The energy was palpable in Nashville that day. It was Americanafest, and everyone who was anyone in this community was in town for the week-long conference, festival, and awards show.
The Bluegrass Situation’s Midnight Windup, held in The Cannery, was hosted by Ed Helms and his band The Lonesome Trio and featuring a cavalcade of guests that included David Bromberg, the Milk Carton Kids, Aoife O’Donovan, The Infamous Stringdusters, Joy Kills Sorrow, Black Prairie, and the Steep Canyon Rangers joined by an up and coming guitar slinger with an unforgettable name: Sturgill Simpson.
Even though we’d technically been up and running for over a year, that night felt like something of a launch party at an event that has subsequently become a homecoming every year since. We’re honored to return to Nashville to celebrate our tenth anniversary with several events during Americanafest, including a night of pure bluegrass hosted by fiddler Jason Carter and friends, a special pre-awards show happy hour at the City Winery Lounge (cake was involved!) and an afternoon of live music from the artists of Nettwerk Music Group at the Basement on Friday.
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Jerry Douglas, Jacob Tilove and Ed Helms perform at the Bluegrass Situation showcase during the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Ed Helms; Jacob Tilove
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Aoife O'Donovan performs during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** aoife o'donovan
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Comdedian and actor Ed Helms and David Bromberg gather backstage during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Ed Helms; David Bromberg
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Aoife O'Donovan and Joey Ryan of The Milk Carton Kids gather backstage during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** aoife o'donovan; kenneth pattengale
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids perform during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** joey ryan; kenneth pattengale
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids gather backstage during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** joey ryan; kenneth pattengale
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Tim O'Brien and Jim Lauderdale gather backstage at the Bluegrass Situation showcase at Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Tim O'Brien; Jim Lauderdale
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Ed Helms, Ian Riggs, Larry Campbell and David Bromberg perform at the Bluegrass Situation showcase during the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Ed Helms; Ian Riggs
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Ian Riggs, Larry Campbell and David Bromberg perform at the Bluegrass Situation showcase during the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Ian Riggs; Larry Campbell; David Bromberg
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Ed Helms (second from right) gathers with the Infamous Stringdusters backstage at the Bluegrass Situation showcase at Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Ed Helms
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R_ Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids perform during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** joey ryan; kenneth pattengale
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Brian Wright and Aoife O'Donovan perform during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** brian wrigth; aoife o'donovan
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Emma Beaton of Joy Kills Sorrow performs during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Emma Beaton
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: Nate Smith (center) performs with Emma Beaton and Jacob Jolliff of Joy Kills Sorrow during the Bluegrass Situation's showcase at the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Emma Beaton; Nate Smith; Jacob Jolliff
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Ian Riggs, Larry Campbell and David Bromberg perform at the Bluegrass Situation showcase during the Americana Music Festival on September 18, 2013 in Nashville, United States. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images for Americana Music Festival) *** Local Caption *** Ian Riggs; Larry Campbell; David Bromberg
Cover photo by James R. Martin; gallery photos by Erika Goldring
