Honky Tonk Times takes on Americanafest 2021 BY TAYLOR AUSTIN Honky Tonk Times The 21st annual Americanafest took place in Nashville Sept. 2026. Americanafest is a week-long festival put on by the Americana Music Association comprised of hundreds of artists and playing at dozens of locations across the Nashville metro area. The 20th Annual Americana Honors & Awards Ceremony took place Sept. 22. Most are familiar with the term Americana or have at least heard it in passing, but what does it mean? The Americana Music Association defines it as “contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B, and blues, resulting in a distinctive rootsoriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw.” This definition goes beyond the honky tonk that this fine publication tends to focus on, and some folks take issue with including traditional country music under the Americana umbrella. Some dislike a large tent and don’t want traditional country rubbing elbows with folk, R&B, and other kinds of music. Some even view these other types of music as competition. Sure, each of the previously mentioned genres of music listed in the association’s definition deserves its own chart. But having them all under the same roof makes for a wonderful medley. Country music certainly has taken influence from each of those types of music. We all grow together when we work
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together. Safety in numbers, I suppose. To preface this recap of my time at Americanafest: I had never been to Nashville before, and I hadn’t flown in about 15 years. To say I was overwhelmed before I’d even left would be an understatement. Thankfully, Americanafest had an app that helped me put my schedule together. Since even I am unable to be in multiple places at once, I had to pick and choose which shows to see. These weren’t easy choices: the city was full of incredible artists all week. Many of them would require driving across town to get to; what was I going to do? Well, I decided to shake hands and meet as many of the folks that have been in the magazine as I could.
Day 2
I woke up feeling amazing and still floating from the music of the night before. However, I’d slept in a bit longer than I wanted and realized I had to get my ass in gear to get down to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop as Charley Crockett was recording the Midnight Jamboree there at 11 a.m. I had just missed seeing him play in Boston the week prior, and I wasn’t going to miss him a second time. As I walked in the door, I was greeted by the fabulous Miss Julie, the manager at Ernest Tubb Record Shop. I didn’t expect to be recognized by face (but I suppose that’s what I get for being vain enough to put my picture in every issue). I would like to Day 1 extend a personal thanks to Julie and the entire staff of the Ernest Tubb I landed in Nashville and ran a few Record Shop for the hospitality they errands before I did anything else. I showed me while I was in town. needed some Ibuprofen and a new The only events on the pair of boots. The first “landmark” I Americanafest app were the ones that saw was the cross with Dottie West’s were actual Americanafest showcases. name on it. If you don’t know the story What I didn’t realize was how many of the accident that took West’s life, great shows would be happening I’ll let you look it up if you so choose. that weren’t part of the showcase. I I hoped this wouldn’t be an omen of hoofed it across town in the rain to the week to come. Later that night, I get my press pass; it was well past got myself over to American Legion my lunchtime, so I headed over to Post 82 for Honky Tonk Tuesday to Robert’s Western World to grab some see the Cowpokes. It was everything lunch. I’d heard they were the home I had wished for and more: a packed of the recession special: for $6, I got bar, a dance floor full of two-steppers, a fried bologna sandwich on white and an audience that was having a ball. bread, fries, a moon pie, and a PBR. I did not bring my camera; this night Holy hot damn did that make me a was for me, plus we ran a story about happy guy. It reminded me of growing it just last month. If you didn’t read it, up. I definitely ate my weight in go buy a copy of issue No. 7. Another bologna that week. While I was there, round of Ibuprofen and a good night’s I got to catch Paul Kramer, backed by sleep, and it was on to day two. a great band that included our past spotlight feature, Brennen Leigh. They
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