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21st International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis

A Time for All - the 21st International Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis is Developing into to a Powerhouse of Information Through Music - From films and words to songs and stories, special events and guests will fill the days and nights February 18 - 22, 2009 at the Downtown Memphis Marriott. Register by 11/24/08 for Extended Earlybird Discount.

Special guests, events, and film screenings during the conference include the legendary Roger McGuinn as our Keynote Speaker, an interview with music legend Charlie Louvin, Bela Fleck's documentary Throw Down Your Heart, a documentary on jug band music Chasin' Gus' Ghost, with film host John Sebastian and director Todd Kwait, Kathy Mattea's Inconvenient Truth presentation, Gene Shay's Song Critique, a Children's Music showcase hosted by Sara Hickman, and a special feature year on Traditional Music.

Feature performance shows this year include: A Tribute to Phil Ochs, Tradstock, Tribute to Utah Phillips, NewSong Contest Winners, Club Passim 50th Anniversary, and the Blue Door Tribute.

Don't miss our special Wednesday Super Sessions, including Folk University hosted by Andy Cohen, Festival Roundtable hosted by David Baskin, Management Training hosted by Steve Garvan, and Non-Profit Workshop hosted by Susan Schmidt from the University of Memphis. These day long intensive sessions are included in registration.

Helping educate and inform the international community is what the conference and Folk Alliance organization is about. Showcase artists are the reason we exist. The initial list of artists this year are:

