Nashville, Tenn. — The Americana Music Association has announced an initial line up of artists confirmed to play the upcoming 2008 AMERICANA MUSIC FESTIVAL (additional artists are still pending). The festival showcases will be held at five venues in downtown Nashville, including The Mercy Lounge, 3rd & Lindsley, The Cannery, The Station Inn and The Basement from Wed., Sept. 17 through Sat., Sept. 20th.

Showcase wristbands grant admission to all venues on all four evenings of live music showcases and are available for only $35 via http://www.americanamusic.org/ Grimey’s New and Preloved Music (1604 8th Ave. South, Nashville) and at the Country Music Hall of Fame Gift Shop. The 2008 Americana Music Festival is part of the Americana Music Festival & Conference. Registration for the entire conference, including a ticket to the Honors & Awards show and daily panels, workshops and daytime showcases is $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members until August 13. Fees for the conference will increase after that date.

he 9th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center by day, while each evening brings stacked Americana showcases. Legend Levon Helm will officially jump start the festivities Wednesday, September 17 with his Ramble at the Ryman, and the capstone of the festival will take the form of the annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards, scheduled for September 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Hosted by Jim Lauderdale and featuring a band led by Buddy Miller, the ceremony will toast winners in six member-voted categories and also bestow Lifetime Achievement Awards on John Hiatt, Jason and the Scorchers and longtime Austin City Limits producer Terry Lickona in the categories of Songwriting, Performance and Executive, respectively. The AMA will also present the unique “Spirit of Americana” Free Speech award to Joan Baez.

Tickets are now available for the Levon Helm Ramble at the Ryman and the Americana Honors & Awards show at Ticketmaster and the Ryman box office for $65 or $45 and $45, respectively.

For the latest additions to showcase lineups, ticket purchasing and more information about the Americana Music Festival and Conference, please visit www.americanamusic.org.

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.