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Each and every year, the sprawling Nashville music festival sneaks up quicker than the previous, and the excitement that fills the atmosphere is palpable. It is unequivocally one of my favorite times of the year. On the contrary, the biggest strike against the whole thing was the smoldering heat dome that settled in town (for too long), but nothing anyone could do about that. Just have to power through and attend events a little sweatier than usual. |
Without further fanfare, here are the Top 10 things I saw at AMERICANAFEST 2026. |
10. MT Jones @ The 5 Spot |
One of the coolest things about AMERICANAFEST is that you never know when you’ll stumble upon someone who really makes an impression. For me, that was Friday night at The 5 Spot, when I popped over for the heck of it after seeing Wynonna Judd at The Basement East (more on that later). After the first young indie alternative band, I found myself out back with my girlfriend when both our ears perked to the sound of the next band. The soul emanating from the speakers — and I mean this — sounded not unlike an Al Green or dare I say Sam Cooke. To walk in and see a modest Englishman — MT Jones — belting out silky smooth soul music in a high register was unexpected, and the band in tow were just as on point. This was an AMERICANAFEST surprise I did not see coming. |
9. Ilegal Mezcal X Paste Party @ Ole Red |
This event had been on my radar, and happened to be the last thing I did for AMERICANAFEST on Saturday afternoon. Always hesitant to go downtown for these things, (in this heat?!) I made an exception for this, as Ilegal Mezcal and Paste had an awesome event at Love & Exile last year. Aside from the great complimentary swag and free flash tattoos, the artist I caught was Next of Kin, who I happened to stumble upon the day before at another great showcase, Interstate 88’s Rising Tides & Tumbling Dice at the aforementioned Love & Exile. The Austin trio delivered killer harmonies and catchy hooks, lighting up the main stage. |
8. Oh Boy Records 45th Anniversary Party @ Hattie B’s |
Each and every AMERICANAFEST, you better believe I have any Oh Boy Records events circled on my calendar. As a massive John Prine fan (who isn’t?), it’s imperative I check their shindigs out, and this was no different. Not to mention Hattie B’s hot chicken might be my death row final meal of choice, straight up (and the sides). Combining two of my favorite things, the vibes were high per usual. With their signature cardboard cutouts of the label’s roster lining the front window, the chicken tenders and sliders flowed while various TVs showed Prine footage along with other artists. The mixing and mingling is always fun, especially when you get to meet a songwriting legend, none other than Swamp Dogg (more on him later). |
7. Day Stage @ Eastside Bowl Presented By NPR Music, World Cafe, & WMOT |
I can’t reiterate how fun it is to go from one incredible event to another, and to another, and to another. From the Oh Boy function at Hattie B’s, it was time to check out Eastside Bowl for their Day Stage performances. Put on by NPR, World Cafe, and WMOT, these are also showcases that get circled in red every year, as you know these organizations put together a string of awesome artists. I happened to catch Bella White and her band, who serenaded the crowd in seamless fashion. Other artists that day included Hiss Golden Messenger, Ruthie Foster, and more. |
| Bella White / Eastside Bowl |
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6. Wynonna Judd @ The Basement East |
Hot damn was this a barnburner. Wynonna Judd graced the stage of The Basement East with her killer band — which included her husband on drums — as the two shared playful banter throughout, adding to the stellar performance. The 90s country icon is the consummate performer, having grown up in that world with her mom Naomi Judd and sister Ashley. She talked about doing her mom’s hair as a young kid, and experiencing life in show biz from her earliest memories. Ripping through old and new songs alike, she expressed a lot of vulnerability and praise to the audience. Highlights included her bringing out The War and Treaty and Sam Beam of Iron and Wine, and closing the show with a booming version of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock n’ Roll.” It was an epic performance. |
| Wynonna Judd // The Basement East |
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5. Swamp Dogg & Conference Panels @ Embassy Suites |