amilia k spicer, Los Angeles, CA - Piano player sings with the tone of Norah Jones, the demeanor of Fiona Apple. (www.amiliaspicer.com)
Amy Speace, Jersey City, NJ - Alongside her Tearjerkers, Speace balances natural country-honk tendencies with a clear-as-day voice. (www.amyspeace.com)
Anne McCue, Melbourne - Australia, Now operating out of Nashville, McCue splits her focus on folk and Americana roots rock. (www.annemccue.com)
Anthony da Costa, Pleasantville, NY - Do-it-himself songwriter plugs in and sings from the heart over a deadened crunch. (www.anthonydacosta.com)
Audrey Auld, Nashville, TN - Tasmanian-born folkster puts acoustic guitar songwriting on edge with her Down Under background. (www.audreyauld.com)
Baskery, Stockholm - Sweden, A European take on bluegrass and Americana sung in three-part harmony. (www.cominoproductions.com)
BettySoo, Austin, TX - Kerrville and Wildflower song contes winner, Bettysoo's impactful modern day songs come straight from her heart. (www.bettysoo.com)
Bill Jackson, Melbourne, Australia - Americana roots rock from a songwriter hailed by Australian music promoter Andrew Pattison as "Australia's Lyle Lovett."
Blind Corn Liquor Pickers, Lexington, KY - Hard-nosed bluegrass singers "Slash and Burn" with quick picking and gritty lyrics. (www.blindcorn.com)
Blue Moose and the Unbuttoned Zippers, Boston, MA - Fiddle heavy bluegrass done just as often instrumental as not. (www.bmuz.net)
Boulder Acoustic Society, Boulder, CO - Quirky folks in line with They Might Be Giants bring in accordions and offer a bluegrass variation to Dylan's "Maggie's Farm." (www.boulderacousticsociety.net)
Breabach, Glasgow - Scotland, Riverdance-ian folk music in line with Scottish traditional music that will also cross over to more guitar based instrumentals. (www.breabach.com)
Charlie Louvin, Henagar, AL - Grizzled folk and bluegrass music sung with an experienced perspective.
Chatham County Line, Raleigh, NC - Bluegrass folk music out to "Let It Rock" with back country picking on both guitar and banjo. (www.chathamcountyline.com)
Chris O'Brien, Somerville, MA - Acoustic New England folk singer sings with a raspy voice. (www.chrisobrienmusic.com)
Chris Pickering, Brisbane - Queensland, Australian folk rocker is just as capable on the pieno as he is on the guitar. (www.myspace.com/leonieyeoman)
Christabel and the Jons, Knoxville, TN - Slinky songwriter with a breathy voice jazzes out over a tight band definitely made for a smokey venue. (www.myspace.com/christabelmusic)
Cliff Eberhardt, Williamsburg, MA - Gravel voiced singer songwriter stays just on the folk side of Americana music. (www.cliffeberhardt.net)
Cloudstreet, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, Old-timey folksters carry out British and Celtic traditions with a sense of humor. (www.cloudstreet.org)
Dave Sutherland, London - English singer-songwriter steeped in the traditions of American country honk. (www.davesutherland.co.uk)
David Ferrard, Edinburgh - Dynamic vocalist is mostly subdued in his folk tendencies, though he does offer a hint of country rock.
Debra Cowan, Westborough, MA - Traditional folk singer will sing a capella and with a band. (www.debracowan.com)
Diana Jones, Nashville, TN - Throaty traditional folk singer generally accompanied only by guitar and another voice. (www.dianajonesmusic.com)
Dirtfoot, Shreveport, LA - Alternative roots weirdos get quirky with their multiple harmonies and bizarre subject matter. (www.dirtfoot.com)
Eclectica, Nashville, TN - Lauded by BBC as "The greatest living exponent of the electric violin, " Tracy Silverman puts fiddling in the context of pop, jazz, and contemporary folk.
Ellis, Minneapolis, MN - Expressive folk singer offers a bright perspective amidst clean guitar work. (www.ellis-music.com)
Emmet Scanlan & What a Good Thought, Galway - British follkster and his band are at their best when harmonizing, www.emmetscanlan.com)
Enoch Kent, Toronto/Scotland, ON, Canada/UK, Scottish born singer works within the confines of traditional Scottish music (wasn't able to hear anything he's done). (www.enochkent.ca
EZIO, Cambridge, England - Acoustic folk rockers sometimes slow, sometimes fast (especially when they break out the harp). (www.ezio.uk)
Farmer Jason, Nashville, TN - Lighthearted rockabilly music for the kids, (www.farmerjason.co)
Frank Fairfield, Glendale, CA - Old time banjo player in the classic folk tradition. Fribo, Edinburgh - Celtic scatting, yodeling in very traditional British folk mold. (www.fribo.uk) Grannar Malmo - Sweden, Woodwind player specializes in saxophone but isn't afraid to grab a hurdy gurdy or flute. (www.evolvingtraditions.se)
Ian McLagan and the Bump Band, Austin, TX - Former Faces keyboardist continues on with 1970's styled rhythm and blues. (www.ianmclagan.com)
John Elliott, Venice, CA - Lyrically driven folkster offers his viewpoint accompanied usually only his guitar, www.thehereafterishere.com)
Jon Vezner, Nashville, TN - Full-bodied vocalist sings folk music that's generally piano based, www.jonvezner.com)
Jonathan McEuen, Ventura, CA - Sometimes plays 1970s Americana, sometimes nods at modern pop. (www.jonathanmceuen.com)
Jules Mark Shear, Philadelphia, PA - Straightforward rocker changes it up and goes acoustic, but only on occasion. (www.funzalorecords.com)
Kate Bradley & The Goodbye Horses, Brisbane, Australia - Singer songwriter rocks out with a flat delivery and some Celtic intonations. (www.katebradley.com.au)
Kim Carson, New Orleans, LA - NOLA country singer sings booze-oiled songs and urges, "don't fear the twang." (www.kimcarson.com)
Lisa Haley & The Zydekats, Los Angeles, CA - Violin led Americana music with dynamic vocal expressions and a hint of bluegrass. (www.lisahaley.com)
Lorna Brooks, Edinburgh - United Kingdom, Tasteful folk music sung by a singer who's learned a lot vocally from Stevie Winwood. (www.lornabooks.com)
Lucky Fonz III - Amsterdam, Subtle folk singer singing in American folk traditions, often just with a guitar. (www.thealternative.nl)
Lucy Wainwright Roche, New York, NY - Breathy-voiced daughter of Loudon Wainwright plays very accessible contemporary folk.
Mia Sable, Los Angeles, CA - Smokey, elegant songwriter keeps her songs mellow in following subtle keyboard arrangements. (www.myspace.com/miasable)
Nels Andrews, Brooklyn, NY - 2002 recipient of Kerrville's New Folk Competition sings acoustic roots rock and Americana with a husky growl. (www.nelsandrews.com)
Nibs Van Der Spuy, Durban, South African - acoustic guitarist sings a simple song with his expressive voice. (www.2feetmusic.com)
Noelie McDonnell, Galway - Ireland, Hard strumming, appealing and bright Irish singer playing contemporary American folk. (www.noeliemcdonnell.com)
Patrice Pike, Austin, TX - Soulful singer leads a funky band through her punchy, well written songs. (www.patricepike.com)
Pierce Pettis, Mentone, AL - Pettis is a clean-cut Alabama folkster singing very accessible lyrics, (www.piercepettis.com)
porterdavis, Austin, TX - Harp-featured trio relies on balanced harmonies as they provide a steady dose of blues based folk music. (www.demarisentertainment.com)
Red Molly, New York City, NY - Lighthearted female trio singing Americana songs, (www.redmolly.com)
Sally Spring, Kernersville, NC - Non-confrontational folky has a voice like Natalie Merchant but still brings that southern twang, (www.sallyspring.com)
Si Kahn, Charlotte, NC - Si Kahn is a socially charged folksinger with material often about the working class and their families, (www.sikahn.com)
Sisters 3 Music, Glenmoore, PA - Familial ties make for balanced harmonies over contemporary folk that borrows from the indie world. (www.sisters3music.com)
Steve Poltz, San Diego, CA - Eclectic singer/songwriter covers a broad range from new-surf music to contemporary folk to California nerd-punk. (www.poltz.com)
Still on the Hill, Fayetteville, AR - Duo strums and fiddles out original bluegrass folk. (ww.stillonthehill.om)
Susan Cowsill, New Orleans, LA - Americana rocker sings with some attitude. (www.susancowsill.com)
Terri Hendrix, San Marcos, TX - Finger-picking blues that's more playful than her influences. (www.terrihendrix.com)
The Audreys, Adelai



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