Americana is a term that can refer to both a genre of music and a collection of cultural artifacts that reflect American culture. Here are some key points about Americana:
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Americana Music: Americana music is a genre that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B, and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound. The Americana Music Association (AMA) defines it as "contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw".
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Cultural Artifacts: Americana artifacts are related to the history, geography, folklore, and cultural heritage of the United States of America. Americana encompasses not only material objects but also people, places, concepts, and historical eras which are popularly identified with American culture. Examples of Americana artifacts include cooking, art, architecture, and history that distinctly reflect the US culture.
Overall, Americana is a term that encompasses a wide range of cultural artifacts and music styles that are associated with American culture.