Go Folk Yourself
by Jewly Hight
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Bonnaroo isn’t the only noteworthy outdoor music festival within a stone’s throw of Nashville: there’s also the Americana Folk Festival, back from hiatus this year. At Dickson’s comparatively serene Montgomery Bell State Park, it’s all but guaranteed you won’t have to put up with gridlocked gate traffic—or nudity—to enjoy the full AFF experience. Peruse this year’s lineup and you’ll quickly notice that “folk” and “Americana” are defined rather broadly; the AFF’s website acknowledges as much. But that’s not a bad thing. AFF’s 30-plus acts include a sizable number of singer-songwriters and a few less bands, many (but not all) acoustic-leaning and based in Nashville. The mix combines thoroughly folk groups like Contrarian Ensemble and The Kindling Stone, the fervent Southern rock—acoustic, mind you—of Blue Mother Tupelo and Casey Driessen, and Alison Brown’s startling instrumental innovations. Paul Burch, Eric Wilson, Jennifer Nicely, David Dewese and Megan McCormick are just a few of the high-quality singer-songwriters on the bill, along with refined pop purveyors like Jars of Clay, The Silver Seas and The Old Ceremony. Everything at AFF unfolds at a relaxed pace. Acts aren’t rushed on and off the premises, and stage setups aren’t overly complex. There’s plenty to take in—including visual art, outdoorsy activities and a special organic Yazoo brew—but it never gets overwhelming.
Sat., Nov. 1, 10 a.m., 2008
Sat., Nov. 1, 10 a.m., 2008
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