CMT News

The three-day National Folk Festival kicked off Friday (Sept. 2) in Nashville, marking its first appearance in the city since 1959. Held at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall in downtown Nashville, the free event encompasses a wide range of international music and dance, including Cajun, East African, Irish, Hawaiian, Latin and Swedish performers. In addition, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has partnered with the festival to offer notable bluegrass, early country, gospel, rhythm & blues and singer-songwriter artists in the region. Presentations will look at topics such as songwriting inspired by family and community traditions; the customs and rituals of Nashville session musicians; Jefferson Street in the 1960s; Bill Monroe's musical legacy; the African American gospel tradition in Nashville; and traditional fiddle styles, according to the festival's website.