Radio LBB: Americana

I used to joke I didn’t know what being American meant until I moved here five years ago. As an expat it started out with things I didn’t think I’d miss, like barbeque or driving in the mid-west. I also used to say I didn’t like country music, until I got really into Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch and country blues like John Fahey.

The Americana genre is pretty fascinating because it’s broad, but it shares the theme of belonging and freedom. Americana is traditional, folk, gospel, bluegrass/country, jazz and roots rock. Concord Recorded Music has some of the most historic and reputable Americana and bluegrass labels from Fantasy to Rounder, Easy Eye Sound and Vanguard. Allison Russell was recently nominated for three Americana Music Association Awards as well as Billy Strings, Sierra Ferrell and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.

As we finally approach the warmer weather of summer, crack open a window and venture out with this playlist.