Kerrville Folk Festival
Here we are in Austin, soaking up some hot weather and some of the most inventive, insane shops and music venues I've ever seen. So I'm finally taking a minute to tell you all about our experiences at the Kerrville Folk Festival last weekend!
We spent last weekend at the Kerrville Folk Festival, where I was a finalist in the New Folk songwriting competition. We arrived at the festival midnight last Friday, and were instantly inspired and impressed by the late night scene. Kerrville is basically a small village in its own right, surrounded by neighborhoods of camps--tenting arranged around a central tent which is a totally social space created for sharing music. Each camp or neighborhood has a sign and name: Camp Hendonism, Camp Nashville, Camp NashBill (of which Bill Nash is the king), Camp CoHo. Some camps have entire kitchens erected to service their community!
Curt and I wandered around in the dark, soaking up the stars and taking in some incredible music. The next night, we had the expert guidance of Joe Jencks, a festival vet, showing us around the campsites. I dragged my guitar around, meeting folks, singing songs and drinking wine on a warm Texas night.
On Sunday, after we were well acquainted with the festival protocol of late night jamming and had made a wealth of groovy friends here, the songwriting competition was held. Dalis Allen, the artistic producer, came backstage. She spoke slowly and intentionally, addressing us all with such serenity that she immediately calmed our nerves. 32 singer/songwriters had 10 minutes to perform two songs before a huge audience at the festival and three judges. The show took place in a beautiful outdoor covered stage/ampitheatre before the most supportive crowd of attentive listeners!
The talent was incredible, and all the New Folk artists formed a real community of friends over the course of the weekend. This is in part due to the amazing hospitality of the Rouse House (a "neighorhood" or camp set up by Lindsey Lee and Debbie to host the New Folk singers).
Sunday night, before thousands of people on the mainstage of the festival, Dalis Allen announced the six winners of the New Folk competition, and I am honored to say that I'm one of them! I get to perform again next weekend at the festival with 5 other amazing songwriters, and I can't wait.
Lots more pictures of our Texas experience to share. But in the meantime....
The King of Camp Hedonism:
Loser Camp seems like a popular spot:
Festival security is tight and unrelenting, let me assure you.
Artistic director Dalis Allen receives a warm embrace from Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary). Hugs are plentiful around Kerrville. Hope you're not shy.
Curtis hanging out along the boardwalk, where we get food, beer and wine at the main stage festival site. So cute...
Although the fine folks at the Rouse House set us up with a tent, Curt and I snuck away from the tent site (on a cold, damp night) to sleep in the volvo stationwagon--excellent, dry camping alternative. Only one of two mornings were we woken by a fresh-faced young security dude telling us that sleeping in the parking lot was illegal. But when we explained the scene, he politely apologized for waking us and moseyed on. Fold down the seats and we're talking luxury sleeping, baby...
Hanging out at the festival site:
On Monday, we transformed from dusty, hippie festival campers to dazzling urbanites for a night out in San Antonio:
We spent last weekend at the Kerrville Folk Festival, where I was a finalist in the New Folk songwriting competition. We arrived at the festival midnight last Friday, and were instantly inspired and impressed by the late night scene. Kerrville is basically a small village in its own right, surrounded by neighborhoods of camps--tenting arranged around a central tent which is a totally social space created for sharing music. Each camp or neighborhood has a sign and name: Camp Hendonism, Camp Nashville, Camp NashBill (of which Bill Nash is the king), Camp CoHo. Some camps have entire kitchens erected to service their community!
Curt and I wandered around in the dark, soaking up the stars and taking in some incredible music. The next night, we had the expert guidance of Joe Jencks, a festival vet, showing us around the campsites. I dragged my guitar around, meeting folks, singing songs and drinking wine on a warm Texas night.
On Sunday, after we were well acquainted with the festival protocol of late night jamming and had made a wealth of groovy friends here, the songwriting competition was held. Dalis Allen, the artistic producer, came backstage. She spoke slowly and intentionally, addressing us all with such serenity that she immediately calmed our nerves. 32 singer/songwriters had 10 minutes to perform two songs before a huge audience at the festival and three judges. The show took place in a beautiful outdoor covered stage/ampitheatre before the most supportive crowd of attentive listeners!
The talent was incredible, and all the New Folk artists formed a real community of friends over the course of the weekend. This is in part due to the amazing hospitality of the Rouse House (a "neighorhood" or camp set up by Lindsey Lee and Debbie to host the New Folk singers).
Sunday night, before thousands of people on the mainstage of the festival, Dalis Allen announced the six winners of the New Folk competition, and I am honored to say that I'm one of them! I get to perform again next weekend at the festival with 5 other amazing songwriters, and I can't wait.
Lots more pictures of our Texas experience to share. But in the meantime....
The King of Camp Hedonism:
Loser Camp seems like a popular spot:
Festival security is tight and unrelenting, let me assure you.
Artistic director Dalis Allen receives a warm embrace from Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary). Hugs are plentiful around Kerrville. Hope you're not shy.
Curtis hanging out along the boardwalk, where we get food, beer and wine at the main stage festival site. So cute...
Although the fine folks at the Rouse House set us up with a tent, Curt and I snuck away from the tent site (on a cold, damp night) to sleep in the volvo stationwagon--excellent, dry camping alternative. Only one of two mornings were we woken by a fresh-faced young security dude telling us that sleeping in the parking lot was illegal. But when we explained the scene, he politely apologized for waking us and moseyed on. Fold down the seats and we're talking luxury sleeping, baby...
Hanging out at the festival site:
On Monday, we transformed from dusty, hippie festival campers to dazzling urbanites for a night out in San Antonio:
posted by Carrie Catherine at
8:59 AM
4 Comments:
Good going Carrie …what a wonderful journey; the horizons are getting grander as you go along
...all the best to both of you
Del Ryan
Love the pictures! Looks super chill and fun... apparently they didn't give you a hair stylist.
Nice to see Curt remembered to bring along his "hoser duds", that will help spread the prairie love.
HI Carrie
Congratulations on your top six placing in the festival in Texas. We heard your interview on CBC this afternoon as we were driving home from work - and were cheering you on from the 'Toon. Sounds like you're having an awesome experience. Good on ya!
We're proud to know you and happy for your success and your excitement.
All the best from the prairies north, Pat & DAve Katz
PS - Isn't San Antonio a wonderful spot? Take a stroll along the Riverwalk for us.
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