EXPECT a huge range of international acts Stroud Americana Festival with many visitors, as you might expect, from the USA.

The Americana music genre puts Blues, Folk, Country and Acoustic playing styles into one big melting pot to provide one of the best loved flavours of music today, even if you don't know the term "Americana". California, Georgia, Detroit, and North Carolina are just some of the states represented by the musicians from the USA when Lewis & Leigh, Brooks Williams, Brandt & VerLin and Dana & Susan Robinson take the stage at the Stroud Subscription Rooms during the festival.

Joining them are bands of equal calibre based in the UK including The Nelson Brothers, who

perform as Sadie and the Hotheads and are the band of Elizabeth McGovern - Cora, Countess of Grantham in Downton Abbey; Michael Messer, a renowned slide guitarist and tutor who now regularly performs abroad, playing with Stroud based The Earl Trio; and many more.

Other highlights include the return to the UK of Brandt & VerLin. The duo were formally based in Detroit USA but, with Sarana VerLin now based much of the time in Stroud (not least so she can oversee Stroud Americana Festival!), Billy Brandt is flying into the UK so the pair can tour,

including their festival appearance in Stroud. Billy recently won Best Americana Recording at the Detroit Music Awards, adding to the many accolades the pair have collected both individually and as a duo. Among her many other awards, perhaps the most notable for Sarana was being voted into the Detroit Metro X Music Hall of Fame in 2000.

Together they were voted Best Duo in 2010, also at the Detroit Music Awards and Sarana VerLin has been Best Instrumentalist in both 2009 and 2011 for her mastery of the violin.

Of the many other bands on the schedule, perhaps one of the most eagerly awaited acts is

Hurricane Road who make the journey to Stroud from Scotland. Stevie Agnew, who fronts the

band, had his musical career inspired by his father Pete Agnew, of rock legends Nazareth.

Steve's Lyricist, Percussionist and Producer, Chris Smith, has played with bands from Big Country to Dougie Maclean, and the rest of the band glitters with musical talent and experience.

The Vagaband round off Saturday. They have amassed a respectful following across the UK

festival scene and beyond. Appearances include Glastonbury, Secret Garden Party, Bestival,

Camp Bestival, Croissant Neuf & Maverick Festival - the headline spot two years running.

Stroud Americana Festival begins on Friday the 5th of June on the Twitchett’s Coffee House stage in Stroud Subscription Rooms. Invited guests will play feature spots displaying some of the best Americana talent in the area and there will be some opportunities to play "open mic" style for those wishing to join in so be sure to get there early to sign early!

On Saturday the line up moves to the main ballroom of the Subscription Rooms. With the music

starting at 12noon, you are invited to come early to enjoy the bars and cafés in the building and get in the mood. Sunday’s starts program begins in the early afternoon in the Black Book Cafe,

perhaps over a coffee and lunch? The evening program is then hosted at The Prince Albert when the Toy Hearts, now known as Hannah Johnson and the Broken Hearts, round off the weekend.

The event takes place across the weekend of 5-7 June at Stroud Subscription Rooms, Prince Albert, and Black Book Cafe). More information can be found at www.stroudamericanafestival.co.uk and www.subscriptionrooms.org.uk