The British in Nashville at the AMAs

There is a larger contingent of British performers at this year’s Americana Music Association Convention that takes place in Nashville this week than ever before. BBC Radio 2 host Bob Harris brings ‘BBC Introducing’ to Americana Convention BBC Radio 2 host Bob Harris brings ‘BBC Introducing’ to Americana for the first time. BBC Introducing launched in 2007 and is the new music brand at the BBC that supports unsigned and under the radar musicians in the UK & has since extended to stages at major festivals such as Glastonbury and SXSW. Harris premieres the show to the Hard Rock Cafe, Nashville presenting three of the hottest and freshest new acts on the scene Friday, September. 20, 2013, 5-8 pm. The showcase, which includes Emily Barker from Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The Communion Presents showcase during Americana Convention Communion Presents is an artist-led organisation co-founded by Ben Lovett (Mumford & Sons) that combines elements of live promotion, publishing, recording, and production to create a hub for songwriters and musicians to develop and flourish in an increasingly competitive industry environment. “Support, respect, brotherhood, growth and development are some of the values that make up the Communion organisation. This exists on and off stage. We champion musicians who encourage one another, regardless of genre, or level of commercial success,” shares Lovett. The Communion Presents showcase during Americana will feature the UK’s Bear’s Den, Willy Mason, The Lone Bellow, Black Prairie, and Justin Townes Earle on Thursday, September 19 from 4:30 – 7:30 pm at Nashville’s Downtown Presbyterian Church, 154 5th Ave North. “The British Are Coming” as Belcourt Taps welcomes to Nashville Britain’s Top Songwriters to Invade Music City to co-write with Hot Hit Makers A British invasion is headed for Nashville, as Music City hosts a unique cultural exchange between the elite Nashville songwriters and creative British songwriters in a week long live music event (United Kingdom/Nashville Songwriter Exchange Collaboration) set to take place from September 16-25, 2013. The event, which is open to the public, will focus on bringing cultures together to plan musical collaboration and showcasing music talents internationally. Organised by The UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the visit will feature selected artists and writers from the UK meeting with many of Nashville’s top songwriters and performers. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, expressed his excitement about this cultural experience, commenting: “This is a fantastic opportunity to gain even more experience in one of the greatest music cities in the world. Rising London musician Robbie Boyd won our Gigs busking competition and we are thrilled that he is part of this delegation.” The Nashville’s Welcoming Reception will take place at Belcourt Taps on Tuesday September 17, 2013 at 4:30pm. Kicking it off will be Billboard country artist Lee Roy Parnell, along with an all-star cast. “Nashville is proud to be home to some of the world’s best musicians and songwriters, and that creative community helps make our city a unique global music center,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “I’m pleased to welcome these British songwriters and companies to Music City for this cultural exchange. We’re always pleased when songwriters from around the world come to Nashville to take part in the collaborative experience our songwriting community is known for.” Performance by the US team in collaboration with this event, will be held daily in the afternoon and nightly at Belcourt Taps. There will be multiple indoor and outdoor stages, and hosted by Television Entertainment Reporter Susan Branham. It will feature a diverse variety of music including rock, urban, country, blues and electronic. Centered around the Americana Music Festival that takes place September 18-22, this event creates a cultural and musical experience. “I’m excited to unite these two cultures together,” expressed Rose Melillo, industry veteran and owner of Belcourt Taps. “Nashville has many talented performers and for the UK to see that and believe in our artists is surreal.” These collaborations will include extensive business sessions at Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the world’s largest not-for-profit songwriter’s trade association, as well as education, mentorship and the opportunity to network amongst the industry. Music Sector Specialist for UK Trade & Investment, Phil Patterson, has partnered with fourteen British writers and companies and a team of US veteran music professionals. The writers and artists include James Otto (numberone hit singer/songwriter), Lee Roy Parnell (hit country singer/songwriter), Ira Dean (former bass player for country trio Trick Pony), Marty Raybon (number one singer/songwriter and former lead singer of Shenandoah), Hilary Williams (granddaughter of Hank Williams), Steve O’Brien (hit songwriter – Brooks & Dunn “Rock My World”), Steve Cropper (guitarist, producer and songwriter of “Sittin’ On The Dock of the Bay”), Earl Bud Lee (award-winning hit songwriter – “Friends In Low Places”), Kenny Olson (rock lead guitarist- Kid Rock), Brad Stewart (current bassist for rock band FUEL), and Will Rambeaux (hit songwriter and producer – Faith Hill “Wild One”, etc). Other special guest heavy hitters include Roger Cook, Anthony Smith, Shannon Lawson, Larry Redmon, Pino Squillace, Jon Nicholson, Sammy Hudson, Dan Daly, ISHI, Daisy Mallory, The Band 13, Robbie Boyd, Dillon Dixon, Cory Fox Fardell, Stephen Carey, Chas Sandford, Blue Miller, James House, bree, Natasha Borzilova, Lotte Mullan, Paul Steel, Matt May, Mark Hill, Jessica Sharman, Jackie Wilson, TJ Howard, Allen McKendree, Travis Gilbert, Stewart Mann and the Statesboro Revue. The enthusiasm of the involved artists gives confidence in what promises to become a staple in the Nashville music calendar. UK Trade & Investment are looking into repeating the exercise in the UK next spring after reviewing this week’s business outcomes. In addition to the support of the UKTI and NSAI, sponsors include Spokes Buzz, Band Swap, Czann’s Brewing Company, and New Belgium Brewing. Executive chef Jane Marcum will be catering all the private parties during this week. Any donations and money raised during this event will go straight to Last Chance For Animals (LCA), a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to eliminating animal exploitation. UK Artist Focus: Rising musician Robbie Boyd, the London musician who was overall winner of the Mayor’s Gigs busking (street performers) competition in 2011, will be a part of this special delegation being organised by UK Trade & Investment.