You’re gonna see a lot of Arkansas at Nashville’s annual Americanafest this year. Organized in partnership with Arkansas Parks, Heritage & Tourism and House the September festival, Sept. 13-17, includes “a panel focusing on the life and legacy of Johnny Cash; a special event with the brightest, upcoming Arkansan artists that are pushing the Americana genre forward; and an evening showcase of music with a star-studded tribute to Levon Helm,” a press release said. 
Wednesday, Sept. 14
Arkansas Creatives
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Panel | Gulch III, The Westin NashvilleExplore the creative native environment with artists and creators who have first-hand experience in the Natural State and whose projects have helped drive Arkansas’ fertile creative ground. Featuring Jason Weinheimer (Fellowship Hall Sound) and Stephen Koch, Arkansas music historian.
Open to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants.
Wednesday, Sept. 14
Arkansas’ Delta Roots
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Panel | Gulch I & II, The Westin NashvilleSonny Boy Williamson. Conway Twitty. Levon Helm. Arkansas’ southern delta is a melting pot of musical genres from gospel to country to blues. These are the sounds that made Americana music. Join this panel of artists and activators as they reflect and explore the history, the music and the events that continue to inspire today.
Open to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants.
Thursday, Sept. 15
The Arkansas Extravaganza
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Special Event | 3rd & LindsleyThis event will kick off a week of celebrating Arkansas’ contribution to Americana music and will showcase the best and brightest from The Natural State including Willi Carlisle, Bonnie Montgomery, Dylan Earl, Shannon Wurst, David Starr and more. The House of Songs (Northwest Arkansas & Austin, Texas) will bring to the stage some of the best Americana acts from Arkansas. Presented in partnership with Arkansas Tourism and Visit Bentonville.
Open to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants and Festival Passholders.
Thursday, Sept. 15
Regional Music Spotlight: Arkansas / Tribute to Levon Helm
7:00 p.m. – 11:45 p.m. | Showcase | 3rd & LindsleyLooking for the most exciting lineup of the week? Arkansas artists are taking over 3rd and Lindsley with showcasing artists featuring Willi Carlisle, Erin Enderlin, Larry McCray, Rev. Greg Spradlin and Bonnie Montgomery. Following sets from each, the evening concludes with a special musical tribute to Levon Helm. Backed by Rev. Greg Spradlin’s stellar house band, guest vocalists will include Mike Farris, Allison Moorer, Autumn Nicholas, Webb Wilder, Oliver Wood and more. Another celebration in our salute to The Natural State – Arkansas!
Presented in partnership with Arkansas Tourism and Visit Bentonville.
Open to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants and Festival Passholders.
Friday, Sept. 16
Johnny Cash: An Arkansan Icon Endures
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Panel | Gulch I & II, The Westin NashvilleAs we approach the twenty-year anniversary of Johnny Cash’s passing, the Man in Black’s distinctive legacy is stronger than ever. Cash’s songs rack up millions of streams on all platforms, his presence beams from popular social media accounts, innumerable Johnny Cash memes circulate and new books and films about him are regularly released. In a time of historic division, he is universally loved across an astonishingly broad spectrum – conservatives, liberals, hipsters, rednecks, virtually all ethnicities and genders love Johnny Cash. Moderator Robert Burke Warren will engage this panel to discuss the various reasons this erstwhile dirt-poor Arkansan still captivates. They will cover Cash’s crucial early years on the FDR-sponsored Dyess Colony, his ’60s heyday as genre-defying recording artist and TV star, his ’70s-era struggles, his rejection by ’80s Nashville and his remarkable surprise fourth act with Rick Rubin in the ’90s.
Open to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants.
Saturday, Sept. 17
The House of Songs Presents: The Arkansas Explorer Day Party
12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Special Event | InDo NashvilleThe House of Songs (Northwest Arkansas & Austin, Texas) presents some of the best Americana acts from Arkansas and beyond. This event will feature domestic and international songwriters and friends of The House of Songs. This will also serve as the culmination of a week of celebrating Arkansas Music and will highlight the best and brightest from The Natural State! Presented in partnership with Arkansas Tourism and Visit Bentonville.
