Americana Festival Salutes Porter Wagoner

Grand Ole Opry star Porter Wagoner.

Marty Stuart

October 22, 2007 — The Tennessee State Museum will play host to the Americana Music Festival's opening party on October 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Presented by the AMA and GAC, this free, family-friendly event is open to the public and will feature a special musical salute to Porter Wagoner.

Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell and some very special guests and friends of the Wagonmaster will perform at the event.

Known for his showmanship, rhinestone suits and silver pompadour, Porter's extraordinary career spans five decades. The multiple Grammy winner recently celebrated his 50th year with the Grand Ole Opry and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. As the host of "The Porter Wagoner Show," he introduced the world to Dolly Parton. After racking up 81 charted records, he recently released Wagonmaster, produced by Marty Stuart, which proved he is still a relevant force in American music by seamlessly bridging the generations while still staying true to his country heritage.

"It's that legacy we want to honor as we open our 8th Annual Festival and Conference," says AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly. "I can't think of a better place to recognize Porter than the Tennessee State's Museum's breathtaking exhibit, 'Sparkle and Twang,' Marty Stuart's American Music Odyssey. It's a visual history lesson on the legacy of folk, country, rock, gospel and Americana music, of which Porter is such a big a part."

The event will assemble some of the city's finest artist/songwriters and musicians on the museum stage. The jam is hosted by Jim Lauderdale and will feature Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell, and other surprise guests. "We hope people will come to the museum and bring their kids with them in costumes, of course," says Hilly. "This is an event for all ages, and being Halloween, anything goes."

The Eighth Annual Americana Festival and Conference, set for October 31 - November 3, will offer daily seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center. Each evening brings Americana showcases to key venues throughout Nashville.