Other than the countless performances and parties, the other half of AMERICANAFEST’s appeal are the many informational and educational music industry panels. Hosted at the Embassy Suites downtown, one panel of note I saw was titled Touring, Merchandise, and New Revenue Models, where the industry-leading moderators discussed things like fan engagement, ticket pricing, tour logistics, and more. Other than informational panels, you also have inspirational artist conversations. |
On Friday, I caught an Eli “Paperbody” Reed and Swamp Dogg chat, and it was influential and endearing to say the least. Swamp Dogg — aka Jerry Williams — is a notable singer and songwriter who penned hits such as “(Don’t Take Her) She’s All I Got” among others. With the voice of an angel and the charming wit of a cheeky grandfather, Dogg talked about career changes, influences, challenges, and everything in between. He kept it causal, often making the crowd laugh with innocently losing his train of thought on a question or veering off topic. To wrap it up, Reed and Dogg performed a stripped-down version of “(Don’t Take Her) She’s All I Got,” the song made famous by Johnny Paycheck. |
| Eli “Paperboy” Reed & Swamp Dogg // Embassy Suites |
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4. BMI Rooftop Kickoff Party |
It’s hard to top the energy of this annual kickoff party on a rooftop on Music Row. The vibes are peaked at this event knowing the week of fun is all still ahead of you. With complimentary food and drinks, select artists take to the stage overlooking the city, serenading the crowd of delighted minglers. This year saw performances by Hayes Carll, Clay Street Unit, Meels, and more, the latter of which caught my ear with her entrancing Bay Area folk n’ roots charm, and someone making serious waves in the Americana scene. Again, the energy at this event is through — or rather on top — the roof, and is always my favorite way to kick off AMERICANAFEST. |
3. The 25th Annual Americana Honors & Awards Show |
Another pinnacle event of the festival that’s near impossible to top. The nearly four hour long ceremony and awards show at the Ryman Auditorium is a fantastic spectacle to behold, with appearances and performers from living legends to on the rise newcomers. Such artists included Robert Plant, Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, Jesse Welles, Margo Price, Molly Tuttle, Ketch Secor, I’m With Her, and countless others. Perhaps the biggest surprise and notable performance came in the beginning, where Tom Petty’s original Heartbreakers got together for the first time in years with Chris Stapleton at the helm to perform three iconic songs: “American Girl,” “Breakdown,” and “You Wreck Me.” Seeing such an array of artists on one stage in the Mother Church never gets old. |
| Robert Plant // Ryman Auditorium |
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2. Chicken, Waffles, & Sheryl Crow At Thirty Tigers Gospel Brunch |
For 14 years on the final day of AMERICANAFEST, Thirty Tigers puts on a Gospel Brunch at City Winery. Serving chicken and waffles and whatever else you might want, a select number of Thirty Tigers artists perform with a theme of faith and spirituality. Gracing the stage and delivering their sonic sermon included Channing Wilson, Jake Bugg, Madeline Edwards, Mary Gauthier, The McRary Sisters, and the one and only Sheryl Crow. All performances were special in such an intimate atmosphere, but hearing “Everyday is a Winding Road” performed as a duo while eating fried chicken and waffled really took the cake. Crow also performed music from her upcoming Thirty Tigers record, and shared words of wisdom and humor throughout. |
- Chris Stapleton & The Heartbreakers
Okay I know this is kind of cheating since I had the Award show listed third, but this is my article and I’ll do as I please. |
As someone who grew up on my dad and brother’s love of classic rock, this was a treat. I remember having a Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Greatest Hits CD that would get solid rotation on my way to high school, and in my 30-some years I’ve seen a chunk of classic rock icons live, but never Petty. The three songs (see: #3) were as epic as one might imagine, with every note on point. What was also touching was Petty’s daughter talking about her dad and growing up with the guys throughout her lifetime. It was only fitting she would bestow the Lifetime Achievement Award to the band. Hearing Petty’s right hand man Mike Campbell speak was also enthralling, as he kept it cool throughout until the end when he got a little choked up. |
The spiritual energy in the Ryman coupled with happenings like this just transcend the everyday music experience, and each and every AMERICANAFEST I look forward to it. Hard to top this one. |
| Chris Stapleton & The Heartbreakers // Ryman Auditorium |
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