Americana Music Association, Newport Folk Presents® and City Winery Present: State of the Union: A Celebration of American Roots Music

(Nashville, TN, Newport, RI and New York, NY) January 14, 2015 - City Winery, Newport FolkPresents® and the Americana Music Association announced today a partnership to promote a series of concerts titled State of the Union taking place at the esteemed City Winery venues in Chicago, Napa, Nashville, and New York City.  One night per month in each city, State of the Union will highlight artists whose musicianship and excellence set the standard for live performance.

The State of the Union concert series is the result of brainstorming conversations between Shlomo Lipetz, City Winery’s National Programming Director, Jay Sweet, Producer of the Newport Folk Festival® and Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, seeking ways to work together to promote the collective appreciation of American roots music.

“Newport Folk Presents® and the Americana Music Association are torchbearers in presenting not only some of the best music today but also in discovering amazing new talent,” said City Winery’s Lipetz, adding “we are thrilled to present this series with these prestigious music loving organizations.”
“Building partnerships is paramount for the continued success of Newport Festivals Foundation™,” commented Newport Producer Sweet, adding “working with the Americana Music Association and City Winery, who share our taste in great music, makes perfect sense.”

“I love this partnership with Newport Folk and City Winery,” added Americana’s Hilly. “From the historical significance of the Newport Folk Festival to City Winery’s strategically situated venues and appreciation for the artistry, I can’t think of better partners to spread our mission to support the authentic voice of American Roots Music." 

State of the Union, a monthly concert series from Newport Folk Presents ®, the Americana Music Association and City Winery, will kick off across the nation in January.

CHICAGO
January - Joe Henry 1/19
February - Shawn Colvin 2/18-19 
March - Buckwheat Zydeco 3/4
NAPA
January - Willie Watson 1/20 
February - Steep Canyon Rangers 2/28 
April - North Mississippi Allstars 4/3
NASHVILLE
January - Jackie Greene 1/19
February - Booker T. Jones 2/24
March - Aaron Neville 3/8 (Tickets on sale January 20, 2015)
NYC 
January - Alejandro Escovedo 1/22-24
February - Jay Farrar 2/11
March - Mary Gauthier & David Wilcox 3/29