The Steeldrivers are among the artists selected to showcase during the 2008 Americana Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn. September 17-20.

Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly has announced the first showcase artist names for the upcoming Americana Music Festival, Nashville, September 17-20, 2008. Artists confirmed to date display the breadth and vibrance of the genre include Jim White, The Belleville Outfit, James McMurtry, Paul Thorn, The Snake The Cross and the Crown and The SteelDrivers. More names will be announced in the following weeks.

From the sensitive brilliance of James McMurtry to the bluegrass/soul hybrids The SteelDrivers, to the gypsy swing/Big Band jazz of the Belleville Outfit, to Paul Thorn’s post Pentecostal roots rock, the folk inspired melodies of the Snake The Cross and the Crown to the metaphysical alt-country Jim White. These are just some of the artists comprising the Americana genre and they, plus more than 70 other artists, will be part of the upcoming 9th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference in September.

The Music Festival and Conference will bring together an estimated 900 artists, record executives, managers, agents, music publishers, performing rights society executives, music retailers, producers, promoters, allied professionals and major media for three days of learning, networking and entertainment.

The signature event during the Americana festivities is the Americana Honors & Awards show on Thursday, September 18 at the Ryman Auditorium. It will be hosted again by two-time Americana Honors & Awards and Grammy^® recipient Jim Lauderdale and the all-star house band will once again be led by last year’s Award winner for Instrumentalist of the Year Buddy Miller. Last month, the Americana Music Association announced that they will honor John Hiatt with the Americana Lifetime Achievement in
Songwriting Award. Other participants and honorees will be announced in the future.

The two hour event will be broadcast live on XM Satellite Radio, as well as future broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio and on BBC@ Radio.

A limited number of tickets for the Honors & Awards show are priced at $45 are now available at http://www.americanamusic.org/site.php?content=store and by calling the Americana Music Association at 615 321-3836. Tickets will be available via Ticketmaster and the Ryman box office at a later date.

The schedule is still being completed, but is shaping up to be another four days of incredible music, educational workshops and networking. For early conference registration, please go to http://www.americanamusic.org/ or email info@americanamusic.org.

Conference registration includes access to all panels and presentations, the Trade Show, selected meals, invitations to all sanctioned parties, Conference Program Guide, goody bag, a ticket to the Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium, wristband to all evening showcases and more. Registration through July 31 is only $250 for AMA members, $350 for non-members. On August 1 registration becomes $300 and $400, respectively.

Showcase wristbands, good for admission at all evening showcases are available for only $35 at the Americana Music website store and in Nashville at Grimey’s New and Preloved Music. Wristbands will be sold at area music retailers and other locations starting in early August.

The Renaissance is the official hotel and other major sponsors include ASCAP, BMI, Echomusic, First Amendment Center, The Gibson Foundation, Lost Highway Records, Rounder Records, SESAC, Sugar Hill Records and Vanguard Records.