The Kerrville Folk Festival at Quiet Valley Ranch, nine miles South of the Texas Hill Country resort community of Kerrville on TX Hwy 16, has announced an exciting 2018 festival schedule for its 47th annual event. Once again, this legendary songwriter’s festival will run for 18 straight days, from Thursday, May 24 through Sunday, June 10, 2018.

The 47th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival schedule features such outstanding performers like Johnny Nicholas (May 26), The Peterson Brothers (May 24), John Gorka (May 27), Sam Baker (June 1), Pike & Sutton (June 2), The Accidentals (June 3), and Peter Yarrow (May 31). The 2018 lineup also includes Kerrville Folk Festival newcomers such as the Heather Pierson Trio (May 24), Jaimee Harris (May 26), The Honey Dewdrops (June 2), David Ball & That Carolina Sound (June 2), The Crane Wives (June 3), Twisted Pine (June 3), All Our Exes Live in Texas (June 10), and Coffee Sergeant (June 10). There’s also an impressive list of artists returning after a hiatus including, among others, Beppe Gambetta (June 1), Jaime Michaels (May 28), Eliza Gilkyson (June 1), The Sherpas (May 27), and that crazy polka/rock/worldbeat band Brave Combo (June 7).

Of course the talent doesn’t stop there… the Kerrville Folk Festival will once again present diverse audience favorites such as C. Daniel Boling (May 24), Jon Brooks (May 25), Johnsmith (May 25), Trout Fishing in America (May 26), Drew Kennedy (May 26), Steve Seskin (May 27), Mary Gauthier (May 27), Amilia K Spicer (May 27), porterdavis (June 1), Warren Hood (June 2), Bob Livingston (June 8), SONiA disappear fear (June 8), Ray Bonneville (June 10), and Sultans of String (June 10) along with dozens of other renowned artists and songwriters.

A special program will be included in this year’s Festival which will commemorate the passing of our dear friend Bonnie Hearne. On the last Saturday of the festival, June 9 the entire show will feature many of Bonnie’s friends, loved ones, and collaborators such as Tish Hinojosa, Shake Russell & Michael Hearne, the Bill Hearne Trio, Christine Albert & Chris Gage, and other surprise guests. This is sure to be a heartwarming program honoring the memory of a true legend of folk music.

As usual, the 2018 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for emerging songwriters will be held on the first Saturday and Sunday of the festival (May 26th and 27th), from 1 to 4PM. From over 600 entries, 32 finalists have been selected to perform in this prestigious annual competition, hosted by Steve Gillette. Several former New Folk finalists and award winners are on this year’s festival line-up including Pierce Pettis, Drew Kennedy, John Gorka, Connor Garvey, Eric Gerber, The Sherpas (Tom Prasada-Rao, Michael Lille & Tom Kimmel), and the Sirens of South Austin (BettySoo, Grace Pettis, Rebecca Loabe) just to name a few.

Usually associated with our Fall Music Festival, we will be offering our popular Beer and Wine Seminars for the first time at the Kerrville Folk Festival. These programs are designed to give the attendees a better appreciation of the Texas Wine and Craft Beer Industries. Hosted by wine guru, John Bratcher, the Wine Seminar, “Texas Dry Rose’ – THINK PINK” will be on Wednesday afternoon, May 30 and will feature dry rose’ wines from Texas’ Mcpherson Cellars, Brennan Vineyards, Lost Draw Cellars, and Pedernales Cellars paired with tasty morsels selected to highlight the characteristics of the wine. The Beer Seminar, “Texas IPAs – If You’re HOPPY and You Know It” will be hosted by Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation Board member Tom “Beerbo” Witanek and will be held on Thursday, June 7. Brewmasters from Real Ale, Southern Star Brewing, Independence Brewing, and Kerrville’s own Pint & Plow Brewing Company will share their versions of these spicy, complex beers along with specially selected samples of complementary food items. Both seminars will be held at the Threadgill Theater in the Quiet Valley Ranch campgrounds. Cost for each is $15 per person in addition to your festival ticket.

Held each year since 1972, the Kerrville Folk Festival is the longest continuously running festival of its kind in North America. Over the years it has become known internationally as a Mecca for singer songwriters of varying musical styles… a place where those just beginning to develop their skills have the opportunity to play their music along side those who are masters. Emerging songwriters as well as teachers are drawn to the festival’s many learning opportunities, such as the 37th Annual Songwriters School (Mon, May 28 – Thurs, May 31), Harmonica Workshop (Mon, June 4 – Wed, June 6), Ukulele Workshop (Mon, June 4 – Wed, June 6), the Young Artist Performance Incubator-YAPI (Sat, June 2), a Music Law Panel Discussion (Fri, May 25), and the 17th Annual Professional Development Program for Teachers (Thurs, June 7 – Fri, June 8). There are 3 new workshops being offered this year. These workshops, taught by Master Teacher Janet Feld, “Quick & Dirty Guitar Start-Up”, “Making Friends with Barre Chords”, and “Learn to Jam” are for all skill levels and are geared toward giving performers the tools to play more confidently in group settings, like campfires.

There’s truly something for everyone at this festival, from camping, campfire jam sessions, concerts and activities for kids, “Ballad Tree” song sharing sessions, Hill Country bike rides and canoe trips on the Guadalupe to Sunday Folk Song Services, Saturday Shabbat Services and much more. This is one musical celebration that must not be missed! A complete festival schedule, information and tickets can be found at www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org or by calling the festival office at (830) 257-3600. Ticket prices range from $25 to $50 depending on the particular day, although advance discounts are available which are good up until the first day of the festival. Campground Access and Parking Lot fees are included in the ticket price.

The Kerrville Folk Festival is owned and operated by the Kerrville Folk Festival Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is dedicated to the support of emerging songwriters and folk music in all its forms. In addition to the Kerrville Folk Festival, the KFF Foundation produces the annual Kerrville Fall Music Festival (over Labor Day weekend), a Summer Music Camp for Teens, Music at the Mansion, and the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters.