Biggest Takeaways from AmericanaFest 2025

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AmericanaFest 2025 happened September 9th to 13th in Nashville this year, with many artists big and small playing the festival/conference that’s Americana’s version of SXSW. Showcases happen all across the city. And though some individuals like to focus on the big names, Saving Country Music takes the opportunity to scout for under-supported talent. Here are some of the best artists witnessed in 2025.

You can also read a run down of the 2025 Americana Music Awards.

Nicholas Jamerson


Those paying attention in Kentucky don’t need Saving Country Music or anyone else convincing them that Nicholas Jamerson is one of the premier songwriters and performers of the era. But the music of the Sundy Best member is still decidedly underground compared to some of his more critically-acclaimed peers. Along with other appearances, Jamerson made his debut at Nashville’s legendary Station Inn as part of a Thursday afternoon (9-11) event host by the Laurel Cove Music Festival.

Jamerson featured songs from his brand new album The Narrow Way, but perhaps made his most stunning impact while performing his song “Linda James” with the multi-part harmonies provided by his backing band. The harmonies awoke the ghosts living in those hallowed Station Inn walls and left the audience in chills.

As excellent as Jamerson is, his band is just as lights out. The keyboard player also plays banjo. The drummer also saws fiddle. And everyone sings when called upon. This is definitely a live act not to miss.

Wild Bill and the Bruisers


Wild Bill and the Brusiers bring that full-tilt, wild-eyed old school Lower Broadway country/rockabilly/post-punk vibe and showmanship that unfortunately has been missing in all the sad bastard singer-songwriter country of today. Like Hillbilly Casino or Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers back in the day, the frenetic energy is infectious, and you’re immediately engaged.

Wild Bill is a madman, but there’s also mad musicianship behind all the show from this power country three-piece. After Saving Country Music posted video of Wild Bill playing his bass on his shoulder and head from the Torrez Music Group’s “Indies and Outlaws” shindig at Nations Bar & Grill in Nashville, it went viral.

See these dudes live if you can. They regularly are performing on Lower Broadway.

Kimmi Bitter


Kimmi Bitter has been included on this list from the last couple of AmericanaFests, and will continue to be included here until hopefully the world wakes up to the talent it has within its midst. From San Diego, Kimmi is the embodiment of Patsy Cline, mixed with mod and retro styling, combining great songwriting with a world-class voice.

Speaking to the respect she’s earned from her peer musicians, Kimmi was given an extended performance slot at the weekly Honky Tonk Tuesday shindig at Eastside Bowl by hosts The Cowpokes for AmericanaFest. Along with featuring some of the great songs from her Album of the Year-nominated title Old School from 2024, Bitter also featured new songs from an upcoming project. On some of the new material, Kimmi leaves the guitar playing to her right hand man Willis Farnsworth, and focuses more on her singing.

Victoria Camp


Victoria Camp is on the short list of the next artists about to hit it big. She’s got an incredible voice and natural instincts of how to wield it, and a true gift for songwriting. “Fearless” is the best way to describe how she approaches songs and the stage. Displaying her prowess at numerous performances at AmericanaFest, Victoria is readying a debut album while playing regularly on Lower Broadway in Nashville.

Comparisons have been made between Victoria Camp and fellow Alabama badass Taylor Hunnicutt with the way they both bring such soul to their delivery. But Victoria (and Taylor) are their own women. Watch out for these badass women from Alabama because they’re on the march. Camp also happens to be the first “Golden Patch” winner of The Hook.

Kristina Murray


As a mainstay of the Nashville honky tonk scene, Kristina Murray has made many appearances over many years at AmericanaFest, in both official and unofficial capacities. But what made 2025 different is she finally had a label-backed album out there for people to hear in Little Blue, and this helped open up new opportunities for a deserving performer.

Murray performed at the big Honky Tonk Queens showcase at the Exit/In on Thursday, along with singing a song at the Luke Bell tribute show at the Basement East (pictured above). There still is plenty of upside potential for Kristina as the rest of the world continues to catch on. But she’s finally is receiving the support she’s deserved all these many years.

Summer Dean


She’s one of the most entertaining performers in all of country music, with a boisterous stage presence, hilarious disposition, and more traditional country moxie than you can handle. She’s the reigning Queen of Texas Country, and her name is Summer Dean.

What Summer also proved at AmericanaFest 2025 is that she is one of the hardest working humans in country music, running around town and playing any stage that would have her.

Along with Summer’s killer honky tonk songs, many of her sets also featured the two guitar attack of killer pickers Kevin Skrla on lead guitar, and Muskrat Jones on pedal steel. Watching these two maestros trade licks is worth venturing out to see Summer Dean if nothing else. Hands down, this is one of the best shows in country music.

More Takeaways:

Emily Jamerson performed as part of a songwriting round from The Farm Music Management at the Station Inn. She’s a great songwriter with a soulful voice. And yes, she is the sister of Nicholas Jamerson. Or should Nicholas be considered the brother on Emily Jamerson? They’re both helping to define the elemental beauty of Kentucky-based songwriting at the moment.
Rosy Nolan is one of the leading voices in traditional California country. She performed at AmericanaFest ahead of her new album “Main Attraction” out October 17th.
Pedal Steel Extraordinaire Muskrat Jones
Professor of Twang Kevin Skrla
Simon Flory made a big impression outside at Dee’s Liquor Lounge as part of Keystone Artist Connect’s Day Party.
India Ramey performing at Dee’s Liquor Lounge as part of Keystone Artist Connect’s Day Party. Rumor is she might have a new album in the works for early 2026.
Emily Nenni performed at the Luke Bell tribute, telling the story of meeting Luke Bell for the first time, calling him her “first love.”
Luke Bell’s sister and singer Jane Bell sings with big Luke Bell influence Pat Reedy
Nicky Diamonds feeling it on the inside stage at Dee’s Liquor Lounge as part of Keystone Artist Connect’s Day Party.
Mallory Eagle performing at Honky Tonk Tuesday as Eastside Bowl
Sophie Gault playing Torrez Music Group’s “Indies and Outlaws” shindig at Nations Bar & Grill
Joshua Ray Walker and sometimes Silverada steel guitar player, and Tennessee governor candidate Adam “Ditch” Kurtz playing with Sophie Gault.
Smokin’ Brett Resnick playing the Luke Bell tribute. Resnick toured with Luke originally, along with playing for Kelsey Waldon, Kacey Musgraves, as well as Zach Top during his meteoric rise.
Natalie Del Carmen from California.
Riley Downing of The Deslones paying tribute to Luke Bell with members of the Ice Cold Pickers Carter Brallier and Steve Daly
The Local Honey’s performing at the Luke Bell tribute with a pump organ
Ritch Henderson at The Station Inn
Mary Beth Richardson of The Banditos paying tribute to Luke Bell
KP Hawthorn performing on the same week she released her new album “Til The Glitter End”
Todd Day Wait singing Luke Bell’s “Sometimes”
Brayden Mullins at The Station Inn
The Cowpokes performing at Honky Tonk Tuesday
Kevin Martin of the Cowpokes
Zach Schmidt paying tribute to Luke Bell
Jane Bell

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