2020 Folk Alliance International Conference Program Book

PROGRAM BOOK

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

the honorary chairs

Joan Baez

Keb' Mo'

The Official Podcast of FARHOF

We are excited to announce our new podcast, Hallways, presented by Above The Basement. Be sure to tune in for compelling conversations, energizing live performances and captivating stories from artists like Joan Baez, Patty Griffin, Josh Ritter and more! Visit our website for episodes and info.

Noel Paul Stookey

DON LAW

Folk Americana Roots Music Series

Central to the vision of the Hall of Fame is the launch of the Folk, Americana & Roots Music Series, a series of multi-artist concerts, lectures and songwriter showcases.

Past performers have included The Mammals, The Guthrie Family, Lyle Lovett, Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, The Milk Carton Kids, and Mandolin Orange to name a few. Visit our website for upcoming events.

Please visit folkamericanarootshalloffame.org for more information

SHERATON NEW ORLEANS

RESTROOMS

1ST FLOOR

RODRIGUE GALLERY

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES CAMP STREET ENTRANCE BUSINESS CENTER

SOUVENIRS

TOUR DESK

ESC AL ATORS

FRONT DESK

CANAL STREET ENTRANCE

BUSINESS CENTER

ELEVATORS

STARBUCKS

LOBBY

MOTOR COURT ENTRANCE

Schedule At-A-Glance Tuesday, January 21st 5:30pm - 6:00pm Volunteer Orientation 6:00pm - 9:00pm Tote Bag Stuffing, Foyer 9:00pm - 11:00pm Post Tote Bag Stuffing Party Wednesday, January 22nd 9:00am - 4:00pm Business Accelerators 9:00am - 5:00pm International Indigenous Music Summit* 11:00am - 11:00pm Registration Open 2:00pm - 5:00pm Exhibit Hall Setup (Exhibitors Only) 2:30pm - 3:30pm First-Timers Orientation Sponsored by Grassy Hill Entertainment 4:00pm - 5:00pm Annual General Meeting *preregistered Indigenous delegates only

BAR

5:00pm - 6:00pm Opening Reception Sponsored by Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 6:00pm - 8:00pm International Folk Music Awards 8:00pm - 10:35pm Official Showcases 10:30pm - 3:00am Private Showcases Thursday, January 23rd 8:00am - 11:00pm Registration Open 9:00am - 10:00am Peer Sessions 9:00am - 11:00am Exhibit Hall Setup (Exhibitors Only) 10:00am - 11:45am Cultural Equity Summit 10:00am - 2:45pm LJM Music Camp Classes 10:00am - 4:00pm Health & Wellness Center; Eye Clinic 11:00am - 3:00pm B2B Meetings 11:00am - 3:00pm Exhibit Hall Open 12:00pm-1:00pm Ani DiFranco Interview folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 1

THE SOUND DECISION.

CREATE A SONIC BOOM IN LOUISIANA Jazz is the first original musical art form born in the United States and it all started right here in Louisiana. When you combine this rich history with state-of-the-art recording studios, world-class musicians and financial incentives for recording, creating jobs or launching a tour, it is obvious that Louisiana provides unrivaled opportunities for the music industry.

Learn more at LouisianaEntertainment.gov

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SHERATON NEW ORLEANS

2ND FLOOR

WATERBURY

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES

RESTROOMS

ELEVATOR

BALCONY

RESTROOMS LAGNIAPPE

RHY THMS FOYER

RHY THMS I

RHY THMS II RHY THMS III

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES

BISTRO

REGISTRATION BUFFET

12:00pm - 2:45pm Panel Sessions 1:30pm - 2:45pm Wisdom of the Elders 3:00pm - 4:00pm Mavis Staples Keynote Interview 4:00pm - 4:30pm Reception Sponsored by Berklee Online 4:30pm - 8:45pm Official Showcases 10:30pm - 3:00am Private Showcases Friday, January 24th 8:30am - 9:00am Regional Breakfast 9:00am - 9:45am Regional Meetings 9:00am - 11:00pm Registration Open 10:00am - 3:15pm Panel Sessions, LJM Music Camp Classes 10:00am - 1:00pm Bloodwork & Earplugs 10:00am - 4:00pm Health & Wellness Center; Eye Clinic 11:00am - 1:00pm B2B Meetings 12:00pm - 4:00pm Exhibit Hall Open

1:00pm - 2:00pm Rhiannon Giddens Keynote Address; Artist in Residence 1:00pm - 3:00pm Artist Mentorship 2:00pm - 3:15pm Mary Gauthier Interview 2:00pm - 4:00pm Meet the Folk DJs Sponsored by Bill Wence Promotions 4:30pm - 8:45pm Official Showcases 10:30pm - 3:00am Private Showcases Saturday, January 25th 9:00am - 4:00pm Registration Open 9:00am - 10:00am First Timers Continental Breakfast Sponsored by Grassy Hill Entertainment 10:00am - 3:15pm Panel Sessions, LJM Camp Classes 10:00am - 12:00pm Archive Challenge 10:00am - 1:00pm Bloodwork & Earplugs 10:00am - 4:00pm Health & Wellness Center folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 3

WE BUILD MOBILE APPS THAT POWERS TODAY’S FESTIVALS AND LIVE EVENTS

CROSS-PLATFORM PUBLISHING

SPONSORSHIP INTEGRATION

EVENT INTELLIGENCE

AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT

FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL MOBILE APP POWERED BY GREENCOPPER

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SHERATON NEW ORLEANS

3RD FLOOR BORGNE

MAUREPAS

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES

WELLNESS ROOM RESTROOMS ELEVATORS

NAPOLEON

EXHIBIT HALL NAPOLEON B2/B3 POSTER WALL

EYE CLINIC

CANAL STREET CORRIDOR

POYDRAS

11:00am - 1:00pm B2B Meetings 12:00pm - 4:00pm Exhibit Hall Open 1:00pm - 3:00pm Artist Mentorships 2:00pm - 9:00pm Silent Auction 3:15pm - 4:00pm Reception Sponsored by Louisiana Entertainment 4:30pm - 8:45pm Official Showcases 10:30pm - 3:00am Private Showcases Sunday, January 26th 10:00am - 11:30am A Final Farewell (Closing Concert) 7:00pm - 10:00pm Closing Party, Tipitina’s (501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115) Sponsored by Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

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SHERATON NEW ORLEANS

4TH FLOOR

N O T TAWAY

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES

OAK ALLEY

ARTIST MENTORSHIP/ B2B MEETINGS

ELLENDALE RESTROOMS ELEVATOR

OAKLEY

VOLUNTEER

GALLIER

EVERGREEN

INSTRUMENT CHECK EDGEWOOD

ESTHERWOOD B AY S I D E C

LJM MUSIC CAMP

B AY S I D E B

B AY S I D E A

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SHERATON NEW ORLEANS

5TH FLOOR

GRAND CHENIER

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES

TERRACE

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES GRAND COUTEAU RAMPART ELEVATORS

GENDER NEUTRAL RESTROOMS

GRAND FOYER

GRAND BALLROOM D/E

GRAND BALLROOM A/B/C

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES

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BIENVENUE EN LOUISIANE! The Lt. Governor’s & the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area are so happy to welcome you to Louisiana, where folk music and traditions are a way of life.

crt.state.la.us 225-342-8200 folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 9

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“WE’RE

A

THREE-PIECE

ROCK

B A ND.

P U R C H AS E D A N L 1 M O D E L I I W/ B 2 B ASS TO U S E F O R ACO U ST I C G I G S . E N DED U P B U Y I N G A N OT H E R TO P OW E R O UR E L E C T R I C ( R O C K ) S H OWS . T H E S O U ND IS

AMAZING

CO M P L E T E

AND

IT

P OW E R E D

R E P L AC E D PA

WE’D

THE B EEN

U S I N G . I ’ M G O I N G TO B U Y T WO M O RE B2’S

FOR

MAX

BASS

T H U M P.

CLUB

O W N E R S L I K E T H E G R E AT T O N E AT LOW E R VO LU M E LE V ELS .”

F ND R B SS Actual review on BOSE.COM

Sounds impossible.

A portable line array? People thought it couldn’t be done.

15 years ago, we did it. Today, there are a lot of portable PAs that look like the L1 Portable Line Array system.

But there’s only one L1.

BOSE.COM © 2019 Bose Corporation. L1 is a trademark of Bose Corporation. folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 11

Study Music Online with Berklee • Undergraduate and Graduate Online Degree Programs • Multi-Course Online Certificate Programs • Interactive 12-Week Online Courses

Study Areas Include

Music Production • Music Business • Songwriting Music for Film, TV, and Games • Music Theory Guitar • many more

Visit our booth for a chance to win a free course!

(A $1,500 value)

online.berklee.edu

12 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

advisors@online.berklee.edu 1-866-BERKLEE

CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

Schedule at a Glance

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1

Our Sponsors

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24

Letter from FAI’s Executive Director . . . . . . . . . .

25

Board of Directors

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29

Keynotes

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36

Artist in Residence

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37

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37

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41

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45

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48

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80

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88

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96

Hotel Maps

Things to Know and Do Land Acknowledgement Welcome Letters

Letter from the Lt. Governor Letter from FAI’s Board President

Featured Interviews 601 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Suite 100 Kansas City, MO, 64108 USA 816-221-FOLK (3655) fai@folk.org / www.folk.org

Global Summits Wisdom of the Elders Regional Reports

International Folk Music Awards /folkalliance

@folk_alliance

@folkalliance

/folkalliance

Exhibitors Day Schedules Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Official Showcase Schedules Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Official Showcase Artists

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Ad Index

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

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37

36 37

20

29 Folk Alliance International 601 Avenida Cesar E. Chavez, Suite 100 Kansas City, MO, 64108 USA 816-221-FOLK (3655) folk.org / fai@folk.org

FAI Regions Midwest ( FARM ) Northeast ( NERFA ) Southeast ( SERFA ) Southwest ( SWRFA ) West ( FAR-WEST ) Nordic Folk Alliance Folk Alliance International is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Clark and Elaine Weissman. Diversity and inclusion are core values of FAI.

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Our Mission To serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation, and promotion Our Vision To advocate for the Folk Music Community. To grow with thoughtful intent. To be a respected organization within the music industry. To produce high profile, meaningful events.

45 Connect with FAI Connect with us on social media!

/folkalliance

@folk_alliance

@folkalliance

/folkalliance

#FolkAlliance #FAINewOrleans

104 41

53 Core Team Aengus Finnan, Executive Director Jennifer Roe, Director of Operations Kelly Dougherty, Communications Manager Jay Gilman, Ethno USA Project Manager Alex Mallett, Business Development Manager Jerod Rivers, Membership & Technology Manager Forrest Beck, Development Coordinator Marisa Kolka, Digital Marketing Coordinator Leah Watts, Executive Assistant & Special Projects Coordinator

110 Zac Cafferty, Technology Intern Elizabeth Gunkel, Conference Intern Fawn Lies, Graphics & Communications Intern Additional Staff Michelle Conceison, Program Manager Beth Hatch, Volunteer Coordinator Sheena Keene, The ExChange Coordinator Treasa Levasseur, Outreach Coordinator Jim Schultz, Private Showcase Coordinator

Mikal Shapiro, Kansas City Folk Festival Coordinator Katie Walker, Communications Assistant Videography Todd Zimmer, Staff Photographer Shadow Scape Records Production Cover Illustration Kylee Lambert, Production Team Spencer Epps Mollie Stephens, Production Team SECT Theater Supplies, Inc. Program Book Klon Koehler JC Franco Fawn Lies Terry Mutcher Carina White folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 15

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PARTNER WITH US NOW AT MARCATOFESTIVAL.COM folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 17

T H A N K YO U T O O U R S P O N S O R S PRESENTING

PLATINUM

GOLD

S I LV E R

COMPASS RECORDS GROUP COMPASS RECORDS

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BRONZE

An A to Z Media Company

LESS FEES. MORE FUN.

ADDITIONAL KESSLER PRESENTS

The International Americana Music Show TIAMS.org

PA R T N E R E V E N T S

Advancing Southern vitality through the arts.

MEDIA/PROMOTIONAL

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THINGS TO TO KNOW and do Please Be Courteous

Do not block high traffic areas or leave instrument cases in walkways or common areas.

Keep instrument cases within ten feet, and do not leave them unattended.

FAI MOBILE APP Download our app for free at folkconference.org/mobileapp or in the IOS and Google Play app stores.

SHHH Please do not talk during performances.

INSTRUMENT CHECK Located on the 4th floor in Edgewood during the day and on the 8th floor in Rex for late night. The instrument check is a secure place to keep instruments during daytime activities. Band sound systems, tote bags, or other equipment will not be accepted. Instruments not claimed cannot be accessed until the next morning. NO EXCEPTIONS! Instrument check is not available on Sunday.

Edgewood (4th Floor)

Wednesday from 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM Thursday - Saturday from 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM Rex (8th Floor)

Wednesday - Saturday from 10:30 PM - 3:00 AM

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR BADGE AND WRISTBAND It is required for access to all events. The replacement cost is $575 for members and $675 for non-members

JAMMING —

During official showcases and daytime panels, jamming is restricted to the hotel lobby. Please remember to invite others to play! And do not attempt to turn jams into personal showcases. Have fun, enjoy the community, camaraderie, and a chance to make music offstage and from the heart.

SILENT ACTION The silent auction features items donated to FAI for fundraising. The auction is only open on Saturday from 2:00pm to 9:00pm on the 5th Floor in the Grand Foyer. Items are available for pick-up immediately following the auction’s close.

LOST AND FOUND Store passports and valuables in the hotel’s safe. If you see any suspicious behavior, report it immediately to hotel and conference staff. Lost and Found is located at the information booth on the 2nd level and at the hotel front desk.

MERCH Get your FAI swag on the 5th floor near the Grand Ballroom.

SMOKING is not permitted in the hotel. The designated smoking area is outside under the porte cochere (valet) across from the entrance doors of the hotel. Smoking on the 8th floor pool deck is permitted.

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

FAI acknowledges that this yearʼs conference takes place on the ancestral lands of the Atakapa-Ishak, Caddo, Chitimacha, Choctaw, Houma, Natchez, and Tunica peoples, and the Petites nations. We also recognize the Alabama, Biloxi, Koasati, and Ofo peoples, and others who were pushed into Louisiana from their ancestral lands. We invite all attending the conference to learn with us about the Indigenous peoples, histories, and present-day communities in Louisiana.

THE STORY OF PEOPLE AND PLACE The theme of the 32nd edition of the FAI conference, Story of People and Place, will explore issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and address topics of immigration, intersection, and influence.

The following programming is specific to the conference theme:

THURSDAY JANUARY 23RD

FRIDAY JANUARY 24TH

SATURDAY JANUARY 25TH

CULTURAL EQUITY SUMMIT 10 AM - 11:45 AM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th Floor)

GENTRIFICATION AND LOCAL CULTURE 10 AM - 11:15 AM Grand Chenier (5th Floor)

“WOODY GUTHRIE: 3 CHORDS AND THE TRUTH” 12 PM - 1:15 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

CULTURAL LISTENING AND CONNECTION 10 AM - 10:20 AM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

PASSING THE TORCH: CROSS-GENERATIONAL FOLK RELATIONSHIPS, INSPIRATION AND SUCCESSION 10 AM - 11:15 AM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

MUSIC AND MIGRATION 12 PM - 1:15 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor)

BEYOND WELCOMING: CULTURAL LISTENING, CREATING SAFE SPACES, AND TRUE INVITATION 10:20 AM - 11:15 AM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

CULTURAL AWARENESS, ADDRESSING RACISM AND BEING A PERSON IN PROCESS 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) MAVIS STAPLES, KEYNOTE INTERVIEW 3 PM - 4 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th Floor)

AFFINITY G R O U P S ACTIVISM*

THURSDAY, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

PARENTS THURSDAY, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

WOMEN THURSDAY, 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

ALLIES* SATURDAY, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

LGBTQIA+ SATURDAY, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

PEOPLE OF COLOR (BIPOC) SATURDAY, 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

*Only the Activism and Allies groups are open to all delegates. All others are closed and exclusive to those who identify as that Affinity Group.

INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC SUMMIT PLENARY CIRCLE 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) WOMEN IN MUSIC: A CONTINUED CALL FOR CHANGE 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) CREOLE, KREOL, CRIOLLO STORIES FROM THE DIASPORA 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) MAKING ACCESSIBILITY A REALITY IN FOLK 12 PM - 1 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) RHIANNON GIDDENS, KEYNOTE ADDRESS; ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 1 PM - 2 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th Floor)

MUSIC AND CUISINE: THE ROLE OF FOOD IN COMMUNITY MAKING 10 AM - 11:15 AM Borgne (3rd Floor) TRADITIONAL DANCE WITH NON-TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES 10 AM - 11:15 AM Bayside A (4th Floor) SUMMARY: CULTURAL EQUITY SUMMIT 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) ART AS ACTIVISM AS SEEN THROUGH ZOE BOEKBINDER & ANI DIFRANCO’S PRISON MUSIC PROJECT 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) PRESENTERS PLEDGE: CULTIVATING GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP 2 PM - 3:15 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) THE ORIGINS AND PROGRESSIONS OF CAJUN MUSIC 2 PM - 3:15 PM Nottoway (4th Floor)

CREATIVE PLACEMAKING 2 PM - 3:15 PM Nottoway (4th Floor)

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L I Z A S C H WA R T Z

Board President Folk Alliance International

Dear Folk Alliance International Friends, It is an honor to welcome you to New Orleans and the 32nd Annual Folk Alliance International Conference on behalf of the Board of Directors. This event is the world’s largest gathering of the folk community, bringing us all together from around the globe to network, showcase our craft, impart knowledge, and hopefully, learn! If this is your first time attending, please, don’t be overwhelmed by the size and scope of this event. It may sound a bit corny, but this is more like a family reunion than an industry meeting, and we are so happy that you are here!

We are ecstatic to be in NOLA to celebrate The Story of People and Place! This is a city known for its vibrant live music scene and spicy, singular cuisine reflecting its history as a mosaic of French, Spanish, English, African, and American cultures. It is also the birthplace of jazz and home to diverse music genres; a place where food and music collaborate to bridge language and cultural differences.

It is the perfect setting to continue the conversations that we have been having around diversity, inclusion, equity, and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. At a time when political discourse includes a shocking lack of humanity and grace, it is incredibly important to recognize one another and what we each bring to this world.

We live our mission every day - to serve, strengthen, and engage the global folk music community through preservation, presentation, and promotion - and along with the incredible FAI staff, led by stalwart Aengus Finnan, have worked to build a strong and relevant board dedicated to expanding FAI’s reach and impact, and to engage and better understand our membership. We have focused on making fiscally responsible decisions to ensure not just growth, but sustainability.

I hope you enjoy the conference to its fullest. The staff and programming committee have invited luminaries from our industry to join us as speakers, mentors, and panelists, and the jury has chosen the most extraordinary showcasing artists. I truly believe that you will leave with a full heart, a challenged mind, and dozens of new lifelong friends.

Thank you for joining us and we look forward to seeing you back in Kansas City, MO in 2021!

With profound love and respect,

24 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

AENGUS FINNAN

Executive Director Folk Alliance International

Bienvenue ya’ll, We couldn’t be more delighted to welcome the world to New Orleans, a city of music, food, and culture where we know you will make friends and memories to last a lifetime.

Our 32nd annual conference takes place in a city and state that is the traditional territory of the Atakapa-Ishak, Caddo, Chitimacha, Choctaw, Houma, Natchez, and Tunica peoples, and the Petites nations. We gratefully acknowledge our status as guests and are deeply appreciative of their cultures and generosity.

Locally, I’d like to thank Cheryl Castille, Reid Wick, Holly Hobbs, and the entire NOLA Advisory Committee for their support in connecting us with the community which has made this a truly representative and celebratory conference. We’re also grateful that this event was made possible in part through the title support of the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area.

Our theme this year invites you to dig deep into ideas about where we come from, how that shapes who we are, how we intersect and interact with each other, and in what ways the folk community must examine systemic issues of inequity. Thank you to Mavis Staples and Rhiannon Giddens in particular for the generosity of their time with us. Their presentations focus on and dovetail with our Cultural Equity Summit and a year of work ahead as we assemble a community advisory committee to guide FAI in the creation of a Cultural Equity plan.

Special thanks to our Program Coordinator Michelle Conceison, members of our Programming Committee, and Outreach Coordinator Treasa Levasseur who have collectively gathered a wonderful lineup of speakers, guests, and organizations to complement the theme. And my deepest thanks to our board of directors, our passionate staff and extended team of contractors, our showcase jury members, and to all of our sponsors and volunteers.

Finally, we are delighted to reveal our new logo and brand this year and have many exciting projects on the horizon, including our ExChange program in Australia this March, the 2nd annual Nordic Folk Alliance in Sweden in April, and the launch of the Ethno USA music gathering next summer in partnership with JM International.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in Kansas City next February 17-21, 2021, where we will focus on the traditional music under the banner of Living Traditions.

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 25

The Mid-Atlantic’s preeminent recording, mixing and mastering studio!

With over 75 years combined production experience and thousands of released recordings, the staff at Tonal Park can help you deliver your best sound to the world.

Don Godwin

Charlie Pilzer

Mixing, Recording

Recording, Mixing, Mastering, GRAMMY-winning engineer

Randy LeRoy

Mike Petillo

Mastering

Studio Manager

Get in touch to book a session: 1.301.891.9035 Takoma Park, MD contact@tonalpark.com www.tonalpark.com Facebook /TonalPark Instagram / Twitter - @TonalPark Select clients include: Colin Hay • Mountain Heart • Severn Records • Phil Wiggins • John Cowan • Bumper Jacksons Ralph Stanley • Jamey Johnson • Compass Records • Dom Flemons • Special Consensus • Rhiannon Giddens Michael Cleveland • Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley • Sweet Honey in the Rock • Claire Lynch • Brother Sun Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen • Stringrays • Letitia VanSant • Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

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Legendary

...and still the choice of today’s top players.

(the Mid City Room)

707-843-4068 28 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Lisa Schwartz - Philadelphia Folk Festival - Philadelphia, PA, USA

Gerald Torres - Cornell University - Austin, TX, USA

Vice President: Matt Sever - Artist, Matt the Electrician - Austin, TX, USA

Joan Kornblith - The Loud Poet Society - Washington, DC, USA**

Treasurer: Alka Sharma - Folk Music Ontario - Ottawa, ON, CAN

Laura Thomas - ComboPlate Booking - Austin, TX, USA

Secretary: Deana McCloud - Woody Guthrie Center - Tulsa, OK, USA

lou DeMarco - Momentary Love Management - Powell, OH, USA

At-Large: Ellen Stanley - Minnesota Music Coalition - St. Paul, MN, USA

Lynn Cingari - Paradigm Agency - Monterey, CA, USA

Amy Reitnouer - The Bluegrass Situation - Los Angeles, CA, USA

Mary Sue Twohy - Sirius XM Radio - Washington, DC, USA

Chloe Goodyear - Woodford Folk Festival - Woodford, AUS

Matt Smith - Club Passim - Cambridge, MA, USA**

Chris Porter - Porter Productions LLC - Seattle, WA, USA^

Meg Tarquinio - Spotify - Nashville, TN, USA

Denise Stiff - Artist Manager (Retired) - Nashville, TN, USA**

Michael Kornfeld - Acoustic Music Scene - Huntington, NY, USA

Dom Flemons - Artist, The American Songster - Hillsborough, NC, USA**

Reid Wick - The Recording Academy - New Orleans, LA, USA

Enrique Chi - Artist, Making Movies - Kansas City, MO, USA^

Rosalyn Dennett - Local 1000 - Smiths Falls, ON, CAN^

Gary Paczosa - Rounder Records - Nashville, TN, USA

Rose Cousins - Artist - Halifax, NS, CAN^

Gil Gastelum - Cosmica Artists - Burbank, CA, USA**

Sara Leishman - Calgary Folk Music Festival - Calgary, AB, CAN

* denotes being part of the original Steering Committee ^ New board members will be seated on January 22, 2020, at the Annual General Meeting. ** Retiring board Members

Susie Giang - Ground Control Touring - Portland, OR, USA^

FOUNDERS

PAST PRESIDENTS

Clark & Elaine Weissman*

2017 - 2019 Matt Smith 2015 - 2017 Michelle Conceison 2013 - 2015 David Hirshland 2011 - 2013 Renee Bodie 2007 - 2011 Dan Navarro 2007 - 2007 Val Denn 2006 - 2007 Leslie Berman 2005 - 2006 Tom Neff 2004 - 2005 Meredith Carson

1989 STEERING COMMITTEE Caroline Paton Jim Hirsch Juel Ulven Robert Cohen Sonny Thomas

2003 - 2004 Rick Simon 2001 - 2003 Dave Humphreys 1998 - 2000 Pierre Guérin 1997 - 1998 Angelo Joaquin, Jr. 1996 - 1997 Carolyn Bigley 1995 - 1996 Jeri Goldstein 1993 - 1995 Phyllis Barney 1991 - 1993 Michael Miles 1990 - 1991 Art Menius

PAST BOARD MEMBERS Alan Korolenko Allison Brock Andres Mendoza Angelo Joaquin, Jr. Ann Forbes Ann Smiley Anne Blaine* Anthony Seeger Anya Siglin Art Menius* Barbara Karol Becky Blackley Bil VornDick Bill Garrett Bill Marshall Bob Riesman Bruce Newman Bruce Rouse Camilla Bryce-Laport Carla Sciaky Carol Young Carolyn Bigley Charlie Pilzer Cheptoo Kositany- Buckner Cheryl McEnaney Chris Frayer Chris Lunn Clark Weissman Dan Crary Dan Navarro Dan Perrin

Dave Humphreys Dave Marsh David Hirshland David Warren Derek Andrews Dianne Tankle* Donald Davidoff Don Gest Doug Cox Doug Miller Dugg Simpson Ed Miller Eileen Cline Eric Peltoniemi Erika Wollam-Nichols Erin Benjamin Garth Ross Gene Shay George Balderose* Gloria Rosson Greg Johnson Greg Torrington Hardin Davis Herschel Freeman Jack Schuller James Keelaghan James Lee Stanley James Olsen Janie Wilson Jean Spivey Jeff Warner

Jenni Finlay Jeri Goldstein Jim Rooney Jo Long Joan Fenton Joann Murdock Joel Rafael John D’Agostino John Stiernberg Jordy Sharp Juan Dies Judy Peiser Karen Haggman Keli Wenzel Ken Irwin Kira Hilley Kwasi Aduonum Leslie Berman Linda Fahey Margo Blevin Denton* Mark Smith Mary Cliff Mary Sue Twohy Meredith Carson Michael Miles Michelle Conceison Mike Elcessor Mike Flynn Mike Gormley Mike Green Mike Seeger

Millie Rahn Peggy Bulger Phil Doolittle Phyllis Barney Pierre Guerin Ralph Jaccodine Ralph Sutton Randi Fratkin Randy Pitts Randy Wynne Ray Bloom Renee Bodie Rich Warren Rick Simon Sam Lee Sandy Paton* Sara Hickman Sarah Bates Scott Hargadon Shelly Romalis* Susan Martinez Tamara Saviano Tim McFadden Tom May Tom Neff Tom Paxton Valerie Denn Warren Robinson Wendy Waldman William Kennedy Wyatt Easterling fai.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 7 folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 29

30 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

QUESTIONS? Throughout the conference look for conference veterans with “ASK ME” buttons. They are available to answer your questions.

FIRST TIMERS EVENTS SPONSORED BY

FIRST TIMERS ORIENTATION WEDNESDAY 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor)

Are you overwhelmed by the size of the program book and the thousands of performances? Did you come with a goal in mind? Listen to advice from conference veterans on how to navigate the next several days and come prepared with questions.

FIRST TIMERS & CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST SATURDAY 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Presidential Suite (4904)

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 31

SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS AT FOLK ALLIANCE COME VISIT US AT BOOTH # 101

folkways.si.edu

Rahim Alhaj

Lula Wiles

Thurs. Jan 23 7:50pm - 8:25pm Grand Couteau 5th FL

Sat. Jan 25 6:10pm - 6:45pm Maurepas 3rd FL

Los Texmaniacs

Sat. Jan 25 8:10pm - 8:45pm Waterbury Ballroom 2nd FL

Celebrating Woody’s life and legacy, Tulsa’s Woody Guthrie Center is educating a new generation about his important role in American history.

WoodyGuthrieCenter.org (918) 574-2710

Artwork by Woody Guthrie © Woody Guthrie Publications, Inc.

32 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

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MM OH HMMfiM OHMM MM OHMMM nding/making/recalibrating M M M H M O M M MM M M H O MM THURSDAYM &O FRIDAY HMM MM O M OHM MM OH HMMM OHM HMMM M M H O MM OH H M O M M H M M M H O M H O O M M M O M H M M O 10:00 AM 4:00 PM M M MM O OHMM OHMM MM OHMMM MM OH HMMM OHM MB2/B3 OHMM BALLROOM H M M M H O M O M M M NAPOLEON (3RD FLOOR) M M O H MM HMM M OH OHM OHMM MM OHMMM MMM O OHMMM OAdvance MM OH OHMM MM OHMMM MMencouraged.

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M M O M H O M M O M M M M HM MM HM MM MMM M OHCOMMUNITY MM O FOLK MMM O OHMMM OH MM OH MMM O OHMM MM OH HMMM OHM H M M M H O H O M M O M M M OH HMM MMM MM O MMM MM O M OHM HMMM M OHMMM O MM OH HMMM OHM O MM OH HMMM OHM M SATURDAY M M H H O M M O M M MO HMMM MM OH MM HMMM M OHMMM O O MM OH HMMM OHM H M 2:00 PM 3:15 PM M M H O H O M M O M M M HART O M OHM MO MMM HMMBLOODWORK OHFLOOR) M OHM GALLERY RODRIGUE M OHM M(1ST OHMM M FUND HMMM M OHMM OHMM & EARPLUGS M M O M M M M M M H M M H O M M H O H HM OHM MM MM MO HMMM M OHMMM O MMM O OHMMM OH M OHM MMM OHMM HMMM M H O M O M M M H M M O M M SATURDAY HMFRIDAY & OHM MM M OH HMM M OHM OHMM MMM O 10:00 M OHM MMM OHMM HMMM M OHMMM O MMTO H O M M O AM 1:00 PM H M M M H O OH M O MMM OHMM MM OHNAPOLEAN MMM(3RD HMMM M MM OH OHMMM OHM MMM OHMM H O M O BALLROOM FLOOR) H M M O M M M M OHM MM M OH HMM MM OH OHMMM OHM MMM OHMM M OHM MMM OHMM HMMM M OHMMM O O M H M M M H O OH M OHMM MM OHMMM MMM O OHMMM OH M OHM MMM OHMM HMMM H O M O M M M H M M M M HM MM MM O M OH MM OH OHMMM OHM MMM OHMM MMM O OHMMM OH M OHM MMM OHMM H THURSDAY O M H M M M H O MO OH MMM OHMM MM MM O GROUPS OHMM MM OHMMMAFFINITY OHAM OHMM M MM OHM HMMM M 10:00 - 11: 00 AM M ACTIVISM* M H O M M O M M M H M H M M H O M H & WELLNESS CENTER MM MO OHM MM M OHEALTH OHM MMM O MMAM 11:15 - 12:15 PM MM OH HMMM OHM CANCER MM OH HMMM OHMM MMPOYDRAS HMMM M O M H O M O (3RD FLOOR) M M MO M M M H O M O HM M OH HMM O OHMM M MM MMM M OH Oseries PM - 1:30M PM M Hmeetings M M PARENTSOHMM12:30 M H O M M O M This year we are holding a of affi nity group M M H M M H M HM MM MO OHM M OH MMM MMM O MM M OH HMM MM -Osafe PM - 2:45 PM O1:45 Health & Wellness spaces forM people to MCenter M OHWOMEN HMMM OinHthe H M M O M M H O M M M O M M H M M M M M MM MMaspects M OH OHMM MM OH HMMM OHM connect with other people who of their identity.

