Kerrville Folk Festival is one of the oldest, largest, most well-attended and well-respected folk music festivals in North America. Running annually for two weeks in late May/early June, Kerrville presents the best in established and up-and-coming singer-songwriters. In 2009, one of the highlights of the festival is sure to be the June 1 New Folk in the Round showcase. Here's a closer look at the great new artists featured in that slot.
1. BettySoo
photo: Kim Ruehl/About.com
BettySoo isn't completely new on the national folk music scene. She's played at Kerrville before and has become a staple on the much lauded Austin, Tex., singer-songwriter scene. Her songs are honest and poetic, with melodies that will stick with you for days, if not longer.
Performing: New Folk in the Round, Sundown Concert at Thredgill Theater (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "The Day You Married Me"
For fans of: Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco
Performing: New Folk in the Round, Sundown Concert at Thredgill Theater (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "The Day You Married Me"
For fans of: Patty Griffin, Ani DiFranco
2. KC Clifford
© Kriea Arie
Oklahoma City seems to have a nice little music scene. In addition to the emergence of Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers, the scene has produced singer-songwriter KC Clifford. Clifford's work is equal parts folk-pop and contemporary country.
Performing: Evening Concert @ Kennedy Outdoor Theater (May 30), New Folk in the Round (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "Find My Way Home"
For fans of: Shawn Colvin, Jonatha Brook
Performing: Evening Concert @ Kennedy Outdoor Theater (May 30), New Folk in the Round (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "Find My Way Home"
For fans of: Shawn Colvin, Jonatha Brook
3. Karen Mal
courtesy Karen Mal
Karen Mal is another great up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Austin, Tex. Her simple, earnest folk songs are as deeply rooted in classic country styles as they are in contemporary folk, and have landed her as a finalist in Kerrville's New Folk competition three times.
Performing: New Folk in the Round, Sundown Concert at Thredgill Theater (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "Beyond the Headlights" (with Kelly Willis)
For fans of: Kris Delmhorst, Dar Williams
Performing: New Folk in the Round, Sundown Concert at Thredgill Theater (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "Beyond the Headlights" (with Kelly Willis)
For fans of: Kris Delmhorst, Dar Williams
4. Chris O'Brien
courtesy Chris O'Brien
The Boston area has long been a hotbed of great up-and-coming singer-songwriter talent, and Chris O'Brien is one of Massachusettes' greatest, latest exports. He's appeared on A Prairie Home Companion and has been a finalist for the Mountain Stage New Song Contest.
Performing: New Folk in the Round, Sundown Concert at Thredgill Theater (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "Rosa"
For fans of: John Gorka, David Wilcox
Performing: New Folk in the Round, Sundown Concert at Thredgill Theater (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "Rosa"
For fans of: John Gorka, David Wilcox
5. Hans York
courtesy of Hans York
Seattle is my hometown, so maybe I'm biased, but we've got a darn good singer-songwriter scene out here. Hans York has long been a fixture in the local scene and is no stranger to the national festival circuit, either. He's performed at Kerrville and Falcon Ridge Folk Festivals before, among others, and is well worth catching live.
Performing: New Folk in the Round, Sundown Concert at Thredgill Theater (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "Young Amelia"
For fans of: Cliff Eberhardt, Cat Stevens
Performing: New Folk in the Round, Sundown Concert at Thredgill Theater (June 1)
Purchase/Download: "Young Amelia"
For fans of: Cliff Eberhardt, Cat Stevens
