Kerrville Folk Festival May 23 – June 9
KERRVILLE, Texas — The Kerrville Folk Festival at Quiet Valley Ranch, nine miles South of the Texas Hill Country resort community of Kerrville, is getting ready for the 2013 42nd annual event.
This legendary songwriter’s festival will run for 18 straight days, beginning Memorial Day weekend from Thursday, May 23, through Sunday, June 9.
Season ticket packages and day tickets are on sale now.
The first weekend’s performers will include Joy Kills Sorrow for their first appearance at Kerrville.
The second weekend brings back Dala, Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary fame; and David Broza back after a long absence. New is Max Gomez, back is Trout Fishing in America, The Steel Wheels, and Bill Staines.
The third weekend will include The Roys whose awards and accolades just keep rolling in. New to Kerrville will be The Stray Birds. Returning to the festival will be Birds of Chicago and Ray Bonneville.
Other performers will be announced later. As usual, the 2013 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for emerging songwriters will be held on the first Saturday and Sunday of the festival (May 25 and 26), from 1 to 4 p.m. From the almost 800 entries, 32 finalists have been selected to perform in this prestigious annual competition, hosted by Steve Gillette and Festival Founder Rod Kennedy.
Several former New Folk finalists and winners include Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, David Wilcox, John Gorka, Jimmy LaFave, Tish Hinojosa, BettySoo, Tom Prasada-Rao, Danny Schmidt, Jonathan Byrd, Tom Russell, Ray Bonneville, Steve Earle, Hal Ketchum, Robert Earl Keen and many hundreds of others.
Held each year since 1972, the Kerrville Folk Festival is the longest continuously running festival of its kind in North America. Over the years it has become known internationally as a Mecca for singer songwriters of varying musical styles… a place where those just beginning to develop their skills have the opportunity to play their music alongside those who are masters.
Emerging songwriters as well as teachers are drawn to the festival’s many learning opportunities, such as the 33rd Annual Songwriters School, the Roots / Blues Guitar Workshop, Harmonica Workshop, Capo Workshops, a Music Law Panel Discussion, and the 12th Annual Professional Development Program for Teachers.
There’s something for everyone at this festival, from camping, campfire jam sessions, concerts and activities for kids, “Ballad Tree” song sharing sessions, Hill Country bike rides and canoe trips on the Guadalupe to Sunday Folk Song Services, Saturday Shabbat Services, and much more.
A complete festival schedule, information, and tickets can be found at www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org or by calling the festival office at (830) 257-3600. Ticket prices range from $25 to $40 depending on the particular day, although savings can be had by purchasing tickets early online.
Campground Access and Parking Lot fees are included in the ticket price.
The Kerrville Folk Festival is owned by the Texas Folk Music Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to the support of emerging songwriters and folk music in all its forms. For more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview with Producer Dalis Allen, call the Festival Production Office at (830) 257-3600 or e-mail info@kerrville-music.com.