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HM OHMM minority orM are O M M M H O H O O M M M H O H M M HMMM HMMM M OHMMM O OHMILLNESS HMMM M OHMMM O O MM OH HMMCHRONIC M O M M M H M O M M M M OHM MM MO HMM MM OH HMMM OHM M OHM M OHM MMM OHMM HMMM M OHMMM O M O M M M M H H O O M H M OHM MMM O OHMMM OH Mto HMMM M OHMMM O OHMM SATURDAY H OHMM O M M O M M M M H M M Only the Activism and Allies groups are open O M M M00 HMM* MMM M OH MMM O-H11: ALLIES* MM OH H10:00 AM AM MM OHMM OH MM MMM O OHall Mare HM OHMM MM OH All M O M M M delegates. others closed and exclusive M M H O M H O M M M M H M PMM MMM O MO MO M-M LGBTQIA+ 11:15 AM 12:15 MMwho M OHM MMM H OHMM M H OHMM O M M O H M to those identify as that Affi nity Group.

M M H O M M OH M HMM OHM 12:30 MMM HMM MMM O OHMMM OH PEOPLE O H OFM COLOR PM 1:30 PM M M O M M OHM M MMM O OHMMM OH M H M M O M M H M M M H O M H MM MO O MM MO OHM MM OHMM MM OHMMM MM OH HMMM OHM OHMM MM OHMMM M OHM M M M H M O M M M M H O M H M HM HMM MM O MMM M OH MMM O OHMMM OH MMM O MMM O OHMMM OH M OHM MMM OHMM H H O M O M M M M H M MM MM MM MO OH MM M OHM MM OH HMMM OHM OHMM MM OHMMM MM OH HMMM OHM M M M H H O M M O M M O MM OH HMMM M OHMMM O OHMM MM OHMMM MM OH HMMM OHM M M M H H O M O M M M MM MM MMM M OH OHM MM O M OHM MM OH HMMM OHM OHMM MM OHMMM MM OH HMMM OHM M M M H H O M O M M O MM OH HMMM M OHMMM O OHMM MM OHMMM MM OH HMMM OHM M M M H H O M O M M MM MM MO M OH OHM OHMM MM OHMMM MM OH OHMMM OHM MMM OHMM M| M OHMM MM OHMMM M folk.org Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 33 M H O M H M M H OHM M O OHMM MM OH M OHM HMMM MMM O OHMM HMMM

HEALTH & WELLNESS Quiet Space

ARTIST POSTER CONTEST WINNER WILL RECEIVE 2021 REGISTRATION RULES NO LARGER than 11” x 17” Drop off in Exhibit Hall on WEDNESDAY (2PM - 4PM) or THURSDAY (11AM - 3PM) Voting takes place during Exhibit Hall hours on FRIDAY and SATURDAY (12PM - 4PM) All delegates invited to vote (one vote per delegate) Winner will be announced via mobile app on SATURDAY night

SPONSORED BY GRASSY HILL ENTERTAINMENT

34 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

Mike & Amy Aiken

Americana, Folk and Roots... with an ocean view

Mike is something of a floating John Prine crossed with Ry Cooder.

- Sail Magazine

The audience whooped and hollered and stomped their feet.

- Ross Ragland Theatre

Together they emit an aura of warmth to the audience.

- R Wray, No Depression

Loved by audiences everywhere.

- Virginia Arts Commission

Each is a licensed US Coast Guard Captain, has sailed over 30,000 blue water miles, and logged countless road miles performing in North America and Europe. Together they have also logged seven studio albums, one first-round Recording Academy / GRAMMY nomination, #1 and #13 in Europe, five songs in the Top 25 US charts.

Visit Booth 506 Catch a showcase

Booking:Rainy@northwindrecords.net 757-635-0240 MikeAndAmyAiken.com

MAPACHE “...intricate, intertwined acoustic guitar and close harmonies, wedded to simple, plainspoken lyrics that reflect snatches of place and experience.”—Boston Globe

CHATHAM COUNTY LINE “The band’s close harmonies...are prominent and continue to be one of its best assets.”—Pitchfork SATURDAY JANUARY 25TH - 7:20 PM RODRIGUE GALLERY ROOM SATURDAY JANUARY 25TH - 5:40 PM RODRIGUE GALLERY ROOM

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 35

KEYNOTES:

Mavis Staples & Rhiannon Giddens

Mavis Staples Keynote Interview with Melissa Block Thursday, January 23

3:00 PM - 4:00 Grand Ballroom (5th Floor)

Rhiannon Giddens Keynote Address Friday, January 24

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Grand Ballroom (5th Floor)

36 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

Mavis Staples is a civil rights activist and legendary artist whose 70-year music career has spanned folk, blues, R&B, soul, and gospel. Performing at rallies as part of The Staple Singers, led by her father Roebuck “Pops” Staples, she found her voice in the civil rights movement, later marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and eventually singing for President Barack Obama. Staples has crossed many generations with the power of her voice. Her work has been covered and sampled by countless artists and she has collaborated with many including Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Arcade Fire, Prince, and Hozier to name a few. Among other notable music industry awards, she received multiple GRAMMY® Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors, was inducted into both the Blues and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received

an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music, and was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts - the highest honor in the U.S. for folk and traditional arts. In 2008, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from Folk Alliance International. Her most recent album release, “We Get By”, is a collaboration with Ben Harper and does not stray from her other releases with a focus on civil rights. From the album cover, a photograph from Gordon Parks in 1956 of six African American children looking through a fence at a playground they are not allowed to enter, to the soulful lyrics, Mavis Staples continues the march for civil rights.

NPR’s Melissa Block’s

interview will focus on Staples’ work as a civil rights activist and will address issues of cultural equity, dovetailing with the focus of our main summit this year and complementing our 2020 theme, The Story of People and Place.

Block was a co-host of the news program All Things Considered from 2003 until 2015.

Since then she has been an NPR Special Correspondent, responsible for detailed profiles of newsworthy figures, and long-form stories and series on topical issues.

Rhiannon Giddens is a multi-instrumentalist who studied vocal performance and opera at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, graduating in 2000. She is a founding member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, a group that showcased at FAI’s 2007 and 2011 conferences, and was pivotal in bringing African American string music to the forefront in American music, winning the 2011 GRAMMY® Award for Best Traditional Folk Album. Her solo work, as well as numerous collaborations, focuses on the historical narrative of African American music and history. She was included in the Transatlantic Sessions (a collaboration between American and Celtic musicians), The New Basement Tapes (with Elvis Costello and Marcus Mumford), and was part of the 2017 class of MacArthur Genius Fellows. Giddens’ recent endeavor, Our Native Daughters, is a collaboration with artists Amythyst Kiah, Leyla McCalla, and

Allison Russell, that openly addresses issues of slavery, misogyny, and racism. She also worked with poet Caroline Randall Williams in the ballet Lucy Negro, Redux and was recently commissioned to write an opera based on the autobiography of Omar Ibn Said, a Muslim-African man who was enslaved in 1807. Her most recent release, “There is No Other”, is a collaboration with Francesco Turrisi, and blends Arabic, European, and African American musical influences. Giddens is also featured on the critically acclaimed PBS docu-series “Ken Burns Country Music”. Giddens is a twotime recipient of Folk Alliance International’s Album of the Year award for “Tomorrow is My Turn” (2015) and “Freedom Highway” (2017).

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Friday, January 24th•1:00pm - 2:00pm•Grand Ballroom (5th Floor)

This year, FAI’s 2020 Artist in Residence (AIR) project is a partnership with the Denver office of the International Rescue Committee, an organization that responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and reclaim control of their future. Folk artist Rebecca Folsom (working with IRC staff member and translator Mireille Bakhos) has been commissioned to coach high school student and poet Raqaya Alfaris in a songwriting workshop to explore and articulate her experience and perspective as a refugee. A video of the completed project will be presented in conjunction with Rhiannon Giddens’ keynote presentation.

Launched in 2015, the AIR program was created to foster cultural crosspollination, diversify audiences, and nurture artistic growth by pairing folk musicians with institutions and community organizations through innovative partnerships. Past partnerships have included UNESCO, the WWI Museum, Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Police Department, and the Topeka Women’s Correctional Facility.

NO WALLS AND THE RECURRING DREAM

by ANI DIFRANCO: INTERVIEW WITH ANN POWERS Thursday, January 23rd•12:00pm - 1:00pm•Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Despite her rebellion against the music industry, Ani DiFranco became one of the most prolific indie artists—selling over 5.5 million albums and winning numerous awards, including a GRAMMY®. In her memoir, NO WALLS AND THE RECURRING DREAM, DiFranco shares the unconventional path that led her to become a music industry and activist trailblazer while maintaining an artistic integrity that has inspired many.

In NO WALLS AND THE RECURRING DREAM, DiFranco’s prose is as incisive and poetic as her songs, combining hard-won wisdom and personal expression to convey the power of music, feminism, political activism, storytelling, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and much more. Passionate and candid, she shares her inspiring and radical story of coming-of-age to thirty—from being an emancipated minor sleeping in a Buffalo bus station to releasing her first album at the age of 18, to consciously rejecting the mainstream recording industry and creating Righteous Babe Records.

MARY GAUTHIER INTERVIEW WITH ANN POWERS Friday, January 24th•2:00pm - 3:15pm•Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

Born in New Orleans, Mary Gauthier returns to the place of her origins to tell her story. Throughout her career as a songwriter, artist and community maker, Gauthier has been frank about her journey. And even before music, she engaged in another kind of community-building as a successful Boston restaurateur. In music, she found a way to comprehend and tell her own story — as an orphan and adopted child, a woman in recovery, an out lesbian, and, after she relocated to Nashville, a progressive in the red South. She also became an adept of compassion: her song “Mercy Now,” written about her estranged adoptive father, became an anthem for those trying to love family members with very different values, and eventually, for a riven America itself. Her recent work writing with active duty soldiers and veterans led to the instant classic “Rifles and Rosary Beads”, which gave musical shape to the political complexity and human pain of our time. Music has been both a path and a vehicle for Gauthier, and in this career-spanning interview, she considers it as a passion and as cultural work.

ANN POWERS Powers, one of the most notable music critics in the country, currently writes

a music blog for NPR’s The Record. Before joining NPR, she served as the chief music critic with the Los Angeles Times until 2006. Powers has also worked with The Blender and the Experience Music Project, as well as The New York Times.

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 37

CANADIAN MUSIC. EAST COAST STYLE.

!"#$"%&'''&()**+,,%&-&."/+)$,0&1/2&3+*/)04&5,$/*&

Thursday- January 23

4:40- David Myles

5:30- Adyn Townes

7:10- Mo Kenney

8:00- Dylan Menzie

4:40- Jimmy Rankin

6:20- Les Hay Babies

FRIDAY- JANUARY 24

5:30- The Once

6:20- Dave Gunning

7:10- Catherine MacLellan

8:00- Erin Costelo

Drop by the Canadian Music. East Coast Style. Showcases at 10:30PM in the Endymoin Room #817 for some of the finest music from Atlantic Canada.

Check the program schedule for details.

38 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

A GREENER CONFERENCE

Again this year, FAI is determined to address the environmental impact of the conference as well as year-round events and programs.

We ask that you join us in reducing our conference footprint as much as possible.

Pocket guides will only be supplied if requested. Schedules for private showcases and other programming can be accessed by downloading the conference app.

Remember the Four R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

BYOB: Bring your own water bottle!* *To cut down on waste at this year’s conference, disposable water cups will not be available. FAI-branded water bottles are available for purchase at the conference merch table.

Be mindful of trash and recycle whenever possible!

Again this year we are eliminating posters and flyers on the lobby and conference levels. We’re also using recycled paper and soy ink for all of our program books and pocket guides.

10

TH

EDITION

17 – 20 NOV 2020

CALL FOR ARTISTS! FEB 1 APRIL 1

NORTH AMERICA’S WORLD MUSIC SUMMIT

OFFICIAL MUNDIAL MONTRÉAL SHOWCASE @ FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL THURSDAY, JAN 23 I WATERBURY BALLROOM

RAMON CHICHARRON

4:50 pm

ÉLAGE DIOUF

ELISAPIE

7:20 pm

5:40 pm

DIGGING ROOTS

ALYSHA BRILLA

8:10 pm

6:30 pm

FOLK MUSIC IS WORLD MUSIC

Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier du gouvernement du Canada et des radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 39

at

fOlK AlLiAnCe iNtErNaTiOnAl AINE TYRRELL • ALICE SKYE • CHARM OF FINCHES • COLIN LILLIE EMILY WURRAMARA • HAT FITZ AND CARA • HUSSY HICKS LITTLE GEORGIA • MELANIE HORSNELL • NIGEL WEARNE SAIJE • THIS WAY NORTH • TOM WEST • ZANNAH

ThUrS/FrI/SaT ReAlLy sOuThErN FoLk

Presented by Sounds Australia & The New Zealand Music Commission ZuLu rOoM : 8tH fLoOr 10pm till late

FrIdAy 24 JaN SOuNdS auStRaLiA OFfIcIaL shOwCaSe RHyThMs BAlLrOoM i (2Nd FLoOr) 4:40pm This Way North 5:30pm Emily Wurramara 6:20pm Saije 7:10pm Hat Fitz and Cara 8:00pm Alice Skye

SaTuRdAy 25 JaN INtErNaTiOnAl AMeRiCaNa MUsIc SHoWcAsE RHyThMs BAlLrOoM i (2Nd FLoOr) 4:40pm Colin Lillie soundsaustralia.com.au

40 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

@soundsaustralia

GLOBAL SUMMITS

These focused peer sessions are intended to re-introduce a deeper connection to the processes, people, and policies behind the scenes that help establish and maintain the rich ecology of folk music. The summits shakeup the standard panel format and provide an opportunity for a global network of industry-specific peers to convene in one place to share knowledge, ideas, and goals. Past Summits have focused on field reports from Archivists, Funders, and Ethnomusicologists.

Open to all and hosted by Jorge Arévalo Mateus, Executive Director of The Association for Cultural Equity (ACE), and Kaisha S. Johnson, Founding Director of Women of Color in the Arts (WOCA), this summit offers a deeper dive into FAI’s 2020 theme ‘The Story of People and Place’, and the ways in which personal identity and geography intersect with the legacies of migration, colonialism, and systemic oppression, both within the folk community and in our societies at large.

CULTURAL EQUITY SUMMIT Thursday, January 23rd 10:00am - 11:45am Grand Ballroom (5th Floor)

Building on our 2017 Values Statement, our dedication to culturally conscious programming, and the ongoing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) training taking place at both the staff and board levels, FAI is now convening an Advisory Committee to develop a Cultural Equity plan in 2020. This summit will provide an overview of national and global issues related to identity, intersectionality, and influence, and provoke conversations addressing privilege, constructive allyship and collective engagement in the evolution of Folk Alliance International.

Wednesday, January 22nd•9:00am - 5:00pm•Armstrong Ballroom (8th floor) FAI is pleased to hold space and continue our partnership with The Indigenous Music Alliance as they deliver the second annual International Indigenous Music Summit (IIMS).

Hosted by Indigenous artist and community leader ShoShona Kish, the one-day summit will gather Indigenous artists, knowledge keepers, and community builders, as well as invited allies, to nurture connections, create awareness, share resources, and build opportunities for Indigenous music in the global music community.

keynotes, breakout sessions and showcases, it will focus on identifying challenges, engaging solutions, sharing best practices, and forging new sustainable pathways to provide artists and arts professionals with clear routes to opportunities within our own communities and the international music industry.

With a commitment to building an inclusive, respectful and safe community space for Indigenous voices, the gathering will place Indigenous music in the heart of conversation alongside the greater FAI community to network, cross-pollinate and exchange ideas.

The summit will celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of Indigenous music to art and culture worldwide. Through

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 41

On the 100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment A Personal Collection of Songs Written by Women It’s the New Release from Grant Peeples

42 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

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visit www.ComeHearNC.com

Celebrate North Carolina Music COME HEAR NC FOR MORE NC MUSIC STORIES.

Come Hear NC is a promotion by the N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources and the N.C. Arts Council 44 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

WISDOM OF THE ELDERS Thursday, January 23 • 1:30pm - 2:45pm • Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Since 2010, legends and luminaries of the folk community have been featured at the conference through the Wisdom of the Elders live interview event, conceived by Sonny Ochs. These recorded sessions are conducted as interviews drawing insight from a lifetime in folk music, reflecting on milestones, personal stories, and the industry context that shaped their artistic lives, as much as the ways they and their work shaped ours.

WISDOM OF THE ELDERS

Cyril Neville

GRAMMY® Award-winner Cyrill Neville released his first solo album in 1970 before joining his older brother, Art, as a percussionist and singer for The Meters. Later he joined all of his brothers in the Nevill Brothers. In 2005, he joined Tab Benoit for the Voice of the Wetlands Allstars to bring awareness to Louisiana’s rapid loss of wetlands along the Gulf Coast. In 2010 Neville joined New Orleans funk band Galactic and in 2012 he joined with Devon Allman (son of Gregg Allman of The Allman Brothers Band), award-winning blues-rock guitarist Mike Zito, bassist Charlie Wooton, and GRAMMY®-winning drummer Yonrico Scott to form Royal Southern Brotherhood, a blues-rock group. Cyrill has appeared on recordings by Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson, Edie Brickell, Willie Nelson, Dr. John and The New Orleans Social Club, among others. He continues to play with his band Swampfunk while continuing to write music.

David Olney

“Americana Pioneer” David Olney entertains with legendary performances! Songs recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Abbie Gardner, Wailin’ Jennys, Tim O’Brien, Front Country, Slaid Cleaves and others. “Along with Tom Russell and James McMurtry, David Olney is ONE OF THE GREATEST AMERICAN STORYTELLERS WORKING TODAY.” 27 Leggies

Maria Muldaur When Maria Muldaur’s self-titled album was released in 1973, she had no way

of knowing “Midnight At The Oasis,” her “goofy little song about a camel,” would wind up beloved worldwide, kickstarting a career that has continued for more than four decades. The Greenwich Village native and veteran of the 60s and 70s folk and blues scenes of Cambridge, MA, and Woodstock, NY, has released 41 solo albums to date (almost one a year!), covering the spectrum of American roots music: pop, folk, blues, gospel, R&B, children’s music, and others. Her most recent recording, 2018’s “Don’t You Feel My Leg: The Naughty Bawdy Blues of Blue Lu Barker”, was nominated for a GRAMMY® - her fifth such nod.

Tom Rush Tom Rush helped shape the folk revival in the 60s and the renaissance of the 80s and 90s. James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Tom Petty, and Garth Brooks have cited Tom as a major influence. His early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and James Taylor. Subsequently, his Club 47 concerts brought attention to emerging artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor, and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world.

His shows are filled with the rib-aching laughter of terrific story-telling, the sweet melancholy of ballads, and the passion of gritty blues.

Interview by: Gwen Tompkin (WWNO Music Inside Out) Gwen Thompkins is a New Orleans native, NPR veteran, and host of WWNO’s Music Inside Out, where she brings to bear the knowledge and experience she amassed as senior editor of Weekend Edition, an East Africa correspondent, the holder of Nieman and Watson Fellowships, and as a longtime student of music from around the world.

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 45

49TH ANNUAL

Arising for generations to come

DISCOUNTED 18-DAY TICKETS ON SALE NOW MAY 21 - JUNE 7, 2020 18 DAYS & N IGH TS | FANTAST IC MU SIC & M ORE HA LF - PRICE TEEN TIC KE TS | 1 2 & U ND E R FRE E

kerrvillefolkfestival.org 46 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

A 30-year-old worldwide movement arrives to the USA Ethno USA will catalyze intercultural exchange through folk, traditional, and global roots music with musicians ages 21-29. www.ethno-usa.org Ethno USA folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 47

The

FARM

Regional•Report

FOLK ALLIANCE REGION MIDWEST

FARM’s 28th annual conference, held in Grand Rapids, MI, on October 24 – 27, 2019, was our second most attended conference yet with over 325 attendees with a third being first-timers. An opening concert and open mic were presented at Grand Rapids’ newest venue, The Listening Room. The focus was on women in folk with an inspiring keynote address by Tret Fure, reviewing her career as a female artist. The ‘Wisdom of the Dames’ panel featured four luminaries of our industry sharing stories and inspiration. Joan Hellman was honored as our Lantern Bearer for her long support of traditional music and dance, and Susan Bertram of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were our Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients.

Thanks to all of our volunteers, our board of directors, Conference Director Annie Caps, Volunteer Director and Board Member Cindy Morgan, and of course, the presenters, agents, managers, fans, and musicians who continue to make FARM better each year.

FARM will take place October 22 - 25, 2020, at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MI.

FAR WEST

FOLK ALLIANCE REGION WEST

The Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills, CA, was the site again this year for the 16th FAR-West conference on October 10-13, 2019. The 300 attendees were treated to an open mic, Venue’s Choice Concert, and two nights of official showcases along with the regular panel and workshop opportunities. The Master’s classes continued this year with Wendy Waldman and Lawrence Juber among those sharing their expertise in songwriting and musicianship. Kate MacLeod was honored as the Best of the West Performer for her contributions as vocalist, songwriter, producer, and activist, and Art Podell received the award for Best of the West Ambassador for his years as a performer and songwriter at the annual awards luncheon. The conference closed to a nearly full house with the Open Words Expo featuring eight storytellers from the area.

FAR-West will take place October 8-11, 2020 at the Doubletree

by Hilton Hotel in San Jose. Earlybird registration and Official Showcase applications will be available online March 2020. far-west.org

farmfolk.org

NERFA

NORTHEAST REGIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE

48 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

More than 700 people converged on Stamford, CT, in November for the 25th annual NERFA Conference designed to help folks forge connections and build community, while also providing learning opportunities that can help enhance and enrich their professional and personal lives. Along with workshops, panels, open mics and more, a keynote address was given by Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul and Mary). To celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2019, NERFA launched a new awards program. Ellis Paul was presented with the Album of the Year Award for “The Storyteller’s Suitcase”. Veteran folk DJ Ron Olesko received the Creator of the Year Award for Folk Music Notebook, a 24/7 online folk channel, and Peter Mulvey was recognized as Activist Artist of the Year. Dianne Tankle (NERFA’s founder and conference director from its inception until November 2018) received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The conference was planned and executed by a core group of volunteers and NERFA’s new conference director, Courtney Rodland. The programming committee, under the leadership of Ethan Baird,

NERFA’s board secretary, arranged a diverse array of workshops and panel discussions NERFA seeks to bring more new services and value to the community it serves. In addition to the mentoring sessions available on-site in Stamford, a few-dozen pre-conference mentoring sessions via phone were arranged.

Also in 2019, NERFA forged two new partnerships. One was with Music to Life, a national nonprofit organization founded by Stookey and his daughter, Liz Stookey Sunde, that recognizes, in Liz’s words, that “music can move hearts and minds to unite around the pressing issues of our time and push us to become our best selves”. The second was with Weathervane Music, a regional nonprofit building community through the practice of supporting, engaging with, and creating music.

NERFA Conference will take place on November 12-15, 2020, in Stamford, CT. nerfa.org

The

Regional•Report

NORDIC FOLK ALLIANCE NFA

SERFA

Building on 4 years of partnerships and following FAI’s 2018 ExChange event in Gothenburg, Sweden, the board of FAI authorized an initial expansion agreement for the formation of a Nordic Folk Alliance (NFA) with support from partner organizations in the region. A team was formed and an inaugural conference took place in April 2019 at the Waterfront Hotel in Gothenburg. The event was managed by FAI’s Nordic Representative, Åke Lundström, and produced by Live at Heart. Funding for the event came from Bilda, Göteborg&Co, Bose, and the Kultur i Väst fund, in addition to support and oversight from Export Music Sweden, Music Norway, Music Finland, and Tempi (Denmark’s Roots Music office).

In 2019, SERFA took its boldest step forward yet, moving its conference to a full-service convention hotel near the center of the region, the Chattanoogan in Chattanooga, which dropped rates and provided amenities attendees had requested along with a dedicated wing for the conference. The Riverview Foundation supports the conference with a $50,000 grant spread over two years.

Ellis Paul gave the keynote address. Norman and Nancy Blake, J.T. Gray of the Station Inn, Eileen Carson, and Mark Schatz received 2019 SERFA Awards. The Blakes joined David Wilkes on Wisdom of the Elders. The FAI regional leaders retreat happened on the same site immediately after our conference.

The three-day conference drew about 200 delegates for panels, speed meetings, networking and showcases by thirty bands from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland. Delegates also attended from Estonia, Canada, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States. It was a great experience and felt like an “I was at the first one” historic moment for all.

Abby Parks accepted the presidency of SERFA at the May conference and the board of directors met in Asheville for the annual planning retreat in late July.

Baker confirmed plans to move to Colorado. Karyn Oliver generously agreed to complete his term on the board.

The 2nd annual edition will once again be held in Gothenburg on April 1-2, 2020, with the support and oversight of the Music Export Offices from each Nordic country, with the addition of Iceland.

NFA has its own private showcase room at FAI, and a table in the exhibition hall. kulturivast.se/musik/nordic-folk-alliance-2020

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE

SERFA is again producing a private showcase here at the 2020 FAI Conference, presented by Parks, Williams, and Christine Stay.

SERFA Conference will take place May 13-17, 2020 Chattanoogan, Chattanooga, TN.

at the

serfa.org

SWRFA

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE

The 2019 Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference was held in Austin, Texas from September 25-29. Approximately 300 registered attendees at the conference gathered to network and develop new relationships. This year’s conference featured fifteen seminars and one-on-one opportunities with some twenty music professionals. Wisdom of the Elders this year featured John Lomax III, Bobby Bridger, and Bob Livingston sharing their experience with all attending the conference. MUSIC TO LIFE and SWRFA joined forces this year to mentor five artists that have a passion to use music for change. Topics like immigration, climate, and gun violence are a part of the program which will come back to next year’s conference to show the progress that has been made.

In the spring, SWRFA held a one-day event in Houston to reach out to the community and raise awareness of our conference and FAI. The day included two music industry panels and juried showcases. Approximately 80 artists, venue representatives, and media members attended the event. Plans for additional one-day events are in progress in our region.

SWRFA Conference will be held September 23 - 27, 2020, in Austin, TX. swfolkalliance.org

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 49

ARCHIE ROACH PAUL GRABOWSKY & SALLY DASTEY H H BAND OF BROTHERS H BENNY WALKER H H THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA (USA) H BOBBY ALU H CÒIG (CAN) H H COOL OUT SUN H C.W. STONEKING H DAN SULTAN H H THE EAST POINTERS (CAN) H EMILY WURRAMARA H FARA (SCOT) H H GINA WILLIAMS & GUY GHOUSE H GRACE PETRIE (ENG) H H JOHN McCUTCHEON (USA) H JUDITH OWEN (WALES) H KIERAN KANE & RAYNA GELLERT (USA) H THE LANGAN BAND (SCOT) H H MÃMÃ MIHIRANGI & THE MÃREIKURA (NZ) H THE MAES H H NEIL MURRAY H ORIEL GLENNEN H RHIANNON GIDDENS (USA) H H RUBY GILL H PATTY GRIFFIN (USA) H SARAH CARROLL & SHANNON BOURNE H H SIBUSILE XABA (SA) H SHANE HOWARD H THE SMALL GLORIES (CAN) H H SUSAN O’NEILL - SON (IRL) H STARTIJENN (FRA) H THIS WAY NORTH H H WILLIAM CRIGHTON H WILL KIMBROUGH (USA) H H YE VAGABONDS (IRL) H YOLANDA BROWN (UK) H YID! H & MANY MORE WITH

H

EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL EVENT: HARRY SHEARER INTRODUCES A MIGHTY WIND

EARLY BIRD & 2 DAY TICKETS ON SALE NOW www.portfairyfolkfestival.com 50 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

FAI’S NORTH AMERICAN REGIONS MAP

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 51

PRESENTED BY FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL in pARTNERSHIP WITH THE PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL GEELONG, VIC, AUSTRALIA • MARCH 2-4, 2020 FOLKEXCHANGE.ORG

52 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

ER NT

NATION

c i s u M k l o F AWARDS I

AL

2020

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM GRAND BALLROOM A/B/C (5TH FLOOR)

HOSTED BY LEYLA MCCALLA This year’s awards will be hosted by NOLA resident Leyla McCalla, a former member of the GRAMMY® winning Carolina Chocolate Drops, and a current member of the GRAMMY® nominated Our Native Daughters. The IFMAs are the premier recognition of folk music industry leaders, legends, unsung heroes, and rising talent. They are preceded by FAI’s AGM at 4:00pm and the opening reception at 5:00pm (sponsored by the Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area).

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 53

PEOPLE’S VOICE FOLK AMERICANA hall of fame ROOTS

Sponsored by The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame

Ani DiFranco A vocal activist and female icon, Ani DiFranco’s international career was made notable through meaningful songwriting that embraces and embodies social activism. DiFranco’s folk roots run deep. Pete Seeger (for whose passing she penned a tribute published by the Wall Street Journal) is among her most influential mentors. DiFranco launched Righteous Babe Records in 1990 and has released more than 20 albums to date. In 2013, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Winnipeg. Through the Righteous Babe Foundation, DiFranco has backed various grassroots cultural and political organizations, supporting causes ranging from abortion rights to gay The People’s Voice Award is presented to an individual who unabashedly embraces social and political commentary in their creative work and public careers. Past recipients include Bonnie Raitt (2018) and Buffy Sainte-Marie (2019).

54 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

visibility, and fair labor laws with the late Utah Phillips.

In 2015, she recorded a version of Peter Mulvey’s song “Take Down Your Flag” with New Orleans musicians and jazz players Ivan Neville and Terence Higgins, in support of the victims of the Charleston church shooting.

In 2016, DiFranco urged election day turnout on her “VOTE DAMMIT” tour. Continuing her activism on and offstage, DiFranco regularly publishes guest articles in notable publications and has recently written a memoir, “No Walls and the Recurring Dream”, which has become a New York Times bestseller.

*Folk Alliance International’s People’s Voice Award is not connected to, inspired by, or affiliated with any other entities that share the same name, or similar iteration of the title “The People’s Voice.”

The A R WAT E E R L C Award

Sponsored by The Mimi and Mortimer Levitt Foundation

Pickathon, based near Portland, Oregon, is the only outdoor music festival in the U.S. to eliminate all single-use, cups, bottles, dishware, and utensils.

The Clearwater Award is presented annually to a festival that prioritizes environmental stewardship and demonstrates public leadership in sustainable event production. Past recipients include the Winnipeg Folk Festival (2018) and the Hillside Festival (2019).

Starting in 2010, the festival successfully replaced all throw-away cups with stainless steel cups. Since 2011, all plastic food dishes and utensils have been replaced with reusable bamboo-based materials.

Free drinking water is available throughout the festival site for patrons to use with refillable containers.

A volunteer Recycling & Compost team is active throughout the entire festival to ensure appropriate waste management streaming. The site, Pendarvis Farm, hosts a permanent solar array on the roof of the “Galaxy Barn�. The energy generated during the year offsets 100% of the energy used during the festival, including all the food and craft vendors. pickathon.com

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 55

Elaine Weissman LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

The Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Awards, named after FAI’s co-founder and determined by membership vote, are presented to honor the cultural impact of legendary folk music figures and organizations.

BeauSoleil Living

Enshrined in the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and the first Cajun band to ever win a GRAMMY, BeauSoleil is one of the state’s most recognizable musical exports. Formed in 1975 when Michael Doucet was a young National Endowment of the Arts (NEA) National Heritage Fellow tasked with studying the Cajun fiddle masters. BeauSoleil has recorded 25 albums to date and have toured all 50 States and more than 33 countries. Famous for mixing instrumental styles, various southern genres, and both English and Cajun-French lyrics, the band has pushed the genre forward and garnered a total of 11 Grammy nominations and two wins.

Preservation Hall Business/Academic

Mahalia Jackson Legacy

(1911-1972) Born in New Orleans, LA, in 1911, Mahalia Jackson first sang in public at church, a fitting start for an artist who came to be known as the “Queen of Gospel”. Her 1948 groundbreaking recording of “Move On Up a Little Higher” was the first gospel record to be a secular sales hit. In 1954 she began hosting a Sunday evening radio show on CBS, and two years later made her first appearance on national television.

Jackson was also known for her political activism, singing at U.S. President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball in 1961 before a crowd of 250,000, at 1963’s historic March on Washington, and at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral. A mentor to Aretha Franklin, Jackson once stated: “When you sing gospel you have a feeling there is a cure for what’s wrong.” Jackson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Music Hall of Fame in 1997.

56 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

Opened in 1961 as a way to keep “true” New Orleans Jazz alive, Preservation Hall began as an art gallery turned music venue in the heart of the French Quarter and now presents 360 shows a year to over 150,000 visitors.

Evolving over time, the Preservation Hall Foundation now “protects, preserves, and perpetuates the musical traditions and heritage of the city through four program areas: Education, Community Engagement, Legacy, and Archives”.

