Nashville sees Americana Music Festival spread its roots

We've reached the halfway point, but the 2014 Americana Music Festival is only picking up steam this weekend.

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Now in its 15th year, Nashville's premier roots music gathering is giving its fans what they expect: renowned and rising artists from rock, country, folk, bluegrass and beyond, performing at some of Music City's finest venues. But there are also some exciting new and lesser-known attractions at this year's festival, including a brand-new venue, only-in-Music-City events and the festival's biggest show yet.

* Roots on the river: Americana's young arena-rocking stars The Avett Brothers will headline a supersized show at Riverfront Park on Saturday night. The concert marks the first time the Americana fest has staged an event at Riverfront. The Lone Bellow, Shakey Graves and Angaleena Presley will also perform. The concert is a separate ticketed event. Tickets are $52.50 and available at www.ticketfly.com.

Buddy Miller, left, and Jim Lauderdale perform at the 2012 Americana Honors & Awards. Lauderdale will play tonight at 3rd & Lindsley as part of the Americana Music Festival. (Photo: Erika Goldring )

* A new venue's 'soft opening': The hotly anticipated Nashville location of City Winery - a restaurant/music venue with other locations in New York City, Chicago and Napa, Calif. - is hosting its first concerts this week with official Americana showcases. Weekend performers include Allison Moorer, Josh Ritter, Holly Williams and a gospel showcase hosted by Elizabeth Cook. Visit www.citywinery.com to see the full concert calendar.

* Americanarama offers free outdoor tunes: Nashville record haven Grimey's New and Preloved Music is hosting its seventh annual Americanarama festival and day party in its back lot. The all-day free event will feature performances from Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Ian McLagan of Small Faces fame, as well as Jonah Tolchin, Kevin Gordon, EDJ, Mike Farris, Hymn for Her, Banditos and The Silks. Americanarama VII runs noon to 7 p.m. Saturday at Grimey's (1604 Eighth Ave. S.).

* Hall of Fame hosts high-profile talks: The Country Music Hall of Fame is tapping into Americana this week with several special panels. Slide guitar great Ry Cooder will discuss his nearly 50-year career (1 p.m. Friday). Celebrated country songsmith Billy Joe Shaver holds a songwriting session at noon on Saturday, and traditional country champions BR5-49, Paul Burch, Greg Garing and R.B. Morris will relive the Lower Broadway honky-tonk revival of the mid-'90s with songs and stories (2 p.m. Saturday). The talks are included with museum admission and are free to museum members and Americana Music Conference badgeholders.

Billy Joe Shaver will hold a songwriting session at noon on Saturday at The Country Music Hall of Fame. Later that night, he will perform at Mercy Lounge. (Photo: Jim McGuire )

If you go

* Nashville club takeover: There's a ton of music to take in Friday and Saturday night at clubs including Mercy Lounge/Cannery Ballroom, 3rd & Lindsley, The Station Inn and Listening Room Cafe. Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, Suzy Bogguss, Hayes Carll, Steep Canyon Rangers, Jim Lauderdale and The Devil Makes Three are just a few of the highlights.

Contact Dave Paulson at 615-664-2278 or on Twitter at @ItsDavePaulson

What: Americana Music Festival

When: Continues Friday and Saturday

Where: Various Nashville venues

Tickets: Wristbands granting admission to all shows are $50 and on sale at Grimey's New and Preloved Music (1604 Eighth Ave. S.), The Groove (1103 Calvin Ave.) and mercylounge.com.

Details: For a full schedule, visit http://ift.tt/1eJ8Lbg.

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