Showcases by Troy Cassar-Daley, Tommy Emmanuel, Sara Storer, plus Aussie luncheon and conference panel gives Australian acts chance to shine during AMA week
(Nashville, TN – Aug. 26, 2010) Australia has always shared a close musical connection to America’s Roots music, which is why the Americana Music Association is welcoming some of Australia’s premier artists to the 2010 Americana Music Festival and Conference.
For the first time ever, acclaimed international performers Troy Cassar-Daley, Tommy Emmanuel and Sara Storer are representing Australia with a series of showcases during Americana week, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 8 – Saturday, Sept. 11. Australian music industry organization Sounds Australia coordinated the trip through its newly formed strategic partnership with the Americana Music Association.
World-renowned acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel’s showcase kicks off the Aussie performances on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 11 p.m. at The Rutledge. Sara Storer’s showcase is Friday at 8 p.m. at The Station Inn and 20-time Golden Guitar winner Troy Cassar-Daley performs Saturday, Sept. 11, at The Rutledge at 8 p.m.
“The Americana genre honors and derives from American Roots music, but its universal appeal is a result of so many different cultures, languages and traditions melding together over time,” says AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly. “There are amazing artists making Roots music all over the world, and Australia is certainly a significant source of that talent. We are thrilled to welcome Tommy Emmanuel, Troy Cassar-Daley, Sara Storer and many more of Australia’s finest performers to this year’s Americana conference.”
In a nod to the continued emergence of Australian acts in the Roots and Americana music scene, an Aussie-themed “What’s Up Down Under?” panel is being held on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 9:30 a.m. in the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel. The panel features a cross-section of international artists and Roots music industry veterans, including multiple CCMA Award-winning Canadian artist Corb Lund, artist manager for Tommy Emmanuel, Gina Mendello, Grammy-nominated producer Mark Moffatt, Sounds Australia executive and Bushwackers founder Dobe Newton and Telstra Road To Tamworth judge and A&R pro for Australia’s Mushroom Music Publishing, Bill Page. AristoMedia President and Australia native Jeff Walker will moderate the panel.
“Music City has long been a ‘home away from home’ for Aussies pursuing their musical dream. Being able to establish a relationship with one of Nashville’s major events will obviously help them make a mark in this major marketplace,” says Sounds Australia Americana Manager Dobe Newton. “I’m proud to be involved with the Americana Music Association to introduce Australia’s first visiting showcase performers. I know that Nashville’s music community will respond to Sara Storer and Troy Cassar-Daley just as they’ve already done with Tommy Emmanuel.”
A free “Aussie Musical Lunch” is to be held at The Second Fiddle on Thursday, Sept. 9, from noon – 2 p.m. The event features performances from Troy Cassar-Daley, Tommy Emmanuel, Sara Storer and the 2010 Telstra Road to Tamworth winners, Tenielle Muslin and Luke Webb.
As part of this year’s conference, a unique “musical ambassador” exchange program has been created between the Americana Music Association and Australia’s Telstra Road To Tamworth competition. As the 2010 Tamworth winners, Muslin and Webb are traveling to Nashville for Americana week, and the AMA will send an emerging Roots artist to the Tamworth Music Festival.
Americana conference attendees can also download a free sampler of Australian Country and Roots acts with the Sounds Australia laminate provided in their registration bags. Artists included in the sampler download include 8 Ball Aitken, Tracey Bunn, The Bushwackers, Troy Cassar-Daley, Tommy Emmanuel, Tenielle Muslin, Dobe Newton, Sara Storer, Felicity Urquhart and Luke Webb.
Americana Music Festival and Conference wristbands, good for all four days of AMA-sanctioned showcases, are available for $50 and can be purchased online at www.AmericanaMusic.org. For press credentials, contact Jayne Rogovin at jrogovin@mac.com or (615) 403-2393.
About the Americana Music Association:
The Americana Music Association is a professional trade organization whose mission is to provide a forum for the advocacy of Americana music and to promote public awareness of the genre to support the creative and economic viability of professionals in this field. Dedicated to building and promoting the Americana genre and the individuals who participate in that industry, the Americana Music Association works closely with artists, labels, radio stations, retailers, print media, festivals, agents, publishers and more to help organize and build the infrastructure necessary for the Americana genre to achieve success both creatively and financially. Visit www.AmericanaMusic.org for more information.
About Troy Cassar-Daley: Since releasing his ninth album, I Love This Place, in April 2009, Troy Cassar-Daley has toured heavily throughout Australia and the U.S. He collected six Golden Guitar trophies at the 2010 Country Music Awards of Australia (bringing his total to 20), a 2009 ARIA award for Best Country Album, (bringing his total to four) and APRA’s Country Song of the Year for “Big Big Love.” He recently completed a U.S. tour with legendary Australian guitarist, Tommy Emmanuel. Visit www.troycassardaley.com.au for more information.
About Tommy Emmanuel: Twice named “Best Acoustic Guitarist” by Guitar Player Magazine, Tommy Emmanuel is regarded as one of Australia’s most respected musicians and one of the best guitar players on the planet. His career spans five decades and includes two Grammy nominations, one of which was for the album, The Day the Finger Pickers Took Over the World, recorded with his mentor, the legendary Chet Atkins. He was honored with the title of C.G.P. (Certified Guitar Picker) by Atkins in Nashville in 1999. Visit www.TommyEmmanuel.com for more information.
About Sara Storer: Australia’s Sara Storer holds the impressive record of winning the most Golden Guitar trophies ever at a single awards show (Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2004). Her debut album, Chasing Buffalo, produced three No. 1 singles in 2000, and since then, she has continued to collect awards and release albums, including her first greatest hits album, 2010’s Calling Me Home – The Best of Sara Storer. Visit www.sarastorer.com.au for more information.
Additional Australian Sponsors:
APRA/AMCOS | Australian Music Office | Maton | Tamworth Council
Telstra Road to Tamworth | Victoria Rocks
