MusicCityNashville.net: Two Very Different American Dreams Come True at AmericanaFest

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Two Very Different American Dreams Come True at AmericanaFest

by Rich and Laura Lynch

Two very different yet equally unique takes on the American dream were fully on display at the First Annual East Nashville Community Fish Fry hosted by Easy Eye Sound, Spotify and Luck Presents as part of the week-long, action-packed AmericanaFest activities on Thursday, September 15, 2022.

Two Very Different American Dreams Come True at AmericanaFest

Ugandan-born songwriter Jon Muq impressed with his music.

What caught our ear first was the foreign accent that belonged to the captivating figure of Ugandan-born songwriter Jon Muq who confidently introduced himself before playing a number of stirring songs that presented the soulful and expressive pop music that he is quickly becoming known for. Muq described how his family who remains in his country didn't necessarily understand his choice to follow his musical dreams. But, somehow he made it all the way here currently camping out in Austin with an eye on relocating to Nashville as soon as possible.

AmericanaFest was working overtime to fulfill some unique American dreams in 2022.

Jon developed his natural songwriting ability, dreaming up stories and songs as he listened to conversations between his parents and sisters late at night. He gained experience performing on the streets of Kampala, and was eventually hired for a regular spot performing for guests in an upscale local hotel. In Music City - he just wrapped up recording a number of songs with Dan Auerbach who Muq reports helped provide a bigger band sound to the solo artist.

All hail Robert Finley - a Sharecropper's Son.

A little later on at the inside stage of the American Legion a substantial crowd gather as the legally blind singer Robert Finley was led to his place in the spotlight and proceeded to tear down the house with his almost unbelievable story of achieving success late in life. Finely, an army veteran is an American blues and soul singer-songwriter and guitarist who spent most of his early career as a street performer before making a comeback in 2016 with his debut studio album, Age Don't Mean a Thing. After that record, Finley began a productive and prolific association with Dan Auerbach and Easy Eye Sound with their latest collaboration resulting in the critically acclaimed Sharecropper's Son that came out earlier this year. Robert kept telling the audience to believe in their dreams as he is a living example that they can come true and Finley's tale has to rise to be the most inspirational story of this year's AmericanaFest. At least, he's our pick for that unofficial title.