Australia, Canada and The UK unite to present Country Connections Live at Nashville’s influential AmericanaFest Showcase and Conference on Saturday 19 September 2026.
This special free event brings together the best talent from Australia, Canada and The UK for an all day celebration at Nashville’s Legendary 5 Spot Music Venue
COUNTRY CONNECTIONS LIVE is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between music export organisations Sounds Australia, CIMA (Canadian Independent Music Association) and British Underground. It brings together exciting home-grown talent for a unique showcase in front of US and international music industry delegates attending AMERICANAFEST, the annual music showcase and conference held in Nashville, TN from 15 to 19 September.
The show at the 5 Spot will feature 12 emerging artists from Australia, Canada and the UK officially selected by the AMERICANAFEST team including Austin Mackay (Australia), Azure Ryder (Australia), Bobby Dove (Canada), Boy Golden (Canada), Braden Lam (Canada), Brown Horse (UK), Elles Bailey (UK), Georgia Harmer (Canada), Hollow Hand (UK), Ian Moss (Australia), Our Man in the Field (UK) and The Dreggs (Australia).
Country Connections Live
Saturday 19 September 2026
11.30AM to 6:30PM
The 5 Spot, 1006 Forrest Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
All three organisations have been successfully participating in AMERICANAFEST for several years and, in response to current global challenges, agreed to take a new approach by working together, sharing resources and combining expertise. Included in the Country Connections Live programme will be a bespoke artist development package with dedicated industry networking events, orientation sessions and artist mixers all run in partnership with AMERICANAFEST.
Larry Heath, Associate Producer, Sounds Australia said “At Sounds Australia, we often talk about the benefit of artists collaborating across borders to grow their international fanbase. After years of working behind-the-scenes with the UK and Canada, the unique opportunity to showcase all our countries on one Nashville stage encourages exactly that. We can't wait to see what might grow out of this AMERICANAFEST event, and hope to see everyone come out and discover new talent from all corners of the globe.”
Jenia Schukov, Export Programming Manager, CIMA said “We’re thrilled to partner with Sounds Australia and the British Underground for our first Country Connections Live showcase in Nashville. This exciting global collaboration brings artists and industry from different markets together to build connections, spark creativity, and open doors to new opportunities.”
Crispin Parry MBE, CEO, British Underground said “AMERICANAFEST can be a particularly tricky event to navigate for international artists as it is so strongly associated with the Nashville scene. Our new partnership with Sounds Australia and CIMA helps to bring emerging international artists into one high-profile programme, strengthening their visibility, reach and opportunities at this important international industry event. We are also delighted to be working again with UK americana trade body AMA UK at this year’s event.”
For more information contact: crispin@britishunderground.net
About AMERICANAFEST:
The 26th annual AMERICANAFEST will take place in Nashville from September 15-19, 2026, for five days of discovery, insight and connections. AMERICANAFEST showcases hundreds of artists and bands throughout many notable venues. The destination event also features a first-rate industry conference, bringing together the top tier of the music business to discuss current industry topics and issues. The critically acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards celebrates luminaries and welcomes the next generation of trailblazers while offering one-of-a-kind performance pairings at Ryman Auditorium. For more information, please visit http://www.americanamusic.org/
-
What is Americanafest?
AMERICANAFEST is a 5-day major music industry conference and showcase festival hosted annually in Nashville, TN.
The music programming covers everything from gospel and blues to folk and country and is an alternative to the very commercial mainstream music that the city is known for.
AMERICANAFEST has panels, keynotes and seminars with several industry networking events plus an amazing awards ceremony held at the Ryman Auditorium.
-
When does it happen?
AMERICANAFEST is an annual gathering, and this year, it takes places from the 15th to the 19th of September in Nashville, Tennessee.
-
What do BU do?
BU host Country Connections Live in partnership with AMA UK, Sounds Australia and CIMA. This is an additional showcase for officially selected UK artists.
Included in the Country Connections Live programme will be a bespoke artist development package with dedicated industry networking events, orientation sessions and artist mixers all run in partnership with AMERICANAFEST
-
Who has participated from the UK?
UK artists have played a very active role in AMERICANAFEST in the last ten years or so and Yola, originally from Bristol, became a breakout star launching her US career via AMERICANAFEST.
Other acts that have showcased include John Smith, Elles Bailey, Lady Nade, The Hanging Stars, The Wandering Hearts and Simeon Hammond Dallas.
-
How do I apply?
Whether you're an artist or industry professional, sign up here to become an Americana Music Association member.
For more details and FAQs, click here.
-
Can I attend?
Yes, visit here for more information, passes and volunteering opportunities.
“UK acts command a genuine audience of fans and industry taste-makers in the heart of the Nashville music scene, and it is a privilege to host this micro-festival of UK talent introducing our finest acts to the US music market”.
– Crispin Parry
Explore our current projects
