Your Roots Are Showing Conference Unveils 2026 Programming

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Your Roots Are Showing (YRAS), Ireland’s folk and roots music conference, has revealed its 2026 speaker, panel and keynote schedule. The events will be held at ICC Belfast Jan. 14-18.

Wednesday (Jan. 14) will feature Tai Chi with Jim Lauderdale, “Whose Voice Gets Heard? Gender, Power, and the Folk Revival” with Linda Coogan Byrne, “Music, Climate & Creative Leadership” with Maria Vittoria, Sean McGrath and Clare Sands, “Distribution 101” with the Symphonic distribution team, “Social Media & Journalism” with Ian Saint, “The Living Language of Song” with Clare Sands and Liam Ó Maonlaí moderated by Caoimhe Ní Chathail, “Mandolin Workship” with Wyatt Ellis and a Keynote Interview with Paddy Keenan.

Thursday (Jan. 15) brings conversations including, “From Ruin to Relaunch – How one young artist over came the crushing blow of defeat in Nashville to relaunch a new independent career” with Lanny West, Leslie Fram and Dee White. “Booking Process for Raglan Road at Disney” with John Cooke and a Songwriting Workshop with Jim Lauderdale, Wallis Bird, Liam Ó Maonlaí, David Keenan, and Kenny Sharp. Jackie Martínez Marushka will moderate a panel on Music Journalism featuring veteran journalists, Craig Shelburne (The Bluegrass Situation), Cindy Watts (Nashville Lifestyle, American Songwriter, Tennessean), Will Hermes (Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” New York Times) and Chris Barilla (People Magazine). Marshal Garbus will host the “Visa Workshop,” while United Talent Agency’s Brian Hill and Matthew Morgan invite you to “Ask an Agent.” Midnight Mango Showcase Artists will host a panel followed by “Opry 100” with Craig Shelburne, Brenda Willis, Pete Fisher, Rissi Palmer and Jessica Willis Fisher.

Friday (Jan. 16) Jackie Martínez Marushka brings her “PR and Branding” workshop back to YRAS, while Katherine DePaul hosts a “Publishing Panel” and ARTS EKTA offers a “Connections” Panel. Revered songwriter, artist and producer Kristian Bush and his brother Brandon Bush, bring “Road Runner Rules,” Middle Tennessee State University professor Susan Hamilton will walk attendees through the “Music Business” and Lisa Schwartz speaks to “Breaking Down Silos.” Speaking to film and TV sync placements, music supervisor (Yellowstone and more) Andrea Von Foerster will talk about the ins and outs of her world. The day wraps with a “Fireside Chat with Fiona Bloom” and Keynote Interview with the legendary Amy Grant, moderated by Craig Shelburne.

Saturday (Jan. 17) brings “Web3, Blockchain & AI” with Anna Fahey, A Fireside Chat with TV and music industry pioneer Joel Wertman who discovered the Goo Goo Dolls and ran Sire Records. Representatives of Nashville’s biggest independent label, Curb Records, will host a Q&A while Allison Shaw talks about “Industry Leadership & Artist Development,” and “Storytelling with Liam O’Maonlai & David Keenan” and “Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer” round out the final conference day.

Sunday (Jan. 18) is the Conference’s Music Trail. Venues and artists will be revealed soon.

More information about schedules and registration can be found here.

Lauryn Sink
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