The Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) proudly announces its return to Nashville’s AMERICANAFEST, Sept. 15-19, 2026, where Oklahoma music will be front and center among this year’s events, showcases, educational panels and more. This year’s event is particularly meaningful in that Tulsa has been named this year’s Spotlight City and a number of Oklahoma musicians are among the featured talent and nominees for the prestigious Americana Honors & Awards.
Presented by OF+MO in partnership with the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture, The Oklahoma Stage: Live from AMERICANAFEST will feature performances by some of Oklahoma’s most talented musicians, including Zoe Cummins, Kalyn Fay, Beau Jennings & The Tigers and Casii Stephan. This event is free and open to the public on Wed., Sept. 16, from 2-5 p.m. at ACME Feed & Seed in Downtown Nashville.
“We’re always glad for any chance to bring Oklahoma rock n’ roll music to Nashville,” says Beau Jennings. “Big thanks to Oklahoma Film + Music for another visit to Music City.”
Additionally, OF+MO has curated a panel titled “The Soundtrack of Route 66: How Music Shapes America’s Mother Road,” which will discuss the pivotal role of Oklahoma in shaping music history through the sounds of this iconic highway. Exploring the Oklahoma songs, artists and venues that have defined the Mother Road, this panel will include special guests Trait Thompson, Executive Director of Oklahoma Historical Society; John Cooper, Musician & Founding Member of the Red Dirt Rangers; Ashlin Palmer, Talent Buyer and Head of Country, Gate 52; and moderator Dr. Hugh Foley, Oklahoma music historian, educator and author of the Oklahoma Route 66 Music Guide. This panel will take place at the Embassy Suites in Downtown Nashville on Friday, Sept. 18, from 1-2 p.m., and will require an AMERICANAFEST wristband for entry.
“Oklahoma has a rich music history representing all genres from its 400 miles of the Mother Road,” says Trait Thompson, panelist. “This unique highway connecting Chicago’s jazz nightlife to California’s surf rock and the Bakersfield sound has resulted in Oklahoma’s tapestry of musical creations that often blend to create something unique altogether. From Bob Wills to the Flaming Lips, Oklahomans along Route 66 have been delighting audiences around the world for generations. I am excited to share these stories and more at Americanafest in Nashville.”
Always a favorite initiative of the conference, the Americana Awards at the Ryman Auditorium include two Oklahoma nominees: Ken Pomeroy, Best Emerging Act & Album of the Year and The Turnpike Troubadours, Best Duo/Group of the Year. Additional Oklahoma artists performing at the festival include Ken Pomeroy, Parker Millsap, Ramsey Thornton, Chloe Beth, Lance Roark and Johnny Mullenax.
Additional Oklahoma highlights include the following, which require an AMERICANAFEST wristband for entry:
- Thurs., Sept. 17, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Livin’ on Tulsa Time: Green Country Music Mecca Panel
Guests include Steven Jenkins (Bob Dylan Center), Cady Shaw (Woody Guthrie Center), Chad Rodgers (Cain’s Ballroom), Stanton Doyle (Church Studio Music Foundation) - Thurs., Sept. 17, 1-2 p.m.
Health Care in Music Panel
Guests include Patrick Templeman (PS Business Management), Katie Dale (Red Dirt Relief Fund), Ryan Chavez (Imprinted Group), RJ Stillwell (Sound HealthCare) - Thurs., Sept. 17, 7 p.m.-12 a.m.
Tulsa Music Showcase at Analog
Performances by Kalyn Fay, Ramsey Thornton, Casii Stephan, Ken Pomeroy, Johnny Mullenax
For a full list of events, information and more, visit americanafest.com.
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About the Oklahoma Film + Music Office
Under the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) works to promote the state as a viable hub for film, television and music production as well as further develop opportunities for workforce, business and community growth within these sectors. For more information on the Oklahoma Film + Music Office, including the state’s film incentives and additional resources, visit okfilmmusic.org.