The Hall actively partners with area organizations including The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, the Make It Right Foundation, and the New Orleans Musician’s Hurricane Relief Fund. Beyond performance, the Foundation provides music instructors for local schools, community centers, and detention centers. The famed Preservation Hall Jazz Band takes the Foundation’s message on the road, offering history lessons and sharing New Orleans music around the globe.

FOLK DJ HALL OF FAME The Folk DJ Hall of Fame recognizes radio DJs who have made an outstanding contribution to the preservation, presentation, and promotion of folk music, and who have demonstrated and inspired leadership in the broadcast field.

Nick Spitzer

Nick Spitzer is the creator and host of American Routes, and a veteran of college and underground radio from Philadelphia’s WXPN-FM and WMMR-FM to Austin’s legendary alt.country KOKE-FM. He has been a documentary record, film, festival and exhibit producer for Arhoolie, Rounder, and Folkways Records as well as the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, PBS’s Great Performances, NPR’s All Things Considered, and ABC’s Nightline among others. A former Louisiana state folklorist, Nick directed the radio concert series Folk Masters at Carnegie Hall and the American Roots Independence Day broadcasts from the National Mall. He is a professor of folklore and anthropology at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Holger Petersen

Holger Petersen has hosted Natch’l Blues on Alberta’s public radio broadcaster CKUA for 50 years, one of the world’s longest-running blues programs. He also hosts Saturday Night Blues, now in its 33rd year, across Canada on CBC Radio One and CBC Music, and across North America on SiriusXM 169. He was named ‘Best Public Broadcaster’ by the Blues Foundation in Memphis in 2009. In 1975 he co-founded Canada’s Stony Plain Records. The label has won fifteen Juno Awards and has been nominated for six GRAMMYs®. Holger is a founder and past Artistic Director of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival. He was named to the Order of Canada in 2003 and is a recipient of two honorary doctorates (Athabasca University,2004) and the University of Alberta, 2012) in recognition of his contributions to Canadian Culture and Public Broadcasting.

Mary Katherine Aldin

Mary Katherine Aldin began her career in public radio in 1976, when she began producing, hosting and engineering a Sunday night blues show, “Preaching the Blues,” on KPFK, the Pacifica Radio outlet in Los Angeles. About a year later she added a folk music and bluegrass show “Alive and Picking,” which she hosted on community radio station KCSN. She continued hosting both shows for many years. When KCSN went to a classical format, she migrated the folk show over to KPFK. She continues doing “Alive and Picking/Roots Music and Beyond” on Saturday mornings and is now in her 44th year on the Southern California airwaves.

In addition to her work in radio, she has produced and annotated over 200 albums of American roots music for several labels, including MCA/Universal, Rockbeat, Vanguard, RCA/BMG, MCA/Chess, Rhino, CBS/Sony and Smithsonian-Folkways. She has also contributed essays to several books on folk music and blues.

BEST OF OF 2019 2019 BEST

The following are the finalists for the 2019 Album, Song and Artist of the Year. This shortlist is based on US, Canadian, and International industry year-end lists as well as Folk DJ airplay. Winners are determined by the voting membership of FAI and the results are announced during the International Folk Music Awards on January 22 in the Grand Ballroom A/B/C on the fifth floor.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR Even the Sparrow by Kelly Hunt Soar by Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita The Great Irish Songbook by Dervish To Everyone In All The World by John McCutcheon We Get By by Mavis Staples

SONG OF THE YEAR Where I Come From by Patty Griffin All Some Kind of Dream by Josh Ritter All That’s Yet to Come by Dave Gunning Black Myself by Amythyst Kiah Put a Woman in Charge by Keb’ Mo’

ARTIST OF THE YEAR Che Apalache J.S. Ondara Lula Wiles Rising Appalachia The Small Glories folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 57

Sp

iri

F o lk f

t O

s d r a w A

These awards are presented to honor and celebrate people and organizations actively involved in the promotion and preservation of folk music through their creative work, their community building, and their demonstrated leadership.

Laura Hassler

Ellen Bello

Laura Hassler grew up in a multicultural, artistic community in New York. As a child of two professionals in the international peace and nonviolent movement, she started her activism at an early age. In 1977, she moved to the Netherlands to develop a career as a musician. While there, she specialized in cultural diversity in the arts, founded a world music school, and worked as a diversity consultant to arts institutions. In 1999, she created and founded Musicians Without Borders (MWB), an umbrella organization working with local organizations and musicians to bring social change and peaceful living conditions to their own communities and those in turmoil. MWB has become one of the world’s pioneers in the use of music to bridge divides, build community, and heal the wounds of war. Laura is currently their director and sings with one of MWB’s musical ambassadors, Fearless Rose.

A 20-year music industry executive with MTV Music Video Awards, New York Music Awards, and SPIN Magazine, Bello founded the Native American Music Awards (The NAMAs) in 1998 as a grassroots initiative to honor music authored by the Indigenous music industry. Celebrating a range of genres from Pow-Wow to Waila (chicken scratch), as well as folk, blues, hip-hop, country, rock, pop, and new age, the annual awards are an international community highlight.

This led to the first written proposal for the Native category at the GRAMMYs®. Ellen’s work is perhaps best summarized by Robbie Robertson, who describes the NAMAs as “a sign of the acceptance of Native music out in the world like never before.”

Ephraim Bugumba

Born into royalty in Makobola, Congo, Bugumba was three when a massacre tore his village and family apart in 1999.

Disguised as a girl in order to survive, Bugumba spent 12 years in various refugee camps across southern Africa, finally arriving in the U.S. in 2012 with the help of the UN. Drawing on the influence of his mother, African singers, and even Hendrix and Marley, Bugumba began to sing at open stages in DeKalb, Illinois, before moving on to the Chicago scene. He uses storytelling and music to unravel complex feelings associated with community, displacement, and sacrifice. His “Voices in my Head” bid for an NPR Tiny Desk appearance fell short, but gained the attention of The Weekend Edition, quoting him as stating “no matter how dark it gets, it can always get better.”

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t i rO i f Sp Jan Ramsey

k l o F Awa

A native New Orleanian, Jan Ramsey started Louisiana’s acclaimed OffBeat magazine and its associated entities over three decades ago as an effort to improve and expand local music culture and business. With a background in marketing, communications, and business, and known for her scathing “Mojo Mouth” essays, Ramsey has been focused on keeping music in the forefront of everyone’s minds, while promoting New Orleans and developing the entrepreneurial skills of local musicians. In time the publication began to present the “Best of The Beat”, honoring artists, individuals, and organizations involved in music business and education. Over 30 years later it might be an understatement to hear her reflection on the early editions of OffBeat summarized as, “I didn’t understand the scope of the project.”

rds

Åke Lundström CEO of Live at Heart (Scandinavia’s largest music, film, and creative sector showcase and conference), Åke Lundström was an inaugural steering committee member of SweFolk! (producing events in partnership with Folk Alliance International and House of Songs, as well as an In the Round Tour). Inspired by the model, Lundström spearheaded a four-year campaign that led to FAI hosting its boutique program The ExChange in Sweden in 2018, ultimately leading to the creation of the Nordic Folk Alliance in 2019, marking FAI’s first formal expansion outside North America. Lundström is also co-founder of the Stockholm Film Commission and is a film producer, including co-production credit for the Swedish hit movie “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo”.

Ben Sandmel

A New Orleans-based journalist, folklorist, and drummer, Ben Sandmel has included countless liner notes, and he has written about music for publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, Esquire, The Chicago Tribune, Downbeat, and Delta Sky, among many others. He is the author of Zydeco!, a collaborative book with photographer Rick Olivier, and Ernie K-Doe: The R&B Emperor of New Orleans, published by The Historic New Orleans Collection. Sandmel produced and played on Big Joe Duskin’s “Cincinnati Stomp”, Boogie Bill Webb’s “Drinkin’ & Stinkin’”, and the Hackberry Ramblers’ GRAMMY® nominated “Deep Water”. Additionally, his work has been anthologized in “From Jubilee to Hip Hop: African American Music Since Reconstruction” (Prentice-Hall, 2009); “Accordions, Fiddles, Two-Steps & Swing: A Cajun Music Reader” (The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2006); and “La Musique Zydeco” (Recontres Transmusicales de Rennes, France, 1990).)

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21–25 OCTOBER 2020 BUDAPEST HUNGARY

WOMEX.COM

NETWORKING SHOWCASE FESTIVAL TRADE FAIR CONFERENCE FILMS AWARDS VIRTUAL WOMEX 60 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

13

MARCH 2020 PROPOSAL DEADLINE

Partington & Sweeney MARY LEE PARTINGTON AND ED SWEENEY

“Guitar and banjo instrumentalist Sweeney is a master of unpretentiousnes.”

BOSTON GLOBE

“This time around the guitar-banjo virtuoso lovingly recreates music of his own childhood. ” WASHINGTON POST

Mary Lee Partington is an award winning singer and songwriter who draws her inspiration from the local traditions of New England. Mary Lee won a Telly Award for her original music in “Along the Blackstone” a production by the National Park Service.

Mary Lee was the singer and main songwriter for a Rhode Island Celtic Band Pendragon. Pendragon earned several Boston Music Awards nominations for Outstanding Celtic Act and had won various MOTIF Magazine’s awards for several years.

FAI SHOWCASE INFORMATION ACCESS FILM ROOM RED – 1019 Wednesday 1/22 11:30 – 11:50 PM Thursday 1/23 11:30 – 11:50 PM Friday 1/24 12:10 – 12:30 AM (Saturday Morning) ACCESS FILM ROOM GREEN – 925 Thursday 1/23 12:30 – 1:00 AM (Friday Morning) Saturday 1/25 11:00 – 11:30 PM * VISIT THE PARTINGON & SWEENEY ARTIST TABLE IN THE EXHIBIT HALL

Email: sweeneymusic@gmail.com Call: 401.497.4675

Ed Sweeney is a solo performer known as a Singer of Obscure Songs, drawing upon a potpourri of musical styles, instruments (6 & 12 String guitar, 5 string banjo & fretless banjo) and songs. Ed uses his musical expertise, breadth of knowledge, and wonderful sense of humor to help listeners come to understand the motivations, stories, and culture that have made us what we are today. Ed has earned accolades throughout the United States, Canada, parts of Europe and Taiwan.

Partington & Sweeney (PS) will be releasing a recording of traditional and regionally inspired songs in early 2020.

Facebook: facebook.com/edsweeneymusic YouTube: youtube.com/user/edsweeneymusic Website: edsweeneymusic.com folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 61

EXHIBIT HALL

Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor)

101 Smithsonian Folkways

202 Folquébec

305 Culture Ireland

102 Listening Room Network

203-204 Etix

306 AMERICANAFEST

103 Local 1000, AFM

205 NOLA City Portraits

307 Worldhaus Music

104 International Bluegrass Music Association

206 Nordic Folk Alliance

308 iZOTOPE

207 Folk Alliance Australia

309 Borealis Records

105 Music to Life

208 Folk Music Ontario

400 Goucher College

106 FAI Regions

301 Kerrville Folk Festival

401 Free Range Records/

107 International Rescue Committee

302 Madison House

108 FAI Board Of Directors

303 Woodenship Productions

402 Mike Green & Associates

201 Résonances

304 British Underground

403 The Roots Agency

(IBMA)

Tamulevich Artist Management

404 FLi Artists EXIT

EXIT

EXIT

405 Stewart Logan Productions

0 9

408 Essential International Artists

8

500 Fishman

7

501 Myriad Artists

6

502 Baker Booking / Isis Music Hall

5

503 Plaid People Music 504 Awesome Company

90 3 90 2 90

02

1

1003 - 1006

A1

THE FOLK AMERICANA ROOTS HALL OF FAME ANI DIFRANCO COLLECTION

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A2

A3

A4

A5

00 10

90 0

70 0

60 0

50 0

40 0

10 01

10

90

4 80

1

3 80 80 2

80

4 70

1

3 70 70 2

70

4 3 60 60 2 60 1

60

4 3 50 50 2 50 1

50

4 40 2 40 1

3 40

30 2 30 1

40

4 3 30

2

30

3 20 20 20 1

20 4

90

90

90

90

90

91

407 Freshen Up Arts

4

9 8 7 6 5

9

80 80 80 80 80

70

5

70

6

70

7

70

8

70

9 8 7 6 5

9

60 60 60 60

8 50 7 50 6 50 5 50

40

5

30 5 30

5 20

60

50

8 7 6

9

40 40 40

30 8 30 7 6

30

8 7 6

8

20 20 20

10 7 10 6 10 5 10 10 4 3 10 2 10 10 1

ARTIST POSTER AWARD SPONSORED BY GRASSYHILL ENTERTAINMENT

406 Val Denn Agency / House of Songs

A6

ELEVATORS THIS WAY

EXHIBIT HALL

Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor)

505 Bonfire Music Group

808 Unsigned Only

506 Mike & Amy Aiken

809 QSC, LLC

507 Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates

900 Berklee Online

508 Midwood Entertainment

901-902 Kari Estrin Management & Consulting

509 Fleming Artists

903 DR Handmade Strings

600 Tikly

904 Ear Trumpet Labs

601 Bill Wence Promotions

905 OffBeat Magazine

602-603 TrueFire

906 SFM MI

604 TuneCore

907-908 TreeHouse Custom Drums

605-606 BOSE Professional

909-910 Floyd Sole Stomp Box

607 Earl Scruggs Music Festival

1000 CD Baby

608 American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

1001-1002 Louisiana Entertainment

609 Performing Arts Readiness

1003-1006 Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and

700 Ethno USA

Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

701 Lafayette, Louisiana

2nd Floor Visit KC

702-703 DIY Media Group

A1 Partington & Sweeney

704 WWOZ 90.7 FM

A2 Muddy Gurdy

705 Breezy Ridge Insts.,Ltd. / John Pearse(R) Strings

A3 Windborne

706 Ome Banjos

A4 Claudia Nygaard

707 Ashokan Center

A5 Zoe Mulford

708 Peluso Microphone Lab / Beehive Productions

A6 Bandzoogle

709 Franzke String Instruments 801-802 Taylor Guitars 803 Shubb Capos 804 Solid-Merch (A to Z Media) 805 Woody Guthrie Center 806 Ortega Guitars 807 Music Together LLC

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EXHIBIT HALL

Exhibitors Borealis Records 309 Bill Garrett Borealisrecords.com bill@borealisrecords.com

Ear Trumpet Labs 904 Philip Graham eartrumpetlabs.com pgraham@eartrumpetlabs.com

BOSE Professional 605-606 Jason Sheridan pro.bose.com jason_sheridan@bose.com

Earl Scruggs Music Festival 607 Steve Johnson earlscruggsmusicfestival.com steve@bonfiremusicgroup.com

Ashokan Center 707 Ruth Ungar ashokancenter.org hoot@ashokancenter.org

Breezy Ridge Insts.,Ltd. / John Pearse(R) Strings 705 Mary Faith Rhoads-Lewis jpstrings.com merryfaith@aol.com

Ethno USA 700 Jay Gilman ethno-usa.org ethno@folk.org

Awesome Company 504 Kara St. Clair awesomecompany.net kara@awesomecompany.net

British Underground 304 Crispin Parry britishunderground.net crispin@britishunderground.net

Baker Booking / Isis Music Hall 502 Louise Baker bakerbooking.com louise@bakerbooking.com

CD Baby 1000 Chris Robley cdbaby.com cdbaby@cdbaby.com

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress 608 Jennifer Cutting loc.gov/folklife/ jcut@loc.go AMERICANAFEST 306 Danna Strong americanamusic.org danna@americanamusic.org

Bandzoogle A6 Dave Cool bandzoogle.com dcool@bandzoogle.com Berklee Online 900 Chris Kinney, Mike McGlone online.berklee.edu advisors@berklee.edu Bill Wence Promotions 601 Bill Wence billwencepromotions.com billwencepro@earthlink.net Bonfire Music Group 505 Steve Johnson bonfiremusicgroup.com steve@bonfiremusicgroup.com

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Claudia Nygaard A4 Claudia Nygaard claudianygaard.com claudianygaard@gmail.com Culture Ireland 305 Christine Sisk cultureireland.ie christine.sisk@cultureireland.gov.ie DIY Media Group 702-703 Daniel Baker diymediagroup.com dbaker@diymediagroup.com DR Handmade Strings 903 Kimberly Klukosky drstrings.com kim@drstrings.com

Essential International Artists 408 Martin Nolan eiaagency.com info@essentialartists.tv Etix 203-204 Wendy Beasley etix.com marketing@etix.com FAI Board Of Directors 108 folk.org fai@folk.org FAI Regions 106 folk.org fai@folk.org Fishman 500 Ryan Fitzsimmons fishman.com rfitzsimmons@fishman.com Fleming Artists 509 Jim Fleming flemingartists.com contact@flemingartists.com FLi Artists 404 Matt Greenhill FliArtists.com mattg@fliartists.com

EXHIBIT HALL

Exhibitors

Floyd Sole Stomp Box 909-910 Cynthia Floyd floydsolestomp.com cynthia@floydsolestomp.com Folk Alliance Australia 207 Keith Preston folkalliance.org.au president@folkalliance.org.au Folk Music Ontario 208 Alka Sharma folkmusicontario.ca asharma@folkmusicontario.ca FolquĂŠbec 202 Gilles Garand espacetrad.org info@espacetrad.org Franzke String Instruments 709 Mark Franzke mfstrings.com mfranzke4448@gmail.com Free Range Records/ Tamulevich Artist Management 401 David Tamulevich tamulevich.com/david/ david@tamulevich.com Freshen Up Arts 407 David Gaar freshenuparts.com david@freshenuparts.com Goucher College 400 Whitney Lhotsky goucher.edu/macs whitney.lhotsky@goucher.edu

Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates 507 Aileen Rohwer greatlakespaa.org glpaadirector@greatlakespaa.org

International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) 104 Eddie Huffman ibma.org eddie@ibma.org International Rescue Committee 107 Mireille Bakhos rescue.org Mireille.Bakhos@rescue.org iZOTOPE 308 Megan Butterworth izotope.com mbutterworth@izotope.com Kari Estrin Management & Consulting 901-902 Kari Estrin kariestrin.com kari@kariestrin.com Kerrville Folk Festival 301 Mary Muse kerrvillefolkfestival.org mary@kerrville-music.com Lafayette, Louisiana 701 Ben Berthelot Lafayettetravel.com ben@lafayettetravel.com Listening Room Network 102 Fran Snyder listeningroomnetwork.com fran@listeningroomnetwork.com Local 1000, AFM 103 Colin Dean local1000.org together@local1000.org Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 1003-1006 Cheryl Castille crt.state.la.us/cultural-development ccastille@crt.la.gov

Louisiana Entertainment 1001-1002 Christopher Stelly louisianaentertainment.gov chris.stelly@la.gov Madison House 302 Hailey Phelps madisonhouseinc.com hailey@madison-house.com Midwood Entertainment 508 Micah Davidson midwoodentertainment.com micah@midwoodentertainment.com Mike & Amy Aiken 506 Amy Aiken MikeAndAmyAiken.com aa@mikeaikenmusic.com Mike Green & Associates 402 Mike Green mikegreenassociates.com mikeg@mikegreenassociates.com Muddy Gurdy A2 Tia Gouttebel hypnotic-wheels.com booking.tia@gmail.com Music to Life 105 Liz Stookey Sunde musictolife.org lizs@musictolife.org Music Together LLC 807 Jenny Goings musictogether.com jgoings@musictogether.com Myriad Artists 501 Trish Galfano myriadartists.com trish@myriadartists.com

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EXHIBIT HALL

Exhibitors

NOLA City Portraits 205 Spencer Epps nolacityportraits.com nolacityportraits@gmail.com Nordic Folk Alliance 206 Ake Lundstrom liveatheart.se ake@liveatheart.se OffBeat Magazine 905 Jan Ramsey offbeatmagazine.com janramsey@offbeat.com Ome Banjos 706 Tanya Iskra omebanjos.com info@omebanjos.com Ortega Guitars 806 John Kelley ortegaguitars.com jkelley@ortegaguitars.com Partington & Sweeney A1 Ed Sweeney edsweeneymusic.com sweeneymusic@gmail.com Peluso Microphone Lab / Beehive Productions 708 Jeff Oehler beehivepro.com jeff@beehivepro.com Performing Arts Readiness 609 Tom Clareson and Matthew Kowal performingreadiness.org tom.clareson@lyrasis.org Plaid People Music 503 Sandra Smith plaidpeoplemusic.com sandra@plaidpeoplemusic.com

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QSC, LLC 809 Brad Zell

qsc.com Brad.Zell@qsc.com RĂŠsonances 201 NoĂŠmie Azoulay agenceresonances.com info@agenceresonances.com SFM MI 906 Erik Lind sfmmi.com erik.lind@sfmmi.com Shubb Capos 803 Gary Mobley shubb.com gary@shubb.com Smithsonian Folkways 101 Fred Knittel folkways.si.edu knittelf@si.edu Solid-Merch (A to Z Media) 804 Conor Farrell solid-merch.com customercare@solid-merch.com Stewart Logan Productions 405 Stewart Logan stewartloganproductions.com stewartloganproductions@gmail.com Taylor Guitars 801-802 David Kaye taylorguitars.com dkaye@taylorguitars.com

TrueFire 602-603 Alison Hasbach truefire.com artists@truefire.com TuneCore 604 Erin Frankenheimer tunecore.com erin@tunecore.com Unsigned Only 809 Shane Whalen unsignedonly.com swhalen@unsignedonly.com Val Denn Agency / House of Songs 406 Val Denn valdenn.com valdenn@valdenn.com Visit KC 2nd Floor Esther Walker-Young visitkc.com ewalker-young@visitkc.com Windborne A3 Jeremy Carter-Gordon windbornesingers.com booking@windbornesingers.com Woodenship Productions 303 Sean Boyd woodenshipproductions.com sean@woodenshipproductions.com Woody Guthrie Center 805 Deana Mccloud woodyguthriecenter.org deana@woodyguthriecenter.org

The Roots Agency 403 Nick DiSpagna therootsagency.com nick@therootsagency.com

Worldhaus Music 307 Myla Hardie worldhaus.org myla@worldhaus.org

Tikly 600 Emma Walsmith tikly.co emma@tikly.co

WWOZ 90.7 FM 704 Melanie Merz wwoz.org melanie@wwoz.org

TreeHouse Custom Drums 907-908 Derek Sharp treehousedrums.com derek@supersonicmusic.com

Zoe Mulford A5 Zoe Mulford zoemulford.com mulfordz@gmail.com

CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE 25% We hope you enjoy your complimentary copy of Songlines magazine in the Folk Alliance delegate bag. We’d like to offer all delegates an exclusive 25% discount on our print & digital subscription packages. Pick from our selection of packages below quoting code FOLK25

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WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22 8AM

9AM

10AM

11AM

12PM

1PM

REGISTRATION 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom II (2nd)

BUSINESS ACCELERATOR REGISTRATION 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM Bayside Foyer (4th Floor)

INSTRUMENT CHECK 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM Edgewood A/B (4th)

INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC SUMMIT 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Armstrong Ballroom (8th Floor)* BUSINESS ACCELERATOR FOR AGENTS 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Bayside B (4th Floor) BUSINESS ACCELERATOR FOR ARTIST ENTREPRENEURS 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Bayside A (4th Floor) BUSINESS ACCELERATOR FOR MANAGERS Sponsored by Music Manager’s Forum Canada 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Bayside C (4th Floor)

General Conference

L JM Music Camp

Film/Feature

Artist Track

Community

Presenter Track

Exhibit Hall

Industry Track

Summit

TUESDAY PROGRAMMING 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Volunteer Orientation Nottoway (4th Floor) 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Tote Bag Stuffing Rhythms Foyer (2nd Floor) 9:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Post Tote Bag Stuffing Party Presidential Suite (4904) After stuffing 3,000 tote bags, you’ll need a break! Join us for a party to celebrate all of your hard work.

The following speakers and descriptions are confirmed at the time of the program book printing and are subject to change. Please refer to the app and website for real-time updated information.

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WEDNESDAY PROGRAMMING 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM

Business Accelerator Registration Bayside Foyer (4th Floor) The sessions have limited enrollment to keep classes small and ensure maximum engagement between speakers and students. You may sign up onsite if there is space available.

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

International Indigenous Music Summit* Summit Armstrong Ballroom (8th Floor) The summit will celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of Indigenous music to art and culture worldwide. Through keynotes, breakout sessions and showcases, it will focus on identifying challenges, engaging solutions, sharing best practices, and forging new sustainable pathways to provide artists and arts professionals with clear routes to opportunities within our own communities and the international music industry. The gathering will place Indigenous music in the heart of conversation alongside the greater FAI community to network, cross-pollinate and exchange ideas.

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Business Accelerator for Agents Bayside B (4th Floor) Additional Fee In this intensive session, agent Lori Peters (Concerted Efforts) will lay out the foundations of being an agent in today’s fragmented, evolving live touring marketplace. She will shed light on some of the less talked about topics that all agents confront. For example: How do you drop an artist that is talented but difficult to work with? Topics will include building and keeping a roster; the basic tools available to agents; a day in the life of an agent; navigating your place on the artist’s business team; the pros and cons of working in a remote office; and women and the music business. Instructor Lori Peters states: “My intention is to answer as many questions as possible and to be as candid as possible about what I have learned, unlearned, stumbled over, screwed up and bounced back from over the last decade plus as an agent.”

Facilitator: Lori Peters (Concerted Efforts)

*preregistered Indigenous delegates only

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22 1PM

2PM

3PM

4PM

5PM

6PM Closes at 11:00 PM Closes at 10:30 PM

MERCH 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM Grand Coat Room (5th Floor) Closes at 9:30 PM

EXHIBIT HALL SETUP (Exhibitors only) 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor)

OPENING RECEPTION Sponsored by Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Grand Ballroom D/E (5th Floor) FIRST TIMERS ORIENTATION Sponsored by Grassy Hill Entertainment 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor)

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

PRIVATE SHOWCASE PRESENTER MEETING 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

INTERNATIONAL FOLK MUSIC AWARDS 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th Floor)

WEDNESDAY PROGRAMMING Business Accelerator for Artist Entrepreneurs Bayside A (4th Floor) Additional Fee This session, led by self-managed artist and educator Jayme Stone, is intended for independent artists wishing to take control of their careers and confidently manage their business. It will not only cover how to reap the benefits of latitude, choice and creative freedom, but also how to overcome the challenges of an artist’s career path in the contemporary music industry. Organized in four parts, the day will cover Visioning & Reckoning (honing your vision), Branding & Story (positioning for success), How to Book Yourself Without an Agent (from targeting and pitching to negotiating, process and paperwork), and Case Studies (examples of artists and how they are navigating their careers).

Facilitator: Jayme Stone (Artist)

Business Accelerator for Managers Sponsored by Music Manager’s Forum Canada Bayside C (4th Floor) Additional Fee

In this accelerated, closed-door session, manager Holly Lowman (Red Light Management) will moderate four sessions throughout the day to cover topics including healthy boundaries with artists, team building, project management, career development and guidance, social responsibility, and task delegation. We will dive into confidential struggles, advise on best practices, and inject

some creativity and levity into your seemingly endless to-do list. Bring your questions!

Facilitator: Holly Lowman (Red Light Management) 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Registration Rhythms Ballroom II (2nd Floor) 11:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Instrument Check Edgewood A/B (4th Floor) 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Exhibit Hall Setup (exhibitors only) Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor) 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

First Timers Orientation

Sponsored By Grassy Hill Entertainment

Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Are you overwhelmed by the size of the program book and the thousands of performances? Did you come with a goal in mind? Listen to advice from conference veterans on how to navigate the next several days, and come prepared with questions. Throughout the conference look for conference veterans with “Ask Me” buttons. They are available to answer your questions.

Presenters: Jennifer Roe (Folk Alliance International), Treasa Levasseur (Folk Alliance International)

3:00 PM - 3:45 PM

Private Showcase Presenter Meeting Maurepas (3rd Floor) 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Annual General Meeting Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Join us as our Board of Directors welcomes its newest members and recaps the past year. Reports will be followed by a Q&A. All registrants are welcome.

5:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Merch Grand Coat Room (5th Floor) Check out the 2020 FAI merch!

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Opening Reception

Sponsored by Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

Grand Ballroom D/E (5th Floor) 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

International Folk Music Awards Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th Floor) 10:30 PM - 3:00 AM

Instrument Check Rex (8th Floor) folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 77

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Mark Franzke, Artist/Luthier Fine-Quality, Hand-Crafted Mandolins, Banjos and Guitars

Franzke String Instruments Prairie Village, KS

www.mfstrings.com

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THURSDAY JANUARY 23 9AM

10AM

11AM

12PM

1PM

REGISTRATION 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom II (2nd Floor) INSTRUMENT CHECK 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM Edgewood A/B (4th) EXHIBIT HALL SETUP (Exhibitors only) 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor)

EXHIBIT HALL 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor) PRIVATE SHOWCASE PRESENTER MEETING 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd)

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

10:00-10:30 AM Nottoway (4th)

B2B MEETINGS 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM Oak Alley (4th Floor)

EYE CLINIC 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Napoleon Ballroom B2/B3 (3rd Floor) HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Poydras (3rd Floor) PEER SESSION FOR AGENTS 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Grand Couteau (5th Floor)

ALLOWING YOUR AUDIENCE TO FIND THEIR OWN MEANING 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Bayside A (4th Floor)

PEER SESSION FOR ARTS COUNCILS & EXPORT ORGANIZATIONS 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Borgne (3rd Floor)

BEYOND THE CRAFT THE EXTENDED LIFE OF A SONG Sponsored by TrueFire 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Bayside C (4th Floor)

PEER SESSION FOR FESTIVALS 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor)

CULTURAL EQUITY SUMMIT 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor)

AMERICAN MUSIC EXCHANGES: TRANSATLANTIC SONGLINES 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) ANI DIFRANCO: “NO WALLS AND THE RECURRING DREAM” 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st) “WOODY GUTHRIE: 3 CHORDS AND THE TRUTH” 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd) AUTHENTIC STAGE CRAFT 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Bayside C (4th Floor)

PEER SESSION FOR FOLK DJS 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Nottoway (4th Floor)

GUITAR FLATPICKING OF THE MASTERS 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Bayside A (4th Floor)

PEER SESSION FOR HOUSE CONCERTS 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Grand Chenier (5th Floor)

MUSIC AND MIGRATION 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor)

PEER SESSION FOR MANAGERS 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Estherwood (4th Floor)

GREENING FOLK EVENTS 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Borgne (3rd Floor)

PEER SESSION FOR VENUES 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

PRODUCERS + 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) TIMELINES, TO DOS, AND THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN RELEASING Sponsored by CD Baby 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM Nottoway (4th Floor)

General Conference

L JM Music Camp

Film/Feature/Media

Artist Track

Community

Presenter Track

Exhibit Hall

Industry Track

Summit

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THURSDAY JANUARY 23 1PM

2PM

3PM

4PM

5PM Closes at 11:00 PM Closes at 10:30 PM

MERCH 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM Grand Coat Room (5th Floor) Check out the 2020 FAI merch!

Closes at 9:00 PM

AFFINITY GROUPS: 10:00 AM, Activism; 11:15 AM, Cancer; 12:30 PM, Parents; 1:45 PM, Women

CAJUN FIDDLE TECHNIQUES AND TUNES 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Bayside A (4th Floor) GETTING CREATIVELY FREE - PRACTICAL TOOLS FOR YOUR SONGWRITING SUCCESS 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Bayside C (4th Floor)

MAVIS STAPLES, KEYNOTE INTERVIEW 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) RECEPTION Sponsored by Berklee Online 4:00 PM - 4:40 PM Grand Foyer (5th Floor)

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN NON-PROFIT MUSIC ORGANIZATIONS 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) FAIR PAY & MUSIC MODERNIZATION: THE UPDATE 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) FESTIVAL RITUALS 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) THE RECORDING ACADEMY: WHAT CAN IT DO FOR YOU? 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) WISDOM OF THE ELDERS 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) CULTURAL AWARENESS, ADDRESSING RACISM AND BEING A PERSON IN PROCESS 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

INSTRUMENT CHECK 10:30 PM - 3:00 AM Rex (8th Floor)

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THURSDAY PROGRAMMING 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Registration Rhythms Ballroom II (2nd Floor) 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Exhibit Hall Setup (exhibitors only) Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor) 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Peer Sessions Join in round table discussion with your peers.

This is a chance to connect, network, and begin the conference with your cohorts. These are not pitch sessions but rather peer sessions.

