The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) is proud to partner with the Americana Music Association at the 17th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference (AmericanaFest) in Nashville, Tennessee, September 20 – 25. For the first time since its inception, AmericanaFest will recognize Oklahoma’s contribution to the Americana music genre and will feature the state’s legendary history and current thriving music scene. Attendees will benefit from experiencing Oklahoma’s remarkable sound at multiple showcases throughout the festival as well as discover why Oklahoma is a central hub for creating music at multiple panel sessions. These special events will be hosted by several Oklahoma partners including The Woody Guthrie Center; The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture; and Studio Oklahoma, an initiative of OF+MO. “Oklahoma is proud to be a part of this year’s AmericaFest,” said Deby Snodgrass, Secretary of Commerce and Tourism. “We appreciate the opportunity to shine a spotlight on Oklahoma’s very talented performers and to showcase our growing music infrastructure and resources.”
The festival’s marquis event, the nationally televised Americana Honors & Awards Show taking place at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, September 21, will further elevate Oklahoma’s voice at this year’s conference. Okie native Woody Guthrie will be posthumously awarded this year’s President’s Award, while other Oklahoma award nominees will perform including: Parker Millsap, nominated for Album of the Year; and John Moreland, nominated for Emerging Artist of the year. This premiere event will stream live on NPR and tape for broadcast by PBS, Sirius XM’s Outlaw Country station and other local radio outlets. The event will feature performances by genre leading talent such as Billy Bragg, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris, Jason Isbell, Alison Krauss, Jim Lauderdale, The Lumineers, Bonnie Raitt, George Strait, Bob Weir, and Lucinda Williams, among others.
Studio Oklahoma, a collective of Oklahoma industry partners including the Oklahoma Tourism Agency’s Oklahoma Music Trail, “Rhythm & Routes”, will be on display in the Conference Exhibit Hall at the Sheraton Hotel and will present several Oklahoma-centric events throughout the week. On Thursday, September 22, Studio Oklahoma will present an Oklahoma Music Panel moderated by Dr. Hugh Foley with featured panelists Jeff Moore (OKPOP), Greg Johnson (The Blue Door), Jared Deck (Artist) and Carter Sampson (Artist). The Panelists will discuss the rich musical history of Oklahoma musicians and how their voices have contributed to the music industry of today. An official showcase on Thursday, September 22, at 3rd and Lindsley will feature chart-topping Americana artists including Jimmy LaFave, Carter Sampson, John Moreland, Wanda Jackson, Parker Millsap and Jared Deck. In addition, Studio Oklahoma will host a private party open to badge holders, wristband holders and private guests on Friday, September 23, at The Filming Station featuring performances by Jimmy LaFave, Carter Sampson, Levi Parham and Susan Herndon.
“The opportunity to showcase Oklahoma’s spectacular music industry to a national audience would not be possible without the generous support of our Studio Oklahoma community partners including Grand Casino, The Paramount, The Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Dunlap Codding, The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, GFest, Hall Capital, Cellar Door Music Group, BancFirst, The McSwain Theatre, Castle Row, The Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts and Culture, The Oklahoma Opry, The Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma, Okay See, OKPOP and Horton Records,” says Tava Maloy Sofsky, Director of the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, “OF+MO plans to continue the momentum of Studio Oklahoma and continue to create new opportunities to support and promote Oklahoma’s thriving creative class.”
For more information about AmericanaFest, please visit americanamusic.org.
For more information regarding Studio Oklahoma, please visit StudioOklahoma.com.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office:
Created in 1979, The Oklahoma Film + Music Office strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit www.okfilmmusic.org.
