Only as recently as 1999 in the USA, a group of industry professionals and musicians involved in the broad genre of American roots music formed the trade organisation named Americana Music Association not just to focus attention on the talent of songwriters and performers but also to support the commercial efforts of this vibrant community. They soon started an annual convention in Nashville.

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During my ownership of Proper Music Group, I regularly attended this gathering to sample the essence at the source. I witnessed some outstanding showcases, and many memorable Awards shows at the Ryman Auditorium. In those days, admission to the convention and all the associated live music was restricted to delegates but due to the word getting out about the high calibre of performances over the four-day event, it was only a matter of time before the organization opened doors to the public to what has transformed into Americanafest.

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The category of music now recognized globally as Americana was popularized in the UK by the success of Mumford & sons and many others and generated a demand for a similar trade body on this side of the Atlantic to the one that was founded in the USA. Thanks to the efforts a determined group of hard-working people the Americana Music Association UK was formed with the same objectives and principals of its American cousin.

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The AMA UK holds its equivalent annual festival in London. In 2024, the event takes place over the course of four days (22nd – 25th January) at several venues that are close to each other in Hackney.

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On 24th January, The Last Music Company has a whole evening at one of the venues (NIGHT TALES) exclusively featuring six artists from the record label.

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· HANNAH WHITE

· GERAINT WATKINS AND THE MOSQUITOES

· BILL KIRCHEN AND HIS BAND

· SLIM CHANCE

· SISTER SUZIE

· OLIVER DARLING

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The event will take place at Night Tales (Hackney), 14 Bohemia Place, London. Ticket can be purchased at the link below.

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~Malcolm Mills

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