AmericanaFest Inks Shelburne
• The Americana Music Association has hired Craig Shelburne as festival producer for AmericanaFest, the association’s annual festival and conference, which is scheduled to run September 13-17 in Nashville.
In his new role, Shelburne will report to Executive Director Jed Hilly and be responsible for producing the nighttime music showcases during the festival portion of the event. “I’m thrilled that Craig is joining our team,” says Hilly. “His knowledge of the Americana world is unsurpassed, and his insight will elevate both the team in the office and the experience of AmericanaFest attendees.”
Shelburne has been writing about roots music for more than 25 years and currently serves as Managing Editor at the Bluegrass Situation. He previously served as a VP at Richlynn Group and GM at MusicRow Magazine. Shelburne also spent 13 years in an editorial role at CMT.com, where he launched a roots music blog called CMT Edge and co-produced the online series Concrete Country.
Shelburne has also written the script for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards five times and co-produced the 2021 show in Raleigh. He’s also written for the ACM, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Nashville Scene and is the author of a forthcoming biography of country legend Don Gibson.
“Working with the team at the Americana Music Association has already been an exceptional experience,” says Shelburne. “I’ve attended the festival every year since it started, and I’ve always been impressed with AmericanaFest‘s blend of rising talent and music legends. I’ve spent my career in journalism, and to me, no other genre can tell a story better than Americana.” Official Showcase applications for AmericanaFest open Feb. 15. Artists interested in submitting for this opportunity can learn more here. Shelburne can be reached at craig@americanamusic.org.
