IT MIGHT be a musical culture rooted in the ­traditions and culture of the USA - but for the past several years Americana music has found a home in Glasgow.

The Americana music festival enters its eighth year on Wednesday night, offering seven gigs over five days at venues like Oran Mor and the CCA.

Organiser Kevin Morris feels the bash, which this year welcomes the likes of Sturgill Simpson and Mary Gauthier as headliners, is a natural fit in Glasgow, a city that's always welcomed roots, folk and country acts.

"If you go back past Big Big Country [Americana festival last held in 2006], through to Mayfest, there's always seemed to be an affinity for singer-songwriters in this genre in Glasgow," says Kevin, who also runs the Fallen Angels Club for roots music.

"I think a lot of American and Canadian acts see it as bringing their music back home."

And the organiser feels it's important to stress that Americana is a genre where local talent can flourish too.

"Americana is a term that can be misconstrued sometimes, but we have a lot of talent in our own backyard," he adds.

"A lot of people assume Americana simply means American music, but that's not the case.

"I think Celtic Connections has paved the way for a lot of these acts over the last six or seven years by bringing in a lot of Americana acts to play at it."

This year's festival gets under way at Oran Mor tomorrow night when songwriter Jimmy LaFave brings his band to Glasgow for the first time in 15 years.

Thursday sees Canadian blues guitarist Matt Anderson perform at the Admiral Bar, while legendary songstress Mary Gauthier is at St Andrews In The Square on Friday.

Saturday brings Texan singer Carrie Elkin to the Glad Café for a matinee gig in the afternoon, before the same venue hosts the fast-rising Edinburgh singer Adam Holmes.

The festival then wraps up for another year on Sunday, with the afternoon seeing another matinee show, this time under the Hazy Recollections banner.

It will bring several acts, including Glasgow songstress Genesee and New Jersey troubadour Anthony D'Amato, before Sturgill Simpson headlines Oran Mor.

Securing Simpson, who's fresh off TV appearances on the likes of Jools Holland, is something that's obviously pleased Kevin.

"About 15 months ago I was like a lot of people and didn't really know who he was, but I certainly do now," says Kevin.

"He's been everywhere over the last three or four months in particular, like Jools Holland and David Letterman.

"He played a small solo show at the start of the year, but will be bringing his band with him this time, which is a whole different experience."

He's also delighted to welcome back Mary Gauthier, who headlined the first festival in 2007.

"When we started we didn't repeat acts, because of the wealth of talent that is there, but now we can welcome people back who haven't played the festival in a few years," he says.

"Mary's show was always close to my heart, because it was the very first one, and to have someone of that ilk to get it up and running was a big thing. That was a pretty special gig.

"One of the other big highlights for me was that last year our finale was a tribute night to Gram Parsons at Cottiers, and I knew the amount of work that went into it, and organising who'd sing what. To see that come to fruition was something really rewarding."

The festival has had to face increased competition in recent years though, as well as other difficulties.

"There's other Americana festivals happening in and around Glasgow, so there's increased competition," he says.

"Money has also been a lot tighter for people in the past few years, so it means a lot that people have still supported us.

"We've had a few obstacles this year, because Chuck Prophet was going to play for us, and then he had to postpone his tour dates and we had to rejig the whole line-up…

"But we seem to be getting bigger and bigger and attendances have been up on previous years for each of the last four years."

And Kevin's already planning ahead.

"I've already started on 2015," he adds. We've got two acts hopefully down for next year already, you have to try and stay on the ball."

n Glasgow Americana runs from tomorrow until Sunday, October 5. More information at http://www.glasgowamericana.com