Please attend the appropriate session and take advantage of the open dialogue.

Agents Evergreen (4th Floor) Arts Councils & Export Organizations Borgne (3rd Floor)

Facilitator: Clifford Murphy (National Endowment for the Arts)

Festivals Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor)

Facilitator: Michelle Demers Shaevitz (Mission Folk Music Festival/Maple Folk)

Folk DJs Nottoway (4th Floor)

Facilitator: Elena See (Folk Alley/FreshGrass Foundation)

House Concerts Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Managers Estherwood (4th Floor)

Facilitators: Amie Therrien (Music Managers Forum Canada), Stephen Bond Garvan (MMF)

Venues Maurepas (3rd Floor)

Facilitator: Matt Smith (Club Passim) 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Instrument Check Edgewood A/B (4th Floor) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Eye Clinic Napoleon Ballroom B2/B3 (3rd Floor) Advance sign-up encouraged. On-site walksups are welcomed.

Health & Wellness Center Poydras (3rd Floor) A quiet zone for contemplation and a place to step away from the hustle and bustle of the conference to regroup, refocus, and find balance. Drop in for a minute or an hour.

Silence is requested other than in the select daily guided programs (affinity groups, meditation, yoga, and recovery sessions).

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10:00 AM - 11:45 AM

Cultural Equity Summit Summit Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th Floor) Open to all delegates, this summit is the central conversation for extended programming throughout the entire 2020 conference and dovetails with its theme of The Story of People and Place. This open community meeting will serve as the launch of FAI’s formation of an Advisory Council and development of a Cultural Equity plan over the next year. Issues of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) are critical topics that permeate all levels and aspects of society and the music industry.

Learn about the formation of the Association for Cultural Equity, the contemporary change work led by Women of Color in the Arts, and contribute to FAI’s plans for the future.

Facilitators: Jorge Arévalo Mateus (Association for Cultural Equity), Kaisha Johnson (Women of Color in the Arts (WOCA)) 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Allowing Your Audience to Find Their Own Meaning L JM Music Camp Bayside A (4th Floor) Given the room to do so, listeners are compelled to put their own “colors” into a song. The audience’s experiences and perspectives help to create the perfect song just as much as the songwriter’s. The space left between the notes allows the audience to interpret a song in a way that is personal and unique to them, giving them the feeling that the song belongs to them, too. This workshop will help you craft songs that provide a narrative which can be shaped to any listener’s unique experiences.

Instructor: Ray Bonneville

Beyond the Craft: The Extended Life of a Song Sponsored by TrueFire L JM Music Camp Bayside C (4th Floor) Today’s songwriter must function like a oneperson media company to keep their songs alive long after they are written, recorded and released. In this class, master songwriter Ellis Paul will present creative strategies for crafting compelling extensions of your songs, across a variety of media, and how these extensions affect the craft of songwriting itself. These proven approaches help today’s artists broaden their audience and extend the life of their songs.

Instructor: Ellis Paul

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Affinity Groups - Activism Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish

to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This session is for those who identify as activists, or would like to connect with others to become more engaged or vocal about issues important to them.

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Volunteer Orientation Nottoway (4th Floor) 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

B2B Meetings Presenter Track Industry Track Oak Alley (4th Floor) Join us for a limited-access intensive session to fast-track your career relationships. Agents, managers, and artists are invited to meet key presenters and industry professionals. Come prepared to share your elevator speech and music samples while learning what others are looking for. Meetings are limited to 10 minutes with each industry professional, but you may sign up for up to 3 meetings with different professionals per day. Advance sign-up is first come first serve. Cancellations will be filled by waitlist onsite.

Exhibit Hall Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor) Drop by the Exhibit Hall to visit over 70 trade show booths at the B2B hub for the conference.

Presenters, come talk to the agents, managers, and labels representing showcasing artists.

Artists, come learn about the gear, services, organizations, and opportunities that can benefit you. Collectors, come visit some of the finest instrument makers in land and play their latest creations.

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Affinity Groups - Cancer Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This closed session is exclusively for those who have been diagnosed with cancer, are in treatment, are survivors, or are friends and family who have supported a loved one with cancer.

Facilitator: Justin Hiltner 12:00 PM - 1:15 PM

“Woody Guthrie: 3 Chords and the Truth” Community Track Film Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) To mark the 50th anniversary of Woody’s death, the BBC commissioned Bohemia Films to update his story. The film celebrates his music and investigates his influence and his legacy.

The director and producer of Bohemia Films

THURSDAY PROGRAMMING are BAFTA award winning filmmakers with long track records in producing documentary films on a wide range of subjects, and the project has the full support of the Guthrie family. The BBC release of the film was in April 2019, but it has not been released to the general public in the UK or the US. This is an exclusive film screening followed by a talkback session covering some of the major themes of the film. Any recording of this film screening is prohibited.

Facilitator: Deana McCloud (Woody Guthrie Center)

American Music Exchanges: Transatlantic Songlines Community Track Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Many roots music genres associated with the United States can be traced back to origins far from the U.S. And yet across eras, we have seen U.S. music influence international music communities. This panel considers how “American music” is being reinterpreted in other countries, and how U.S. music is delivered abroad. We will discuss scenes that have formed around jazz, blues and Americana in recent years - and how those artists, events and new music coming from them re-inform U.S. performers and recording artists.

Moderator: Barbara Newman (The Blues Foundation) Panelist: Crispin Parry (British Underground), John P. Jenks (United States Department of State), Laura Cortese (Laura Cortese & the Dance Cards), Jesse Finkelstein (Blues Radio International)

Authentic Stage Craft L JM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside C (4th Floor) Have ever wondered what to do with your hands, how to stand, or what to say onstage?

This workshop is perfect for you! Shakura will give you insight into how to present your most authentic self with confidence while singing, by strengthening your vocal, lyrical, and performance presentation.

Instructor: Shakura S’Aida

Greening Folk Events Presenter Track Borgne (3rd Floor) Folk festivals and events provides major social, financial and cultural benefits to a community - but they also have significant environmental impacts. Join some of our greenest festival and event producers for a discussion of their best practices, new things they’ve learned and are trying out, and ideas they have for the future.

Pick up new tips for greening your event, and contribute to our ongoing dialogue to make folk green!

Moderator: Sam Lee (Artist / The Nest Collective / Music Declares an Emergency) Panelist: Jennifer Roe (Folk Alliance International), Matthew Ché Kowal (Performing Arts Readiness), Molly North (Majestic Collaborations), Sara Leishman (Calgary Folk Music Festival)

Guitar Flatpicking of the Masters LJM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside A (4th Floor) Learning and understanding the music of the great masters is one of the most important steps in the process of becoming a better player.

Come compare and analyze some important solos from the giants of the flatpicking guitar, from a living master.

Instructor: Beppe Gambetta

Music and Migration Community Track Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Home is a place and concept often taken for granted. This session explores the relationship between song and the experience of those forced by war, politics, and circumstance to uproot. How does music relate to displacement, public awareness, and social change? How does one preserve or convey cultural tradition while navigating new territory? How are artists using creative expression to heal and foster compassion in communities?

Moderator: Laura Hassler (Musicians Without Borders) Panelist: Ephraim Bugumba, Mark Marczyk (Balaklava Blues; Lemon Bucket; Toronto Ukrainian Festival), Mireille Bakhos (International Rescue Committee), Rebecca Folsom (Rebecca Folsom Music)

Producers + Artist Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) This panel of accomplished and renowned producers will share their work and the challenges they face. How they find and work with artists, unique elements of their process, how they guide the recording process, technical skills they think every producer should have, and how they view their role in the producer’s chair.

Moderator: Gary Paczosa (Rounder Records) Panelist: Daniel Ledwell, Dirk Powell, Gena Johnson, Jordan Hamlin

Timelines, To Dos, and Things To Remember When Releasing Sponsored by CD Baby

Artist Track Nottoway (4th Floor) You’ve recorded an album or a single. You love it. You know others will, too. Now what do you do? This panel is not just for beginners -- the industry is always changing, and it’s a lot to stay on top of! Panelists who release records frequently will describe the process and timeline of a release, planning a promotional calendar, syncing up booking plans, preparing creative assets you’ll need, and knowing who needs them. We’ll discuss radio and press outreach; getting barcodes and ISRCs, mechanicals, and encoding metadata; distributing to digital platforms, when to launch your pre-order, and more.

West (Compass Records), Maria Ivey (IVPR), Sean Coakley (Songlines) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Ani Difranco: “No Walls and the Recurring Dream” Community Track Feature Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) In her new memoir, Ani DiFranco recounts her early life from a place of hard-won wisdom, combining personal expression, the power of music, feminism, political activism, storytelling, philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and much more into an inspiring whole. In these frank, honest, passionate, and often funny pages is the tale of one woman’s eventful and radical journey to the age of thirty. Ani’s coming of age story is defined by her ethos of fierce independence– from being an emancipated minor sleeping in a Buffalo bus station, to unwaveringly building a career through appearances at small clubs and festivals, to releasing her first album at the age of 18, to consciously rejecting the mainstream recording industry and creating her own label, Righteous Babe Records. In these pages, as in life, she never hesitates to question established rules and expectations, maintaining a level of artistic integrity that has inspired and challenged more than a few. Preordered books will be signed in advance and picked up during the event.

Interviewer: Ann Powers (NPR)

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM

Private Showcase Presenter Meeting Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Affinity Groups - Parents Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This closed session is exclusively for those who identify as musicians and music industry professionals who have young children or teenagers, or are soon to be, parents.

Facilitators: Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM

Cajun Fiddle Techniques and Tunes L JM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside A (4th Floor) Learn to play basic rhythms, improvise, and participate in a call-and-response method. This class will delve into a few standard two-steps and waltzes, and bowing patterns essential to Cajun fiddling. Recording devices are recommended.

Instructor: Gina Forsyth

Moderator: Chris Robley (CD Baby) Panelist: Art Menius (SERFA, Art Menius Radio), Garry

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THURSDAY PROGRAMMING Cultural Awareness, Addressing Racism and Being a Person in Process Community Track Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Over the past year, FAI’s staff and board continued their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training to expand organizational understanding and awareness as the first step in the development of a formal Cultural Equity plan by the end of 2020. This orientation session, builds on the Cultural Equity summit earlier in the day and will serve as an introduction to the Affinity Group meetings planned throughout the conference. This facilitated session will relay contemporary viewpoints and practices communities undertake in striving for equity and will include a “talk back” exploring some of the related themes present in the Woody Guthrie film screening that precedes it.

Effective Leadership in Non-Profit Music Organizations Industry Track Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Our community is encouraged, supported and developed by mission-driven music organizations. We convene at the conferences they produce and benefit from the services they provide throughout the year. Dedicated professionals lead these organizations, both on staff and on their boards of directors. This panel of industry organization leaders will share insights about everything from strategic planning to board communication and staff organizing to member relations. Learn how these organizations make decisions, and how you can be of service.

Moderator: Andy McLean (East Coast Music Association) Panelist: Ake Lundstrom (Live at Heart Festival), Alka Sharma (Folk Music Ontario), Barbara Newman (The Blues Foundation), Paul Schiminger (International Bluegrass Music Association)

Fair Pay & Music Modernization: The Update Industry Track Nottoway (4th Floor) A few years ago, FAI published a white paper to help educate our membership about how copyright works and what all folkies need to know. FAI has participated in efforts to protect the rights of creators, in hopes that artists, labels, writers and publishers will all be paid fairly for their work. Our panelists will provide an update on the current state of affairs with respect to music copyright and royalties, and what everyone needs to know about Fair Pay, The Music Modernization Act, and what we can do to participate in the change that is happening to make sure folk is at the table. Moderator: Erin McAnally (Artists Rights Alliance) Panelists: John Riley (US Copyright Office, Office of the General Counsel), Ken Abdo (Fox Rothschild LLP), Linda Bloss-Baum (SoundExchange), Mary Bragg (Artist) 84 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

Festival Rituals Presenter Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) To some, a folk festival is a place to discover carefully curated new music each year. To others, a folk festival is an annual reunion where fans see familiar artists and friends. Regardless of the perspective most festivals have their own rituals specific to the event and setting. This panel is about the traditions that establish each festival’s unique culture: the elements large and small that help develop a sense of community, stimulate loyalty, and keep audiences coming back every year.

Moderator: Michelle Demers Shaevitz (Mission Folk Music Festival/Maple Folk) Panelist: Chloe Goodyear (Woodfordia Inc), Chris Frayer (Winnipeg Folk Festival), Christine White (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival), Matthew Bizer (Luck Reunion)

Getting Creatively Free - Practical Tools for Your Songwriting Success L JM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside C (4th Floor) Taught by the founder of I Heart Songwriting Club, this class will teach you some practical tools for overcoming songwriters’ biggest blocks and barriers once and for all. Be inspired to tackle writers’ block, time management, isolation, procrastination and more. Take action to become the best songwriter you can be.

Instructor: Francesca de Valencez

The Recording Academy: What Can It Do For You? Artist Track Industry Track Borgne (3rd Floor) What is the Recording Academy? What does it do? From championing music and creators through advocacy, to MusiCares, celebrating with the GRAMMY Awards and the GRAMMY Museum, find out the benefits of getting involved. You’ll also learn about the GRAMMY application process; did you know it’s open to recordings worldwide?

Moderator: Reid Wick (Recording Academy) Panelist: Erin Frankenheiner Burns (Tunecore), Gary Paczosa (Rounder Records)

Wisdom of the Elders Community Track Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Since 2010, legends and luminaries of the folk community have been featured at the conference through the Wisdom of the Elders live-interview event. These recorded sessions are conducted as interviews drawing insight from a lifetime in folk music, reflecting on milestones, personal stories, and the industry context that shaped their artistic lives, as much as the ways they and their work shaped ours.

Interviewer: Gwen Tompkins (WWNO Music Inside Out) Panelist: Cyril Neville, David Olney, Maria Muldaur, Tom Rush (Artist)

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Affinity Groups - Women Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This closed session is exclusively for those who identify as female.

3:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Merch Grand Coat Room (5th Floor) Check out the 2020 FAI merch!

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Mavis Staples, Keynote Interview Community Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th Floor) See page 38.

Interviewer: Melissa Block (NPR) 4:00 PM - 4:40 PM

Reception Sponsored By Berklee Online

Grand Foyer (5th Floor) 10:30 PM - 3:00 AM

Instrument Check Rex (8th Floor)

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 85

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Westbound Situation Friday, January 24, 2020, 7pm Grand Chenier | Booth# 507

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folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 87

FRIDAY JANUARY 24 9AM

10AM

11AM

12PM

1PM

REGISTRATION 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom II (2nd Floor) INSTRUMENT CHECK 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM Edgewood A/B (4th) REGIONAL BREAKFAST 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Rhythms Foyer (2nd Floor)

EXHIBIT HALL 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor) EYE CLINIC 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Napoleon Ballroom B2/B3 (3rd Floor) HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Poydras (3rd Floor) HART FUND BLOODWORK & EARPLUGS 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Napoleon Ballroom Foyer (3rd Floor)

REGIONAL MEETING FAR WEST 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) REGIONAL MEETING FARM 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) REGIONAL MEETING NERFA 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) REGIONAL MEETING SERFA 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Borgne (3rd Floor) REGIONAL MEETING SWRFA 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

THE SOCIAL CHANGE ENTREPRENEUR ARTIST PATH 10 AM -10:20 AM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd) CULTURAL LISTENING & CONNECTION 10 AM -10:20 AM Maurepas (3rd)

B2B MEETINGS 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Oak Alley (4th Floor) ART & ACTIVISM: WHAT ARTISTS NEED TO TAKE ACTION 10:20 AM - 11:15 AM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) BEYOND WELCOMING: CULTURAL LISTENING, CREATING SAFE SPACES AND TRUE INVITATION 10:20 AM - 11:15 AM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

TEACHING ONLINE: MUSIC LESSONS IN A NEW LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Sponsored by Berklee Online 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Nottoway (4th Floor)

ACCESSIBILITY: THE ARTIST’S EXPERIENCE 11:30 AM 12:00 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

MAKING ACCESSIBILITY A REALITY IN FOLK 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

FOLKSTORY EXAMPLES HOW TO: TELLING YOUR 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM FOLKSTORY Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) 11:30 AM 12:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) FOLK IN THE MAINSTREAM 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor)

DO I NEED A VISA FOR THIS GIG? A TAX WAIVER? 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Borgne (3rd Floor)

LOOPING 101 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Bayside A (4th Floor)

THE LINEUP: HOW IT COMES TOGETHER 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor)

SINGING & STRINGING 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Bayside C (4th Floor)

A RAPID FIRE TOUR OF THE LATEST FREE AND AFFORDABLE MUSIC TECH FOR ARTISTS Sponsored by Berklee Online 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Bayside A (4th)

INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC SUMMIT PLENARY CIRCLE 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

THE ACCORDION OF THE CAJUN FRENCH 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Bayside C (4th) 50 YEARS OF ROUNDER RECORDS 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) GENTRIFICATION AND LOCAL CULTURE 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Grand Chenier (5th Floor)

THE ROLE OF VIDEO IN TELLING STORY 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) CREOLE, KREOL, CRIOLLO - STORIES FROM THE DIASPORA 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM- Nottoway (4th Floor) WOMEN IN MUSIC: A CONTINUED CALL FOR CHANGE 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM- Borgne (3rd Floor)

General Conference

L JM Music Camp

Film/Feature/Media

Artist Track

Community

Presenter Track

Exhibit Hall

Industry Track

Summit

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FRIDAY JANUARY 24 1PM

2PM

3PM

4PM

5PM Closes at 11:00 PM Closes at 10:30 PM

AFFINITY GROUPS: 10:00 AM, Mental Health; 11:15 AM, Recovery; 1:45 PM, Disability & Chronic Illness MERCH 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM Grand Coat Room (5th Floor)

RHIANNON GIDDENS, KEYNOTE ADDRESS; ARTIST IN RESIDENCE 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor)

Closes at 8:30 PM

ARTIST MENTORSHIP 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Oak Alley (4th Floor) MEET THE FOLK DJS Sponsored by Bill Wence Promotions 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Grand Ballroom D/E (5th Floor) CREATIVE PLACEMAKING 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) CREOLE BANJO AND GUITAR FROM A MASTER 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Bayside C (4th Floor) FINDING FOLK FANS: WHO ARE THEY REALLY? 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) GROWING MARKETS: LOCAL, NATIONAL, INTERNATIONAL 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) MARY GAUTHIER INTERVIEW 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) STATE OF THE FOLK RADIO CHARTS 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) STRATEGIES FOR STREAMING 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) THE RISKS WE TAKE: MUSIC ENTREPRENEURSHIP Sponsored by CD Baby 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) TRACKING THE MUSE 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Bayside A (4th Floor)

INSTRUMENT CHECK 10:30 PM - 3:00 AM Rex (8th Floor)

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 89

FRIDAY PROGRAMMING 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Regional Continental Breakfast Rhythms Foyer (2nd Floor) Meet the leaders of your local region and many of the folks who are attending from your area.

A great way to make new friends in your own back yard and see how you can contribute to the growth of your Folk Alliance International region. Information will be available on special regional activities and each regional conference. A continental breakfast is available for the early risers.

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

Regional Meeting - FAR-West Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Regional Meeting - FARM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Regional Meeting - NERFA Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Regional Meeting - SERFA Borgne (3rd Floor) Regional Meeting - SWRFA Maurepas (3rd Floor) 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM

Registration Rhythms Ballroom II (2nd Floor)

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

HART Fund Bloodwork & Earplugs Napoleon Ballroom Foyer (3rd Floor) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Eye Clinic Napoleon Ballroom B2/B3 (3rd Floor) Advance sign-up encouraged. On-site walk-ups are welcomed.

Health & Wellness Center Poydras (3rd Floor) A quiet zone for contemplation and a place to step away from the hustle and bustle of the conference to regroup, refocus, and find balance. Drop in for a minute or an hour. Silence is requested other than in the select daily guided programs (affinity groups, meditation, yoga, and recovery sessions).

10:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Instrument Check Edgewood A/B (4th Floor)

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10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

A Rapid Fire Tour of the Latest Free and Affordable Music Tech for Artists Sponsored By Berklee Online

L JM MUSIC CAMP Bayside A (4th Floor) In this rapid-fire session, Bruce Houghton (editor/publisher at Hypebot and Music Think Tank, founder of the Skyline Agency, and Berklee Online instructor) will show you the best free and affordable apps, tools, and tricks that actually work to capture more fans, sell more tickets, stream more music, and move your career forward. The seminar will focus on how to make widely known tools more effective (Instagram, Bandsintown, Google Analytics, etc.) as well as ones that have more niche uses (like show.co, restream.io, tweetsmap). The presentation will survey the audience’s needs and provide insight based on the knowledge and needs of those in attendance.

Instructor: Bruce Houghton (Berklee Online)

Do I Need A Visa for This Gig? Artist Track Borgne (3rd Floor) For the artist who tours internationally, navigating visa systems and tax codes in multiple countries can be confusing. Many changes have happened in recent years, and are still in process. This panel will be an overview of recent changes, how to get visas in different countries, when to apply, who facilitates, and practical advice from artists and their teams about crossing borders and touring internationally.

Moderator: Matthew Covey (Tamizdat) Panelist: Ed Sweeney (Ed Sweeney Music), Quique Escamilla (Artist)

Gentrification and Local Culture Community Track Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Change and community development is a sign of progress, growth and expansion -- and yet in many instances communities are displaced, and local culture is threatened. This panel explores the music community’s role in both how we affect and how we are affected by gentrification.

Moderator: Hilary Saunders (No Depression) Panelist: Bruce Sunpie Barnes (Sunpie Music, Inc.), Ethan Ellestad (Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans), Tara Hernandez (JCH Properties+), Tim Potocic (Sonic Unyon Records)

50 Years of Rounder Records Industry Track Feature Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Rounder Records, an independent record label known for folk, bluegrass, Zydeco, blues, and other roots music genres, and for having developed numerous high-profile and highly influential artist careers. Current Rounder president John Strohm will moderate this panel on the past,

present, and future of Rounder alongside Marian Leighton-Levy, one of the three founders of Rounder; Marcia Ball, a Louisiana-bred blues singer and pianist with numerous releases on the label, and Gary Paczosa, Rounder’s current VP of A&R, who has engineered and produced many Rounder titles over the years, including by its best-known artist, Alison Krauss. Topics will include the founding and early years of Rounder, the rapid growth years of the 1980s and 90s including Marcia Ball’s long tenure on the label, and how Rounder is navigating its present and future as a roots music focused label operating in a rapidly changing industry, and maintaining an independent spirit as a part of Concord, the fifth largest music company in the world. This panel will include a survey and discussion of Rounder’s vast contribution to development of New Orleans music and music artists through its many releases covering numerous regional genres.

Moderator: John Strohm (Rounder Records) Panelist: Gary Paczosa (Rounder Records), Marcia Ball (Artist), Marian Leighton Levy (Founder)

Teaching Online: Music Lessons in a New Learning Environment Sponsored by Berklee Online

Community Track Nottoway (4th Floor) We are a community that is always learning -- from educators, peers, mentors and mentees.

This panel will review best practices learned by musicians who teach music lessons online while on the road, professors teaching in virtual classrooms, and organizations supporting through technology and scheduling.

Moderator: Mark Fernandez (Loyola University New Orleans) Panelist: Ali Hasbach (TrueFire), Brad Wendkos (TrueFire), Michael Moyes (Berklee College of Music), Rachel Baiman (Artist)

The Accordion of the Cajun French L JM Music Camp Bayside C (4th Floor) Bruce comes from a fluent Cajun Frenchspeaking household in Marksville, LA, and is a legendary local musician/songwriter. This class will touch on the history of the Cajuns, their culture, and music. With his accordion, his Cajun songs will be demonstrated and translated in context. Questions are encouraged.

Instructor: Bruce Daigrepont

The Lineup: How It Comes Together Presenter Track Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) This panel of festival presenters will break down recent festival or seasonal lineups, tell stories and share their process developing lineups throughout their careers. Festival directors will speak about how to curate an experience where all the puzzle pieces fit, talent scouting, timing of offers, and how to work within a budget. We’ll talk about the differences of process when one

FRIDAY PROGRAMMING person has control versus when programming with a committee or board oversight, addressing equity and inclusion, and other aspects we often don’t think about when it comes to who’s on the lineup and how they are billed.

Moderator: Holly Lowman (Red Light Management) Panelist: Barnett English (Joshua Tree Music Festival), Christopher Capotosto (Newport Folk Festival), Sarah Comardelle (AMERICANAFEST), Terry Wickham (Edmonton Folk Music Festival) 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Affinity Groups - Mental Health Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This session is for those who live/have lived experience with mental health issues, as well as those who support/ have supported friends, peers, and family members in need.

Facilitator: Telisha Williams 10:00 AM - 10:20 AM

The Social Change Entrepreneur Artist Path Artist Track Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) It all starts with an idea. An artist sees a way they can effect change... but that is just the beginning. This talk unearths the research and choices and networking that ensues when an artist wishes to pursue social change in a sustained, methodical way. It will be immediately followed by a panel discussion.

Presenter: Elizabeth Stookey Sunde (Music to Life) 10:20 AM - 11:15 AM

Art & Activism: What Artists Need to Take Action Artist Track Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) This panel discussion will walk through what artists need to take long term, strategic action to make change. You’ll learn how to establish a mission and objectives, find your areas of focus, and how to network to further your cause.

You’ll also learn about the services that exist to support artists wishing to take action, how to take advantage of opportunities that arise while still fostering your artist career, and elements to consider when talking about your work to fans and media.

Moderator: Elizabeth Stookey Sunde (Music to Life) Panelist: Alanah Odoms (ACLU of Louisiana), Mary Gauthier (Mary Gauthier Inc.), Michelle Ramos (Alternate ROOTS), Miranda Mulholland (Harrow Fair/Roaring Girl Records)

10:00 AM - 10:20 AM

Cultural Listening and Connection Community Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) At the heart of this year’s theme and conference programming is an inherent value placed on curiosity and responsibility: listening, seeking understanding, and forming connections between people. In this short format talk (followed immediately by a panel discussion), FAI’s Executive Director will share personal observations on the evolving nature of leadership, reflections on the responsibility to leverage privilege, and lessons learned in the process. What does it mean and take for an organization to go beyond just being welcoming, in order to meaningfully engage and support equity in all its forms?

Presenter: Aengus Finnan (Folk Alliance International) 10:20 AM - 11:15 AM

Beyond Welcoming: Cultural Listening, Creating Safe Spaces, and True Invitation Community Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) Many companies and organizations aspire to diversity and inclusion, but too many stop at merely stating that they welcome new people.

We’ll talk about how to do the true work it takes to create safe spaces.

Moderator: Holly Hobbs (WWNO) Panelist: Carolina Rojas (Circulart), Dhari Vij (WOMEX/Piranha Arts), Jorge Arevalo Mateus (Association for Cultural Equity), Kaisha Johnson (Women of Color in the Arts) 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

B2B Meetings Industry Track Presenter Track Oak Alley (4th Floor) Join us for a limited-access intensive session to fast-track your career relationships. Agents, managers, and artists are invited to meet key presenters and industry professionals. Come prepared to share your elevator speech and music samples while learning what others are looking for. Meetings are limited to 10 minutes with each industry professional, but you may sign up for up to 3 meetings with different professionals per day. Advance sign-up is first come first serve. Cancellations will be filled by waitlist onsite.

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Affinity Groups - Recovery Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This closed session is exclusively for those who would like a safe space to reflect on addiction and discuss recovery.

11:30 AM - 12:45 PM

Creole, Kreol, Criollo - Stories from the Diaspora Community Track Nottoway (4th Floor) Ask a dozen folks what Creole means, and you’ll get a dozen answers - the Encyclopedia of Southern Culture defines Creole as “anyone who says [they] are one”. A word originally used in the 16th century to identify the first generations of settlers born in the lands named the Americas, as populations evolved and diverged the term Creole acquired different meanings, implications and even alphabetical iterations. Join a panel of Creole musicians, leaders, and scholars to explore this complex and vibrant culture that spans generations, geographies, and languages. Moderator: Herman Fuselier (Atchafalaya National Heritage Area) Panelist: Leyla McCalla (Artist), Nick Spitzer (American Routes)

Folk in the Mainstream Media Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) This panel will discuss the impact of folk and roots artists who achieve mainstream appeal on the music communities they emerge from, and vice versa. What are the choices those artists make that lead them to be able to reach a broader audience? What is it about those artists that enable them to “cross over” and how is that presence sustained instead of being flash in the pan? We’ll talk about what is accomplished for our community when folk artists appear in mainstream media and “claim” their folk-ness.

This panel is about the place folk and roots genres play in the broader music culture and the impact we have on modern culture.

Moderator: Cary Baker (Conqueroo) Panelist: Jay Sweet (Newport Folk Festival), Kate Hyman (BMG Music), Lee Zimmerman (Rock & Roll Globe; Country Standard Time; Goldmine; Bluegrass Today), Traci Thomas (TT Management)

International Indigenous Music Summit Plenary Circle Community Track Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) A plenary session sharing back key learnings from the Indigenous Music Summit held at FAI earlier this week.

Moderator: ShoShona Kish (Artist) Panelist: Amanda Rheaume (Artist), Emily Wurramara (Artist), Kalyn Fay (Artist)

Looping 101 LJM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside A (4th Floor) A loop pedal records your voice, guitar, violin or whatever you input and repeatedly plays it back on a loop. It gives you the ability to overdub new recordings over the old in real time. This workshop will introduce you to various loop pedals and ways to use them.

Instructor: Saul Paul

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FRIDAY PROGRAMMING Singing & Stringing LJM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside C (4th Floor) We’ll guide you in exploring your string instrument as an accompaniment to your voice.

You will learn one song and its chords, explore accompaniment possibilities through chordvoicings, arrangement, and rhythmic techniques (including chopping), plus strategies to increase your singing and playing abilities.

Instructor: Laura Cortese

The Role of Video in Telling Story Media Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Though based on sound, we are also a visual industry, using everything from music videos to full length documentary films to tell stories of our artists and communities. In this session filmmakers, contributors, and video creators will share perspectives on what makes a good story for video. They’ll talk about how to organize, write, shoot, and edit to tell a story, and reveal how to use text, photography, audio, and other elements to enhance a sense of story in video. They’ll also discuss different methods of distribution, the challenges and opportunities of getting your video seen, and the power that video has to relay a message.

Moderator: Jeff Swell Panelist: Cilista Eberle (Michael Murphy Productions, Inc.), John Paul Summers, Julie Bordelon (Southern Screen), Tom Dibb (Northern Cowboy Films)

Women in Music: A Continued Call for Change Industry Track Borgne (3rd Floor) We are in a new era of women’s rights advocacy. Many women in entertainment have bravely come forward in recent years and told their stories. Their bravery has reduced some of the stigma associated with such honesty, but there is more work to do! Men still dominate, holding a majority of leadership roles in music organizations, and female artists continue to be underrepresented at festivals and on the radio.

Our panelists will discuss where we are now, what it will take to continue to move the needle forward, what initiatives seem to be working, and how all of us can be more aware of and make a difference to build a safer and more equitable environment for women in music.

Moderator: Shakura S’Aida (Artist) Panelist: Alysha Brilla (ArtistSongwriterMusic Producer), Betsy Siggins (Folk New England), Jan Bell (Brooklyn Americana Music Festival), Patty Larkin (Artist), Janisa Quoi (Artist) 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Accessibility: The Artist’s Experience Artist Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) The time has come for all folk venues to ensure they are accessible, not only for disabled audience members but for disabled artists, 92 | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

too. No artist has been more outspoken and eloquent on this issue in recent years than Gaelynn Lea. Thrust into the national spotlight when she won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016, Gaelynn has since played over 600 shows in 43 states and 8 countries. She is a leader, not only shining a light on practical needs disabled artists have, but also calling for increased understanding and cultural sensitivity to artists’ preferences in how they are described and publicized. In this short-form talk, Gaelynn will share her story with us, what it is like to be touring Folk venues and festivals as an artist who uses a motorized wheelchair in 2020. This talk will be immediately followed by a panel discussion.

Presenter: Gaelynn Lea (Artist)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Making Accessibility a Reality in Folk Presenter Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) This panel will take on the question of what it would take for all Folk venues and events to be optimally accessible to disabled audiences AND artists by 2025. Panelists will discuss barriers folks experience at events, common challenges organizations face, and excuses that often delay progress. These organizations will share how they are dismantling barriers and working toward greater inclusion.

