Americana Music Association Establishes Inclusivity Advisory Committee

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The Americana Music Association has formed a committee to address issues of inclusivity, representation and identity within the Americana community.

The new committee’s members include artists Brandi Carlile, Leyla McCalla, Allison Russell, in addition to Garth Fundis (Producer, President of the Americana Music Association Board of Directors), Courtney Gregg (Carnival Music), David Macias (Thirty Tigers), Jacquelyn Marushka (Marushka Media), Shannon Sanders (BMI/Producer) and Caroline Randall Williams (Author/Activist/Teacher), plus Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly and Manager of Marketing and Member Relations Anna Lee Williams, who serve as facilitators.

The association has also shared its new identity statement across all platforms which proudly says, “All Colors. All Genders. All Abilities. All Sizes. All Orientations. All Identities. All Americana.” In line with this statement, the committee was established to declare the 21-year-old association’s ongoing commitment to representation in the Americana community to ensure a welcoming space for all identities as well as to educate on the rich and diverse history of American roots music.

“This committee was formed as an imperfect response to a heard need,” says Hilly. “It is a group that was established with people who have the insight and rapport to meet this moment.”

The association also plans to bring important conversations in person to attendees this September in the form of conference panels during its 21st annual AMERICANAFEST in Nashville. Curated by committee members, a variety of this year’s sessions will celebrate the legacies and cultural impact of Black, Hispanic/Latine* and LGBTQ+ communities within Americana. The association will curate additional panels with under-celebrated communities into the fall following the conference.

Lorie Hollabaugh
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