Countdown to Kerrville

The biggest, longest folk festival in the land kicks off less than a month from now, with its revered New Folk contest and its two weeks of nonstop music. Literally. One of my clearest memories of Kerrville Folk Festival was waking up at 3:00 in the morning to an impromptu song swap happening right next to my tent. When I emerged into the streetlamp light, I found what appeared to be 50 people gathered around a washtub bass player. Why bother sleeping when so much goodness is going on?

This year's Kerrville festival kicks off May 22, and runs through June 8. Performers include the Belleville Outfit, Slaid Cleaves, Anthony da Costa, Eliza Gilkyson, The Gourds, Sara Hickman, Kathy Mattea, Bob Schneider's Texas Bluegrass Massacre, South Austin Jug Band, Dale Watson, Kevin Welch, David Wilcox, and a ton of other remarkable artists. If you don't already have your tickets, and you're looking for something to do on Memorial Day Weekend, you should check out Kerrville Folk Festival's full line-up and ticket info at their Web site.