Thriving Roots Adds Huge Guests
• The Americana Music Association Foundation (AMAF) has revealed some major surprise additions to the Thriving Roots: A Virtual Community Music Conference, kicking off this Wednesday, September 16 and running through Friday, September 18 — we’re talking Linda Ronstadt(!), Brandy Clark, Kathleen Edwards, Rhiannon Giddens, The Lumineers, director M. Night Shyamalan, Tanya Tucker and Lee Ann Womack have been added to the event’s 70+ panel and event sessions!
The legendary Ms. Ronstadt offers a behind-the-scenes look at Linda and the Mockingbirds, a new documentary that chronicles her 2019 journey with Jackson Browne and Mexican-American song and dance troupe Los Cenzontles to her grandfather’s hometown in Mexico. Moderated by esteemed journalist Randy Lewis, attendees will watch the doc and hear insight from Ms. Ronstadt, producer/director James Keach and Los Cenzontles founder Eugene Rodriguez.
The Lumineers’ Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz will chat with Shyamalan about the importance of retaining creative control of your art, and Edwards will speak with acclaimed WFUV/New York PD Rita Houston about Total Freedom — her first new album after an eight-year hiatus. Rhiannon Giddens joins NPR’s Ann Powers and the legendary Taj Mahal for “Music is the Healing Voice.”
The common threads and differences of the Americana and country music worlds will be explored during Ladies, Your Roots Are Showing, presented by Change the Conversation. Moderated by CTC co-founder Tracy Gershon with freelance music journalist Marissa Moss, this session features Brandy Clark, Tanya Tucker and Lee Ann Womack.
Previously announced Thriving Roots programming includes intimate conversations between Judd Apatow & The Avett Brothers; Brandi Carlile & Yola; Emmylou Harris, Ken Burns & Dayton Duncan; Bob Weir& Oteil Burbridge; and Jackson Browne & Mavis Staples. Rosanne Cash will bring together Ry Cooder, Angela Davis, Bonnie Raitt & Alice Randall for “Love and Vigilance,” a look at the history of protest music. RIAA Chairman/CEO Mitch Glazier & COO Michele Ballantyne will share an update on the music industry while looking at current trends and sharing their outlook. The full schedule is posted online, along with your registration information.
