>>> Must See Shows at the 2016 Americana Music Festival
Long-time Nashville resident and songwriter's songwriter Jim Lauderdale has earned his stripes in Americana music. He has thirty albums to his credit, continues to tour extensively, co-hosts the beloved Music City Roots program, and is the recipient of two Grammy awards. Now, after almost three decades in the industry, Lauderdale's lifetime dedication to Americana music is being recognized with the Americana Music Association's Wagonmaster Award, a lifetime achievement honor reserved for the most valuable contributors to the course and history of Americana.
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Presenting Lauderdale with the award during the 15th annual Americana Music Awards & Honors show is long-time friend, George Strait who has recorded 14 of Lauderdale's songs, including 'What Do You Say to That” and 'We Really Shouldn't Be Doing This.”
When Lauderdale heard the news, he says 'It was really overwhelming, and I cried real hard when I heard about it. To have George Strait come to this is really unbelievable to me,” Lauderdale says. 'I'm such a huge fan of his, and because of him recording my songs, it's really allowed me to make my own records… that let me create more. That's really what I love to doto write songs, to record them, and to perform them. I'm so grateful to him for doing that.”
Beyond this award though, the music festival showcase artists that have influenced Lauderdale and helped him along the way. He has a fondness for previous performances by Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant, and one year he had the opportunity to play acoustic guitar for Loretta Lynn. During this years' fest Lauderdale will play at 3rd & Lindsley on a bill with Tony Joe White, Kasey Chambers, and William Bell.
As Americana music has grown, especially its most recent mainstream popularity, the genre veteran is nothing but excited for the future of roots music. As the co-host of Music City Roots at the Factory in Franklin on Wednesday nights, he has experienced the expansion and evolution firsthand.
'I'm never disappointed when I hear these new peopleit's a great time for music right now. I never would have imagined that it would have grown so much, and I'm just so happy about it. There's more talent out there than you can shake a stick at,” Lauderdale says.
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Lauderdale's personal work is eclectic, influenced by everyone from the Beatles to Emmylou Harris. Sometimes he writes in the style of classic outlaw country, and sometimes he's equally as interested in old school blues or soul music. And with thirty albums under his belt, he's had plenty of opportunity to experiment in any genre he wants.
His last release, Soul Searching, was a double disc recordhalf recorded in Nashville's RCA Studio Aand the other in Memphis at Royal Studios. These two discs showcase Lauderdale's range. The Nashville side is more 'eclectic,” Lauderdale says, with singer-songwriter, traditional country, and pure rock, while the Memphis side is heavily soul influenced. He's recently putting the finishing touches on a September 30 release, This Changes Everything, which was largely recorded during a single day in Austin, Texas.