Big Loud Announces Free AmericanaFest Showcase With Kashus Culpepper, Thelma & James & More

The all-ages event takes place September 15 at Aviator Nation Dreamland in Nashville.

Written by Amanda Tempel

Date Published: August 12, 2026

Big Loud is returning to AmericanaFest with its second annual showcase, bringing six artists to Aviator Nation Dreamland for a free afternoon of live music.

Set for Tuesday, September 15, the Big Loud AmericanaFest Showcase will feature performances from Kashus Culpepper, Thelma & James, Coleman Jennings, Alex Lambert, Nathan Bess, and Waylon Payne.

The event begins at 4 p.m. and is open to all ages. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis, and fans can RSVP here.

The showcase is presented by Big Loud in partnership with Aviator Nation Dreamland and is part of AmericanaFest week in Nashville, which runs September 15-19, 2026.

Big Loud AmericanaFest Showcase 2026

Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Time: 4 p.m.
Location: Aviator Nation Dreamland, Nashville
Admission: Free, first-come, first-served
Ages: All ages
Lineup: Kashus Culpepper, Thelma & James, Coleman Jennings, Alex Lambert, Nathan Bess, and Waylon Payne

Kashus Culpepper

In just two years since his first release, Alabama-born artist-writer Kashus Culpepper has emerged as one of music's most exciting new voices. Nominated for Americana Honors & Awards Emerging Act of the Year, Culpepper's distinct sound and lauded debut album Act I have earned him critical acclaim from NPR, Rolling Stone, Billboard, SPIN and more. He has landed on numerous prestigious artist-to-watch lists and shared the stage with the likes of Leon Bridges, Sierra Ferrell and more.

Thelma & James

Thelma & James have quickly turned an unexpected musical partnership into one of country music's most talked-about new acts. Formed by married Nashville-based singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, the duo recently earned their first ACM Award nomination and wrapped their first stadium tour with Luke Combs. Their breakout song “Happy Ever After You” has surpassed 30 million global streams and set the scene for resonating new songs like “Home In Your Broken Heart” and “Alternate Ending.”

Alex Lambert

Singer-songwriter Alex Lambert is carving out a distinct place in music with his soulful sound and affinity for country, R&B and timeless groove. The Texas native announced his signing with Big Loud Texas in January, joining the buzzed-about imprint founded by Miranda Lambert and Jon Randall. Drawing influence from artists like John Legend, Amos Lee, Kacey Musgraves and Leon Bridges, Lambert's fan-favorite songs like “Think I'm In Love” and “You Make Sense To Me” serve as statements of artistic intent. Recently touring with Paul Cauthen, Lambert will join Billy Currington and Kip Moore on the road this month and next, with headline dates in September as well.

Coleman Jennings

With a hypnotic vibrato made to cut through the haze of modern life, and an old-school dedication to Western twang, Big Loud Texas singer-songwriter Coleman Jennings can seem like a conduit to a different time – or even, a different spiritual plane. Earlier this year the country provocateur raised his distinctive voice for all to hear on his debut record Lead You Home, working with lauded Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb to bring the 10 riveting songs to life. Never afraid to call out dull conventionality, the Texas native is a student of music with inspirations like Townes Van Zandt, The Eagles, Blaze Foley, John Hartford and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Waylon Payne

A poetic outlaw, Waylon Payne made an indelible mark with his timeless debut album* The Drifter*. Building on the legacy of that album and the widespread acclaim of Blue Eyes, The Harlot, The Queer, The Pusher & Me, Payne's Big Loud Texas debut, Wayward, is out now. The son of Grammy Award-winning country singer Sammi Smith and Jody Payne of Willie Nelson's band, he dons the name of his godfather Waylon Jennings. Multi-talented with the charm of a seasoned entertainer, Waylon appeared in the award-winning Johnny Cash biopic Walk the Line and biopic Crazy.

Nathan Bess

Hailing from the hills of Charleston, West Virginia, Nathan Bess writes songs that cut to the bone of Appalachian life. A full-time firefighter, his music explores the struggles, stories and resilience of his home state – following in the footsteps of Appalachian country music stalwarts like Tyler Childers and Sturgill Simpson. Focused on the next chapter in his career, Bess looks to continue the tradition of American storytelling as one of the most promising new artists in the space

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About AmericanaFest 2026

AmericanaFest brings artists, music industry professionals, and fans together across venues throughout Nashville for showcases, special events, industry panels, networking opportunities, and the annual Americana Honors & Awards at the Ryman Auditorium.

The 2026 festival takes place September 15-19 in Nashville, with the Big Loud showcase kicking off the week on September 15 at Aviator Nation Dreamland.