With this year’s conference being my first, I didn’t quite know what to expect. I learned quickly that though the performance schedule was handy, particularly for making sure I didn’t miss a favorite act, all I had to do to hear some incredible music was wander around. From official artist showcases on Performance Alley (the meeting rooms on the hotel’s second floor) to private showcases (intimate 20-30 minute performances in hotel rooms on the top three floors) to impromptu jam sessions in the second floor thoroughfares, the Marriott swam in music. It was basically a giant folk music sampler—traditional folk, singer-songwriter, Americana, blue grass, folk rock, chamber music, Celtic, and the list goes on.

In addition to getting to hear some of my local favorites like Dan Montgomery, Jed Zimmerman, Kim Richardson, and others as well as industry legends like Rodney Crowell, I was introduced to the music of a number of other astonishing artists. Among my favorites were the Creaking Tree String Quartet, a group of classically trained musicians whose music is a mélange of blue grass, folk, jazz, chamber music and avant-garde; Caleb Hawley, a 23-year-old graduate of Berklee who pairs a soulful, sand-papery voice with impeccable, jazz-influenced guitar playing; Anthony da Costa, an alt-folk troubadour who’s still in high school; Madison Violet, a female duo that can mesmerize with their heart-felt country-tinged folk pop; and Allison Lickley, a Canadian songstress in the same vein as Joni Mitchell who possesses a penetrating voice and an amiable, humorous stage presence.

The conference would be worth attending if just for the music, but it offers even more. Mornings and early afternoons featured a host of panels, clinics, workshops, and films geared toward helping artists hone their craft, connect with other musicians, and celebrate and further the folk community. The sessions began Thursday morning with the keynote address from Roger McGuinn, former lead singer and lead guitarist for the legendary folk-rock group The Byrds. One of my favorite sessions was "How to Get Radio and Press," a panel discussion hosted by Cash Edwards from CEMS that gave insight to new artists who have an album and need a sound strategy on getting their music heard.

The neighboring Cook Convention Center housed the conference’s exhibit hall, which featured booths from record labels, promoters, studios, guitar companies, and more. The exhibition provided a great venue for musicians to network and offered some goodies too—like free guitar restringing by the folks from Taylor and Martin.

Whether you’re someone making a career in folk music or just a music enthusiast, don’t miss next year’s conference February 17-21 at the Marriott and Cook Convention Center. Registration for the conference begins June 1, but you can join the Folk Alliance now. For more details, go to www.folkalliance.org

Images from top to bottom:
Creeking Tree String Quartet, Dan Montgomery, Ebony Hillbillies, Kacy Crowley and Folk Alliance exhibit hall.

Jason Middlekauff