Celebrating the Undeniable Greatness of Diverse Talent in Country Music
Nashville, TENN – The Spirit of Country, a celebration of diverse talent in country music, returns for its second consecutive year, proudly presented by Guidance Whiskey. This extraordinary event, hosted by Nashville comedian J. McNutt, will take place on June 8, 2023, 7:00 pm at AB Hillsboro Village, Music City’s newest live music and event venue. Formerly known as Anzie Blue, AB Hillsboro Village is a 250-capacity restaurant and event space created by owners Marcie Allen and Derek Van Mol to preserve live music and independent music venues.
Headlining this year’s lineup is the remarkable Tony Evans Jr., an African American artist, who will grace the AB Hillsboro Village stage alongside a diverse group of rising singers/songwriters in the country genre. Joining Evans Jr. in this captivating showcase are Autumn Nicholas, a talented mixed-race and non-binary artist, as well as Kelvin Thomas, Josey, Wally Pride, Larysa Jaye, and Jovon Newman. These artists, hailing from various races, nationalities, and backgrounds, represent the rich diversity within the country music community and have dedicated themselves to their craft, embodying the true spirit of country music.
“True greatness is undeniable, and these artists have worked so hard to be where they are. If we can shine a light on them in any way, we are going to do it,” expressed Jason Ridgel, Founder of Guidance Whiskey and one of the event’s producers.
The Spirit of Country aims to provide a platform for these exceptional talents to showcase their skills and further their careers while celebrating the significant contributions of diverse artists to the Country Music landscape.
The event takes place during the CMA Fest, a four-day and night celebration of Country Music in Nashville. This year, the African American experience in country music is receiving special recognition. In addition to The Spirit of Country, Nashville-based restaurant Slim & Husky’s is hosting ‘Black To The Roots’ at Analog at the Hutton Hotel, an African American-inspired country music event during CMA Fest, highlighting the presence and influence of Black country music artists. Their event will take place June 10th at 7:00 pm.
The collaboration between Guidance Whiskey, Onyx Country Radio, and Mamé Fest underscores the commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity within the country music community. Together, they have created an extraordinary platform that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of country music while setting the stage for the future generation of artists to make their own mark and continue the genre’s legacy.
As the much-anticipated CMA Fest approaches, The Spirit of Country stands out as a shining beacon of talent and inspiration. It provides music enthusiasts with an opportunity to witness the rise of the brightest young stars in country music while experiencing the grandest festival atmosphere.
Tickets for The Spirit of Country are now available for purchase. General admission tickets are priced at $24.50, while VIP tickets are priced at $34.50. To secure your place at this captivating event, please visit the official ticketing website: spiritofcountry.ticketspice.
Join us on June 8th as The Spirit of Country takes center stage, igniting the passion and talent of emerging diverse country artists. This one-of-a-kind showcase promises an enchanting evening of exceptional music, highlighting the undeniable greatness of these remarkable artists who have dedicated themselves to the genre.
