounds familiar, yet members are clearly forging their own path.  Pick up their new record “Wish Road South!”

     I first saw Madison Cunnigham, four years ago when she had a full band.  On that tour, she played a Moog Synthesizer accompanied by guitar, bass and drums.  They had a rock opera/orchestral sound.  Last night, Cunnigham was accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Jesse Chandler, who was responsible for the woodwinds, synthesizers and vocals.  Instead of going for a rock sound, each number sounded more like a soundscape.  Heavy use of the bass clarinet run through effect boxes, adding an avant-garde slant to the set list.  Madison played acoustic guitar with effects, her lyrics, at times, indistinguishably sacrificed for the otherworldliness of the song.  I felt as though I had traveled to another region of the planet, or maybe to another world altogether. Not a bad thing in today’s climate. My favorite pieces were “Break the Jaw” and “Golden Gate.”  There are only a few more dates left for this tour. Grab a seat while you can!

     We sat out the next act, having stood for over two hours. We sat in the atrium and made new friends from Hawaii and Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  We exchanged AmericanaFest stories and shared a little about our lives. And before you know it, time for the next act…

     The indie southern rock sound of Hiss Glorious Messenger, led by MC Taylor, was easy on the ears, comforting and down home.  The lyrics were confident and steady, giving hope for a world in turmoil.  The songs that stood out for me were “Passing Clouds” and “Heavy World.”   The crowd had thinned out, and only loyal fans remained, cheering on and rocking out to one of their favorite bands.

Follow our coverage on social media @MusicCityArts.