Genre Guides
What Is Americana Music? A Complete Genre Guide
Americana is one of the most expansive genres in modern music. Here's what defines it, where it came from, and why it...
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Browse all articles on heartland music — genre guides, artist spotlights, album reviews, live music coverage, history, and gear.
Artist Spotlights
Gillian Welch: The Quiet Architect of American Roots Music
Gillian Welch has spent decades crafting some of the most spare and emotionally resonant songs in American music....
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Album Reviews
Album Review: Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – <em>Reunions</em>
Jason Isbell's 2020 album Reunions is a rich meditation on memory, identity, and the ghosts we carry. Does it live up...
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Live Music & Festivals
AmericanaFest: Your Complete Guide to Nashville's Roots Music Gathering
AmericanaFest is one of the most important annual events in roots music. Here's everything you need to know before you...
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History & Roots
The Origins of Bluegrass: How Bill Monroe Built a Genre From Mountain Tradition
Bluegrass music has deep Appalachian roots, but it took one visionary musician to forge it into a distinct American art...
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Gear & Instruments
Choosing an Acoustic Guitar for Country, Folk, and Americana: A Practical Guide
The right acoustic guitar makes all the difference in roots music. Here's how to choose one based on your playing...
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