Sixth Annual Americana Music Conference Set For September 8-10

(CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — The sixth annual Americana Music Conference will return to the Nashville Convention Center September 8-10 with a full schedule of professional panels, presentations, roundtables, trade show, more than 40 daytime and evening showcase performances and many additional attractions. The adjacent Renaissance Nashville will again serve as the official host hotel.

During the Conference, the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony will take place September 9 at the Ryman Auditorium at 7 p.m. Awards nominees, guest performers and presenters will be announced over the coming months, along with additional special events that make September "Americana Music Month."

"It's been a longtime goal of our organization to celebrate the annual Honors & Awards at the Ryman," said AMA Executive Director Jeff Green. "After years of steady growth, we've earned the opportunity to make this move, and there's been overwhelming enthusiasm from the artist community for it. We anticipate a magical evening."

"We achieved record numbers last year in terms of delegates from around the world as well as sponsorships," said Echomusic partner and Americana Music Association President Mark Montgomery, "and we're very pleased to be returning to the Nashville Convention Center and the Renaissance. The staff support is terrific and the facilities give us great flexibility to create all kinds of learning, business networking and entertainment opportunities. You'll see a lot of new and exciting activities this year."

Daytime artist showcases will be held in intimate settings while attendees will be shuttled each evening to performances at the Mercy Lounge's two venues, including its newly refurbished Ballroom, as well as the Station Inn nearby.

The 2004 Conference featured appearances by Dave Alvin, Asleep At The Wheel, BR549, Junior Brown, the Carter Family, Slaid Cleaves, Cowboy Jack Clement, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Radney Foster, Chris Hillman, Ray Wylie Hubbard, King Wilkie, Jim Lauderdale, Bernie Leadon, Buddy Miller, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jason Ringenberg, Bruce Robison, Billy Joe Shaver, Mindy Smith, Mavis Staples, Tony Joe White with Shelby Lynne and many more. –Bob Grossweiner and Jane Cohen