Our Best of Nashville 2017 poll began last week with the Roots category and, after you-the-people cast your vote, we have the results to share with you!

Overall Poll winner (Jurors vote + Readers' vote): Tyler Childers

Readers' Poll Winner (Readers' Vote only): New Suede

Tyler Childers offers classic country folk songs that fit the modern context. His lyrics are imaginative and descriptive of elements of life in the country. With blue-grass oriented instrumentation including fiddle, banjo, mandolin, his style brings early Avett Brothers to mind. His songs blend the modern indie-folk impulse with the root elements of the bluegrass and country. Where his vocal tendencies and lyrics use the popular style of the alternative country/folk genre in its current form, the instrumentation and song structures harken back to truly rural country roots of his origins in a rural Kentucky coal mining town. 

New Suede is an act that's mastered the art of origin digging. "Taxi," the single they've released ahead of their new album, is a number heavily influenced by classic R&B and Jazz elements but molded into the form of an indie rock experiment with similarities to psychedelic/jazz/indie outfits like Homeshake or Mild High Club. The makeup of their work so far consists of groovy, easy rocking that dabbles in enough dissonance to keep us on our toes. Be on the lookout for their album, Ocean Drops, coming out on March 11th. 

The full list of nominees can be found under the streaming tracks. 

Here is the list of all the finalists in the Nashville Roots category and their readers' poll results: 

	Aubrey Peeples		1%	3 votes
	Bird Cloud		0%	1 vote
	Blackfoot Gypsies		0%	0 votes
	Jillette Johnson		0%	0 votes
	Molly Parden		0%	1 vote
	Moon Taxi		2%	7 votes
	New Suede		95%	266 votes
	Panfish		0%	1 vote
	Poly		0%	0 votes
	Strange Rivals		0%	0 votes
	Sisterhood		0%	0 votes
	Tyler Childers		0%	0 votes

Get tipsy off pumpkin beer? Check.
Watch Hocus Pocus and re-realize how awesome it is? Check.
Stress over the whole couples-costume thing? Check.
 

Create a totally badass Halloween playlist featuring some of my favorite local bands? CHECK.

Get in the spirit and give it a listen! -Caroline Bowman

 Most folks need a good couple days of heavy sleep and electrolytes to recover from a weekend-long music festival binge. But after a two-day visit to Cloverleaf Farm outside Athens, GA, for the second summer installment of Wildwood Revival, we're feeling more refreshed, replenished and inspired than ever. And even through the rain (BOY, did it rain,) the festival was the event of the season.

Above all else, Wildwood Revival focuses on community. Serving locally grown and prepared meals alongside cold Georgia-brewed beer, inviting local artisans to set up shop displaying handmade leather goods, jewelry and vintage clothing, and procuring a solid musical lineup including several Southeastern favorites, the farm was buzzing with positivity and patronage. With only a few hundred attendees, guests were able to avoid lengthy lines, meander through common areas with ease and always find a good spot for enjoying the live entertainment. Keeping the festival relatively small (and friendly for all ages) also encouraged environmental conscientiousness, as drinks were served in mason jars and other reusable containers and food on biodegradable plates, and each guest made an effort to keep the farm as pleasant as it was when ze arrived.

Nashville was well represented, with Electric Western (the guys behind KEEP ON MOVIN' Mondays at The 5 Spot) spinning the records at the Saturday night dance party, Hot Yoga of East Nashville instructing a Saturday morning class and hometown heroes Blackfoot Gypsies supplying the bluesy rock 'n' roll.

Other standout bluegrass/Americana acts included Darnell Boys, Lindi Ortega, Water Liars, Tall Tall Trees, Strung Like a Horse and American Aquarium, although honestly, there wasn't a weak link in the entire lineup.

This review wouldn't be complete without mention of the scenic campsite, tintype photography, Gospel brunch (complete with biscuit bar and Bloody Marys,) wiffle ball tournament and communal bonfire under a full moon. And our plans for next summer won't be complete without a revisit to Wildwood Revival. -Caroline Bowman

 Dubbed "The festival for people who don't like festivals," Wildwood Revival is stripping down the summer fest to create a refreshing, intimate, homespun cultural experience.

Nestled in the rolling hills outside of Athens, GA, Wildwood Revival will feature local food and goods vendors, camping on a historic 30-acre farm, a Saturday night dance party and, of course, amazing live music. The lineup blurs the country/rock line with acts like American Aquarium, Water Liars, Tall Tall Trees and Nashville's very own Blackfoot Gypsies. 

Give the bands a listen in the Wildwood Revival playlist below. Keep an eye out for our review, and we hope to see you there! -Caroline Bowman

The Southern rock revival is happening, and Blackfoot Gypsies are behind the pulpit. Snakeskin boots, fringe vests, flowing locks and oversized sunglasses: This Nashville 4-piece radiates rock-and-roll stardom. And with the musical chops to match, Blackfoot Gypsies are making sure Southern rock is alive and well, and having a damn good time doing it.

Shortly after signing with Plowboy Records earlier this year, the guys dropped their latest LP, Handle It, in April, followed by a video for their swampy voodoo single, "Under My Skin." Their home-cooked brand of Southern punk rock deserves to be cranked loudly and often, and their live show, packed with harmonica wails and high kicks, is more of a psychedelic spiritual experience than anything else.

Catch them on the road this summer, and order your own copy of Handle It on vinyl at SoundstampMusic.com. -Caroline Bowman