Nashville's War Memorial Auditorium, opened in 1925, has a rich history that includes four years of hosting the Grand Ole Opry. During AmericanaFest 2019, from Sept. 12-14, a modern day parade of roots and country music greats will liven up the famous hall on the AmericanaFest Day Stage, produced jointly by WMOT Roots Radio, NPR Music, WXPN/Philadelphia and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC).
The confirmed lineup includes folk icon Shawn Colvin on Thursday, revitalized country legend Tanya Tucker on Friday and Americana star turned new author Allison Moorer on Saturday. The open-house format will also spotlight sacred steel rocker Robert Randolph, 30-year-anniversary band The Mavericks, Southern roots rock legends Drivn N Cryin, virtuoso acoustic duo Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and rising songwriting guitarist Molly Tuttle, among a total of 18 artists over the three days.
“The rich history of the War Memorial Auditorium, one of the early homes of the Grand Ole Opry, combined with the collaboration of four non-profit music and arts organizations - NPR Music, WMOT, World Cafe and the Tennessee Performing Arts Center - make this year’s AmericanaFest Day Stage a celebration of the roots and diversity of Americana music," said WMOT's executive director Val Hoeppner said. It will be the third year of a WMOT-produced day stage, which has migrated from a South of Broadway tent to The Local off West End and now downtown. The NPR and WXPN connections were new as of last year.
Lauren Onkey, Senior Director of NPR Music, said, “We’re proud to partner again with WMOT and WXPN/World Cafe to present the AmericanaFest Day stage, showcasing a great lineup for festival attendees and our audiences who will be tuning in via radio and live streams.” And from World Cafe Executive Producer Bruce Warren: “The lineup wonderfully represents the broad variety of musical genres within the Americana world, including some excellent new voices.”
New to the partnership this year is TPAC. “History is always in the making at the War Memorial Auditorium,” said Jennifer Turner, TPAC President and CEO. “We are thrilled and honored to be hosting the Americana Day Stage this year and to help present this important celebration of the roots of American music.”
All performances will be broadcast live on WMOT and streamed in video over Vuhaus. The day stage is open to all AmericanaFest badge holders, wristband holders and WMOT members. It will be served the Americana shuttles and ride share services to 301 6th Ave. North.
In related news, WMOT will present an all-afternoon special AmericanaFest edition of its long-running Wired In series on Wednesday, Sept. 11, open to AMA badge holders and WMOT Members. It will be broadcast and streamed as well. Artists confirmed: Keb' Mo' at 1 pm, Maggie Rose at 2, The Honey Island Swamp Band at 3 and Shinyribs with the Shiny Soul Sisters at 4.
The complete lineup follows.
Thursday, Sept. 12
12 pm: Robert Randolph
1 pm: The Mavericks
2 pm: Tami Neilsen
3 pm: Aaron Lee Tasjan
4 pm: Shawn Colvin
5 pm: The Record Company
Friday, Sept. 13
12 pm: Della Mae
1 pm: Rising Appalachia
2 pm: Che Apalache
3 pm: Aubrie Sellers
4 pm: Molly Tuttle
5 pm: Tanya Tucker
Saturday, Sept. 14
12 pm: The Wood Brothers
1 pm: Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley
2 pm: Allison Moorer
3 pm: The Get Ahead
4 pm: Jade Jackson
5 pm: Drivin N Cryin