Amy Grant and Melissa Etheridge Rock the House During AmericanaFest

 By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Americanafest Tuesday Evening at the Station Inn, 9/15/26

     Leaving behind the sweat and heat of the hopping BMI Rooftop Party, Chuck and I headed over to 3rd and Lindsley. I prayed for a free parking space on the way over. We grabbed the last one on the side of the building! Then, we were offered the last two seats in the venue!

     After introducing ourselves to the nice people at our table, Aubrie Sellers took the stage.  The woman next to me showed me her phone. I read “Daughter of Lee Ann Womack and Jason Sellers.”  Well, what do you know about that!  Sellers is part of the new wave of Country artists. Her edgy songs mixed with traditional country vocals set her apart from the pack.  My favorites were “Far from Home” and “My Love Will Not Change.”

     Next up, Amy Grant. Although I’ve seen her in the round in the last 20 years, this was the first time I saw a full set of Amy’s during that time period.  I joined the crowd at the foot of the stage.  Yes, I’ve been a fan since Grant’s first album.  She reached back into her catalog, opening with “Nobody Home” and “Walk on Water.”  Up front, the sound wasn’t too good, more than a little disappointing.  At 65, and after open heart surgery and a serious bike accident, Amy seemed contemplative and reflective.  A quieter woman than the one I saw on arena stages so long ago.  Except for her number one hit “Baby Baby,” most of her set came from her new album “The Me that Remains.”  I loved the ethereal “Beautiful Lone Companion” and the song she wrote with husband Vince Gill, “Until We Get It Right.”  If I headed for home at this point, I would have been filled to the brim.

     Reaching for my phone and opening the AmericanaFest app, I found that Maggie Rose would be next.  I was not familiar with her, but let me tell you, I will not forget her!  She commanded the stage. What presence, what vocals, what a dress!  Her mix of classic rock and blues reached back to the sixties but was every bit in the present.  It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I sure liked “I Could Get Used to It” and “In This Life.” The house was on its feet when Melissa Etheridge walked out during “Poison in My Well.”  Their voices blended well and lifted the song to a new level.  I’ve got to pick up one of Maggie’s albums. You should too!

     What can I say about Melissa Etheridge that you don’t already know?  Powerful, sassy vocals; a gunslinger on guitar; and a Kansas native living in sunny California.  She set the mood for the evening opening with “Don’t You Want a Woman.” Lawd girl!  All of the numbers were from her new album “Rise,” except for the last song.  I could hear every lyric and every word she spoke.  That doesn’t happen much for me anymore.  Although I have several of her albums, I gained a lot of respect for her as a lyricist tonight.  She used direct, open and honest words to convey her thoughts.  She was funny and in a surprising way, quite endearing.  Highlights for me were “Matches” with Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” sandwiched in the middle.  And the closing number, “Come to My Window.”   What a night!

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AmericanaFest: Ten Things I Loved About the Awards Show

 By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Ten Things I Loved at the 2025 Americana Music Honors and Awards Show:

·      Maggie Rose performing “No One Gets Out of Here Alive.”  I had not heard of her, incredible voice, great stage presence, I’m in!

·      McCary Sisters winning the Legends Award.  Oh, how I love these women and how I miss Sister Deborah.  They deserve every bit of this recognition.  Followed by a flawless rendition of “What Good Am I.”

·      Jesse Welles singing “War Isn’t Murder.”  This took me back to the ‘60s with his poignant lyrics and traditional fingerpicking.  I was glad to see him win the Freedom of Speech Award later in the show. 

·      The banter between Roseanne Cash and Rodney Crowell as they present a Lifetime Achievement Award to the Old 97’s.  Everyone seemed to enjoy this!

·      I’m With Her performing “Ancient Light.”  I am a fan of Sara Watkins, Sarah Jarosz, and Aoife O'Donovan individually, but together they are amazing.  What a great song.So happy to see it win Song of the Year!   

·      John C. Reilly and his band giving a smooth execution of Tom Waits’ “Picture in a Frame.” I didn’t know he could sing!  What a nice surprise.

·      Nathaniel Rateliff, David Rawlings, and Gillian Welch collaborating on “South of Here.”  They sounded so good together.  Nathaniel won Album of the Year, and Rawlings and Welch won best Duo or Group later on.  Well deserved!

·      Dawes singing “Time Spent in Los Angles.”  First released in 2011, the song took on new meaning after the wildfires in January.  Loved this stripped-down version.

·      Joy Oladokun singing “Letter from a Blackbird.”   Heart wrenching and beautiful at the same time.  I want to hear more from her.

·      Daniel Lanois and Emmylou Harris reuniting for “Where Will I Be” from her album “Wrecking Ball.”  Hard to believe this album is 30 years old. I will always champion an artist who wants to break out and risk trying something new.

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AmericanaFest 2023: Missing a Show Ain’t So Bad (or Is it?) Hire a Driver!

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Contributing Writer

Sept. 20 (Wednesday)

AMERICANAFEST Day Stage presented by NPR Music, World Cafe and WMOT

Featuring Bobby Rush, Dom Flemons, Eileen Jewel, 

Maggie Rose, and Tommy Emmanuel

     I was really looking forward to this show. Two legends, a Flemons, a Jewell, and a Rose. I left early, hit some heavy traffic on the way in, I found a parking spot near Monroe and Fourth Avenue.  It was getting a little warm out, but I didn’t mind the five-block hike to the Bowl to see such a star-studded show.  

     Approaching the venue, I noticed there didn’t seem to be much activity. I pulled on the door, and it was locked.  I opened my AmericanaFest app only to find the event was at Eastside Bowl. I was at Brooklyn Bowl! And I live here! But then again, the only time I cross the river is to go to the Tomato Fest once a year.

     So, I turned around, walked back to the car, by then it was 12 p.m. (starting time). I made the decision not to go. I had a meeting on the other side of town at 2 p.m. Eastside Bowl was 5 -½ miles in the opposite direction, on a street with multiple stop lights.

     But never fear. My contacts told me it was the best show they ever saw. The waiters were shirtless, the waitresses wore bikinis, and the concert goers were told to leave their shoes at the door. All drinks were half price, and the pizza was free. To top it off, there was a special guest appearance by Dolly Parton and Paul McCartney singing their new release “Let it Be.” 

     Yeah, “Let It Be” all right. Next time I’m hiring a driver!

     At least I made my meeting on time… Ugh!