AmericanaFest Day 3 - Hanks 100th, Bowen Young & Kaitlin Butts Shine
Americana Fest Day 3
Day 3 of AmericanaFest did not disappoint. Along with amazing music and songwriting, there were informative interviews, conferences as well and storytelling sessions that filled the schedule.
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There was an exciting session about the Legacy of Sam Phillips. Participants included his son Jerry Phillips and granddaughter Halley Phillips. They told stories of Sam Phillips and the birth of his recording studio Memphis Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 3, 1950. This studio was later known as Sun Studios.
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Jerry explained that it was never his father's intention to have a record label, he just wanted a place where artists could go to be creative. They told stories of how the studio was built by his father with his own hands and to this day they do their best to keep it as authentic as possible, so that artists can have the full experience of recording at Sun Studios. Artists have the option to still record on tape if they want to. They discussed how they encourage artists to utilize the whole studio, the in-studio bar, the rooftop, and Sam’s office which is where he sat across from legends such as Roy Orbison, and Elvis.
"The Studio is where the soul of a man never dies" -Sam Phillips
Hank Williams 100th Birthday Tribute
An iconic afternoon at the Country Music Hall of Fame where The Hank Williams 100th Birthday Tribute was another unforgettable event. The event’s MC was Jet Williams, daughter of Hank Williams, and full of historic music and performances from some legends as well as additional family members of Hank Williams. Hank Williams was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1961. The event celebrating Hank Williams brought his legacy to life.
All Photos By: Nashville Is His Bride
Performances included
SG Goodman- "Lost on the River"
Charlie McCoy-Mind your Business
Laura Cantrell- You Win Again
Christ Scruggs- Honkey Tonkin
Hillary Williams- Daughter of Hank Williams Jr-A House of Gold
Chuck Mead- Love Sick Blues
Suzy Bogguss- I can’t help it
Lyle Lovett- Hey Good Lookin'
Sam Williams- Hank Williams Grandson-I’m so lonesome I could cry
Della Mae-
Brennan Leigh-I won’t be home no more
Delbert McClinton-Setting the Woods on Fire
Holly Williams-Granddaughter of Hank Williams-I saw the light
Wendy Moten - You’re cheating heart
Rodney Crowell- Honkey Tonk Blue
Jeff Hannah- Jambalaya (on the Bayou)
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The iconic event closed with all performers joining one another on stage to sing with Hannah Jambalaya on the Bayou and closing out the event with a Happy Birthday song to Hank.
An intimate event at the AB Hillsboro Village with Bowen Young was the perfect way to spend an evening. The married couple and duet of Claire Bowen and Brandon Robert Young mesmerized the crowd with their incredible storytelling, musicality, and chemistry. The duo was accompanied by Claire’s brother, Timothy James Bowen, and their longtime friend on percussion. The couple told stories about how they met and how they knew they were meant to be together. They also shared intimate details about a home invasion they experienced, and how they learned then that they loved each other so much that they came to the realization that they would literally do anything for one another. The couple detailed how the very next morning they decided to go to a writing session and use it as a therapy session. Out of that dark time emerged the incredible song Dangerous Love. The audience was eerily silent. Taking in every word. Appreciating how they have risen out of terror stronger as a couple and as songwriters.
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Bowen Young are truly an amazing duo who harmonizes and makes some of the most beautiful songs we have ever heard. Some of the songs they graced us with were Skeletons, Dangerous Love, and Aurora.
We finished the night at the Basement East for a showcase of the up-and-coming amazingly talented Kaitlin Butts. The crowd was incredible, and the energy was infectious. The no-holds-barred lady outlaw was shining on stage in a sequin fringe dress and cowboy hat. She owned that stage as if she had been doing this her whole life. She talked about how she draws her inspiration from her upbringing and that her songs are all sad. Well, I can tell you there was not a sad person in that venue. What an incredible performance.
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Day 3 of AmericanaFest was filled with incredible performances, informative interviews, and storytelling sessions. The Legacy of Sam Phillips session was a particular highlight, with Jerry Phillips and Halley Phillips sharing intimate stories about their grandfather and the birth of Sun Studios. It was inspiring to hear how they are keeping the studio as authentic as possible, allowing artists to have the full experience of recording at Sun Studios.