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September 17, 2005

Americana Music Conference: Sept. 8 - 10 in Nashville

Stuff I Learned From the 2005 Americana Music Conference:

For those who don't know, the Americana Music Conference is like a mini-SXSW, geared specifically toward the Americana music industry and all that it encompasses. Sponsored by the Americana Music Association, it takes place in Nashville, and with less than 700 attendees, only four showcasing venues, it's much more manageable than SXSW. There's still more live music than you could ever possibly see in three days, plus the Americana Music Awards, which will air on GAC next Monday, September 26. You’d think that after four and a half years of radio, I’d be an old hat at conferences like this. Turns out, not so much! The following is a list of things that I learned for the first time (and some of them, for the second or third time!) that I picked up from this year’s Americana Music Conference:

1. You might feel that bringing two pairs of socks per day is a waste of space in your luggage: it’s not. Nashville in September is really muggy. Three pairs of socks per day is probably not enough; four might not even be sufficient. You just never know!
2. The best meal EVER is waffles & fried chicken at 2am at the Compadre Records’ “Chicken and Waffles” Party at the Ernest Tubb Record Store. Of course, what else would you expect from the label genius enough to have Billy Joe Shaver and James McMurtry on its roster?
3. It’s okay to attend panels not geared toward your profession. Chances are good you’ll learn more from attending other panels that don’t focus on your specialty.
4. If Shiner Bock is sponsoring a lunch at BB Kings, make sure that BB Kings has Shiner Bock to serve. Somehow, the Shiner Bock t-shirt just doesn't completely satisfy.
5. There are lots of western wear shops on Broadway. Finding one that sells jeans is nearly impossible. Do your laundry BEFORE you go to Nashville.
6. Adrienne Young informs me that if you sit long enough, you can pee twice. She learned that from a lack of suitable restrooms during her many months of being on the road touring.
7. Eat dinner at Monell’s if you get a chance. Wear your “fat pants.”
8. No matter how lengthy an awards ceremony is (ESPECIALLY if it’s being taped for television), a duet with Emmylou Harris and Guy Clark will make it all worth it.
9. Go see Elizabeth Cook perform as much as possible. You won’t regret it.
10. Consult as many sober people as you can prior to getting a tattoo on the back of your neck.
11. Don’t make any promises after several rounds of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
12. Billy Bob Thornton fancies himself a singer, and is the biggest subtle flirt ever. I love him anyway.
13. The best advice comes from Marty Stuart: “There's the chart, and there's the heart. It's great when they both line up, but given the choice, you'd better follow your heart."

Posted by darlin at September 17, 2005 10:17 PM