AMERICANAFEST 2026 Kickoff Event at NMAAM

Presented by the National Museum of African American Music

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 | 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM | NMAAM Roots Theatre

AMERICANAFEST 2026 will kick off in soulful fashion on Tuesday, September 15, as the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and the Americana Music Association co-present the festival's official opening night event in the museum's Roots Theater.

The evening will feature Ruby Amanfu, representing the legacy of Paul Kwami and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, followed by an hour-long performance from Americana Soul artist Kenny Sharp and his full band, Brown Liquor Music — the artist who has help lead Nashville's recent R&B renaissance.

The event will take place at NMAAM, 510 Broadway, marking the official kickoff of AMERICANAFEST, which runs September 15–19 throughout Nashville.

This is an RSVP event with limited seating available on a first-come, first-served basis.