Moderator: Danny Belanger (Louisiana Division of the Arts) Panelist: Betty Siegel (Kennedy Center), Celia Hughes (ArtSpark TX), Gaelynn Lea (Artist) 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM

How To: Telling Your FolkStory Community Track Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Throughout the conference, we’ll be gathering stories from attendees for the FolkStory Project.

This is a training session to prepare individuals who would like to participate. Facilitated by professional storyteller Marie Lovejoy, this session will share best practices, oral tradition, methods, and how to find your story and tell it, in 15 minutes or less. This session will be followed by four stories told live.

Facilitator: Marie Lovejoy

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

FolkStory Examples Community Track Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Four to five delegates will share their story in the format outlined in the “How To: Telling Your FolkStory” session.

Emcee: Amy Reitnouer (The Bluegrass Situation) Presenters: Catherine MacLellan, Clarence “Reginald’ Toussaint, Ephraim Bugumba, Grayhawk Perkins

12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Exhibit Hall Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor) Drop by the Exhibit Hall to visit over 70 trade show booths at the B2B hub for the conference.

Presenters, come talk to the agents, managers, and labels representing showcasing artists.

Artists, come learn about the gear, services, organizations, and opportunities that can benefit you. Collectors, come visit some of the finest instrument makers in land and play their latest creations.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Rhiannon Giddens, Keynote Address Community Track Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th Floor) Prior to the keynote, the music created through the Artist in Residence project will be shared.

More details on page 38.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Artist Mentorship Artist Track Oak Alley (4th Floor) Get one-on-one career advice via our “askme-anything” mentor sessions with a seasoned artist. These events are a great opportunity to get first-hand advice and may even kick off a game-changing relationship. Advance online sign-up is required for these short intensive meetings. Limited space may be available onsite.

1:45 PM - 2:45 PM

Affinity Groups - Disability & Chronic Illness Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This closed session is exclusively for those who identify as having disability and/or chronic illness.

Facilitator: Gaelynn Lea (Artist)

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Meet the Folk DJs Sponsored by Bill Wence Promotions

Community Track Grand Ballroom E/D (5th Floor) In addition to negotiating a NACC Folk Chart discount for FAI members, this year FAI assumed full financial and administrative responsibility for the Folk DJ Chart (founded as an independent chart by volunteer Richard Gillmann). Despite updates to a complex system, issues persist with reporting and tracking accuracy. With input from the Folk DJ Task Force, FAI is currently beta testing a new system that would enable more DJs worldwide to report to the FAI Folk Chart.

This session will open with an update to all involved - DJs and radio-interested community members about logistics and chart options

FRIDAY PROGRAMMING going forward.

Then, we will have our annual ”Meet the Folk DJs” event. Artists, take advantage of the opportunity to sit down for a few minutes with your favorite DJs. They are the voices of folk music on the radio and the internet. The format of this session is designed to make it easier to connect. Bring plenty of CDs and download cards. Grab the list of Folk DJs before you enter the room to map out your route. Be sure to tell the DJs when you will be performing in their area when you talk to them!

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Creative Placemaking Presenter Track Nottoway (4th Floor) When partners from public, private, nonprofit, and community sectors strategically shape the physical and social character of a neighborhood, town, city, or region around arts and cultural activities, it’s called Creative Placemaking. This evolving field is rooted in the belief that development projects and teams benefit from artistic input throughout the entire project to represent and serve a community’s interest while driving a broader agenda for change, growth and transformation in a way that also builds character and quality of place.

The benefits of Creative Placemaking are reciprocal, with artists and cities alike reaping the benefits.

Moderator: Caitlin Strokosch (National Performance Network) Panelist: Clifford Murphy (National Endowment for the Arts), Elizabeth Cawein (Music Export Memphis), John Filion (City Councillor, Toronto)

Creole Banjo and Guitar from a Master L JM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside C (4th Floor) “Papa” Don Vappie is the acknowledged living master of the New Orleans banjo tradition and a tireless advocate for local Creole culture and music. A sought-after guitarist and bassist as well, any string playing will benefit from this class on the rhythms and string traditions of New Orleans.

Instructor: Don Vappie

Finding Folk Fans: Who are they really?

Media Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Folk Alliance International is undertaking landmark research to learn more about the folk audience. The premise of this dialogue will be to exhibit an expansive view of who the folk audience is, and challenge our preconceived notions about who listens to and supports folk music. These panelists -- who have made unique efforts to go out, seek and cultivate folk audiences, whether or not they consider themselves folkies -- will share their experiences, challenges and how they overcame them.

They will share their viewpoint on approach

and knowledge of folk fans. The dialogue in this panel will also help us unearth more of the questions our community has about our audience, to inform our research efforts.

Moderator: Michelle Conceison (Market Monkeys) Panelist: Billy Maupin (Yep Roc), Dan Storper (Putamayo), John Smith (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings), Linda Fahey (Folk Alley/FreshGrass Foundation)

Growing Markets: Local, National, International Artist Track Borgne (3rd Floor) How do you know when to expand your team?

How much draw do you have to have before you headline? How do you determine which markets have the most potential for your music?

Having a strategic plan and sticking to it is paramount! This panel looks at prioritization, order and planning when an artist is developing and expanding markets, as well as how to track performance and know how you are doing in the markets you choose to focus on.

Moderator: Brendan Gilmartin (Chart Room Media) Panelist: Bobby Cudd, Neil Pearson (Sounds Just Fine), Sara Watkins (Artist), Susie Giang (Ground Control Touring)

Mary Gauthier Interview Artist Track Feature Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Born in New Orleans, Mary Gauthier returns to the place of her origins to tell her story.

Throughout her career as a songwriter, artist and community maker, Gauthier has been frank about her journey. And even before music, she engaged in another kind of communitybuilding, as a successful Boston restaurateur.

In music, she found a way to comprehend and tell her own story — as an orphan and adopted child, a woman in recovery, an out lesbian, and, after she relocated to Nashville, a progressive in the red South. She also became an adept of compassion: her song “Mercy Now,” written about her estranged adoptive father, became an anthem for those trying to love family members with very different values, and eventually, for a riven America itself. Her recent work writing with active duty soldiers and veterans led to the instant classic Rifles and Rosary Beads, which gave musical shape to the political complexity and human pain of our time.

Music has been both a path and a vehicle for Gauthier, and in this career-spanning interview, she considers it as a passion and as cultural work.

listening to music. Is the album era over? Is it all single songs now? Panelists will share what they know about folk consumption behavior and how content creators are strategizing for streaming.

Panelist: Darren Gill (Spotify), Evan Newman (Outside Music Group), Lauren Kasper (The Orchard), Mariah Czap (Yep Roc Records)

The Risks We Take: Music Entrepreneurship Sponsored by CD Baby

Industry Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) Innovation in the music tech sector has led to many of the companies that artists and industry rely on to compete and reach fans; however, not all businesses survive all life stages of entrepreneurship. Last year, many artists were impacted by the business failure of PledgeMusic and other companies that closed down. At the same time, some businesses continue to thrive and move through entrepreneurial growth stages alongside us. This panel examines the risks we take together -- and how artists and entrepreneurs can weather storms together while continuing to innovate and grow.

Moderator: David Macias (Thirty Tigers) Panelist: Benji Rogers (PledgeMusic), Brian Zisk (SF MusicTech Summit), Chris Robley (CD Baby), Stephanie Hudacek (Soundly)

Tracking the Muse LJM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside A (4th Floor) This class will teach you how to use recording in a home studio as a tool for inspiration. You’ll learn how to best set up your studio, what some great gear options are, and how to expand your ideas from your iPhone to a finished product.

Instructor: Patty Larkin

3:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Merch Grand Coat Room (5th Floor) Check out the 2020 FAI merch!

10:30 PM - 3:00 AM

Instrument Check Rex (8th Floor)

Interviewer: Ann Powers (NPR)

Strategies for Streaming Artist Track Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) As streaming has become the primary music listening method, we are now striving to understand how to reach fans and how to make the most of a new way of discovering and folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 93

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SATURDAY JANUARY 25 9AM

10AM

11AM

12PM

1PM

REGISTRATION 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom II (2nd Floor) INSTRUMENT CHECK 10:00 AM - 10:30 PM Edgewood A/B (4th) EXHIBIT HALL 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor) HEALTH & WELLNESS CENTER 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Poydras (3rd Floor) HART FUND BLOODWORK & EARPLUGS 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Napoleon Ballroom Foyer (3rd Floor) B2B MEETING 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM Oak Alley (4th Floor) ARCHIVE CHALLENGE 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) FIRST TIMER’S CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST Sponsored by Grassy Hill Entertainment 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Presidential Suite (4904)

BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE SELF-MANAGED ARTIST CAREER 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) ENGINEERING: NEW TECHNOLOGIES, TIMELESS SKILLS 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Nottoway (4th Floor) MUSIC AND CUISINE: THE ROLE OF FOOD IN COMMUNITY MAKING 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Borgne (3rd Floor)

ART AS ACTIVISM: BOEKBINDER & DIFRANCO’S PRISON MUSIC PROJECT 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) LICENSING: WHERE FOLK FITS IN FILM & TELEVISION 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) DATA DRIVEN DECISIONS Sponsored by CD Baby 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) GET SOME NEW ORLEANS INTO YOUR GUITAR 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Bayside A (4th Floor)

PASSING THE TORCH: CROSSGENERATIONAL FOLK RELATIONSHIPS, INSPIRATION AND SUCCESSION 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

HOW TO EMPOWER AND MOTIVATE YOUR BOOKING AGENT 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor)

REACHING EARS: RADIO, STREAMING, FILM AND TELEVISION 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor)

MERCHANDISE 2025 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) ON THE GRIDDLE 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Borgne (3rd Floor)

TEX-MEX YOUR TUNES! 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Bayside C (4th) TRADITIONAL DANCE WITH NON-TRADITIONAL GENDER ROLES 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Bayside A (4th) WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A BANJO PLAYER 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Grand Chenier (5th Floor)

ONSTAGE SOUND FOR WOMEN BY WOMEN 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Bayside C (4th Floor) SUMMARY: CULTURAL EQUITY SUMMIT 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

WHEN A NEW VENUE IS BORN 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Maurepas (3rd Floor)

General Conference

L JM Music Camp

Film/Feature/Media

Artist Track

Community

Presenter Track

Exhibit Hall

Industry Track

Summit

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SATURDAY JANUARY 25 1PM

2PM

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Closes at 10:30 PM

ETHNO USA INFO SESSION 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) AFFINITY GROUPS: 10:00 AM, Allies; 11:15 AM, LGBTQIA; 12:30 PM. People of Color

ARTIST MENTORSHIP 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Oak Alley (4th Floor) COMMUNITY GATHERING: THE WHOLE SELF, FINDING #FOLKLIFEBALANCE 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor)

MERCH 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM Grand Coat Room (5th Floor)

Closes at 8:30 PM

SILENT AUCTION 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM Grand Foyer (5th Floor)

Closes at 9:00 PM

GENE SHAY SONGWRITING CRITIQUE 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Bayside C (4th Floor) GRASSROOTS TOURING Sponsored by Berklee Online 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Grand Chenier (5th) INTRO TO AFRO CUBAN PERCUSSION 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Bayside A (4th Floor)

RECEPTION Sponsored by Louisiana Entertainment 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM Lagniappe (2nd Floor)

CONVERSATION: THE MAKING OF A GREAT INTERVIEW 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) MENTAL HEALTH IN OUR FOLK COMMUNITY 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) PRESENTERS PLEDGE: CULTIVATING GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) THE ORIGINS AND PROGRESSIONS OF CAJUN MUSIC 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) THE RIGHT FIT: WHAT LABELS, MANAGERS AND AGENTS LOOK FOR 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) SPOTLIGHT ON LOUISIANA - CULTURE, BUSINESS, AND OPPORTUNITIES 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor)

INSTRUMENT CHECK 10:30 PM - 3:00 AM Rex (8th Floor)

SUNDAY JANUARY 26 A FINAL FAREWELL… 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) CLOSING PARTY Sponsored by Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Tipitina’s

“LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE” 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | 97

SATURDAY PROGRAMMING 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Registration Rhythms Ballroom II (2nd Floor) 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

First Timers Continental Breakfast Sponsored By Grassy Hill Entertainment

Presidential Suite (4904) Start your day out right by joining other first timers for a casual continental breakfast.

Strategize together about what panels to attend and talk about what performances you saw the night before.

10:00 AM - 10:30 PM

Instrument Check Edgewood A/B (4th Floor) 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Health & Wellness Center Poydras (3rd Floor) A quiet zone for contemplation and a place to step away from the hustle and bustle of the conference to regroup, refocus, and find balance. Drop in for a minute or an hour. Silence is requested other than in the select daily guided programs (affinity groups, meditation, yoga, and recovery sessions).

10:00 AM - 1:00 PM

HART Fund Bloodwork & Earplugs Napoleon Ballroom Foyer (3rd Floor) 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Archive Challenge Community Track Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Come hear artists from diverse genres play their creative interpretations of songs from the American Folklife Center (AFC) archive at the Library of Congress. The archive contains a vast collection ranging from field and cylinder recordings to Lomax’s pioneering discs, to recent born-digital recordings. Artists interested in participating in this session must register in advance. This showcase is a joint presentation of AFC and FAI. 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM

Building a Sustainable Self-Managed Artist Career Artist Track Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Cheers to the independent spirited artist who has taken the reins and is driving their own destiny! This panel celebrates the courage and ingenuity of the self-managed artist, unearths how they build and direct teams in the absence of management, and explores how some artists handle all the details while still making time for their craft.

Moderator: Erin Costelo (Artist) Panelist: Cara Dillon (Cara DIllon), Emily Ann, Isa Burke, Jayme Stone (Artist)

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Engineering: New Technologies, Timeless Skills Industry Track Nottoway (4th Floor) This panel of recording engineers, mixing engineers, and live audio engineers will discuss the way they have pursued their careers through changing technology, and the pros and cons of those changes. Come hear engineers “geeking out” about their favorite tools and software tricks and sharing insights about the things they think every engineer should know, regardless of gear and programs.

Moderator: Anna Frick (Airshow Mastering) Panelists: Sandra O’Mahony (Slow Moving Clouds), Brad Zell (QSC), Emily Eck

Music and Cuisine: The Role of Food in Community Making Community Track Borgne (3rd Floor) Food and music are always at the heart of community making in every place, but no place more than New Orleans! On this panel, chefs and restaurant owners reflect on the role their restaurants play in community making where they live. They will share how they view community, what made them start their restaurant in the first place, how they gained clientele, and how they view the intersection of music and food.

Moderator: Carlos R. Mortera (The Bite) Panelists: Vance Vaucresson

Passing The Torch: Cross-Generational Folk Relationships, Inspiration and Succession Industry Track Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) FAI’s recent research revealed we have a community in which there is mutual respect between generations, and in many ways that drives how we relate to folk and each other.

Panelists will discuss what generations can learn from each other, and the value of bridging gaps between elders and new leadership. How do folk artists mentor and/or influence one another over time? How should organizations think about generational differences in members? How do perceived and real differences in relating, audience composition and cultivation impact the way we communicate? What are the myths, realities, and marketing implications, and if we get along so well, why is succession in folk organizations so hard?

Moderator: Joan Kornblith (Joan Kornblith) Panelist: Cherice Harrison-Nelson (Guardians Institute), Tereka Dean (House of Lead Belly, LLC), Ben Jaffe (Preservation Hall) and David Amram (Artist)

Reaching Ears: Radio, Streaming, Film, and Television Industry Track Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) In the music industry, we often compartmentalize the different media that has become so fragmented in order to structure our work in these areas.

We call it “consumption” and we divide it between sales in retail and digital environments.

However, listeners don’t think about music that way. This panel will attempt to discuss music the way the audience consumes it -- in all its forms throughout the day. Whether they are listening to the radio on the way to work, watching a video online during their work day, hearing about new music in an email or on social media, putting on a playlist during dinner, or watching a movie on TV, it’s all called listening. Our panelists will come together to share their viewpoints on how music is curated, and how it gets to listeners’ ears.

Moderator: Annie Klaver (Lightning 100) Panelist: Meg Tarquinio (Spotify), Scott Ackerman (Tunecore), Scott Musgrave (Nielsen Music), Susan Jacobs

Tex-Mex Your Tunes!

L JM Music Camp Bayside C (4th Floor) Learn Tex-Mex Conjunto sounds and rhythms from San Antonio natives and GRAMMY® award winners, Max and Josh Baca. They will instruct on the traditional 3-row button accordion and the bajo sexto and how you can incorporate those sounds onto your instruments and spice up your music with a little San Antonio too!

Instructors: Max Baca & Josh Baca

Traditional Dance with Non-Traditional Gender Roles L JM Music Camp Bayside A (4th Floor) This class will teach the basics of partner dancing in a traditional traveling style learned in southwest Louisiana, without the traditional gender roles that come with it. Bring a partner or come solo, all levels welcome!

Instructor: Laura Mae Socks

What It Means To Be A Banjo Player Artist Track Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Banjo players of various backgrounds -- and in different places in their careers -- come together for a discussion of the instrument, its origins and how that impacts why they play, how they play, for whom they play, and how the instrument is represented in the world. Our speakers’ experience include historic and academic study to recording and touring. They will tell their stories about how they came to play the banjo and their journey with it, as well as discuss history every banjo player should know.

Moderator: Leyla McCalla (Artist) Panelist: Laurent Dubois

When a New Venue is Born Presenter Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) We are an entrepreneurial folk community, and as audiences’ preferences have shifted in where they want to go to hear music, we have

SATURDAY PROGRAMMING continued to listen and create new spaces where music happens. Venue creators and operators will share their stories of how they launched, things they did to get themselves off to a good start, how they have sustained through the “new venue” period, and what visions they have for their futures. Emphasis will be placed on tactical things one needs to know to start a folk venue or festival.

Moderator: Lisa Schwartz (Philadelphia Folksong Society/Philadelphia Folk Festival) Panelist: David Starr (David Starr Music), Diana Cox (Kessler Presents), Lynette Wyley (Jalopy Theatre ), Ron Dukelow (The Live Room) 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Affinity Group - Allies Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This session is open to anyone interested in learning more about what authentic allyship is and how to show up constructively for others.

Facilitator: Cynthia Lickers-Sage (Indigenous Performing Arts Alliance) 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

B2B Meeting Industry Track Presenter Track Oak Alley (4th Floor) Join us for a limited-access intensive session to fast-track your career relationships. Agents, managers, and artists are invited to meet key presenters and industry professionals. Come prepared to share your elevator speech and music samples while learning what others are looking for. Meetings are limited to 10 minutes with each industry professional, but you may sign up for up to 3 meetings with different professionals per day. Advance sign-up is first come first serve. Cancellations will be filled by waitlist onsite.

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

Affinity Group - LGBTQIA+ Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This closed session is exclusively for those who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Facilitator: Kara Kundert (Bluegrass Pride) 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM

Art as Activism as seen through Zoe Boekbinder & Ani DiFranco’s Prison Music Project Community Track Nottoway (4th Floor) Zoe Boekbinder & Ani DiFranco present their Prison Music Project as an example of how music can be a tool for activism. Inspired by

Boekbinder’s years of volunteering as a teaching artist at New Folsom Prison, a maximum security men’s prison in Sacramento, The Prison Music Project consists of collaborations with incarcerated writers and musicians, some of which are performed by Boekbinder and DiFranco (who is also a producer on the project) to tell incarcerated stories beyond prison walls.

The resulting album, Long Time Gone (Spring 2020, Righteous Babe Records, with proceeds to benefit prison reform), is a powerful reminder of the human impact of mass incarceration and a template for combining music and activism into an impactful whole.

Presenters: Ani DiFranco (Artist), Zoe Boekbinder (Artist)

Data Driven Decisions Sponsored by CD Baby

Industry Track Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Inundated with data and don’t know what to do with it? These panelists will share how they prioritize metrics, create effective dashboards, develop reporting processes, and how they uncover actionable insights to make informed decisions and recommendations.

Moderator: Donald Davidoff (Fan Club Cruises) Panelist: Dalton Sim (Nettwerk Music Group), Lauren Kasper (The Orchard), Myrrh Crow (CD Baby), Scott Musgrave (Nielsen Music)

Get Some New Orleans into your Guitar L JM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside A (4th Floor) Guitarist/songwriter Chip Wilson is inspired by the New Orleans fingerstyle players like Snooks Eaglin and Snoozer Quinn. Learn New Orleans style bass lines and techniques for producing the funky sound of the New Orleans “second line” and more. You’ll also learn right hand triplets and banjo-style rolls, left hand chord forms and licks for NOLA styles. No plectrums or thumbpicks needed as bare fingers work best!

Instructor: Chip Wilson

How To Empower and Motivate Your Booking Agent Artist Track Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) The booking agent’s job is challenging -- from routing to pitching to negotiating to administration of the details. For every show booked an agent probably explores 2-5 possibilities of shows that could happen that night. It is the agent’s job to know promoters, presenters, and venue operators -- and to have a sense of what shows do well in their spaces. A tall order! This panel considers how artists and managers collaborate with agents to plan and make decisions that build tours and careers.

Moderator: Virginia Prater (Crossover Touring) Panelist: Phil Einsohn (7S Management), Sheri Jones (Jones & Co), Terra Lightfoot (Terra Lightfoot), Lori Peters (Concerted Effort)

Licensing: Where Folk Fits in Film & Television Industry Track Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) In folk we often do not think of our genre as commercial in nature. We are accustomed to the market dominance of pop and other “mainstream” music forms. However, if you turn on your television or go to a movie, you’ll find that a majority of licensed music is acoustic in nature. Guitars, strings, piano, and clearly spoken articulation of lyrics in key moments can make a scene’s power. In fact, a great deal of music used in emotional scenes is made by FAI members! This panel explores the role of folk music in film and television, and how to get your music licensed.

Moderator: Rose Cousins (Artist) Panelist: Susan Jacobs, Ron Proulx (Arpix), Natasha Duprey

Merchandise 2025 Industry Track Maurepas (3rd Floor) What are we selling now? What will we sell in the future? With the decline of CD and download sales, and increased streaming music consumption, artists and their teams are seeking new ways to monetize. This panel will discuss everything from basic merchandise management processes to creative design, realistic sales projections, supply and demand management, and what fans want to buy.

Moderator: Melissa Arseniuk (Corb Lund Music) Panelist: Dustin Boyd (Planet Bluegrass & 214 Productions), Matthew Sever (Matt the Electrician)

On The Griddle Artist Track Media Borgne (3rd Floor) How does a radio music director decide which recording gets airplay? Bring your best song and get instant impressions and feedback from the panel after hearing the first sixty seconds.

The panelists will explore programming uses, production quality, and business opportunities.

CDs will be collected at the beginning of the workshop and chosen by blind lottery for public review.

Moderator: Biff Kennedy (CHARTERHOUSE MUSIC GROUP) Panelist: Elena See (Folk Alley/FreshGrass Foundation), Greg Torrington (Folk Music Canada / Stingray Music), Ian Zolitor (WXPN), MarySue Twohy (SiriusXM Satellite Radio), Toni Doman (Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. / Radio Bristol)

OnStage Sound - For Women By Women L JM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside C (4th Floor) This sound workshop for women will provide a practical overview of sound theory, sound board function, EQ techniques, and the fundamental vocabulary and terminology to get what you want and need when speaking to sound crews from the stage during sound checks and in live performance.

Instructor: Missy Dupreast

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SATURDAY PROGRAMMING Summary: Cultural Equity Summit Community Track Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) This is a plenary session sharing key learnings from the Cultural Equity Summit held at the conference earlier this week.

Presenter: Jorje Arevelo Mateus (Association for Cultural Equity) 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Exhibit Hall Napoleon Ballroom (3rd Floor) Drop by the Exhibit Hall to visit over 70 trade show booths at the B2B hub for the conference.

Presenters, come talk to the agents, managers, and labels representing showcasing artists.

Artists, come learn about the gear, services, organizations, and opportunities that can benefit you. Collectors, come visit some of the finest instrument makers in land and play their latest creations.

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM

Affinity Groups - People of Color Poydras (3rd Floor) Affinity group meetings are facilitated safe spaces for people to connect with others who share aspects of their identity and who wish to discuss or learn more about particular communities or issues. This closed session is exclusively for those who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color).

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Artist Mentorship Artist Track Oak Alley (4th Floor) Get one-on-one career advice via our “askme-anything” mentor sessions with a seasoned artist. These events are a great opportunity to get first-hand advice and may even kick off a game-changing relationship. Advance online sign-up is required for these short intensive meetings. Limited space may be available onsite. Meetings are limited to 15 minutes with each mentor, but you may sign up for up to 3 meetings with different mentors.

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

CommUNITY Gathering: the Whole Self, finding #FolkLifeBalance Feature Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) A talking circle about The Whole Self...

Essentially an open conversation about the complex personal process of finding/making/ recalibrating FolkLifeBalance.

Facilitators: Laura Thomas (ComboPlate Booking), Melanie Brulée (Artist) 2:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Silent Auction Grand Foyer (5th Floor) Today only! The silent auction features items donated to FAI for fundraising purposes. Items 100| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

are available for pick-up immediately following the auction’s close.

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Gene Shay Songwriting Critique L JM Music Camp Bayside C (4th Floor) This class is an opportunity to share your songs with an expert panel. All conference registrants are welcome to attend, however, you must sign up in advance if you would like your song critiqued. Registrants who have signed up in advance will perform one unrecorded song and receive constructive feedback on melody, lyric, and overall song.

While onsite, you may sign up at the LJM Camp registration desk in the Bayside Foyer (4th Floor). Come prepared with 5 copies of the unrecorded song lyric sheets.

Moderator: Rich Warren (WFMT Radio - 98.7 FM) Panelist: Bill Garrett (Borealis Records), Susan Werner (Artist), Tom Paxton (Artist), Connie Kaldor (Artist) 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

“Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” Community Track Film Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) A musical biography of one of the most successful and versatile female singers of the 20th century—and one of the most successful recording artists of all time.This film tells the story of her journey, starting out at home singing traditional music, forming a Folk duo turned trio in Los Angeles, being discovered and promoted to audiences across the world. At the height of unprecedented success, Ronstadt, a restless and adventurous artist, turned away from pop music to explore an astonishing variety of musical styles, from American standards to country to classical operetta before circling back to her family roots with traditional Mexican canciones.

Withstanding constant pressure from a riskaverse industry, Linda insisted on following her musical instincts. Featuring numerous friends and collaborators—including Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, JD Souther, and Don Henley.

Facilitator: Rose Cousins (Artist)

2:00 PM - 3:15 PM

Conversation: The Making of a Great Interview Media Maurepas (3rd Floor) Technology has changed, media has become fragmented, and the news cycle has sped up -- but one thing is constant: journalists, radio, television and media professionals still unearth stories and truths by interviewing artists. This panel gathers professionals who are accomplished in various forms of interview.

They will discuss best practices from how they prepare, to where and how they prefer to work, to how they approach transcription. The

panel is made up of an array of professionals who interview artists for articles, live radio and podcasts.

Moderator: Brad Paul (Brad Paul Media) Panelist: Cindy Howes (Club Passim, Folk Alley and Basic Folk Podcast), John Wirt (Offbeat, Advocate), MarySue Twohy (SiriusXM Satellite Radio), Rhianna Patrick (QMusic/ABC Radio)

Ethno USA Info Session Community Track Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Ethno USA is a musical exchange program launching in the States in 2020. Young musicians ages 21-29 from the US and a dozenplus countries will transcend borders to teach and learn each other’s folk music traditions.

Through workshops, jams, seminars, and concerts, Ethno expands musicians’ repertoire while developing skills for intercultural dialogue.

Ethno deepens, and complicates, our notions of cultural identity.

Join Ethno USA & Ethno World organizers and alums for a program overview, and ways to get involved in the US and abroad. Individual artists, venues, potential U.S.-based site locations, and industry organizations are all welcome to attend.

Presenters: Blasko Smilevski (Jeunesses Musicales International), Jay Gilman (Folk Alliance International), Suchet Malhotra (Jeunesses Musicales International)

Grassroots Touring in 2020 Sponsored By Berklee Online

Artist Track Grand Chenier (5th Floor) For the average musician, live performance accounts for 65 to 80 percent of their income, which is why touring successfully is a core competency for musicians, managers, and their entire team. This session will look at live performing at all stages, from small gigs to national tours. It will detail best practices and suggest affordable tools designed to create a memorable live brand, grow a fan base, book successful shows, and build a career as a local, regional, and national touring musician.

Presenter: Bruce Houghton (Berklee Online)

Intro to Afro Cuban Percussion L JM Music Camp Additional Fee Bayside A (4th Floor) Cuba is well-known for its music around the world, and this class will be focusing on Afrocuban music and the origins of the Batá drums. We’ll also be covering the role of women in Afrocuban music, with the goal of encouraging women to step out of their comfort zone and break free of the rules intended to keep them from playing this music. We’ll go on a rhythmic journey to Cuba and learn about the culture and influences that Cuban music has around the world.

Instructor: Magdelys Savigne

SATURDAY PROGRAMMING Mental Health in Our Folk Community Community Track Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Recently, FAI and the extended music community has been focused on providing mental health skills and supportive programming for artists, but artists are not the only people who are affected. Our industry is one where jobs are demanding, we operate at odd and all hours, and many of us are self-employed which can bring financial stress and limited vacation time. This panel explores what it really takes to cultivate a safe and balanced community, for everyone involved in folk music.

Moderator: Anna Bond (Songtrust) Panelist: Bethany Ewalt Bultman (New Orleans Musicians Clinic & Assistance Foundation), Janice Johnston (The Blues Foundation and Redirect Health), Robby Hecht (Robby Hecht), John Elliott (Artist)

Presenters Pledge: Cultivating Global Citizenship Presenter Track Borgne (3rd Floor) The arts play a significant role in building bridges and pathways of acceptance and understanding to champion equity and inclusion. Curators have a responsibility to lead the charge in learning about and providing diverse and dynamic programming in a manner that honors the rich heritage and intrinsic value held by various cultural, musical, and artistic traditions. This panel explores the broader community role of presenters and promoters play in local, national, and global community making - their role in nurturing and maintaining a sustainable live scene, audience cultivation, tour routing, artist working conditions, fees, and beyond. How can we become agents of positive social change? How do we work together as a community to increase opportunities for a broader talent pool?

Moderator: Ehren Cruz (LEAF Global Arts) Panelist: Anya Siglin (The Ark), Matt Smith (Club Passim)

Spotlight on Louisiana - Culture, Business, and Opportunities Sponsored by Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage

Community Track Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Ever wonder about recording or relocating to Louisiana, or marvel at why and how the cultural sector thrives here? This session will highlight five programs that make LA the state to work and play in. Presenters will provide overviews related to state level support for the promotion of culture through music, the state’s Folklife program and activities, economic incentives to record in or move a music business to the state, the Louisiana Cultural District program, and preliminary findings from the year-long New Orleans Music Economy study.

Host: Reid Wick (Recording Academy) Presenters: Cheryl Castille (Louisiana Division of the

Arts), Chris Stelley (Louisiana Entertainment), Kelsea McCrary (Louisiana Division of the Arts), Herman Fuselier (Atchafalaya National Heritage Area), Shain Shapiro (Sound Diplomacy) The Origins and Progressions of Cajun Music

Community Track Nottoway (4th Floor) To describe Cajun music Lonely Planet stated “A fiddle scratches out a sweet wail in a sweatbox dance hall. The wheeze of a button accordion adds a waltzing rhythm. These are the beginning bars of Cajun music, the aural legacy of rural southern Louisiana. It’s a soundtrack that can alternately move you to tears or intense dancing (and sometimes both) in the space of a few bars.” Cajun music was born in the 17th century when Acadian ballads from French-Canadian refugees intermingled with Indigenous and African rhythms and improvisational singing techniques, and the legacy of Cajun music continues to evolve to this day. From traditional Cajun ballads, to Country and Texas/Cajun Swing, Dancehall Cajun, and contemporary fusions with rock’n’roll, blues, and other popular genres, join this panel as they trace the thrilling and circuitous routes of this beloved musical genre.

Moderator: Mollie Farr (Lost Buffalo Artists) Panelist: Ann Savoy (Magnolia Sisters), Barry Ancelet, Ben Sandmel, Chad Huval

SUNDAY PROGRAMMING 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

A Final Farewell…

Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Honoring some of the many traditions of Sundays in New Orleans, this Sunday morning show will also pay homage to a few of the many New Orleans legends that were lost in 2019, including Dave Bartholomew, Dr. John, Leah Chase, and more. Mixing the sacred and secular together, as New Orleanians do best, join us as we honor the musicals souls and saints of New Orleans, both present and past, as performed by a diverse group of New Orleans musicians.

