Day 6 - Conference ....

So, up bright and early for a full day of conferencing, meetings and music.

I've organised to have a breakfast coffee with Louis Meyers who runs the US Folk Alliance.  It's a unique event which takes over a hotel in Memphis every February.  Acts from around the world use private and public rooms to showcase themselves to hundreds of club owners, radio presenters and festival bookers.  Australians have done particularly well there and Louis is hoping that Sounds Australia can have more of an involvement to help lift the overall Aussie profile.  Seems like a very strategic investment to me, so I'll be sure to include that in the list of recommendations.

Louis tells me that I have to catch a Swedish trio of sisters - "Baskery" who were one of the hits of the last Folk Alliance.

So much to see and so little time!  Trying to make the best use of my time, but it's hard when you want to go to every panel.

During lunch break, I catch up with Erika Wollam-Nicholls who works for the Nashville Songwriters Association International.  They've just taken over the running of the Bluebird Cafe.  The Bluebird is a Nashville institution where just about everyone in this business - and I mean everyone, has showcased their songs.  It's an intimate environment (150 max), where people go to hear singers and their songs.

I suggest that in 2010 it'd be great to organise an Australian artist/writer showcase as part of the Americana program.  She's very receptive and also offers to get involved in making the Americana week as productive as possible for writers that come from Australia.

Tonight's the night to check out all four showcase venues and see as much of the wonderful music on offer as possible.

The Station Inn (usually home to the legendary western swing big band 'The Time Jumpers'), 3rd & Lindsley and The Basement are Aussie-type pub/club rooms - 2-300 capacity.  The other is a coverted cannery with a Ballroom holding 12-1500 and the Mercy Lounge upstairs 3-400.

There are shuttle buses every 15 minutes to ferry delegates from one venue to the other. 

First stop is the Station Inn to follow-up Louis's 'Baskery' recommendation.  I get there just before the house full sign goes up - seems the word has got around.

Two of the sisters play upright bass and acoustic guitar.  The third - and 'star' of the show plays hamonica, slide guitanjo (six string guitar neck on a banjo body) and bass, snare and tambourine with foot pedals.  It's modern, it's high energy, it's rootsy, it's different!  Most of all, it's played with great energy and skill.  Louis was right!  The reaction is thunderous.  These young women have certainly made a mark here.

Then it's off to the Mercy Lounge to see Will Hoge who I've heard compared to a young Springsteen.  Great songs and great voice.

JD Souther wrote some of the Eagle's classic hits, but has been 'quiet' for a long time.  I have no idea what to expect, but he rocks!  Helped by an exceptional band.

I'm reminded - as I was last time, just how many great players this music and this city attracts. Everyone's good!  A real joy.

Downstairs to the Ballroom to check out Sam Bush and his bluegrass big band.  Not my favourite area of the roots genre, but can't help but be impressed by the amazing virtuosity of the man.  The mandolin kicks arse!

After a long wait, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band take the stage.  The Bushwackers have often been referred to as an Australian version (and the same vintage!), so I'm keen to see some other 'veterans' strut their stuff.  Fantastic!  What a great night.

Off to bed to prepare for another day............