5 Unique Country and Americana Music Festivals

Music fans know all about big festivals like CMA Music Festival, Country Thunder and Stagecoach, but those are only the tip of the music festival iceberg! Here are 5 unique country and Americana music festivals you should attend:

Americana Music Festival

Americana artists take over the venues of Nashville every September for the Americana Music Festival. This year, more than 165 acts will perform at over 9 venues around Nashville September 16-21. The Avett Brothers are set to headline this year's festival, with performances by Lee Ann Womack, Rodney Crowell, Sarah Jarosz and many more already on the schedule.

Johnny Cash Music Festival

The Johnny Cash Music Festival takes place annually at Arkansas State University's Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Ark., with proceeds from the event going towards the restoration of the Johnny Cash Boyhood Home in Dyess, Ark., and supporting a scholarship fund established in Johnny Cash's name. This year's festival is set for August 15 and will feature Reba McEntire, Bobby Bare and Loretta Lynn.Watershed Music Festival

Set at the Gorge Amphitheatre overlooking the Columbia River in George, Wash., Watershed Music Festival features some of country's biggest stars like Tim McGraw and Lady Antebellum, as well as newcomers such as Dallas Smith and Lindsay Ell. There are few venues that can compete with the view the festival offers. This year's Watershed Music Festival is set for August 1-3.

Keep an eye out for these festivals in 2015: MerleFest

Founded in 1988 in memory of the late Eddy Merle Watson, son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, MerleFest is a celebration of 'traditional plus' music that takes place every April on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, N.C. This year's MerleFest featured the likes of Alan Jackson, Old Crow Medicine Show and Holly Williams.

MusicFest at Steam Boat

Who says music festivals have to happen in the summer? MusicFest at Steam Boat, Colo., brings over 40 top Texas and Americana music acts to the world-class ski resort of Steamboat, Colo., for a week full of skiing and music. Held in January, this year's festival featured Charlie Worsham, American Aquarium, The Cadillac Three, Will Hoge and more.

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Entities 0 Name: Nashville Count: 2 1 Name: Ark. Count: 2 2 Name: Colo. Count: 2 3 Name: Wilkesboro Count: 1 4 Name: Tim McGraw Count: 1 5 Name: Steamboat Count: 1 6 Name: Lee Ann Womack Count: 1 7 Name: Dallas Smith Count: 1 8 Name: Charlie Worsham Count: 1 9 Name: Texas Count: 1 10 Name: Dyess Count: 1 11 Name: Sarah Jarosz Count: 1 12 Name: Columbia River Count: 1 13 Name: Reba McEntire Count: 1 14 Name: Johnny Cash Music Festival The Johnny Cash Music Festival Count: 1 15 Name: Cadillac Three Count: 1 16 Name: Wash. Count: 1 17 Name: Jonesboro Count: 1 18 Name: Alan Jackson Count: 1 19 Name: CMA Music Festival Count: 1 20 Name: Doc Watson Count: 1 21 Name: Rodney Crowell Count: 1 22 Name: Watershed Music Festival Count: 1 23 Name: N.C. Count: 1 24 Name: Bobby Bare Count: 1 25 Name: Arkansas State University Count: 1 26 Name: Eddy Merle Watson Count: 1 27 Name: Avett Brothers Count: 1 28 Name: Holly Williams Count: 1 29 Name: Loretta Lynn Count: 1 30 Name: Wilkes Community College Count: 1 31 Name: Will Hoge Count: 1 32 Name: Johnny Cash Boyhood Home Count: 1 33 Name: Lindsay Ell Count: 1 34 Name: Stagecoach Count: 1 35 Name: George Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1lFpnOW Title: Tell us about your worst experiences at music festivals Description: Jake Bugg has told this week's NME that he "hates" music festivals. The 20-year-old singer-songwriter, who was speaking about his headline slot at Glastonbury's Other stage, told the music magazine: "I hate music festivals so much, but obviously to be this high up on the line-up and to be playing here tonight, is a privilege.