Complete Americana Hoedown Schedule:
Big Americana Hoedown rounds up a mess o' music, whatever ya call it
What is "Americana," anyway? The Nashville-based Americana Music Association defines it, in part, as "American roots music, based on the traditions of country."
"The word 'Americana' is a vague, blanket description for a genre of music that usually has roots in country, folk, bluegrass or gospel," says Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Blake Rainey of the Young Antiques. "It could, however, also include a power-pop band or a punk band. That is how big it is. This genre is like the base of an oak growing many stylistic branches that are growing branches of their own."
"To me, Americana encompasses pretty much everything with American roots," agrees Russell Cook of the Rome, Ga., duo the Little Country Giants. "It's anything stemming from country, blues, Western swing or bluegrass, and maybe even jazz, although that is probably a bit 'out there' for most people's definition."
To showcase these wide-ranging sounds, Shut Eye Records has come up with the Big Americana Hoedown. A mixer for artists and fans, the night boasts an impressive bill with 10 Georgia artists and 10 others from around the country.
The event also functions as a way to increase Americana's profile in Atlanta. "Surrounding Southeastern U.S. cities have a rich appreciation for the genre compared to Atlanta," says Pete Knapp of Atlanta's Shut Eye Records. "It's not because Atlanta is not interested in the genre, it's because there is a lack of outlets. Heck, WJJC [AM 1270] in Commerce is the only radio station in Georgia with a format considered 'Americana' by trade magazines and the [Americana Music Association]."
Several acts on the Hoedown bill also appear on Volume Two of the Shut Eye CD compilation The United State of Americana: Trapper's Cabin, Newt Lynn, Anthony Neff, the LoneTones and Rebecca Cole. And, with the added attraction of free admission, free food and drink promos, the two stage circus of the Hoedown sounds like a whole lotta fun.
3 Vodka Distilling, Co. Stage (INSIDE):
8 p.m. - Richard Alan Prow (Dahlonega)
8:30 - Jeff Talmadge (Atlanta)
9 - Buck Buckley Band (Atlanta)
9:30 - Jordan Chassan (Nashville)
10 - Julie Lee (Nashville)
10:30 - Trapper's Cabin (Decatur)
11 - Stoll Vaughan (Lexington, Ky.)
11:30 - Newt Lynn (Shreveport, La.)
Midnight - Five Day Drive (Atlanta)
12:30 a.m. - No River City (Atlanta)
1 - Jef Chandler (Greenville, S.C.)
1:30 - J.J. Baron (Rhode Island)
Paste Magazine Stage (OUTSIDE):
8:15 p.m. - Anthony Neff (Raleigh, N.C.)
8:45 - Jeff Black (Nashville)
9:15 - The LoneTones (Knoxville)
9:45 - Blake Rainey (Atlanta)
10:15 - Mary Alice Wood (St. Louis, Mo.)
10:45 - Little Country Giants (Rome, Ga.)
11:15 - Stovall (Atlanta)
11:45 - Slim Chance and the Convicts (Atlanta)
12:15 a.m. - Rebecca Cole (Austin, Texas)
lee.smith@creativeloafing.com
"The word 'Americana' is a vague, blanket description for a genre of music that usually has roots in country, folk, bluegrass or gospel," says Atlanta-based singer/songwriter Blake Rainey of the Young Antiques. "It could, however, also include a power-pop band or a punk band. That is how big it is. This genre is like the base of an oak growing many stylistic branches that are growing branches of their own."
"To me, Americana encompasses pretty much everything with American roots," agrees Russell Cook of the Rome, Ga., duo the Little Country Giants. "It's anything stemming from country, blues, Western swing or bluegrass, and maybe even jazz, although that is probably a bit 'out there' for most people's definition."
To showcase these wide-ranging sounds, Shut Eye Records has come up with the Big Americana Hoedown. A mixer for artists and fans, the night boasts an impressive bill with 10 Georgia artists and 10 others from around the country.
The event also functions as a way to increase Americana's profile in Atlanta. "Surrounding Southeastern U.S. cities have a rich appreciation for the genre compared to Atlanta," says Pete Knapp of Atlanta's Shut Eye Records. "It's not because Atlanta is not interested in the genre, it's because there is a lack of outlets. Heck, WJJC [AM 1270] in Commerce is the only radio station in Georgia with a format considered 'Americana' by trade magazines and the [Americana Music Association]."
Several acts on the Hoedown bill also appear on Volume Two of the Shut Eye CD compilation The United State of Americana: Trapper's Cabin, Newt Lynn, Anthony Neff, the LoneTones and Rebecca Cole. And, with the added attraction of free admission, free food and drink promos, the two stage circus of the Hoedown sounds like a whole lotta fun.
3 Vodka Distilling, Co. Stage (INSIDE):
8 p.m. - Richard Alan Prow (Dahlonega)
8:30 - Jeff Talmadge (Atlanta)
9 - Buck Buckley Band (Atlanta)
9:30 - Jordan Chassan (Nashville)
10 - Julie Lee (Nashville)
10:30 - Trapper's Cabin (Decatur)
11 - Stoll Vaughan (Lexington, Ky.)
11:30 - Newt Lynn (Shreveport, La.)
Midnight - Five Day Drive (Atlanta)
12:30 a.m. - No River City (Atlanta)
1 - Jef Chandler (Greenville, S.C.)
1:30 - J.J. Baron (Rhode Island)
Paste Magazine Stage (OUTSIDE):
8:15 p.m. - Anthony Neff (Raleigh, N.C.)
8:45 - Jeff Black (Nashville)
9:15 - The LoneTones (Knoxville)
9:45 - Blake Rainey (Atlanta)
10:15 - Mary Alice Wood (St. Louis, Mo.)
10:45 - Little Country Giants (Rome, Ga.)
11:15 - Stovall (Atlanta)
11:45 - Slim Chance and the Convicts (Atlanta)
12:15 a.m. - Rebecca Cole (Austin, Texas)
lee.smith@creativeloafing.com