Nashville Welcomes Return of Australian Artists to Americana Music Festival and Conference

Oct. 5, 2011 - PRLog -- (Nashville, Tenn. – Sept. 27, 2011) Nashville is preparing to welcome back an impressive lineup of Australian roots artists for the city’s annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, Presented by Nissan, held in downtown Nashville Oct. 12-15.

Following the widespread success of last year’s inaugural “Aussie invasion,” which showcased acclaimed international performers Troy Cassar-Daley, Tommy Emmanuel and Sara Storer, the 2011 lineup includes 20 different Australian acts: 3rd Wheel, Kirsty Akers, Chris Altmann, Audrey Auld, James Blundell, Ange Boxall, Catherine Britt, Lachlan Bryan, Kristy Cox, Mia Dyson, David Garnham, Gleny Rae Virus and Her Tamworth Playboys, Caitlin Harnett, Harry Hookey, The McMenamins, O’Shea, Chris Pickering, Shandell, Henry Wagons and Duke Wilde Band. For artist bios and hi-res images, visit www.AristoPR.com.

Australian music industry and government-supported organization Sounds Australia is once again sponsoring the trip through its strategic partnership with the Nashville-based Americana Music Association.

“The level of interest we experienced last year is a ringing endorsement by the Australian music industry of the original mission that Sounds Australia undertook to create a platform within the Americana event for our artists and business people,” says Sounds Australia Manager Dobe Newton. “That mission was based on the belief that this emerging genre and event in the world’s foremost music market was an ideal target event for a large number of our artists, who share so many creative links with Americana’s history and practice.”

2011 Australian Americana Music Festival and Conference-related activities:
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m. - Tamworth Presents “A Taste of Australia” showcase at the Bluebird Café. Performing: Chris Altmann, James Blundell, Catherine Britt, Lachlan Bryan, Kristy Cox, Mia Dyson, David Garnham, Caitlin Harnett, Harry Hookey and Chris Pickering.

Thursday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. – “Are You Prepared To Be Known As A Country Artist Down Under?” panel at AMA Conference. Moderator: Jeff Walker (AristoMedia). Panelists: Catherine Britt (artist), Mark Moffatt (producer), Dobe Newton (Sounds Australia), Chris O’Hearn (artist/manager), Bill Page (publisher), Steve White (artist manager).

Friday, Oct. 14, Noon – Maton Presents “Lunch With the Aussies” at The Second Fiddle. Free BBQ lunch for AMA attendees with performances from: Kirsty Akers, Ange Boxall, Catherine Britt, The McMenamins, Shandell, Henry Wagons. Hosted by O’Shea.

Friday, Oct. 14, 11 p.m. – AMA-sanctioned showcase performance by Henry Wagons at The Basement.

Saturday, Oct. 15, 8 p.m. – AMA-sanctioned showcase performance by Chris Altmann at The Rutledge.

Saturday, Oct. 15, 8 p.m. – AMA-sanctioned showcase performance by Gleny Rae Virus and Her Tamworth Playboys at Station Inn.

Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 p.m. – AMA-sanctioned showcase performance by Catherine Britt at Station Inn.

Sunday, Oct. 16, 12 Noon to 7 p.m. – The Aussie BBQ at The Basement – Free!. Performances by: 3rd Wheel, Kirsty Akers, Chris Altmann, James Blundell, Catherine Britt, Lachlan Bryan, Kristy Cox, Duke Wilde Band, David Garnham, Caitlin Harnett, Harry Hookey, The McMenamins, Chris Pickering, Shandell and Henry Wagons.

Wednesday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. – Special Aussie-lineup Music City Roots Show and live radio broadcast from The Loveless Café. Performing: James Blundell, Ange Boxall, Catherine Britt and O’Shea. Hosted by Jim Lauderdale.

Early Bird Registration for the Americana Music Festival and Conference, Presented by Nissan, is $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members through October 10 and includes admission to all AMA panels and nighttime showcases, plus special events during the Festival as well as a ticket to the Americana Honors & Awards show at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Thursday October 13. Wristbands are $50 and can be purchased at Grimey's New and Preloved Music or www.AmericanaMusic.org. Wristbands give you access to more than 100 artists in five of Nashville's finest venues. Tickets for the Honors and Awards Show are also available separately for $65 at www.Ryman.com. For more information call (615) 386-6936 or visit www.AmericanaMusic.org. Evening showcases are open to the public.

For AMA related inquiries, please contact Jayne Rogovin at jrogovin@mac.com or (615) 403-2393.

About the Americana Music Association:
The Americana Music Association is a professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field. In short, we are a professional trade association dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in our industry. Visit www.AmericanaMusic.org for more information.