By 
September 30, 2025
“Americana music is about all sorts of different music. It’s very free and open: a world where people just like authentic music.” – John Oates, 2014 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee
The Huntsville Music Office—recently surging to new heights featuring over 260 events during Huntsville Music Month in September—returned to Nashville for a week in September for its second consecutive year at AMERICANAFEST, the internationally renowned music festival and conference hosted by the Americana Music Association.
A vital part of the Huntsville Music Office’s mission is exposing local talent to new audiences while fostering connections with artists from other cities. Alongside programs like the East Iris Live Music Exchange, AMERICANAFEST stands out as a key opportunity to showcase Huntsville’s talent and build industry relationships.
Why AMERICANAFEST matters?
AMERICANAFEST brings together fans and industry professionals for a celebration of roots music through nightly showcases, business panels, networking and one-of-a-kind events across Nashville.
Its history dates to the late 1990s when a group of radio, record label and media professionals met at SXSW in Austin, Texas, to discuss strengthening the Americana community. The Americana Music Association was formed in 1999, with the first convention following in 2000 in Nashville.
While SXSW has grown into a sprawling tech, film, media and music conference, Huntsville Music Officer Matt Mandrella said AMERICANAFEST has stayed true to its purpose: spotlighting musicians and convening the music industry in one place.
The 2025 lineup reflected that spirit, featuring Dawes, Joy Oladokun, The Secret Sisters, Maggie Rose, Dwight Yoakam, Kip Moore and Shooter Jennings. The conference also tackled timely issues through panels on playlisting, mental health, Americana in film/TV and AI in music. Keynotes included Brandy Clark, Brandi Carlile, John C. Reilly, GRAMMY CEO Harvey Mason, Jr., Jack White and more.
Building on Vision
Huntsville’s second year at AMERICANAFEST reflects not only consistency but measurable return on investment. What began as Mayor Tommy Battle’s vision to create a Music Office that could elevate local talent and build industry connections is now yielding results.
Huntsville artists are gaining national exposure, partnerships are strengthening across the region, and the Rocket City’s identity as a music hub is solidifying.
As John Oates described Americana as “a world where people just like authentic music,” Huntsville’s presence at AMERICANAFEST shows that authenticity is exactly what the city brings to the stage.
Huntsville at AMERICANAFEST
Huntsville first stepped onto the AMERICANAFEST stage in 2024 with the Rocket City Ramble, presented in partnership with the Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), ASmartPlace, and Wrangler. Six Huntsville acts, Camacho, Luna Koi, Wanda Band, Common Man, Hugh Lindsey, and Victoria Jones, performed at Acme Feed & Seed, establishing the Rocket City’s presence.
Video credit: Cool Stuff by Austin/Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau
This year, Huntsville expanded to two events: the second annual Rocket City Ramble and the debut of Muscle Shoals Meets the Rocket City.
Muscle Shoals Meets the Rocket City
FAME Recording Studios and the Huntsville Music Office co-hosted a special event at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in downtown Nashville featuring Huntsville artists Common Man and Karmessa alongside FAME artists The LeBlanc Family Band, Kensie Coppin, Steve Knight, and GRAMMY winner Mike Farris.
Founded in 1959, FAME is legendary for recording icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, and Jason Isbell. For Rodney Hall, son of founder Rick Hall, this collaboration continues a long-standing regional bond.
“There’s always been a strong connection between Huntsville and Muscle Shoals, as well as Nashville and Memphis,” Hall said. “Musicians go back and forth all the time. We’ve used Huntsville players for years. Now, we’re just continuing to grow that.”
Mandrella echoed the importance: “You’ve got one of the most legendary music legacies in the country right here in north Alabama, and we believe Huntsville’s local music is part of that larger story. Working with iconic brands like FAME strengthens the entire scene.”
Rocket City Ramble
Acme Feed & Seed on Broadway again hosted Huntsville’s Rocket City Ramble, with backing by the CVB, ASmartPlace, FAME and Wrangler. This year’s lineup featured The Burney Sisters, Hollan, Jayne & The Huntsmen, and Treetop & The Gifted, each bringing their own spin on Americana.
The Burney Sisters, recent Huntsville transplants from Columbia, Mo., said representing their new home was a milestone.
“We moved to Huntsville mainly to get closer to Nashville and Muscle Shoals but then realized how many amazing musicians were actually living in Huntsville itself,” Emma Burney said.
For Treetop & The Gifted, the event was about planting roots.
“Playing in front of a fresh audience is always exciting,” Nigel King-Law, aka Treetop, from Treetop & The Gifted. “I felt like we planted some seeds today.”
The band also previewed their new album, “Working Man,” inspired by the struggles and dreams of everyday Americans.
For Hollan, AMERICANAFEST meant a first Nashville performance.
“It’s really cool to be able to say now that I’ve played here. I was honored to represent Huntsville,” Hollan said.
And Jayne & The Huntsmen called it a dream fulfilled.
“Just last year I was at a friend’s show thinking, ‘Wow, I’d love to do this someday,’” Jayne said. “And now, here we are.”
