What is Americana?
The Americana Music Association defines this genre of music as contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B, and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw. While acoustic instruments are often present and vital, Americana also often uses an electric band.
When finding examples of Americana music, you don’t need to search far. We have Michigan’s own Billy Strings and The War and Treaty touring the world performing under the umbrella of the Americana genre. Some other popular examples would be Johnny Cash, John Prine, Old Crow Medicine Show, Mumford and Sons, Jason Isbell, Emmylou Harris, Gordon Lightfoot, and many more. These artists have pulled from various American styles to create their music and it is this collective sound that guides the curation of the River Raisin Americana Celebration.