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"Nashville's The Branded Sons' southern grooves elicit a two-pronged high of nostalgia for The Band and unguarded enthusiasm for the chunky power chords and melodic sense of '70s classic rock. Led by charismatic, old-school front man Laws Rushing, The Branded Sons also nod to their hometown's golden age honky tonk, penning wryly confident songs accented with pedal steel; the group released their eponymous debut in August of 2008.
www. myspace. com/brandedsons

Slated for September 17-20, 2008, the 9th Annual Americana Festival and Conference will offer seminars, panels and networking opportunities at the Nashville Convention Center by day, while each evening brings stacked Americana showcases. Legend Levon Helm will officially jump start the festivities Wednesday, September 17 with his Ramble at the Ryman, and the capstone of the festival will take the form of the annual Americana Music Association Honors and Awards, scheduled for September 18 at the historic Ryman Auditorium.


For the latest additions to showcase lineups, ticket purchasing and more information about the Americana Music Festival and Conference, please visit www. americanamusic. org.
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