By Paul T. Mueller – Like any established music festival, Cayamo – the festival-at-sea that just wrapped up its 15th edition – faces the challenge of attracting new attendees while keeping returning guests interested. Sixthman, the Norwegian Cruise Line subsidiary that produces Cayamo, was up to the task this year, putting together a lineup that combined well-known veterans of the…
Category: Music fests on land and sea
Show 48 The Reverend Shawn Amos’ new “Blue Sky”
Learn how Shawn Amos’ Blue Sky came together and what he has in common with the Who on this edition of the Americana One Podcast.
Show 47 Paul Thorn on songwriting
Paul Thorn talks about the art of songwriting and offers tips on this edition of the Americana One podcast from the 2020 30A Songwriters Festival.
Preview: Cayamo 2020
By Paul T. Mueller It tends to happen with any music festival that’s been around for a few years – some fans want a new lineup every year, others want to stick to the tried and true. Cayamo, the festival-at-sea that’s about to embark on its 13th voyage, is no exception. There’s always a vigorous debate between those who love…
Brian Wilson, John Prine headline 30A Songwriters Fest
If the measure of a songwriting festival is the caliber of the songs it showcases, the 11th annual 30A Songwriters Festival is in an enviable position.
12 special moments at John Prine’s inaugural “All the Best” Festival
12 great moments from John Prine’s All the Best Festival, with Brandi Carlile, Emmylou Harris, Iris Dement, Tyler Childers, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many more.
Review: Houston Americana Women’s Fest
“Americana” is a pretty big tent, but a lot of the musical landscape that falls under that term was on display May 18 at the first Houston Americana Women’s Fest.
Americana weekend: WMOT’s first 895 Fest
WMOT, the fast-growing Americana radio station based at Middle Tennessee State University outside of Nashville, is gearing up for its first festival at Hop Springs Park on May 31 and June 1. It’s a remarkable line-up featuring legendary artists like Rodney Crowell and Delbert McClinton, as well as terrific newcomers like the War and Treaty and Liz Brasher. Overall, it’s…
Cayamo 2019: An All-Star music cruise
The Cayamo music cruise, which just wrapped up its 12th sailing, returning to Tampa on the Norwegian Pearl on Feb. 17 after a week in warm Caribbean waters. Dozens of artists, mostly singer-songwriters, took part in 130-plus shows, many playing multiple sets and sitting in with other performers
Previewing 2019 Cayamo Cruise
2019 marks an even dozen for the Cayamo music cruise. The 12th edition of the festival at sea, produced by Atlanta-based Sixthman aboard the Norwegian Pearl, will head south from Tampa for a week of music.
The Strategic Songwriting of Justin Townes Earle
Justin Townes Earle knows how to pace himself. In a wide-ranging conversation at the 30A Songwriters Festival, Justin told us how he writes a new album: 12 songs written over the span of a year and astonishingly, in the exact order they show up on the finished collection. In this excerpt, he talks about how it all comes together. The…
Steve Poltz at the 30A Songwriters Festival
Steve Poltz has something that most of the artists at the 30A Songwriters Festival can only dream of – an honest to goodness hit song. But his “You Were Meant For Me,” co-written and recorded by Jewel in the mid-’90s, was actually a bit of an impediment as Poltz tried to develop his own solo career. In this interview excerpt…
Aaron Lee Tasjan, New York Doll
We all know of Aaron Lee Tasjan’s success as an Americana music artist fresh off his success with “Karma for Cheap” and “Silver Tears,” but few know that he played guitar with the legendary New York Dolls. We caught up with Aaron Lee at the 30A Songwriters Festival to talk about his music and career, but couldn’t resist asking about…
Livingston Taylor at 30A Songwriters Festival
The 30A Songwriters Festival is heading into its big weekend with shows featuring Jason Isbell, Rosanne Cash and dozens of other Americana, country and folk artists. Yesterday’s shows didn’t disappoint, and it was a special treat to catch up with Livingston Taylor, who is celebrating 50 years as an artist. In his set last night at Bud and Alley’s, he…
Tenth Annual 30A Songwriters Festival remains deep in talent
For us, the year’s music festivals kick off with the always diverse and engaging line-up at the 30A Songwriters Festival in Walton County Florida Jan. 18-21.
Americanafest 2018: A singular week of music in Nashville
We’re just 2 days away from the launch of the Americana Music Conference and Festival – Americanafest 2018 – on Tuesday in Nashville, the number one musical event in a city devoted to them.
Podcast 20 James Maddock, Allison Pierce
The Folk Alliance International conference is always special, with non-stop shows in ballrooms and hotel rooms. Inevitably you come across truly talented artists who deserve a much wider audience. That’s the case with today’s podcast guests James Maddock and Allison Pearce.
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Begins April 3
One of our favorite musical events of the year in Nashville is the annual Tin Pan South Festival, a celebration of songwriting in the world capital of that art. It begins this year on Tuesday, April 3 and continues through Saturday, April 7.
Cayamo Music Cruise 2018 preview
Cayamo 2018, a “festival at sea” focused on singer-songwriters, celebrates its 10th anniversary (and 11th sailing) beginning Feb. 4. More than 40 performers – some solo, some with bands – will provide the entertainment, which at times will span more than 12 hours a day of continuous shows.
2017 Pilgrimage Music Festival deep in talent
With the third annual Pilgrimage Festival in the books, it’s a good time to acknowledge that this is a premier concert event, smaller than Bonnaroo, but just as rewarding.