7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Closing Party

Sponsored by Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area

Tipitina’s (501 Napoleon Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115) Bus transportation provided to and from hotel approximately every 15 minutes. Buses will be parked along side the hotel on Canal Street.

The Right Fit: What Labels, Managers and Agents Look For Artist Track Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Artists know they need help to achieve their ambitious goals. Our industry has organized various tasks to be handled by managers, labels and agents -- and there are more artists than those people to go around. In a competitive marketplace where artists are seeking to find the best help they can afford, this panel will explore what labels, managers and agents are looking for; not just in finding new talent to work with, but in skills and drive to do the work in cooperation. We’ll learn how these industry professionals see the artist’s role in the process -and when you know it is or isn’t the right fit.

Moderator: Lellie Capwell (LPC Media) Panelist: Andrea Ambrosia (Paradigm Agency), Carissa Stolting (Left Bank Artists), Chris Rusk (Crossover Touring), Kim Buie (New West Records) 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Merch Grand Coat Room (5th Floor) 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM

Reception

Sponsored by Louisiana Entertainment

Lagniappe (2nd Floor) 10:30 PM - 3:00 AM

Instrument Check Rex (8th Floor)

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SPOTLIGHT QUÉBEC OFFICIAL SHOWCASE BORGNE (3rd FLOOR)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

© JEFF MALO

© DANYLO BOBYK

WATERBURY BALLROOM (2nd FLOOR)

4:50 - 5:25 PM | SKYE CONSORT & EMMA BJÖRLING

4:40 - 5:15 PM | MÉLISANDE [ÉLECTROTRAD]

© AMÉLIE FORTIN

Don’t miss our 3 NIGHTS OF PRIVATE SHOWCASE in ROOM 1030

© EMMANUELLE ROBERGE

5:40 - 6:15 PM | É.T.É.

SPECIAL EVENT LIBERTY STREET BLUES A FILM PRESENTATION FROM QUÉBEC WATERBURY BALLROOM

Friday, January 24 9:10 PM - 10:27 PM 6:30 - 7:05 PM | GENTICORUM

7:20 - 7:55 PM | TURMEL - LEAHY - SCHRYER

This film, produced by the National Film Board of Canada and directed by André Gladu, was shot in November 1985. It describes how New Orleans jazz developed and offers an original way to discover New Orleans, where the music is a living expression of African Americans. New Orleans, with its street musicians and dancers, its parades and traditions, is the source of spectacular entertainment.

Presented by the director André Gladu

© RANDOLPH GRAHAM

With the special collaboration of the Québec Government Office in Houston

8:10 - 8 45 PM | WESLI

102| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

PR E S E N T E D BY A LB E R TA M US I C | M U S I C BC | M A N I TOBA MU S I C | SASK M U SIC

JAN

22 –25 AT FOLK ALLIANCE SHERATON NEW ORLEANS HOTEL Iris Room, 8th Floor

WED JAN 22 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM 12:00 AM 12:30 AM 1:00 AM 1:30 AM 2:00 AM

BOB SUMNER BC SIERRA NOBLE MB AMELIE PATTERSON AB POOR NAMELESS BOY SK JORDAN KLASSEN BC KELLY BADO MB THE JERRY CANS NU VALERIE RAYE SK

THURS JAN 23 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM 12:00 AM 12:30 AM 1:00 AM 1:30 AM 2:00 AM

DESIREE DORION MB JOHN WORT HANNAM AB GUNNER & SMITH SK NAOMI SHORE BC THE NEW CUSTOMS MB JAY GILDAY AB THE NORTH SOUND SK BLUE MOON MARQUEE BC

FRI JAN 24 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM 12:00 AM 12:30 AM 1:00 AM 1:30 AM 2:00 AM

BEN SPENCER’S FUNERAL AB VALERIE RAYE SK SAM LYNCH BC BURNSTICK MB MARIEL BUCKLEY AB POOR NAMELESS BOY SK JORDAN KLASSEN BC RYAN MCNALLY YT

SAT JAN 25 10:30 PM 11:00 PM 11:30 PM 12:00 AM 12:30 AM 1:00 AM 1:30 AM 2:00 AM

THE NORTH SOUND SK SAM LYNCH BC MADELEINE ROGER MB CELEIGH CARDINAL AB GUNNER & SMITH SK BLUE MOON MARQUEE BC JC CAMPBELL MB JESSICA HEINE AB

breakoutwest.ca/folkalliance | #BreakOutWest

This project is funded in part by FACTOR, the Government of Canada and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.

Ce projet est financé en partie par FACTOR, le gouvernement du Canada et les radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada.

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 |103

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22 RODRIGUE GALLERY

RHYTHMS BALLROOM I

RHYTHMS BALLROOM III

WATERBURY BALLROOM

1st Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

Tom Rush

The Mammals

Gregory Page

Helen Rose

Jamie Lynn Vessels

Mary Bragg

Áine Tyrrell

Nefesh Mountain

Maria Muldaur

Mames Babegenush

Burnstick

Nickel&Rose

Mark Perry

Dirk Powell

Luke Winslow-King

8:20 PM 9:10 PM

10:00 PM

8:10 PM

9:00 PM 9:50 PM

8:10 PM

9:00 PM 9:50 PM

8:20 PM 9:10 PM

10:00 PM

BORGNE 3rd Floor

8:10 PM

9:00 PM 9:50 PM

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES THURSDAY JANUARY 23 RODRIGUE GALLERY

RHYTHMS BALLROOM I

RHYTHMS BALLROOM III

WATERBURY BALLROOM

1st Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

Sponsored By Compass Records Group at 25!

Sponsored By Paradigm Talent Agency

Sponsored By Canadian Music.

East Coast Style.

Sponsored By Mundial Montréal

The Mastersons

BORGNE 3rd Floor

4:50 PM

4:40 PM

Tow’rs

David Myles

Ramon Chicharron

Mariel Buckley

Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley

Ryan McMullan

Adyn Townes

Elisapie

Amilia K Spicer

Sierra Ferrell

Les Hay Babies

Alysha Brilla

Doctor Nativo

Joshua Burnside

Mo Kenney

Élage Diouf

The Bookshop Band

Watkins Family Hour

Dylan Menzie

Digging Roots

Jayme Stone

5:40 PM

Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards 6:30 PM

O’Connor Lee 7:20 PM

Michael Doucet avec Lâcher Prise

5:30 PM 6:20 PM 7:10 PM

8:00 PM

8:10 PM

104| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

4:40 PM 5:30 PM 6:20 PM 7:10 PM

8:00 PM

4:50 PM 5:40 PM 6:30 PM 7:20 PM 8:10 PM

4:40 PM 5:30 PM 6:20 PM 7:10 PM

8:00 PM

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES WEDNESDAY JANUARY 22 MAUREPAS

NOTTOWAY

3rd Floor

4th Floor

GRAND BALLROOM A/B/C 5th Floor

GRAND CHENIER

GRAND COUTEAU

5th Floor

5th Floor

Tanika Charles

Gina Forsyth

Quique Escamilla

Pipo Romero

Ephraim Bugumba

Tré Burt

Sponsored By OffBeat Magazine & WWOZ 90.7 FM

Windborne 8:00 PM

David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach 8:50 PM

Oshima Brothers 9:40 PM

Nels Andrews 8:00 PM

Oh Susanna 8:50 PM

Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem 9:40 PM

Benny Amón’s New Orleans Pearls 8:10 PM

Sean Ardoin 9:00 PM

The Revelers

8:00 PM 8:50 PM 9:40 PM

8:00 PM

8:50 PM

9:40 PM

9:50 PM

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES THURSDAY JANUARY 23 MAUREPAS

NOTTOWAY

3rd Floor

4th Floor

Sponsored By Culture Ireland

GRAND BALLROOM A/B/C 5th Floor

GRAND CHENIER

GRAND COUTEAU

5th Floor

5th Floor

Sponsored By ASCAP

Sponsored By The Blues Foundation

HuDost

4:30 PM

David Olney

Janiva Magness

4:30 PM

Slow Moving Clouds

Ale Jiménez

Doug MacLeod

5:20 PM

5:20 PM

Susan Werner

Corner Boy

Diana Jones

Mary Gauthier with Jaimee Harris

Muddy Gurdy

Shane Hennessy

6:10 PM

6:10 PM

JigJam

Iona Fyfe

7:00 PM

7:00 PM

Kíla

Mark Mulholland

7:50 PM

7:50 PM

4:40 PM 5:30 PM

6:20 PM

Tim Easton 7:10 PM

Patty Larkin 8:00 PM

4:30 PM 5:20 PM 6:10 PM

Ray Bonneville 7:00 PM

Shakura S’aida 7:50 PM

Anne-Mari Kivimäki & Palomylly 4:30 PM

Chloe Foy 5:20 PM

Suistamon Sähkö 6:10 PM

Zäpämmät 7:00 PM

Rahim AlHaj 7:50 PM

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 |105

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES FRIDAY JANUARY 24 RODRIGUE GALLERY

RHYTHMS BALLROOM I

RHYTHMS BALLROOM III

WATERBURY BALLROOM

1st Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

Sponsored By Madison House

Sponsored By SOUNDS AUSTRALIA

Sponsored By Canadian Music.

East Coast Style.

Sponsored By Folquébec

Terra Lightfoot

This Way North

Jimmy Rankin

4:50 PM

4:40 PM

4:40 PM

Trace Bundy

Emily Wurramara

The Once

Rainbow Girls

Saije

Dave Gunning

5:40 PM 6:30 PM

5:30 PM 6:20 PM

5:30 PM 6:20 PM

Rose Cousins

Hat Fitz and Cara

Catherine MacLellan

Rising Appalachia

Alice Skye

Erin Costelo

7:20 PM 8:10 PM

7:10 PM

8:00 PM

7:10 PM

8:00 PM

Skye Consort & Emma Björling 4:50 PM

BORGNE 3rd Floor

Lone Piñon 4:40 PM

É.T.É.

Rachele Andrioli e Rocco Nigro

Genticorum

Tribu Baharú

Turmel-LeahySchryer

Okaidja Afroso

5:40 PM 6:30 PM

7:20 PM

Wesli

8:10 PM

5:30 PM 6:20 PM 7:10 PM

Changüí Majadero 8:00 PM

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES SATURDAY JANUARY 25 RODRIGUE GALLERY

RHYTHMS BALLROOM I

RHYTHMS BALLROOM III

WATERBURY BALLROOM

1st Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

2nd Floor

Sponsored By Yep Roc & MerleFest

Sponsored By The International Americana Music Show

The Barefoot Movement 4:50 PM

Mapache 5:40 PM

The Brother Brothers 6:30 PM

Chatham County Line 7:20 PM

Digawolf

Emily Mae Winters

Kalyn Fay

5:30 PM

Darling West 6:20 PM

Corin Raymond 7:10 PM

Tami Neilson

Socks in the Frying Pan 8:10 PM

106| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

8:00 PM

3rd Floor

Sponsored By Kessler Presents & Texas Music Office

Colin Lillie 4:40 PM

BORGNE

4:40 PM 5:30 PM

Celeigh Cardinal 6:20 PM

Troy Kingi 7:10 PM

The Jerry Cans 8:00 PM

Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers 4:50 PM

Danny Schmidt

Mélisande [électrotrad] 4:40 PM

VRï

5:40 PM

5:30 PM

SaulPaul

Elkin Robinson

Lindsay Beaver

Rebecca Folsom

Los Texmaniacs

Elephant Sessions

6:30 PM 7:20 PM 8:10 PM

6:20 PM 7:10 PM

8:00 PM

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES FRIDAY JANUARY 24 MAUREPAS

NOTTOWAY

3rd Floor

4th Floor

GRAND BALLROOM A/B/C 5th Floor

4:30 PM

Gaelynn Lea 5:20 PM

Sam Lee 6:10 PM

John Wort Hannam 4:30 PM

Raye Zaragoza 5:20 PM

Alisa Amador 6:10 PM

Beppe Gambetta

Crys Matthews

Eliza Gilkyson

Jay Gilday

7:00 PM 7:50 PM

GRAND COUTEAU

5th Floor

3rd Floor

Sponsored By International Bluegrass Music Association

Sponsored By Woody Guthrie Center

Birds of Chicago

GRAND CHENIER

7:00 PM 7:50 PM

LowDown Brass Band 4:40 PM

OKAN

5:30 PM

Leyla McCalla 6:20 PM

Michael Winograd & the Honorable Mentshn 7:10 PM

Demeanor with Charly Lowry

The Steel Wheels

Royal Wood

Bill and the Belles

Lydia Persaud

Hawktail

Kelly Bado

Westbound Situation

Minor Empire

David Davis & The Warrior River Boys

The Kennedys

4:30 PM 5:20 PM 6:10 PM

7:00 PM

7:50 PM

4:30 PM 5:20 PM 6:10 PM

7:00 PM 7:50 PM

8:00 PM

OFFICIAL SHOWCASES SATURDAY JANUARY 25 MAUREPAS

NOTTOWAY

3rd Floor

4th Floor

Ken Whiteley 4:30 PM

Suzie Vinnick 5:20 PM

Lula Wiles 6:10 PM

Freddy & Francine 7:00 PM

Ryan McNally & the MessaRounders 7:50 PM

The Armagh Rhymers 4:30 PM

Cara Dillon 5:20 PM

Vassvik 6:10 PM

Trio Dhoore 7:00 PM

Antti Paalanen 7:50 PM

GRAND BALLROOM A/B/C 5th Floor

GRAND CHENIER

GRAND COUTEAU

5th Floor

5th Floor

Sponsored By OffBeat Magazine & WWOZ 90.7 FM

Sponsored By AMERICANAFEST

PINE LEAF BOYS

Poor Nameless Boy

Rusty Shackle

Zachary Richard

Mick Flannery

Symbio

Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers

The Contenders

NAKED

Steve Poltz

Kelly Hunt

4:40 PM 5:30 PM

6:20 PM

Lakou Mizik 7:10 PM

Cha Wa

4:30 PM 5:20 PM 6:10 PM

7:00 PM

Wild Ponies 7:50 PM

4:30 PM 5:20 PM 6:10 PM

7:00 PM

Menke

7:50 PM

8:00 PM

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 |107

This was our first time, and we are hooked for life!

Official, DJ & Private Showcases Performance Lane Song Swaps, Jams & Open Mics, Award ceremony Wisdom of the Elders Workshops, Panels & Mentor Sessions Presenter Breakfast & Roundtable First timer, Presenter & DJ Discounts Sponsorship / advertising and more ...

What I found was a Home I didn't even know i was missing

-

Photos by robin scully

our faith-in-humanity-bucket has been refilled ... There really ARE a lot of people out their fighting the good fight for a better world. -

super early bird registration opens at fai visit regions booth in exhibit hall for more info

108| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

www.farmfolk.org

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O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Adyn Townes Fredericton, NB, CAN Thursday 5:30 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Adyn Townes has a way with words. Think Death Cab for Cutie meets David Gray. High energy, but intimate.

Beautiful, and clever. A 4x International Songwriting Competition finalist, his debut album After The Fall was released in July 2018, earning a 2019 ECMA nomination for ‘Pop Recording of the Year.’

Monica Sharma 514.965.4602 | monica@adyntownes.com

Áine Tyrrell Australia and Ireland Wednesday 9:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Australia’s favourite adopted Irish sister, a modern day Pirate Queen except instead of ships she captures audiences one heart at a time. ‘Return To The Sea’ is her call to arms a sirens wisdoms and warnings and most importantly the soundtrack of a woman who walks to her own beat.

Jo Pratt 0404703378 | jo@sagemusic.com.au

Ale Jiménez Miami, FL, USA Thursday 5:20 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Colombian singersongwriter, Lennon Award and twice winner of the Latin Grand Prize at the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Her latest release Canciones Chiquitas is an organic album that blends pop/folk with popular rhythms that represent the flavor of the modern and the traditional Latin American culture.

786.230.0134 | booking@alejimenezmusic.com

Alice Skye Melbourne, VIC, AUS Friday 8:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Singer-songwriter Alice Skye is an exciting emergence in the Australian-Indigenous music scene. Since early 2016 Alice has been garnering attention for original songs that sparkle with a sensitivity and maturity well beyond her years. She was honored in 2018 as the inaugural recipient of the First People Emerging Artist Award.

Carolyn Logan 614.004.41025 | carolyn@penneyandlogan.com.au

Alisa Amador Boston, MA, USA Friday 6:10 PM Nottoway Alisa’s music is a synthesis of the many styles she’s voraciously absorbed: rock jazz and alternative folk all wrapped in the spirit of the Latin sounds she grew up with. NPR calls her sound, “a pitch-perfect rendition of my wildest dreams.”

Nicholas DiSpagna 617-606-3423 | nicholas@therootsagency.com 110| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

Alysha Brilla Kitchener, ON, CAN Thursday 6:30 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) 2018 Juno Award Nominated artist music producer and songwriter. Brilla’s music is inspired by growing up with parents from two different cultural and religious backgrounds; an Indo-Tanzanian father who immigrated to Canada and a Canadian mother of European settler heritage; a storyteller and dynamic performer delivering conscious, rhythmic music.

416.707.9729 | jeff@jmatalent.com

Amilia K Spicer Los Angeles, CA, USA Thursday 5:30 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Her songwriting fuses together the different places she calls home. From rural Pennsylvania to Los Angeles via Austin, the topography covers languid farm landscapes, red dirt Americana and an occasional turn down a dark alley with flickering neon.

As she might say with a slight drawl: “Water, Wine and Whiskey.”

David Tamulevich 734.622.8337| david@tamulevich.com

Anne-Mari Kivimäki & Palomylly Tampere, FIN Thursday 4:30 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Anne-Mari Kivimäki´s music has a hypnotic pulse and its made for the love of Nordic tradition. Kivimäki has gathered her Palomylly band from the musicians on her successful Lakkautettu Kylä album. Kivimäki´s repertoire has been described as unique and imaginative by European journalists. Kivimäki’s accordions explore old folktales and melodies. +358(0)50 5408872| info@folkextreme.fi

Antti Paalanen Kokkola,Keski-Pohjanmaa, FIN Saturday 7:50 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Antti Paalanen (born 1977) creates his wild music on the simple accordions so familiar to Finnish folk music. Although inspired by tradition, Paalanen has nevertheless created music all his own, where tradition gives way to trance-like minimalism, EDM influenced beats Siberian throatsinging and insightful use of modern sound technology.

Tapio Korjus / Rockadillo Production Oy +358 10 2712323| tapiorockadillo.fi

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Benny Amóns New Orleans Pearls New Orleans, LA, USA Wednesday 8:10 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) One of the most in demand drummers on the New Orleans music scene, Benny Amón just released his debut record BENNY AMÓN’S NEW ORLEANS PEARLS with concerts at Preservation Hall and the New Orleans Jazz Museum. Benny has performed at festivals and jazz clubs throughout Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

504.940.7313 | amon.benny@gmail.com

Beppe Gambetta

Compilation CD Artist Stockton, NJ, USA Friday 7:00 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Beppe Gambetta is a guitarist, vocalist, researcher, and composer who developed a style that brings American and European Roots to speak together with one voice. In his unique approach Beppe blends energetic grooves with passionate melodies giving new life to sources from different times, periods, and places.

Federica Calvino Prina 908.297.7215| beppegambetta1@gmail.com

Bill and the Belles Johnson City, TN, USA Friday 5:20 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Bill and the Belles’ 2018 album DreamSongs, Etc. was praised by No Depression as, “what may be the most innovative modern interpretation of vintage roots music.” Their latest 2019 singles mark a new chapter for the Johnson City, TN-based stringband: a bigger, moodier, more decade-ambiguous American sound.

931.237.2409 | ashley@carolinarambleproductions.com

Birds of Chicago Nashville, TN / Montreal, QC Friday 4:30 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Built around the chemistry and fire between Allison Russell and JT Nero, and joined by Steve Dawson on lead guitars, BOC writes timeless songs and tours hard. They’ve been riding a swell of good mojo in the Americana/ Roots scene since their inception in late 2012.

413.268.3398| lori@concertedefforts.com

Burnstick Winnepeg, MB, CAN Wednesday 10:00 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) It’s folk music that’s brimming with the kind of chemistry that could only come from a husband and wife. Plains–Cree guitarist Jason Burnstick and Francophone–Métis singer Nadia Burnstick push the boundaries of contemporary folk music, weaving together the unique sounds of vintage Weissenborns with intriguing vocal harmonies. +1 02042335508| burnstickduo@gmail.com

O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Cara Dillon

Chatham County Line

Frome, Somerset, ENG Saturday 5:20 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Cara Dillon occupies an enviable position at the very top of her genre. This extraordinary Irish singer has been captivating audiences and achieving exceptional acclaim for over 20 years. She has (according to Mojo magazine) “Quite possibly the world’s most beautiful female voice.”

01246 567712| mark@uniquegravity.co.uk

Raleigh, NC, USA Saturday 7:20 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) North Carolina-based Chatham County Line released their eighth studio album Sharing The Covers this Spring. The album is a tribute to influential artists and a chance for the group to perform classics in their bluegrass-style. CCL adds originality to covers by Tom Petty, John Lennon, Beck, and more.

615.321.6152| jeverhart@newfrontiertouring.com

Catherine MacLellan Wellington, PEI, CAN Friday 7:10 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Canadian Folk music gem and Juno Award winner Catherine MacLellan’s album COYOTE is reflective and hopeful; a travelogue through heartbreak, loss and the joy of life.

A musician’s musician, she is respected by her peers for her song-writing. A craft learned watching her worldrenowned father, the legendary Gene MacLellan.

416.888.8401

Celeigh Cardinal Edmonton, AB, CAN Saturday 6:20 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Celeigh Cardinal is a multiaward winning Metis singer/ songwriter from Alberta. She’s developed a signature knack for crafting hook-laden introspective, confessional tracks that pack an emotional punch which are delivered by her bewitching contralto voice. She is quickly becoming one of the great Canadian voices in the Canadian Roots music scene.

780.819.0659 |celeighcardinal@yahoo.com

Cha Wa New Orleans, LA, USA Saturday 8:00 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) From the funk-laced beats and bass-heavy sousaphone blasts that kick off their Grammy-nominated album Spyboy to the gritty warmth of singer J’Wan Boudreaux’s voice, New Orleans brass band-meets-Mardi Gras Indian outfit Cha Wa radiates the fiery energy of the best features of the city’s street culture.

617.969.0810 | tom@concertedefforts.com

Changüí Majadero

Compilation CD Artist

Los Angeles, CA, USA Friday 8:00 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Changüí Majadero has distinguished itself with a modern take on the AfroCuban musical tradition of changüí, the 19th century foundation of contemporary salsa informed by African influences. Founded by tres guitar player Gabriel García, the music feels as fresh and intoxicating as a stiff shot of rum.

619.730.8180 | info@changuimajadero.com

Chloe Foy Manchester, England Thursday 5:20 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) With her strikingly beautiful voice and emotionally direct songwriting, Chloe has captured the attention of global audiences. Her music has accumulated over 12 million plays on Spotify and earnt praise from NPR’s Bob Boilen. Highlights include SXSW 2018, a 2019 headline UK tour, and a UK/ EU/US tour supporting Jesca Hoop. +44(0) 7446 823 550 | rob@empireagency.com

Colin Lillie Alice Springs, AUS Saturday 4:40 PM Rhythms Ballroom l (2nd Floor) Known for his passion and one-of-a-kind voice Australia’s favourite NT based gypsy Scotsman Colin Lillie is working on his second album for release in January 2020. Lillie has had an amazing run of success since giving up the bottle and releasing his award-winning debut Glass Homes in 2016.

0401.844.321 | asho@footstompmusic.com

Corin Raymond

Toronto, ON, CAN Saturday 7:10 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Corin Raymond is a legendary Canadian songwriter whose songs are covered by a far flung community of established musicians and campfire enthusiasts. Acoustic Guitar called Raymond’s JUNO award-nominated album Hobo Jungle Fever Dreams “a hypnotic literate collection of dark tall tales.... Romantic immediate and narcotic”. 416.356.8626 | tamara@ mavensmusic.ca

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Corner Boy

Compilation CD Artist Wexford, Wexford, IRL Thursday 6:10 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) A group of multiinstrumentalist songwriters from the South-East of Ireland that combine contemporary and traditional music to form a distinct alt-folk sound. Their acclaimed high energy live shows have lit up stages across; Europe, North America, The Middle East, & Asia plus many of Ireland’s largest music festivals.

Rudie Reinders 31613440673 info@agentschapvoorartiesten.nl

Crys Matthews Herndon, VA, USA Friday 7:00 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Ask about the new generation of social justice music-makers and Crys Matthews, a powerful lyricist whose songs of compassionate dissent reflect her lived experience as what she lightheartedly calls “the poster-child for intersectionality,” will be mentioned.

Jim Fleming | jim@flemingartists.com 734-995-9066 x18 734-995-9066 x18 ph jim@flemingartists.com

Danny Schmidt Austin, TX, USA Saturday 5:40 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Named to the Chicago Tribune’s “50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years,” singer/songwriter Danny Schmidt has amassed a cult following for his thrillingly poetic, poignant lyrics. With a craftsmanship and emotional depth drawing comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt, Schmidt is considered a preeminent writer.

651.414.9125| craig@greenroommusicsource.com

Darling West

Oslo, NOR Saturday 6:20 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Darling West is always on the move and have been since the release of the album Vinyl and a Heartache in 2016 which also won them a Norwegian Grammy. They’re spearheading the ever growing Norwegian folk scene, touring the US excessively, and their new album is out January 2020.

Zachary Silva (212) 492-5305 | zsilva@apa-agency.com

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O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Dave Gunning

Pictou, NS, CAN Friday 6:20 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) With a career spanning two decades, Dave Gunning is an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter who has the profound ability to take listeners on a musical journey through his songs. The fruits of those labours are now vividly on display in his latest collection of songs Up Against The Sky. Ryan Heerschap 416.788.1475 | ryan@ibookshows.com

David Davis & The Warrior River Boys

Cullman, AL, USA Friday 7:50 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Hall of Fame inductee in both the Alabama Bluegrass Music and National Old Time Country Music Halls of Fame, David has fronted his band since 1984. A foremost practitioner of Bill Monroe’s mandolin technique, David hails from a musical family, with uncle Cleo Davis – Monroe’s original Blue Grass Boy. 615.262.0883 | kari@kariestrin.com

David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach Eugene, Oregon, USA Wednesday 8:50 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) David and Bob create a musical conversation between intense slide guitar and virtuosic harmonica; together they weave left-coast stories with the emotional abandon of the blues. The show moves from humorous, subversive blues, to delicate balladry, and then swings back to swampy rock and roll.

Louise Baker 828.450.5385 | louise@bakerbooking.com

David Myles Halifax, NS, CAN Thursday 4:40 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) This music-maker’s song and dance mastery just keeps getting more & more impressive–awardwinning, vintage rock’n’roll hipswiveler, Real Love, the spectacular, lush Francophone pop of Le grand départ are a testament to that. Dozens of awards to his credit and a growing-fanbase, this exceptional entertainer continues to enthrall audiences with every performance.

416.598.0067 | kemp@feldman-agency.com

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Digging Roots David Olney

Nashville, TN, USA Thursday 4:40 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) “Americana Pioneer” David Olney entertains with legendary performances! Songs recorded by Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, Abbie Gardner, Wailin’ Jennys, Tim O’Brien, Front Country, Slaid Cleaves and others. “Along with Tom Russell and James McMurtry, David Olney is ONE OF THE GREATEST AMERICAN STORYTELLERS WORKING TODAY.” 27 Leggies Black Oak Artists (937) 216-4397 denis@blackoakartists.com

Demeanor with Charly Lowry

Compilation CD Artist

Greensboro, NC, USA Friday 8:00 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Demeanor (Justin Harrington) is an MC/banjo/bones player creating an unconventional fusion of hip-hop & American roots in an effort to break down the wall separating black Americans with their own ancestral tradition.

Vocalist & multi-instrumentalist Charly Lowry makes music that intersects with her activism in Lumbee & Native American rights.

Justin Harrington 336.314.9781 | jharrington1998@gmail.com

Diana Jones New York, NY, USA Thursday 6:10 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Award winning singer/songwriter Diana Jones is known for gritty story songs about dispossessed people from the past. Her new record Song To A Refugee belongs to our current time and the stories are an attempt to re-humanize people currently being dehumanized, refugees simply seeking safety and home.

Doug Yeager 646.236.6917 | yeagerprod@gmail.com

Digawolf Yellowknife, CAN Saturday 4:40 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Yellowstone’s growling prose and textured instrumentals hit the airwaves in February 2019. Tlicho and English lyrics evokes memories of lost love the bond of family and imagines both the history and future of the land we live on. This album “captures the harshness magic and romance of the north.”

867.445.3559 | jesse@talkingraven.ca

Barrie, ON, CAN Thursday 8:10 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Raven and ShoShona are the creative team and inspiration behind the JUNO winning band’s six piece ensemble.

Bringing global-blues infused music they are animating audiences from Australia to Europe with their ‘round dances.’ Finishing the production on their new album Zhawenim their latest video ‘AK-47’ explores the concept of peace.

705.733.2198 | diggingroots@rogers.com

Dirk Powell Breaux Bridge, LA, USA Wednesday 10:00 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Dirk Powell is a musician, writer, producer, composer, studio owner, and engineer residing in Southwest Louisiana. His roots in Kentucky and his commitment to Creole and Cajun culture have fused with early classical training to form an artistic palette and vision that are unique in today’s musical environment.

310.451.0767 | info@fliartists.com

Doctor Nativo San Pedro La Laguna, GTM Thursday 6:20 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Doctor Nativo is an artist from Guatemala that combines the ancient world with a modern sensibility. Through creative use of Mayan language and traditional instruments, Doctor Nativo hopes to bring the ancient Mayan world into modern day culture by making it relevant for the new generation and those to come.

337.247.5301 | mel@awesomecompany.net

Doug MacLeod Memphis, TN, USA Thursday 5:20 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Doug is a Singer/Songwriter, Perennial Blues Music Award Nominee and Multiple Blues Music Award Winner. His songs have been covered by many artists including Eva Cassidy, Albert King and Albert Collins. MacLeod is known for his songwriting, storytelling, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit and unforgettable live performances.

651.755.7944 | miki@hsartistmgmt.com

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Welcome to the second Nordic Folk Alliance in Gothenburg, Sweden 1–2 April 2020!

A meeting place for musicians, music business and lovers of Folk Music and Global Roots.

SAVE THE DATE

1–2 APRIL 2020 GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN

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O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers Lafayette, LA, USA Saturday 6:20 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Arguably America’s most exciting accordionist, Grammy Nominee and “America’s Hottest Accordionist” Dwayne Dopsie is blazing a path for 21st century Zydeco with soulful virtuosity. Dwayne’s latest release Bon Ton offers explosive blues and rhythm performed by a master who is “leading the world in traditional Zydeco.”

USA: 504-303-8796 Canada: 514-844-8902 | productionslb@hotmail.com

Emily Mae Winters Elephant Sessions

Glasgow/Inverness/Newcastle, SCO Saturday 8:00 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Charting across Europe with their latest album What Makes You, multiple-award winning Elephant Sessions have performed some of the world’s most notable venues and festivals.

Their unique brand of indie folk saw audiences crowd surf their way through the summer and marquee floors breaking under the weight of bouncing fans!

Lisa Whytock 441413372062 | info@activeevents.org.uk

Dylan Menzie Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, CAN Thursday 8:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Acclaimed PEI songsmith Dylan Menzie is set to share his most eclectic and ambitious collection to date, adding to his proven folk-rock foundation with influence from contemporary innovators like Anderson Paak, Kurt Vile, and Kacey Musgraves. Consider it the soundtrack to your next nighttime drive to nowhere in particular.

902.628.9821 | menzie.dylan@gmail.com

É.T.É.

Montréal, QC, CAN Friday 5:40 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Drawing from their backgrounds in classical, jazz and traditional Quebecois music, É.T.É’s repertoire includes traditional tunes and original compositions. The instrumentation of their unique and modern sonority consists of fiddle, cello, bouzouki, voice, foot-tapping and step dancing.

Noémie Azoulay 514.421.4445 | info@agenceresonances.com

Élage Diouf Montreal, QC, CAN Thursday 7:20 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Élage’s music–a blend of pop world blues folk and asiko–thrives at the artistic crossroad of artists like Carlinhos Brown Peter Gabriel and Andres Cepeda. The warmth and remarkable quality of his voice as well as his varied influences make him a unique artist.

