First in Los Angeles in the 1980s and later in Nashville, Billy Block galvanized a community of free-thinking but like-minded, country-rooted, songwriter-oriented musicians and became a central figure in scenes that helped create what we now recognize as Americana music. Lucinda Williams, Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale,
Rodney Crowell, Robbie Fulks, Duane Jarvis, Walter Hyatt, Allison Moorer, Kenny Vaughan and hundreds of others played Block’s stages, performing to rooms full of peers, industry shakers, and fans. Block was Americana’s first impresario, bringing the music to new ears with his radio shows and with his “Western Beat” television program, which aired nationally on CMT. Without Block, the story of Americana would be a different one. This is an invaluable chance to hear Block’s thoughts on Americana’s past, present and future, and to hear him uncover hidden history.