The spotlight is on Kentucky at AMERICANAFEST Music Festival and Conference

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (FOX 56) — There’s a Kentucky takeover on the horizon for Music City.

The 23rd AMERICANAFEST is set to commence in September, and this year all eyes are on Kentucky artists. The destination event showcases hundreds of artists every year, bringing together music industry professionals and fans alike for five days of discovery, insight, and connections.

This year, AMERICANAFEST has named Kentucky as its regional music focus and will present a special lineup of programming that spotlights the Bluegrass State in partnership with Kentucky tourism departments, festivals, and venue partners. The goal is to provide insight into Kentucky’s rich musical history and look toward its future with conversations and performances from Bluegrass natives that contribute to the region’s “unique and signature sound”.

Festival promoters and tourism directors are proud, to say the least.

“Master Musicians Festival and Black Mountain Management are proud to partner with our fellow Kentucky festivals and venues across the state to celebrate and showcase the vibrant KY music community at AmericanaFest: The 2023 Americana Music Festival & Conference in Nashville,” Tiffany Finley, executive director of Master Musicians Festival, said.

Here’s a preview of what fans can expect at this year’s AMERICANAFEST.

Conference Panels

Roots and Branches: Kentucky Music

On Sept. 20 at 10 a.m., AMERICANAFEST will host: “Three of Kentucky’s finest contemporary musicians—S.G. Goodman, Kelsey Waldon, and Nat Myers along with the state’s poet laureate and bestselling novelist Silas House—join forces to discuss the history, legacy, and current state of Kentucky’s music and the way it has helped to shape American music since the beginning.”

Kentucky Bluegrass, Past and Future

On Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m., AMERICANAFEST pays homage to bluegrass music’s cultural impact in a conversation featuring Jason Carter, Sam Bush, Chris Joslin, Jessica Blankenship, and Scott Napier.

Musical Evenings

Kentucky Music Showcases

Kentucky artists will exclusively take the Third and Lindsay and Vinyl Lounge stage at 7 p.m. on Sept. 21–22. Artists showcased include Eric Bolander, Ruen Brothers, Jonell Mosser, Nat Myers, The Wheelhouse Rousters, Abby Hamilton, Justin Wells and Brit Taylor.

A Tribute to Loretta Lynn

Thursday night’s Kentucky Music Showcases will close out the night with a tribute to the late coal miner’s daughter, Loretta Lynn. Hosted by a house band at Third and Lindsay featuring The War and Treaty, Tommy Prine, Brit Taylor, Abby Hamilton, Bee Taylor, and more.

Special Events

Bourbon and Bluegrass

Presented in partnership with LogStill Distillery, Visit Owensboro, and the Bluegrass Situation, fans will have the chance to experience authentic Kentucky Bourbon and bluegrass music from Mama Said String Band and the Owensboro Bluegrass Band.

Commonwealth of Kentucky Party

Music venues and festivals from all across Kentucky will gather to celebrate their unique music communities at The Basement. Featuring bourbon, Kentucky’s signature fried chicken, and music from Kentucky native artists across a wide variety of genres.

AMERICANAFEST Conference and Festival passes will run you $499 and will allow you access to over 70 industry panels, more than 200 nightly showcases, and 80 special events all across Music City.

For those just here for the music, festival passes can be purchased for $149.

More information on AMERICANAFEST as well as passes can be found at americanamusic.org.