Amory Godley // Contributing writer
On Sept. 26-27, the Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival in Franklin, Tennessee, will showcase many different genres, from New Orleans big bands to Americana artists.
The two-day festival lineup features seven artists who call Nashville their home. Here’s a run-down on each one to help you secure your weekend schedule:
Granddaughter of country music legend Hank Williams, she owns a fashion boutique in Nashville and runs a lifestyle blog called “The Afternoon Off.” Her husband, Chris Coleman, played a huge role in her 2013 album “The Highway,” which she is sure to play music off of at the festival.
Time slot: Sept. 26. 12 p.m. Pilgrimage Midnight Sun stage.
Sample track: “Waiting on June”
Singer-songwriter Will Hoge has a lengthy career spanning 10 albums, and he even received a Grammy nomination for Eli Young Band’s “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” Fans can expect to hear tracks off his latest album released earlier this year, “Small Town Dreams.”
Time slot: Sept. 26. 2:45 p.m. Hard Rock Harpeth River stage.
Sample track: “I Don’t Believe”
In his 15 year career, he has written for many artists including George Straight, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker and Josh Turner. He is on tour this year for his latest album, “Traveller.”
Time slot: Sept. 27. 1:25 p.m. Fender Premium Audio Gold Record Road stage.
Sample track: “Traveler”
Stevie Woodward is an MTSU senior who will graduate in May. Her eponymous EP came out earlier this year with the help of a Kickstarter campaign. Stevie got in by fan vote and said she’s thrilled to play the festival. “My idol is Sheryl Crow,” Stevie said in an interview with Sidelines. “I mean, she is just as good as it gets for me. I couldn’t be anymore excited than I am to see her, let alone play in the same festival as her.”
Time slot: Sept. 26. 10:30 a.m. Hard Rock Harpeth River stage.
Sample track: “Leaves Me Without You”
Guthrie Brown and the Family Tree.
Led by singer Guthrie Brown, the Family Tree consists of Maddy Brown, John McNally, John Ogleby and Will Honaker. They released their debut EP, “Spirit of the Elk,” in 2014 and after the festival they will take a break from touring for the next four months to record a new album. In addition to performing, Brown says he is excited to see the other bands on the lineup. “I’m always so excited to see Wilco bring it live,” he said. “Love them with all my heart. Also Dawes, Band of Horses, Punch Brothers, St. Paul and the Broken Bones … There are too many great bands to just pick one.”
Time slot: Sept. 26. 11:45 a.m. Hard Rock Harpeth River stage.
Sample track: “Energy”
ELEL is a seven-piece band comprised of Ben Elkins, Zach Tichenor, Tim Cook, Jo Jo Jackson, Alex Mojavarian, Fredrick Weathersby and Stefan Forbus. Most of the band has worked or is currently working at Trader Joe’s in Nashville, where Ben Elkins met most of his band members. They will be playing music from their 2015 EP “ELEL,” but they will also play some new material from their full-length album to be released early next year. Ben Elkins said the band’s excited about hearing all the artists but especially Wilco. “That’s been one of my favorite bands for a long time.” Elkins said. “Weezer is a lot of my band members’ favorite bands. We’ve also played with Saint Motel before and it was super fun.”
Time slot: Sept. 26. 11:15 a.m. Fender Premium Audio Gold Record Road stage.
Sample track: “40 Watt”
Originally from New Orleans, the now Nashville-based duo NAWAS will take the stage Sunday morning. NAWAS have never released an album, so those attending the two-day festival will get to witness their rise in the Nashville music scene.
Time slot: Sept. 27. 11:15 a.m. Pilgrimage Midnight Sun stage.
Sample track: “We Had It All”
