Six Must-See Acts from the Initial AMERICANAFEST 2026 Lineup
The first round of artists for the 2026 Americana Music Festival and Conference (aka AMERICANAFEST) has been released as the festival dropped a poster with over 50 of the showcasing artists. Taking over dozens of venues across Nashville, AMERICANAFEST runs the roots music gamut, from Rock and Roll Hall of Famers to underground artists who should be on everybody's radar. While it's impossible to break down the entire list of artists, here are some that we're excited to see.
Rock Hall Royalty
Benmont Tench
Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs
AMERICANAFEST has been known to slip a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer into the lineup on occasion, but it's a rare year when we get two, especially two who got in from the same band. Benmont Tench is best known as the keyboardist for Tom Petty's backing band, The Heartbreakers. While I admit to not knowing nearly enough about his solo output, I look forward to seeing and hearing what this megastar has to offer.
In the same vein, but more familiar to me, is Mike Campbell & the Dirty Knobs. Campbell is, of course, the lead guitarist for The Heartbreakers and, since that band's end, a mainstay of the Americana scene. He's collaborated with numerous Americana artists alongside his top-notch blues rock outfit, The Dirty Knobs. It isn't Campbell's first AMERICANAFEST, but I haven't gotten to see him live yet, and I'm hoping to change that at this year's fest. I expect a lot of sit-ins on this one.
Hey, Isn't That...
Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel
Tyler Ramsey and Carl Broemel may not ring a bell with many AMERICANAFEST attendees, but the bands they're best known for will. Ramsey, in addition to being an accomplished solo artist, is also known for his decade-long stint in Southern rockers Band of Horses. Broemel is best known as a guitarist for genre-defying festival favorites My Morning Jacket. Together, they've released one album, the mostly instrumental Celestun, to critical acclaim. While both might be known for their electric guitar heroics in their other bands, the acoustic performances on Celestun prove they're just as adept unplugged.
Nashville Favorite
Tim Easton hails from Ohio, but he's been enough of a mainstay on the Nashville local music scene for so long that he's now very much known as a local. We reviewed his latest album fIREHORSE, and I've seen Easton live on more than one occasion at past AMERICANAFESTs. He's not an artist to be missed. Not only is he one of the genre's most literate songwriters, but he's also a great storyteller in the vein of Todd Snider, with a quick wit and an easy humor that's endearing.
Rising Stars
Kyle Tuttle Featuring Darol Anger
One of the best things about AMERICANAFEST is discovering young talent. In the case of Michaela Anne, I've caught a couple of her 15-30 minute daytime sets, but never a full official showcase. I'm hoping the stars align and that changes this year. Anne's voice is otherworldly, and her songwriting is top-notch as well.
Kyle Tuttle, featuring Darol Anger, is really more of “rising star meets legend”, but I'll count it because Tuttle is one of the most talented youngsters in roots music today. Tuttle is best known for his stint in Molly Tuttle's (no relation) Golden Highway. Since that band dissolved, Tuttle has showcased himself as a solo artist and, most recently, begun working with the founding fiddler for the Dave Grisman Quintet, Darol Anger. They don't have any official materials out yet, but there are plenty of fancams available on YouTube to see just how strong the pair is together.
Tickets to the Americana Music Festival and Conference are on sale now. The festival will take place September 15-19 in venues across Nashville.