Noémie Azoulay 514.521.4445 | info@agenceresonances.com

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Elisapie Montreal, QC, CAN Thursday 5:40 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Director, composer, singersongwriter and activist, Elisapie Isaac comes from the Arctic.

In 2004, she released her first album, winning a Juno Award for Indigenous Music Album of the Year. In 2018, Elisapie released her fourth album, a poetic gesture driven by urgency, doubt, gentleness, sensitivity, grace and motherly love.

514.210.7946 | mathieu@bonsound.com

Eliza Gilkyson Austin, TX, USA Friday 7:50 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Eliza Gilkyson-Grammynominated (2006/2015) folk singer/songwriter and activist–one of the most respected musicians in Folk Roots/Americana–new release 20/20, a collection of politically motivated anthems designed to motivate and inspire during the most important USA election of our lifetime.

512-413-8461 | valdenn@valdenn.com

Elkin Robinson Providencia, COL Saturday 6:20 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Elkin is the new face of Caribbean Folk and brings Calypso mento sailor folk gospel and zouk influences into his healing sound. The bridging of identities and the promotion of bilingual rights are key themes of his latest album Sun a Shine. +57 (1) 801 4863 | eddy@lloronarecords.com

London, ENG Saturday 5:30 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Fast rising star on the U.K. Folk/ Americana scene, Emily Mae Winters has that rare quality in a singer that makes critics reach for the superlatives. Described as having a voice that “stops you in your tracks,” Emily combines straight-tothe-heart bittersweetness with her own unique drama in performance.

790.047.8618 | bookingsemilymaewinters@gmail.com

Emily Wurramara Brisbane, QLD, AUS Friday 5:30 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Award winning Wannandilyakwa songstress Emily Wurramara from Groote Eylandt in Australia is taking the world by storm sharing her language culture and positive message through her music. Emily takes her audiences to the sea and sands of her island home and challenges us all to take care of country.

61431779147 | jo@sagemusic.com.au

Ephraim Bugumba USA Wednesday 9:40 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Singer and songwriter Ephraim Bugumba illustrates the sounds of cultural traditions and soul through his music. Listen to the vibrant lyrics inspired by African rhythms & traditions of storytelling. Stories about love, struggle, and his place in the world; a nomadic refugee boy.

630.945.0206

Erin Costelo Halifax, NS, CAN Friday 8:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) While she has been compared to icons like Carole King and Nina Simone, Erin Costelo’s fifth studio album cements her status as an utterly inimitable voice in Americana music. “…Erin Costelo seems destined to establish herself alongside the top tier of today’s most expressive soulful singers.” – PASTE Magazine Ryan Heerschap 416.788.1475 | ryan@ibookshows.com

Freddy & Francine Nashville, TN, USA Saturday 7:00 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) A unique blend of R&B, folk, Americana pop and soul, these two classically trained singers who’ve hit the touring circuit hard over the past 5 years have genre bending arrangements and a dynamic stage performance that will make you laugh, cry and hug your loved ones.

Cassie Siegel 917.579.7595 | cassie@madison-house.com

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O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Gaelynn Lea

Duluth, MN, USA Friday 5:20 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Gaelynn Lea won NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest in 2016 and she’s been on the road ever since playing her unique mix of haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes. She has appeared in 43 states and 7 countries. Gaelynn also does speaking engagements about disability rights and arts accessibility.

218.461.785| booking@gaelynnlea.com

Genticorum

Montreal, QC, CAN Friday 6:30 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) This traditional Quebec group has become a fixture on the international, folk, and Celtic music circuit. They have given more than 1,500 concerts in fifteen countries. They weave precise and intricate fiddle, flute and accordion along with vocal harmonies, foot percussion, and guitar into a jubilant musical feast.

734-769-7254 | mikeg@mikegreenassociates.com

Gina Forsyth

Hawktail Nashville, TN, USA Friday 6:10 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Hawktail is an instrumental quartet that plays their own original acoustic music. Though the band boasts an impressive resume as members of Punch Brothers, The Dave Rawlings Machine and Crooked Still, they have created a cohesive and unique sound as well as a powerful live show.

831.375.4889 | LCingari@paradigmagency.com

Helen Rose New Orleans, LA, USA Wednesday 8:20 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) New Orleans artist Helen Rose is critically acclaimed in the US/EU. “Trouble Holding Back, Rose’s remarkable studio debut (a previous album, Live at the Monkey Room, captured her in concert) is a defining document for a woman who quickly found her voice.” – Lee Zimmerman, Living Blues Magazine.

213.280.3457 | Helenrose11@gmail.com

HuDost

Breaux Bridge, LA, USA Wednesday 8:00 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Gina Forsyth: singer/songwriter fiddler and guitarist from New Orleans. Notables: three solo albums; Most Wanted Emerging Artist Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (2016); longtime fiddler with Bruce Daigrepont; plays with two great trios—the Malvinas and the Mid-City Aces. Possesses a soulful alto and songs that cut straight to the heart.

504.861.7460 |ginaforsyth@gmail.com

Bowling Green, KY/Montreal, QC, CAN Thursday 4:30 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) HuDost weaves a seamless tapestry of Folk, World and Rock that opens hearts and invokes total celebration.

HuDost’s new album of Water + Mercy has received rave reviews and, as an independent release, reached #24 in the BILLBOARD SALES CHARTS for Folk/Americana.

Valerie Denn 512.413.8461 | valdenn@valdenn.com

Gregory Page

Iona Fyfe

Compilation CD Artist San Diego, CA, USA Wednesday 8:10 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) London-born, third-generation international performing songwriter Gregory Page was an original member of The Rugburns with best friend Steve Poltz.

Page has opened for Bob Dylan and toured America with Jason Mraz. From Woodford Folk Festival to headlining The Paradiso, Amsterdam, Page’s songbook conveys stunning realism, timeless lyricism, optimism and humor. +61402363087 |milan@ontourpresents.com

Hat Fitz and Cara Cootharaba, Qld, AUS Friday 7:10 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) High-energy duo Hat Fitz and Cara are among Australia’s most talented roots music artists. The husband and wife team are 10 years of worldwide touring folk or Americana main stages to blues and acoustic venues. 2019 Hand It Over album orchestrates their journey bravely with abundance. +61400466930 | cararobinsongigs@yahoo.co.uk 116| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

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Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, SCO Thursday 7:00 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) The youngest ever winner of Scots Singer of the Year at the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards, Iona Fyfe champions her native Aberdeenshire ballads. At 21, she has toured internationally, gained a degree in Traditional Music and has released her acclaimed debut album Away From My Window.

792.394.2510 | info@ionafyfe.com

Jamie Lynn Vessels New Orleans, LA, USA Wednesday 8:10 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Electrifying live artist and prolific, down-to-earth songwriter, Jamie Lynn Vessels has the rare ability to captivate and enrapture with her stage presence, lyrical prowess, powerful rhythms, and a voice both raw and soulfully soothing. It’s not just a concert–it’s an experience.

919.414.2212 | booking@jamielynnvessels.com

Janiva Magness

Culver CIty, CA, USA Thursday 4:30 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Janiva Magness has built an impressive career in American roots brick by hard-earned brick.

Album #15 Billboard roots Americana and Blues charts, 2016 Grammy nomination-7 BMA wins, Song of the Year, & BB King Entertainer of the Year shows her relentless work. Magness has more than earned her place in American music history.

310-977-2460 | Janiva@janivamagness.com

Jay Gilday Edmonton, AB, CAN Friday 7:50 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) A vagabond turned mailman Jay has searched for himself in the depths of Folk blues traditional rock and most recently soul music. Jay takes his experiences from the roads of Canada the daily roller-coaster of work family and performance and weaves them into song.

780.222.7322 | gildayjay@gmail.com

Jayme Stone Longmont, CO, USA Thursday 8:00 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Jayme Stone is an awardwinning musicmaker, producer, songwriter and instigator. Best known for his world-wise roots music projects, he is poised to release A Wake, an album of his own experimental indie-pop songs inspired by the sudden death of his brother.

303.495.0989 | jayme@jaymestone.com

JigJam Tullamore, IRL Thursday 7:00 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) JigJam are a multi-award winning quartet from the heart of Ireland. Blending the best of traditional Irish music with Bluegrass and Americana in a new genre which has been branded as ‘I-Grass’ (Irish influenced Bluegrass) their onstage energy along with their virtuosic musical ability has captivated audiences.

310.451.0767 |mattg@fliartists.com

O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Jimmy Rankin

Halifax, NS, CAN Friday 4:40 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Jimmy Rankin is an iconic Canadian solo artist and the lead singer, guitarist and songwriting lynchpin behind multi-platinum Celtic-Pop heroes, The Rankin Family, who achieved multiplatinum album sales, earned five Junos (Canadian equivalent of a Grammy) including the coveted “Entertainer of the Year” award.

615.973.6427 | miarankin@gmail.com

John Wort Hannam Lethbridge, AB, CAN Friday 4:30 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Roots musician John Wort Hannam quit teaching in 2011 and spent 10 months depleting his savings while sat at his kitchen table, writing his first ten songs. Today the Canadian songwriter has seven albums, a JUNO nomination, and a Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Album of the Year.

Ryan Heerschap 1.866.966.9040 | ryan@ibookshows.com

Joshua Burnside Belfast, Antrim, IRL Thursday 7:10 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Award-winning Northern Irish experimental folk songwriter and producer Joshua Burnside is something of a regional anomaly. With a brooding, powerful sound echoing artists of places afar and time long gone, his enthralling craft defies local comparison in striving towards an aesthetic as much visual as it is sonic.

310.288.8000 | srhalperin@paradigmagency.com

Kalyn Fay Tulsa, OK, USA Saturday 5:30 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Indigenous songwriter Kalyn Fay has been writing her own music for as long as she’s had a story to tell. She’s travelled, loved and lost, pursued higher education, questioned her faith, walked the line between her upbringing and her Cherokee roots, and figured out how to process through her art.

918.557.0483 | kalynfaymusic@gmail.com

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Kelly Bado

Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards

Winnipeg, MB, CAN Friday 6:10 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) With influences from her African heritage and American gospel, Kelly’s was awarded World Music Artist of the year 2018 at the BreakOut West. Her striking vocals make for a performance that stays with the audience. She creates a sound that is an intoxicating blend of Soul/World/Pop. 204.999.9607 | kellyedwige@gmail.com

Boston, MA, USA Thursday 6:30 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards, a collective of singing string players, draws from varied musical traditions to create post-folk that seriously rocks. Their original songs move seamlessly from gauzy vocal harmonies to propulsive fiddle melodies with indie-rock style, garnering global acclaim. Second album forthcoming on Compass Records in 2020.

Hailey Phelps 303.544.9900 ext. 1043 | hailey@madison-house.com

Kelly Hunt Kansas City, MO, USA Saturday 7:00 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Memphis-raised songwriter Kelly Hunt paints stories as old and weird as her Depressionera tenor banjo. Her songs reimagine traditions of folk and old-time music in a style critics herald as “striking and original.” Kelly’s debut album “Even The Sparrow” hovers beyond genre constraints à la Anaïs Mitchell and Gillian Welch.

Al Berman 785.841.6000 | al@bluekeyartists.com

Ken Whiteley Toronto, ON, CAN Saturday 4:30 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Ken Whiteley has a Canadian Folk Music Award, Lifetime Achievement (Folk Music Ontario Mariposa Folk Festival) & 7 Juno Awards and 16 Maple Blues Award nominations. Ken’s performances showcase outstanding musicianship, award winning original songs, powerful vocals and encyclopaedic knowledge of folk, blues and gospel traditions. He encourages soul connection!

416.533.9988 | ken@kenwhiteley.com

Kíla Dublin, IRL Thursday 7:50 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Kíla are heralded as one of Ireland’s most innovative and exciting bands. Often defined as contemporary Irish World music, Kíla fuse their own melodies, Irish (Gaeilge) lyrics, Irish folk instruments such as whistles, fiddles, Uilleann pipes and bodhrán with djembe, congas, drums, mandolins, brass and acoustic/electric/bass guitars.

353868091848 | info@kilarecords.com

Lakou Mizik Port-au-Prince, West Department, HTI Saturday 7:10 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Born out of the tragedy of Haiti’s 2010 earthquake Lakou Mizik is a multi-generational all-star band bound together by the singular goal of promoting positive connections to Haiti through music. Their 2019 album HaitiaNola explores the cultural connections between Haiti and New Orleans with an all-star crew of NOLA musicians!

Zach Niles 4155318861 | lakoumizik@gmail.com

Les Hay Babies Moncton, NB, CAN Thursday 6:20 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Julie, Katrine and Vivianne are not a country girl band. They are the Hay Babies. Period. After releasing 2 critically-acclaimed records and racking up nominations at Quebec’s prestigious ADISQ Gala, the Hay Babies are back to work, now working on third album full of fresh sounds.

514 522-5672 ext 266 | samuel@bonsound.com

Leyla McCalla

Compilation CD Artist New Orleans, LA, USA Friday 6:20 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Leyla McCalla is a HaitianAmerican living in New Orleans who sings in French, Haitian Creole, and English and plays cello, tenor banjo, and guitar. Deeply influenced by traditional Creole, Cajun, and Haitian music as well as by American jazz and folk, her music is at once earthy, elegant, and soulful.

337.247.5301 | mel@awesomecompany.net

Lindsay Beaver Austin, TX, USA Saturday 7:20 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) When singing drummer, songwriter & bandleader Lindsay Beaver takes the stage, she makes an immediate & unforgettable impression. Standing front & center at her kit, singing every song from the depths of her soul, she delivers old school rock ‘n’ roll & sings with attitude and soulfulness.

512.851.6275 | lindsaybeaverbooking@gmail.com

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118| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

Annual Conference November 12-15, 2020 Stamford, CT USA

Come visit us in the exhibit hall!

Annie Sumi, ASL interpretation by Jody Prysock - photo by Jake Jacobson

Four jam-packed days of music showcases, workshops, open mics, song swaps and informal jam sessions, providing endless networking and information exchange opportunities.

nerfa.org folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 |119

O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Lone Piñon

Compilation CD Artist Albuquerque, NM, USA Friday 4:40 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Lone Piñon is an acoustic conjunto from Northern New Mexico whose music celebrates the integrity of their region’s cultural roots. Their active repertoire reflects the complexity of this musical landscape and includes early conjunto duets, contemporary rancheras, New Mexican swing, Hispanic Texan fiddle styles, regional Mexican fiddling and more.

Mel Puljic 573.239.7954 | mel@awesomecompany.net

Lydia Persaud

Los Texmaniacs

Mames Babegenush

San Antonio, TX, USA Saturday 8:10 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Grammy award winning, Los Texmaniacs incorporates genres such as Rock & Roll and Jazz while still honoring the roots of conjunto Tejano. They are proud to feature Peter Rowen. They back Peter as his Mexican Free Air Force. Los Texmaniacs with guest Peter Rowen.

512.207.0825 | ktrootstock@gmail.com

LowDown Brass Band Chicago, IL, USA Friday 4:40 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) The LowDown Brass Band is a uniquely strong representation of Chicago Music culture. This talented all horn band leans heavily on dancehall and street beat rhythm, with the energy of conscious hip hop, jazz, reggae, and soul.

8478450443 | loganartistagency@gmail.com

Luke Winslow-King New Orleans, LA, USA Wednesday 9:50 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Luke Winslow-King is a New Orleans-based guitarist, singer, composer, and songwriter. His work is an eclectic mix of Mississippi delta blues, folk music, traditional jazz, and rock & roll. Luke WinslowKing has collaborated with New Orleans legends, including Dr. John, Boutté, Roberto Luti, Little Freddy King, Washboard Chaz, Meschiya Lake.

510.715.4002 | ben@yonasmedia.com

Lula Wiles Boston, MA, USA Saturday 6:10 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Lula Wiles delivers love songs that are equally defiant and heartsick, reinterpretations of tradition, and timely explorations of what it means to live in America today. Isa Burke, Ellie Buckland, and Mali Obomsawin swap instruments and meld diverse influences to create a high power, harmony-driven sound all their own.

941.356.3118 | molliefarr@lostbuffaloartists.com 120| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

Toronto, ON, CAN Friday 5:20 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) A fixture of Toronto’s music community and soughtafter collaborator, Oscar Peterson Award winner Lydia Persaud’s debut album Let Me Show You was released May 2019 on Next Door Records. Rooted in folk and soul, the Humber Jazz graduate melds genres while Lydia’s message shines through the power of her stunning voice.

Steve Butler 416.962.8885 | steve@paquinartistsagency.com

Copenhagen, DNK Wednesday 9:00 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Since forming in Copenhagen in 2004 this lively and unique sextet has become one of Europe’s premiere klezmer-jazz ensembles. Their long list of awards includes the Danish Music Award for Best World Album of The Year and three prizes awarded by the prestigious International Jewish Music Festival in Amsterdam.

Justine Bayod Espoz 312.810.6762 | Justine@ToritoMedia.com

Mapache Los Angeles, CA, USA Saturday 5:40 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) California natives Clay Finch & Sam Blasucci go by MAPACHE. On From Liberty Street they dive feet first into heavy waters typically only navigated by legends.

True to their West Coast pedigree they blend the harmony and vocal prowess of Crosby Stills and Nash and the dexterity of The Dead.

404.793.7023 | joshpbrinkman@gmail.com

Maria Muldaur New York, NY, USA Wednesday 9:10 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Best known for “Midnight At The Oasis,” Maria Muldaur is a multi-Grammy and Blues Foundation nominated artists who has toured worldwide for over four decades, and released 41 albums across multiple American Roots music styles. Earlier this year she was honored with a Trailblazer Award from the Americana Music Association.

Brad Stewart 510.558.4000 | brad@dynamicartists.com

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Mariel Buckley Calgary, AB, CAN Thursday, 4:40 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Calgary, Alberta’s Mariel Buckley is a marvel of retro-hued countryroots songwriting, showing she’s a musician who’s here for the long haul. Described as “a little Townes Van Zandt mixed with Joan Jett,” Buckley’s album Driving in the Dark delivers poetically plainspoken stories with her signature wry, witty perspective. 204.988.1142 | rebecca@paquinartistsagency.com

Mark Mulholland

Compilation CD Artist Paris, FRA Thursday 7:50 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Scottish singer-songwriter and producer based in Paris who performs solo and with projects in Europe, Africa and beyond. From a background in folk blues and rock he has expanded his palette through collaborations around the world. An inventive melodic guitarist with a warm expressive voice and rich original repertoire. +337 70570412 | mulhollandmark@yahoo.com

Mark Perry

Compilation CD Artist Smithers, BC, CAN Wednesday 9:50 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) 12 albums strong, Mark Perry is deeply loved in Canada for his goodhumoured, thought-provoking shows & socially-narrative songs—emotional & animated tales of sinking ferries, national tragedies, NHL dreams... or buying a car for 2 cases of beer. A recognized storyteller of time & place, his recent album/ single released 2019.

Sandra Smith 250-643-6221 | sandra@plaidpeoplemusic.com

Mary Bragg Nashville, TN, USA Wednesday 9:10 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) “Americana Queen” (Vice Noisey) Mary Bragg selfproduced and self-engineered her latest critically acclaimed album, Violets as Camouflage.

“Her clear, warm alto, reminiscent of Patsy Cline, was made for confidences, and these gorgeously crafted and executed songs touch the listener on a deep level, where insight occurs.” -NPR Music Contact

O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S

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Mary Gauthier with Jaimee Harris

Mick Flannery

Nashville, TN, USA Thursday 6:20 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Mary Gauthier has released 9 Albums. Her newest release Rifles & Rosary Beads, was co-written with US Veterans was Grammy Nominated for Best Folk Record. Her songs have been covered by many artists in a wide variety of genres and placed in movies and TV. High Road Touring 1.415.332.9292 | tom@highroadtouring.com

Cork, IRL Saturday 5:20 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) An award-winning, doubleplatinum selling Irish artist, Mick Flannery’s latest self-titled album debuted at number one in July 2019.

While County Cork singer-songwriter Mick Flannery is outwardly reserved his songs are fluent in expressing layered aspects of the human condition its flaws, triumphs and general uncertainty.

Ana Miura +1.613.864.0516 | info@bluegracemusic.com

Compilation CD Artist Belgrade, Serbia, SRB Saturday 6:10 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) The name NAKED stays for open heart and uncovered soul. Ideas of freedom, hope and love have always inspired Serbian band NAKED to create music, firmly rooted in unique mix of traditional Balkan, global urban, swing, funk, undeniably beats, odd rhythms and freejazz relishes.

Juliana Voloz +49 1743147022 | info@jv-promotion.com

Mélisande [électrotrad]

Minor Empire

Nefesh Mountain

Toronto, ON, CAN Friday 7:00 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Described as trippy, dreamy, cinematic and stylishly hip, Toronto’s award winning Minor Empire takes listeners on an Anatolian inspired voyage of the imagination. Milo Miles (NPR, Rolling Stone, NY Times) deemed their Uprooted album the best release of 2018 and their Youtube videos have racked up millions of views.

Ian Mezies 403.472.9484 | ian@meta4world.com

Montclair, NJ, USA Wednesday 9:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Critically acclaimed progressive bluegrass band Nefesh Mountain ingeniously brings together the worlds of American Roots music with Jewish heritage and tradition. The quintet tours internationally year round as a beacon of diversity; sharing their music and love for American and Jewish culture with audiences worldwide.

Doni Zasloff 718.813.7170 | doni@nefeshmountain.com

Montreal, QC, CAN Saturday 4:40 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) The recipe for Mélisande’s award-winning cocktail: pour equal parts of centuries-old traditional Québécois songs, electronic instruments, add an ounce of fiery fiddle, peaty flute and hypnotic jaw harp, a dash of banjo and a hint of full-bodied bass.

Shake vigorously, and garnish with a sparkling singer!

Claudia Berardi 514-529-0139 | c.berardi@stationbleue.com

Menke Järna, SWE Saturday 7:50 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) The Swedish songwriter producer and multi instrumentalist Menke creates her own soulful world with small gestures. She plays piano banjo cello vibraphone but also more unconventional instruments such as the lyre and wine glasses. Menke is a young standout talent with an expression and a voice capable of freezing time.

Sara Menke 4.676.261.2829| sara@menke.se

Michael Doucet avec Lâcher Prise Lafayette, LA, USA Thursday 8:10 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Lâcher Prise (Let it Go), establishes a new, energized exploration of the regional music of Louisiana. An eclectic mix of styles including New Orleans Rhythm & Blues, Southwest Louisiana Rock & Roll as well as interpretations of Zydeco and Cajun, infused with the intoxicating rhythms of the French Caribbean.

201.263.9200 | tim@therootsagency.com

Michael Winograd & the Honorable Mentshn Brooklyn, NY, USA Friday 7:10 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) “Michael Winograd is not a dabbler. He isn’t an aspiring 12-tone composer who can play some klezmer. He isn’t a punk-rocker looking for a new angle on approaching his songwriting. He IS a klezmer. He knows klezmer. He fucking blows away the room at klezmer. “ - Geoff Berner 917.613.4529 | clarinot@gmail.com

Mo Kenney Dartmouth, NS, CAN Thursday 7:10 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Mo Kenney’s latest recording “Ahead of Myself” sees a return to the singer-songwriter genre that has made her so popular with audiences around the world. A promising young singer-songwriter has grown into a dynamic artist, whether acoustic or indie-rock, will pull at your heartstrings. Mo Kenney captivates all who hear her.

416.598.0067 | kemp@feldman-agency.com

Muddy Gurdy Romagnat, Auvergne, FRA Thursday 6:10 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) MUDDY GURDY is one of the newest sensations!

This French trio revisits North Mississippi Hill Country blues with a hurdy-gurdy as a second guitar. Their album, recorded in the countryside of Northern Mississippi, and their live performances blow some fresh new air in the world of blues music.

Marc Glomeau +33683374750 | booking.tia@gmail.com

NAKED

Nels Andrews

Compilation CD Artist Santa Cruz, CA, USA Wednesday 8:00 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Nels Andrews is an awardwinning American songwriter.

His new LP Pigeon & The Crow was produced by Irish flutist Nuala Kennedy, and gracefully weaves the morning fog, redwoods, and his beloved Santa Cruz oceanside. His songs brim with literary wordplay, some sway, some shimmer, and some sand between your toes.

Laura Thomas 512.423.7667 | comboplatebooking@gmail.com

Nickel&Rose Milwaukee, WI, USA Wednesday 9:50 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Nickel&Rose have influences spanning the spectrum of American music. Carl brings elements of West-African music and Blues while Johanna brings her experience playing Bluegrass and jazz. With an appreciation for traditional music and a desire to break rules, they have created a sound that embodies Americana’s past and future.

Johanna Rose 414.840.5446 | nickelandrose@gmail.com

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2020 Judges Include

Enter Your Songs Now www.unsignedonly.com

$150,000 USD r

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kin Loo

GREAT UNSIGNED ARTISTS

9 Walnut Valley Festival 4National Flat-Picking Championships th

September 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 2020

Winfield, KS Over 200 hours of Live Music on 4 Main Festival Stages. ♫ Past artists that have performed include ♫ Alison Krauss & Union Station ♫ Mark O’Connor ♫ New Grass Revival ♫ Tim O’Brien ♫ Tom Chapin ♫ Tommy Emmanuel ♫ The Steel Wheels ♫ John Hartford ♫ Socks in the Frying Pan ♫ Doc Watson ♫ John McEuen ♫ John McCutcheon ♫ Della Mae ♫ Nickel Creek ♫ Bing Futch • • • •

World class juried Arts & Craft Show Around the clock Campground Jam Sessions Hands on Workshops.

8 Acoustic Instrument Championship Contests

122| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

Advanced Tickets On Sale NOW! Internationally Recognized Acoustic Instrument Championships including: International Autoharp International Finger Style Guitar National Flat Pick Guitar National Bluegrass Banjo Over National Hammer Dulcimer 6 6,5t P6rizes $11 National Mandolin ntes in Co National Mountain Dulcimer Walnut Valley Old Time Fiddle

Walnut Valley Association, Inc. P.O. Box 245 Winfield, KS 67156 (620) 221-3250 hq@wvfest.com • www.wvfest.com

O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S O’Connor Lee Nashville, TN, USA Thursday 7:20 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Folk/Americana duo O’Connor Lee (Kate Lee & Forrest O’Connor) won a GRAMMY Award in 2017 as part of the O’Connor Band featuring Mark O’Connor. Their new band blends insightful songwriting, powerful vocal harmonies, and instrumental virtuosity in a way that has prompted comparisons to Alison Krauss and Nickel Creek.

Andrew Bestick 615.627.2243 | andrew@cmcartists.com

Patty Larkin

Compilation CD Artist Boston, MA, USA Thursday 8:00 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Guitar driven singer songwriter Patty Larkin has captured the imagination of audiences with 30 years of touring and 13 albums. Awarded 11 Boston Music Awards and an honorary doctorate from Berklee, Patty’s next release of Poem Songs Bird In A Cage pulses with the magic of 608.664.8160 | jlaramie@sroartists.com

Phoebe Hunt & The Gatherers Oh Susanna

Toronto, ON, CAN Wednesday 8:50 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) This Canadian songstress has a voice that can pierce a heart of stone. Her superbly crafted songs often tell stories of troubled souls who rebel against their circumstances to attain a quiet dignity. These are tales that look into our beautifully flawed human hearts.

416.953.5752 | nicole@aimbookingagency.com

Austin, TX, USA Saturday 4:50 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Within critically acclaimed 2017 release Shanti’s Shadow Phoebe Hunt intimately revealed her inner journey through meditation and musical exploration. Her upcoming release Neither One of Us Is Wrong takes flight from this personal introspection and casts a reflection on our society that Hunt deems the duality of the ‘outer world.’

617-969-0810 | Lori@concertedefforts.com

PINE LEAF BOYS Portland, OR, USA Friday 7:10 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Singer, guitarist, percussionist and dancer Okaidja Afroso is a true musical polymath. His evocative and soulful music charts a journey from the traditional songs of his youth, through to an immersion into the music of the African Diaspora, integrating the influences and sounds in pursuit of global harmony.

503.348.7439 | okaidja@hotmail.com

Lafayette, LA, USA Saturday 4:40 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Louisiana’s finest worldrenowned Pine Leaf Boys have made a name for presenting their own inimitable brand of Louisiana music with youthful exuberance blending the sounds of Cajun Zydeco Swamp-Pop Country and Soul. The New York Times described the boys’ music as “the link that connects the young and the old generations.”

337.580.3597 | wilsonsavoy@gmail.com

OKAN

Compilation CD Artist Toronto, ON, CAN Friday 5:30 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Taking their name from the word for heart or soul in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, OKAN leaders Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne fuse their Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and global rhythms in songs about immigration, courage and love. Winners of Stingray Rising Star and two Independent Music Awards.

647.465.8004 | marilyn@mgam.com

Pipo Romero

Oshima Brothers

Poor Nameless Boy

Okaidja Afroso

Belfast, ME, USA Wednesday 9:40 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Oshima Brothers’ magnetic sibling sound and contagious joy result from a lifetime of making music together. Raised in Maine, this brother duo has honed a harmony-rich blend of contemporary folk/indie pop. On stage, Sean and Jamie create a full sound with guitars, vocals, bass, percussion, and live looping.

866.531.2172 ext 104 | mark@skylineonline.com

Cadiz, Andalucía, ESP Wednesday 8:50 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Pipo Romero is an acoustic guitarist and gifted composer from Cádiz, Spain. His compositions come from the heart blending an original compendium of folks from around the world. He’s performing his music internationally (Canadá, USA, Italy, Spain, Portugal) to enthusiastic audiences.

MGMT - Marina Roveta +34670556141|marina.roveta@gmail.com

Regina, SK, CAN Saturday 4:30 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) His soft, melodic delivery is born from a keen perception of the human condition.

This understated authenticity is why you’ll find Poor Nameless Boy on the fringes of something deeper than modern indie-folk. In his quest to retain a humbled anonymity, Regina-based Joel Henderson has actually made himself more noticeable.

Stephanie Hutchinson | 587-583-9504 stephanie@chronographrecords.com

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Quique Escamilla

Toronto, ON, CAN Wednesday 8:50 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Quique is a Chiapas-born and a Zapatista-influenced modern troubadour with a unique combination of the ‘music of the Americas” mixing cumbias, blues, huapango and reggae. His new album Encomienda tells social and political stories of resistance against the old colonizing powers; music designed to decimate borders and xenophobia.

647.267.6522 | greg@unbound-artists.com

Rachele Andrioli e Rocco Nigro

Lecce, Apulia, ITA Friday 5:30 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Rachele Andrioli (vocal, tambourines) and Rocco Nigro (accordion), two young Italian authors and interpreters, propose a new approach by mingling traditional refrains from the Salento region with traditional music from the south of Italy, crossing the Italian popular repertoire and continue towards the shores of fado and Balkanic musics. +33786177631 | contact@crepusculeprod.fr

Rahim AlHaj

Albuquerque, NM, USA Thursday 7:50 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) NEA National Heritage Fellow,Smithsonian Folkways artist, Iraqi oud virtuoso and composer Rahim AlHaj’s music delicately combines traditional Iraqi maqams with contemporary styling and influence. His compositions evoke the experience of exile, consequences in a post-war reality and of new beginnings. Rahim has released twelve CDs receiving 2 Grammy® nominations.

337.247.5301 | mel@awesomecompany.net

Rainbow Girls

Valley Ford, CA, USA Friday 6:30 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) “Get ready to have a gang of sweet angels punch you in the heart!” Rainbow Girls seamlessly combine soul-touching harmonies, textured instrumentals, and poignant lyrical content into a beautiful sonic tapestry. Their music delves deeply into themes of the human experience: hopeful love, honest self-reflection, and pursuits of social justice.

Adam Bauer | 303.544.9900 adam@madison-house.com

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MAY 19-23

TORONTO

KEYNOTE SPEAKER BUFFY SAINTE-MARIE SINGER/SONGWRITER OSCAR-WINNING COMPOSER

FRIDAY MAY 22ND, 2020

KEYNOTE SPEAKER MEGAN TWOHEY

PULITZER PRIZE WINNING JOURNALIST

CO-AUTHOR OF SHE SAID: BREAKING THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT STORY THAT HELPED IGNITE A MOVEMENT

THURSDAY MAY 21ST, 2020

CONFERENCE

THE STORY THAT ENDED HARVEY WEINSTEIN’S CAREER

FESTIVAL

AWARDS

WHERE MUSIC, TECH + BIZ CONVERGE CMW.NET 124| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Ramon Chicharron

Montreal, QC, CAN Thursday 4:50 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) The colombian multiinstrumentalist Ramon Chicharron took a trip to Costa Rica to record Merecumbé and the sounds of the jungle. An opus combining rhythms of cumbia and champeta to psychotropical melodies the album was released in May 2018. A new album produced in collaboration with Boogat is to be released.

