The Sage Gateshead, promoter of the SummerTyne Americana Festival, has announced a creative tie-up with the Nashville-based Americana Music Association. The aim is to improve the festival by sharing knowledge and resources between the two organisations.

"We're very keen to help Americana artists be successful in territories outside the US,” said AMA President David Marcias, who was in Gateshead to announce the partnership.

“Americana artists are already operating at a high level in the UK, and we want to grow that even more. We see the Sage as a creative partner; they will be sponsoring a show at our festival in Nashville later this year, helping them build and strengthen relationships with artists, managers and agents. We get to have a strong international link with one of the UK's premier Americana events, which will benefit artists and fans alike in the UK."

Tamsin Austin, programmer of SummerTyne says the link can only benefit both parties, and by definition, strengthen the genre of Americana.

"We're thrilled that the AMA feel our event is so endorseable,” she said. “The AMA are hugely supportive and enthusiastic about SummerTyne – we both share the same ethos. This partnership will help us at the Sage keep the programme as fresh and exciting as possible, by having the best possible connections with new acts, and new projects by established acts."

This year's event which has just finished showcased performances by the cream of Americana talent, including Lyle Lovett, Raul Malo, Sarah Jarosz, and Abigail Washburn. There’s no information yet on any names for next year’s lineup.

Martin Sharman