Tunesday With George: Americana Recap

The Ryman

Last week marked my 4th straight year (I think) at the annual Americana Festival/Conference/Awards. And each year, the awards show at the Ryman Auditorium kicks it up a notch. This year was no exception. The event is hosted each year by Jim Lauderdale and the house band is led by the impeccable Buddy Miller, a New West recording artist, who this year also won Artist of the Year and Instrumentalist of the Year.

Justin Townes Earle

Alison Krauss & Buddy Miller

Buddy's house band this time around was yet another formidable cast of characters, featuring both Cody and Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars, super-producer Don Was on bass, the masterful Greg Leisz on pedal, lap, and everything steel, as well as a piano player who's name, I sadly don't know.

Jessica Lea Mayfield & Scott Avett

The Civil Wars

Together, Buddy and his band fronted some of the most talented collections of people to ever share a stage in one night. The show began with Allison Krauss and Emmylou Harris doing a tribute to O Brother Where Art Thou. the next performer was Lucinda Williams, then Amos Lee followed by Buddy himself fronting a song. Up after that was SiriusXM voice-godess and new sitcom star Elizabeth Cook. Justin Townes Earle was next, then Jessica Lea Mayfield stole everyone's hearts (didn't hurt that she was joined by the Avett Brothers). Tall Texan Hayes Carll was after her, followed by two budding groups with Muscle Shoals, AL roots: Secret Sisters and Civil Wars. The Avett Bros then returned to the stage to do a song of their own. The show concluded with some major heavy hitters: Robert Plant's Band Of Joy (featuring Patty Griffin), followed by a frail-but-soulful-as-ever Gregg Allman.

Elizabeth Cook

Robert Plant

Buddy Miller