514.632.7395 | maude@impresaria.ca

Rebecca Folsom

Boulder, CO, USA Saturday 7:10 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Rebecca Folsom is a nationally touring singersongwriter and a powerful voice for social change. Her new album Sanctuary sings to the human heart, faces global issues, and offers potent new possibilities. 2016 #1 song Folk DJ list, Top 40 Album Roots/American Radio. She is also this year’s FAI Artist-In-Residence.

Terri Stewart | 303.989.1764 Terri@stewartmgmt.com

Rani Arbo & Daisy mayhem

Middletown CT, USA Wednesday 9:40 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Americana quartet Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem has toured together for 20 years, bringing audiences “joy in the moment, peace in the harmonies, and rapture in the rhythmic drive.” (The Hartford Courant). Their sound blends junk-percussion grooves with electric and acoustic guitar, bass, fiddle, banjo, and contagious four-part harmony.

860.301.7152 | rani@raniarbo.com

Ray Bonneville Austin, TX, USA Thursday 7:00 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Acclaimed raconteur and Juno Award winner, Ray Bonneville strips his bluesy Americana to its essentials and steeps it in the humid grooves of the South, creating a compelling poetry of hard living and deep feeling.

His ninth release, At King Electric, delivers more than his trademark grit and groove.

530.632.3798 | evangelineelston@yahoo.com Raye Zaragoza

Nashville, TN, USA Friday 5:20 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Raye Zaragoza is an awardwinning singer-songwriter who has been featured on Billboard, Democracy Now!, and more for her modern-day protest music.

Paste Magazine named “In The River” the #2 Modern Protest Song by a Person of Color.

Seth Rappaport | 212.621.3093 srappaport@apa-agency.com

Rising Appalachia

Asheville, NC, USA Friday 8:10 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) As world travelers for nearly two decades, Rising Appalachia have merged multiple global music influences with their own southern roots to create the inviting new folk album Leylines. Remarkably the band built its legion of listeners independently–a self-made success story. The band is comprised of 6 members. cassie@madison-house.com

Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley

San Francisco, CA, Jonesborough, TN, USA Thursday 5:40 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Grammy-nominated Americana duo Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley wow audiences worldwide with a unique blend of bluegrass, country and blues. Rob is a 15time IBMA Dobro Player of the Year. Acoustic Guitar magazine called singer/songwriter/ guitarist Trey “Nashville’s hottest young player.” Their latest record World Full of Blues was released 10/4/19.

John Everhart | 615.321.6152 jeverhart@newfrontiertouring.com

Rose Cousins

Halifax, NS, CAN Friday 7:20 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Rose Cousins doesn’t believe the life of a solo singer songwriter has to be lonely.

The collaborative, Canadian JUNO Award winner‘s secret weapon is creating instant community out of a room full of strangers, connected by the same stark moments in her deeply emotional, stirring songs.

USA 734.921.1002 adam@madison-house. com | CAN 416-598-0067 kemp@feldman-agency.com | UK +44(0)1377.217 phil.simpson@ stradamusic.com

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Royal Wood

Toronto, ON, CAN Friday 4:30 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Royal Wood is a Juno nominee, multi-instrumentalist, writer and producer. Since being proclaimed the “Songwriter of the Year” by iTunes, Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft. His music has been used in TV and Film productions such as Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice and Being Human.

Michael Fox | 978.961.9271 m.fox@imnworld.com

Rusty Shackle

Caldicot, Monmouthshire, Saturday 4:30 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Welsh indie-roots band Rusty Shackle have been tearing up stages around the world since 2010. Brandishing their distinct folk-roots sound and armed with an electrifying mix of rampant fiddle, scorching electric guitars, pounding drums and banjo, the band have built up a devoted fanbase with their live shows. +44 (0) 1458 210 954 | pip@midnightmango.com

Ryan McMullan

Compilation CD Artist Belfast, UK, IRL Thursday 5:30 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Singer/songwriter Ryan McMullan has been called “one of the most exciting artists to come out of Northern Ireland.”

After earning a formidable reputation in Europe and opening for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Snow Patrol and Foy Vance, McMullan’s highly-anticipated debut album will be released in February 2020.

Ron Kaplan 312.640.7500 | rkaplan@paradigmagency.com

Ryan McNally & The MessaRounders

Whitehorse, Yukon, CAN Saturday 7:50 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Ryan McNally and his band find their inspiration from the south USA, performing music that is a mix of New Orleans Jazz and Country Blues. They believe that music is meant for dancing, so grab a partner and get on the floor!

416.953.5752 | nicole@aimbookingagency.com

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O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Saije

Bellingen, New South Wales, AUS Friday 6:20 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Saije is a multi-instrumental folk duo whose soulful harmonies, dynamic guitar-lines and percussive breakdowns breathe life into heartfelt stories infused with Celtic and French-gypsy flavours. Their song writing typically encourages connection to self, the Earth and each other. They are the Folk Alliance Australia ‘Young Artist of the Year 2019-2020.’

Joseph Ashley | 423604304 saijemusic@gmail.com

Sam Lee

London, ENG Friday 6:10 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Folksinger, song collector, nature conservationist & presenter Sam has spent 13years re-galvanizing the sight sound and ecosystem of folk in the UK through projects and concerts. With 2 critically acclaimed albums his debut receiving a Mercury Music Prize nomination Sam works holistically in challenging the very nature of 21st Century Folk.

Paul Burger | +44 7802 208294 paul@sohoartists.co.uk

Shakura S’aida

Toronto, ON, CAN Thursday 7:50 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Juno and Blues Award Nominated Singer/Songwriter and Multi-lingual Shakura S’Aida has toured extensively internationally. Her 4th solo album–featuring sacred steel guitarist Chuck Campbell–features co-productions by Keb Mo’ and Donna Grantis (Prince) & meshes together blues, gospel, roots and a hella lot of funky stuff.

Matt Greenhill - FLiArtist 8453532318 | mattg@fliartists.com

Shane Hennessy

Carlow, IRL Thursday 4:30 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Shane Hennessy is a virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist and songwriter from Ireland. His energetic contemporary guitar-playing style and his cinematically-vivid compositions tie in many influences including Irish and world music. Career highlights include playing MerleFest 2019, selling out Dublin’s National Concert Hall, & touring with Tommy Emmanuel.

David Shaughnessy | 816.456.6251 david@uptownartistgroup.com

SaulPaul

Austin, TX, USA Saturday 6:30 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Poet. Singer Songwriter.

Artist, Activist, Entrepreneur.

Award Winning Musician. Two #1 Songs on Sirius XM. One Top 5 & one Top 15 album on iTunes. National Tours. International Tour. Official Showcasing Artist at SXSW & ACL. America’s Got Talent. Two TEDx Talks. Transitioned from prison incarceration to college graduation. #DIYAllStar.

Bianca Neal | 512.229.8681 booking@saulpaul.com

Sierra Ferrell

Nashville, TN, USA Thursday 6:20 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Born from the dark rich soil of West Virginia raised in the clear hop-scented country air Sierra Ferrell cut her teeth on the rail lines truck stops street corners and dingy dimly lit listening rooms all across the land belting out her old-time melodies.

Keith Levy 615.251.4400 klevy@ paradigmagency.com

Skye Consort Compilation CD Artist & Emma Björling Sean Ardoin

Lake Charles, LA, USA Wednesday 9:00 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Two Time Grammy Nominee Sean Ardoin represents the roots and progressive future of Louisiana’s Creole Zydeco sound. A rare combination of tradition, talent, and creativity, he started a new genre, Kreole Rock and Soul, to be able to express his artistry without the confines of the traditional Zydeco idiom.

504.507.0090 | zydekool@gmail.com

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Montréal, QC, CAN Friday 4:50 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Trans-Atlantic arrangements of songs & tunes from Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Scotland, Québec, Acadia, USA. Original compositions.

Each musician brings their interpretation to these traditions, creating this extraordinary collaboration.

Voices, fiddle, nyckelharpa, cello, bouzouki, banjo, and percussion. Whirling polskas, groovy reels, passionate love songs, breathtaking hymns, and original compositions.

514.814.4322 | skyeconsort@outlook.com

2 0 2 0

Slow Moving Clouds

Dublin, IRL Thursday 5:20 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Based in Dublin Ireland Slow Moving Clouds bring together roots in the Irish and Nordic folk traditions with post-punk drones baroque strings and soaring falsetto vocals–creating an immersive atmospheric sound, unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Sandra O’Mahony | 35.383.423.9165 fuaimetc@gmail.com

Socks in the Frying Pan

Clare, IRL Saturday 8:10 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Socks in the Frying Pan is a multi-award winning trio from County Clare on the West Coast of Ireland. This youthful trio blend Irish traditional melodies with their own personal flair which has gained them critical acclaim and accolades including ‘Best Live Band’ by the Irish Music Association.

615.208.9647 | info@essentialartists.tv

Steve Poltz

Nashville, TN, USA Saturday 7:00 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) In 20 years since his full-length solo debut, Steve Poltz blessed the world’s ears with thirteen solo records spanning the acclaimed 2010 Dreamhouse and most recently Shine On in 2019. NPR summed it up best “Critics and fans alike now regard Poltz as a talented and prolific songwriter.”

Adam Bauer 734.921.1002 | adam@madison-house.com

Suistamon Sähkö

Tampere, FIN Thursday 6:10 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Suistamon Sähkö–Arctic Etnotekno Act from Finland Hydroelectric power plants!

Scratchy archive tapes! A toy accordion! All these fine ingredients are finally brought together in the form of Suistamon Sähkö–the uncompromising folktronica act with a taste for folk poetry, rap and manic dance moves! +358 44 088 1232 | minna@minnamurra.fi

Susan Werner

Philadelphia, PA, USA Thursday 5:30 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) SUSAN WERNER composes skillful songs that effortlessly slide between folk, jazz, and pop, all delivered with sassy wit and classic Midwestern charm. Throughout her expansive career, boundless versatility has emerged as a hallmark of Werner’s talent and has proven to be a quintessential ingredient of her engrossing musical persona.

201.263.9200 | tim@therootsagency.com

O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Suzie Vinnick

Wainfleet, ON, CAN Saturday 5:20 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) A Saskatoon native transplanted to the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada, Suzie Vinnick is the proud owner of a gorgeous voice, prodigious guitar and bass chops, and an engagingly candid performance style. Suzie has won 10 Maple Blues Awards, 1 Canadian Folk Music Award and is a 3X Juno Nominee.

416.988.5229 | suzie@suzievinnick.com

Symbio

Stockholm, SWE Saturday 5:20 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) The awarded duo Symbio is regarded as one of the most interesting new bands from the Swedish Folk & World music scene. With their strong stage presence and a magical interplay of hurdy-gurdy and accordion, Symbio presents musical storytelling at its finest and takes the audience on a moving journey.

Johannes Geworkian Hellman | 4.673.089.1089 symbiomusic@gmail.com

Tami Neilson

Auckland, AKL, NZL Saturday 8:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Hailed as “a red-hot honkytonker somewhere between Patsy Cline and Wanda Jackson with a little bit of Peggy Lee sophistication” (NZ Radio) and “a fire-breathing belter on her own terms” (RollingStone) multi-award winning Canadian and New Zealand based artist Tami Neilson’s highly anticipated newest album will be released February 14 2020.

Tom Kemp 416.598.0067 | kemp@feldman-agency.com

Tanika Charles

Toronto, ON, CAN Wednesday 8:00 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) In 2016 Tanika released her debut Soul Run which went on to receive nominations for the Polaris Music Prize and the Juno Award for best R&B/Soul Recording.

Tanika’s sophomore album The Gumption (May 10th 2019, Record Kicks) continues her tradition of marrying classic soul with modern production styles.

Nicole Rochefort 416.953.5752 | nicole@aimbookingagency.com

Terra Lightfoot

Hamilton, ON, CAN Friday 4:50 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Whether you’re talking about her as a songwriter, guitarist or vocalist, one thing is indisputable: Canadian roots rocker Terra Lightfoot is a ferocious talent. Her songs tap into the raw emotion of hearts supercharged by love, loneliness, and temptation and her elemental voice commands attention and awe.

Adam Bauer 303.544.9900 ext 1042 | adam@madison-house.com

The Armagh Rhymers

Armagh, IRL Saturday 4:30 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) The Armagh Rhymers are the most celebrated traditional music and theatre ensemble in Ireland. Founded in the 1970’s, we have delighted audiences around the world.

Our colourful costumes evoke a sense of tradition and history, encapsulating the spirit of the Wren boys and the ancient house-visiting traditions of Ireland.

Anne Hart (0044) 7500 960 530 | info@armaghrhymers.com

The Barefoot Movement

Hendersonville, TN, USA Saturday 4:50 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) An award-winning tetrad wall of sound, a force of acoustic might, genre bending, and awe-inspiring are but a few of the ways Nashville based The Barefoot Movement can be described.

Described vs. defined because think of it as though Ozzy found Americana and Bill Monroe invented rock-nroll. Say what?!

Trish Galfano 919.967.8655 trish@myriadartists.com

The Bookshop Band

Wigtown, GBR Thursday 7:10 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Songs inspired by books.

From small beginnings at an independent UK bookshop to working with some of the world’s biggest authors.

Discovered recently by Pete Townshend (The Who) who has produced their next album. ‘Not just good but achingly good’ New York Times.

447789348175 | bookshopbandmusic@gmail.com

The Brother Brothers

Brooklyn, NY, USA Saturday 6:30 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Identical twins David and Adam Moss honor contemporary aches with the nostalgic tenderness of another time. The Brooklynbased indie folk duo demonstrates stunningly simplistic songcraft with guitar, cello, five-string fiddle, and the sublime blood harmonies only brothers can offer.

Maddie Corbin 740.243.4899 | maddie@firstcityartists.com

2 0 2 0

The Contenders

Nashville TN and Hartland, VT, USA Saturday 6:10 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) The Contenders are an Americana Folk Roots duo of Jay Nash (9 albums 10 EPs 900 shows) and Josh Day (Sara Bareilles John Oates Brandi Clark and Jennifer Nettles drummer). Their follow up to their critically acclaimed 2017 album ‘Laughing with the Reckless’ is expected later this year. brian@midwoodentertainment.com

The Jerry Cans

Iqaluit, Nunavut, CAN Saturday 8:00 PM Rhythms III (2nd Floor) The Jerry Cans create music inspired by their hometown of Iqaluit, Nunavut and life in the Canadian Arctic. With a unique mix of traditional Inuit throat singing and Indie Folk sung in the Indigenous language of Inuktitut, The Jerry Cans are a distinctly Northern sound.

416.962.8885 | julien@paquinartistsagency.com

The Kennedys

New York, NY, USA Friday 7:50 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Folk-rockers Pete and Maura Kennedy have logged over a million miles of road work, including stints as members of Nanci Griffith’s Blue Moon Orchestra. Life on the road and time spent in the creative ecosystem of New York have informed their songwriting, which has been described as uplifting and empowering.

This month marks the 25th anniversary of their acclaimed debut album River Of Fallen Stars.

929.777.1052 PeteKennedyGuitar@gmail.com

The Mammals

Woodstock, NY, USA Wednesday 8:10 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) The Mammals are a contemporary folk-rock quintet from Woodstock NY fronted by Ruth Ungar & Mike Merenda. They are known for their instrumental dynamics and for lyrics that touch on political and environmental concerns, war, social justice, and sustainability. Their 2018 “Sunshiner” was nominated for FAI Song of the Year.

310.451.0767 | mattg@fliartists.com

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O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S The Mastersons

Los Angeles, CA, USA Thusday 4:50 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) The Mastersons are husband-and-wife duo Eleanor Whitmore & Chris Masterson.

Brimming with virtuoso playing, rich harmonies, and stellar songwriting, No Depression says they’re “Nothing less than sublime.” The pair also perform in Steve Earle’s band The Dukes. They will release their 4th album in spring 2020.

North America: 615.324.2501 logan@ atomicmusicgroup.com Europe/UK: +31 6 41 77 27 27 gijs@sedatebookings.com

Breamlea, VIC, AUS Friday 4:40 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Winners at The Age/Music Victoria awards 2018, it’s easy to forget that This Way North is a two-piece band.

Hailing from Australia Cat Leahy on drums and Leisha Jungalwalla wailing on her electric guitar the duo create a uniquely full expansive sound that leaves the audience stunned.

Cat Leahy 438202565 | cat@thebookingstable.com

Tim Easton

The Once

St. John’s, Newfoundland, CAN Friday 5:30 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) The Once is a modern indie folk trio from Newfoundland. They have collected a trio of Canadian Folk Music Awards, numerous ECMA awards, were named Artist of the Year by the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council, and have earned not one, but two JUNO nominations for best Roots Traditional Album.

647.233.7824 | tim@noisemaker.ca

The Revelers

This Way North

Compilation CD Artist

Lafayette, LA, USA Wednesday 9:50 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Ultimate Louisiana supergroup The Revelers have been bringing their party around the world for nearly 10 years. With their long-awaited follow up to 2016’s Grammy nominated record out fall 2019–the band has taken their place firmly at the top of a game where they make the rules.

734.769.7254 | mikeg@ mikegreenassociates. com

The Steel Wheels

Harrisonburg, VA, USA Friday 4:30 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) The Steel Wheels bring a singular energy to every note they play and sparkling craft to each song. This potent combination paired with a robust tour calendar have made the veteran band hands-down favorites of fans and peers alike.

615.321.6152 | jeverhart@newfrontiertouring.com

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Leipers Fork, Tennessee, TN, USA Thursday 7:10 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Traveling songwriter who spent 7 years as a street musician in Europe before recording 5 acclaimed albums for NEW WEST RECORDS–telling the stories of his life and of those he has met along the way. Working from his base in Tennessee he continues to make albums for Campfire Propaganda.

503.803.4440 | gstmartin@comcast.net

Tom Rush

Boston, MA, USA Wednesday 8:20 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Tom Rush has been touring since 1962 and, according to reviewers, just keeps getting better. (His latest album, Voices, is being hailed as his best-ever.) Currently appearing either solo or with multi-talented Matt Nakoa on keyboards, he is about to kick off his !First Annual Farewell Tour! early next year.

Andrea Sabata 561.790.4843 | andrea@skylineonline.com

2 0 2 0

Trace Bundy

Boulder, CO, USA Friday 5:40 PM Rodrigue Gallery (1st Floor) Internationallyacclaimed guitar virtuoso Trace Bundy must be seen to be believed. His unique career has brought him across the world with concerts in 28 countries and counting. His video clips circulate virally with 43 million YouTube views to date. Trace’s witty banter & stage presence delivers an unforgettable concert experience.

Adam Bauer 734.921.1002 | adam@madison-house.com

Tré Burt

Sacramento, CA. USA Wednesday 9:40 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) Tre Burt’s music is deeply rooted in the moving American landscape, like the 60’s troubadours, yet there is something new. “A poetic language all his own is achieved here.... Sure, it’s been done before, but not with as much force, since at least 1964” Sean Jewell | American Standard Time Brian Jonas 415.332.9292 brian@ highroadtouring.com

Tribu Baharú

Friday 6:20 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) TRIBU BAHARÚ is an afrochampeta music crew from the Colombian caribbean coast that is influenced by the “Picó” (Pick Up or sound system) culture. A Local Culture present in most Caribbean countries. Their champeta the ever evolving high-energy hybrid of Colombian African and AfroCaribbean styles just keeps on coming.

César Augusto Urueta Figueroa (57) 3002305954 | tribubaharu@gmail.com

Tow’rs

Flagstaff, AZ, USA Thursday 4:40 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) We are a folk-rock band from Arizona. We tell stories through our music.

Sometimes we perform them for our friends. We have a new album out called New Nostalgia–plus three other releases. You should check them out. They say way more about us than any bio ever could.

831.375.4889 | paul@stumptownmgmt.com

Trio Dhoore

Sint-Lievens-Houtem, Flanders, BEL Saturday 7:00 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) Trio Dhoore is a band existing out of three brothers from Flanders found in 2010; known for its innovative instrumental compositions rooted in the Flemish traditional music on diatonic accordion, hurdy-gurdy, and guitar.

Hartwin Dhoore hartwin@triodhoore.com | +37253072160

O F F I C I A L S H O W C AS E A RT I S T S Troy Kingi

Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, NZL Saturday 7:10 PM Rhythms Ballroom III (2nd Floor) Musician/actor Troy Kingi has starred in Hunt For The Wilderpeople, Pā Boys, Mt Zion and The Kick, while building a successful music career, being nominated for an APRA Silver Scroll and winning Vodafone Music Awards for Best NZ Soul Artist and Best Māori Artist in 2018.

Yee Yang ‘Square’ Lee +64 21 583 651 | troy@squaresums.co

Turmel-Leahy-Schryer

Montréal, QC, CAN Friday 7:20 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Forming their trio in 2017, Timi Turmel, Erin Leahy, and Louis Schryer are three of the most admired Canadian musicians in traditional music. Set to launch their first album, they offer a new sound to the landscape: it’s melodious, rhythmic, emotional, energetic, and of the highest caliber. Audiences are captivated.

613.281.4675 | louisschryer@gmail.com

Vassvik

Compilation CD Artist Oslo, NOR Saturday 6:10 PM Nottoway (4th Floor) The Circumpolar Soundpoet Torgeir Vassvik gives new visions of animistic Joik of the Sami indigenous people of Europe updating vocal/ percussion rituals and combining them with modern strings. The sound is rooted in folk classical improv. The repertoire (his own compositions) connects tradition and experiments setting trends in the global scene.

46703451031 | daysharp@gmail.com

VRï

Caerdydd, Wales Saturday 5:30 PM Borgne (3rd Floor) Traditional music comes to the concert hall! Harnessing both the raw energy of the fiddle and the finesse of the violin, VRï’s stylish and innovative artmusic interpretations of folk melodies and songs have propelled them to prominence in Wales, and scored them two gongs at this years Wales Folk Awards.

447708638789 | this.is.vri@gmail.com

Watkins Family Hour

Los Angeles, CA, USA Thursday 8:00 PM Rhythms Ballroom I (2nd Floor) Watkins Family Hour is the Grammy-winning sibling duo of Sean and Sara Watkins.

Originally an escape from their normal gig with Nickel Creek, Watkins Family Hour evolved from a monthly residency at LA’s Largo to a touring band, having released their debut album in 2015.

Lynn Cingari 831.375.4889 | lcingari@paradigmagency.com

Wesli

Montreal, QC, CAN Friday 8:10 PM Waterbury Ballroom (2nd Floor) Wesli’s musical journey has gone from stringing up an oil can with nylon fishing string to winning a Juno for World Music Album of the Year (Rapadou Kreyol, 2019).

Uniting a large cross-section of Montreal talent, his music links Haitian vaudou and rara with roots, Afrobeat and hip-hop.

Heidi Fleming 1.514.844.7393 | famgroup.ca@gmail.com

Westbound Situation

Ann Arbor, MI, USA Friday 7:00 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Westbound Situation blends the precision of classical chamber music the rhythmic drive of bluegrass and the colorful expression of jazz into a new style of chamber music—chambergrass. Four young talented acoustic musicians with instrumental prowess only surpassed by love of collaboration brought their diverse musical backgrounds together.

Aileen Rohwer 734.665.4029 | glpaaoffice@gmail.com

2 0 2 0

Zachary Richard

Lafayette, LA, USA Saturday 5:30 PM Grand Ballroom A/B/C (5th floor) Born and raised in southwest Louisiana Zachary Richard is a singer-songwriter and poet with 21 albums to his credit in an international career spanning four decades. Founding member of Action Cadienne, he has devoted himself to the promotion of Louisiana’s Acadian culture and is Louisiana’s first French language Poet Laureate.

Michael Paz 985.603.4173 | michael@thepazgroup.com

Zäpämmät

Helsinki, FIN Thursday 7:00 PM Grand Couteau (5th Floor) The instrument combinations of Zäpämmät create fascinating soundscape where elements from Senegalese, Malian, Afro-Cuban and flamenco music are settled down on strong Finnish folk music base. Finnish Kantele, a great repertoire of exotic percussion and vocals give a vivid voice to the colourful stories of two women.

358414593958 | paukku.kauppila@gmail.com

Wild Ponies

Nashville, TN, USA Saturday 7:50 PM Grand Chenier (5th Floor) Wild Ponies offer dead right honest songwriting delivered in a hauntingly beautiful yet gritty neo-traditional Americana wrapper. Wild Ponies pay tribute to their Appalachian roots and that regions powerful music and rugged landscape with 2017’s Galax, a stripped back album that nods to the bands history while still pushing forward.

651.414.9125 | Craig@greenroommusicsource.com

Windborne

Brattleboro, VT, USA Wednesday 8:00 PM Maurepas (3rd Floor) Internationally acclaimed vocal group Windborne is known for the power and innovation of their arrangements, as well as their unrivaled mastery of polyphonic music from around the world.

Currently Windborne is touring a project called Song on the Times, songs of social struggle from movements over the past 400 years.

412.532.6237 | adancingfool@gmail.com

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PROUDLY CELEBRATING THE BLUES SINCE 1980

J

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INTERNATIONAL

CHALLENGE JAN 28 - FEB 1 BEALE STREET 2020 &

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130| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

OUR MISSION: To preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of this uniquely American art form.

JOIN AT BLUES.ORG • 901-527-2583 •

Living Traditions Kansas City, MO, USA February 17-21, 2021 folk.org

folk.org | Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 |131

A full listing of conference attendees can be found online at: folkconference.org/attendee-lists.

BY NAME AER/SFM........................................................................16 Americana Rhythm Music Magazine............................87 AmericanaFest................................................................85 Art Menius Media...........................................................42 Banjo Newsletter............................................................86 Beppe Gambetta............................................................42 Berklee Online.................................................................12 Big Bear Productions / Tamulevich Artist Management.....................................30 Bose Professional..............................................................11 BreakOut West.............................................................103 Buffalo Rose....................................................................85 Canadian Music Week................................................124 Canadian Music. East Coast Style................................38 Come Hear North Carolina...........................................44 Compass Records Group.............................Outside Back DR Handmade Strings....................................................42 Ethno USA.......................................................................47 FAR-West........................................................................118 FARM ............................................................................108 Fishman...........................................................................43

BY PAGE NUMBER Inside Front Cover....Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame 2....................................................Louisiana Entertainment 4...................................................................Green Copper 8-9..................Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area 10..............................................TreeHouse Custom Drums 11.............................................................Bose Professional 12................................................................Berklee Online 16........................................................................AER/SFM 17...............................................Marcato Digital Solutions 22.........................................................OffBeat Magazine 26................................................................Tonal Park, LLC 27...........................................................................WWOZ 28..............................................................SHUBB CAPOS 30..................................................Big Bear Productions / Tamulevich Artist Management 31.......................................................................Grassy Hill 32....................................................Smithsonian Folkways 32..................................................Woody Guthrie Center 34.......................................................................Grassy Hill 35.........................................................Mike & Amy Aiken 35............................................................................Yep Roc 38...............................Canadian Music. East Coast Style 39..........................................................Mundial Montréal

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Folk Alley / WKSU.........................................................94 Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame....Inside Front Cover Folk Music Ontario..........................................................94 Folquébec .....................................................................102 Franzke String Instruments..............................................79 Grant Peeples..................................................................42 Grassy Hill Entertainment................................................31 Grassy Hill Entertainment...............................................34 Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates.....................87 Green Copper...................................................................4 International Bluegrass Music Association...................78 John Wort Hannam.........................................................95 Kari Estrin Management & Consulting....................68-75 Kerrville Folk Festival......................................................46 Louisiana Entertainment....................................................2 Louisiana Office of Cultural Development and Atchafalaya National Heritage Area..................8-9 Marcato Digital Solutions..............................................17 Mike & Amy Aiken..........................................................35 Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation..Inside Back Over Mundial Montréal...........................................................39 NERFA............................................................................119 No Depression................................................................79 Nordic Folk Alliance......................................................114 OffBeat Magazine.........................................................22 Old Town School of Folk................................................95

Partington and Sweeney.................................................61 Port Fairy Folk Music Festival.........................................50 SERFA.............................................................................112 SHUBB CAPOS...............................................................28 Skinner & T’witch.............................................................95 Smithsonian Folkways....................................................32 Solid-Merch (A to Z Media)..........................................86 Songlines........................................................................67 SOUNDS AUSTRALIA...................................................40 SWRFA..........................................................................109 The Blues Foundation....................................................130 The Living Tradition........................................................130 Tonal Park, LLC................................................................26 TreeHouse Custom Drums...............................................10 Unsigned Only..............................................................122 Walnut Valley Association............................................122 WOMEX.........................................................................60 Woody Guthrie Center...................................................32 WWOZ...........................................................................27 Yep Roc...........................................................................35

40...................................................SOUNDS AUSTRALIA 42..........................................................Art Menius Media 42............................................................Beppe Gambetta 42....................................................DR Handmade Strings 42.................................................................Grant Peeples 43...........................................................................Fishman 44..........................................Come Hear North Carolina 46......................................................Kerrville Folk Festival 47.......................................................................Ethno USA 50.........................................Port Fairy Folk Music Festival 60.........................................................................WOMEX 61................................................Partington and Sweeney 67.........................................................................Songlines 68-75....................Kari Estrin Management & Consulting 78...................International Bluegrass Music Association 79..............................................Franzke String Instruments 79................................................................No Depression 85................................................................AmericanaFest 85....................................................................Buffalo Rose 86.........................................Solid-Merch (A to Z Media) 86............................................................Banjo Newsletter 87......................Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates 87............................Americana Rhythm Music Magazine 94...........................................................Folk Alley/WKSU 94.........................................................Folk Music Ontario 95........................................................John Wort Hannam

95................................................Old Town School of Folk 95............................................................Skinner & T’witch 102.....................................................................Folquébec 103.............................................................BreakOut West 108............................................................................FARM 109..........................................................................SWRFA 112.............................................................................SERFA 114.....................................................Nordic Folk Alliance 118.......................................................................FAR-West 119............................................................................NERFA 122..............................................................Unsigned Only 122...........................................Walnut Valley Association 124................................................Canadian Music Week 130....................................................The Blues Foundation 130.......................................................The Living Tradition Inside Back............Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation Outside Back.............................Compass Records Group

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Would like to thank...

The Staff of the Lt. Governor’s OfďŹ ce including Carrie Broussard, Cheryl Castille, Kelsey McCrary, and Kristin Sanders Staff and Management of the Sheraton New Orleans The Staff of New Orleans & Company Our tireless Volunteers

... and the following New Orleans Advisory Committee Members: Alex Bosworth

Kate Durio

Bill Sabo

Leyla McCalla

Bridget Fleury

Lilli Lewis

Christine White

Luther Gray

Dave Ankers

Sean Ardoin

Donna Santiago

Mark Rubin

Erin Frankenheimer

Melanie Merz

Gina Forsyth

Mia Borders

Grayhawk Perkins

Mikayla Braun

Greg Lucas

Rebekah Snedeker

Mark Fernandez

Reid Wick

Herman Fuselier

Ron Rona

Holly Hobbs

Scott Billington

Jan Ramsey

Tara Hernandez

Kara St. Clair

134| Folk Alliance International Conference 2020 | folk.org

COMMUNITY through

MUSIC

The Levitt Foundation empowers communities coast to coast to transform underused public spaces into welcoming destinations through the power of free, live music.

Levitt stages feature acclaimed, emerging artists to seasoned, award-winning talent in a broad range of music genres, including: World Bluegrass Country Jazz Classical Rock Folk Hip-Hop Blues Reggae Latin Big Band Funk Americana Zydeco R&B

levitt.org

@levittfoundation

@levittfoundation

@levittfdn

COMPASS RECORDS GROUP

YEARS 25 PLEASE JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE

OF ARTIST-OWNED INDEPENDENCE

WITH OUR OFFICIAL SHOWCASE ARTISTS AND FAI FRIENDS Featuring:

MASTERSONS ROB ICKES & TREY HENSLEY LAURA CORTESE & THE DANCE CARDS O’CONNOR LEE MICHAEL DOUCET AVEC LÂCHER PRISE THE

RODRIGUE GALLERY (1ST FLOOR) SHERATON NEW ORLEANS HOTEL NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA THURSDAY, JANUARY 23, 2020 4:40pm – 8:45pm

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