Doing It Right

I need to say that the Americana Music Association really put on a remarkable show in Nashville last week, with the highlight- IMHO – being the Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday, Septmber 18. The Nashville Teneessean liked it, too.

Among the three and half hours, there were a number of stellar performances. I, for one, had never seen Jim Lauderdale at all, much less in the role of Emcee. He did a masterful job of keeping the show on track. Of course, having Buddy Miller lead the house band was a real good start.

While I loved seeing Alison Kraus and Robert Plant (and their interplay at the podium cracked me up!) and the Steeldrivers, there were a few moments that I’ll remember the hair standing up on the back of my neck and feeling like I had just jabbed my fingers in a 15 amp socket.

Three, in fact. Mike Farris (Best New/Emerging Artist) soared on “Mary Don’t You Weep.” Wonderful vocals, great Stax-Volt soul sound and energy that just crackled. Levon Helm, John Hiatt, Miller and Lauderdale on “Tennessee Jail” as a tribute to posthumously-recognized Americana pioneer Jerry Garcia, raised the Dead. And Joan Baez singing Tom Waits’ “Day After Tomorrow” was mesmerizing. Ms. Baez filled up that stage with incredible authority and passion, and with just her guitar and voice.

Inspiring. And that was just one of the shows during the conference, although it happen to be the motherlode of talent and excitiment in the week.