Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference 2023 - 24th Annual

Folk Alliance International is a 501c3 registered US charity with 5 regional affiliate organizations, which includes SWRFA, that also presents conferences and other programming in support of its membership.

FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL (FAI) MISSION STATEMENT

To nurture, engage and empower the international folk music community - traditional and contemporary, amateur and professionalthrough education, advocacy and performance.

GOALS OF THE FOLK ALLIANCE

FAI has six areas of concentration to achieve the above mission. It seeks to strengthen and advance organizational and individual initiatives in folk music and dance through education, networking, advocacy, professional and field development, and consumer development.

1. Education - To increase understanding of the rich variety, artistic value, cultural and historical significance, and continuing relevance of folk music and dance among educators, media, and the general public.

2. Networking - To provide a bridge to and from folk music and dance organizations and needed resources, and to help those organizations link with their constituencies.

3. Advocacy - To influence decision makers and resource providers on the national, state, provincial, and local levels, insuring the growth of folk music and dance.

4. Field Development - To support and encourage the development of new and existing grassroots folk music and dance organizations.

5. Professional Development - To strengthen the effectiveness of folk music and dance organizations by providing professional development opportunities.

6. Consumer Development - To build a stronger consumer base by identifying and involving current and potential folk music consumers and players through programs, marketing, and outreach.

Welcome to SWRFA 2023

We are so glad that you chose to join us this year!!! This is a brief overview to remind us all of how this works. Very similar to last year’s reminders as the goals remain much the same, just some of the names, faces and topics change each year.

Some of us have been to many Folk Alliance International and other Regional Conferences since the organization began and have a pretty good idea of what to expect from this weekend. Other people are here for the first time. EVERYONE can benefit from the 1st Timers Advice panel offered on Friday morning at 9AM. Plus it is just Fun with Hilary and Paul!

Regional Conferences do differ from the International Conference as they have the ability to offer more personal attention and more focus on regional issues. Also, although we are here to primarily do business, the schedule for the conference is intentionally lighter than the big conferences. And certainly, one of the most important things you bring home from a gathering of this sort are all the contacts and new friends you make; at a scheduled function, a jam session, or sitting by the pool. The person you sit next to at lunch might be the very one you had been hoping to meet. All this takes some of the ‘pitching’ aspect out of the connecting. It is a good idea to get out there and network, but the relationships you build may carry you further than you could ever have planned.

SEMINARS, MENTORING & PANEL DISCUSSIONS

Our programming committee has attempted to formulate a program with something for everyone. Please get to the seminars ON TIME! Our facilitators have very full programs to offer, and they will have no choice but to start and end exactly as scheduled.

OPEN EXHIBIT HALL

Here at SWRFA, we have embraced an open concept for the exhibit space. Everyone can participate by putting your schedules on the tables provided, listing gigs for the foreseeable future or just for the SWRFA Conference; touring schedules for artists or schedules for shows at venues. This area is for artists, venues, CD manufacturers, magazines that feature the music biz, all are welcome that have stepped up to be a part of the conference.

Please don’t take a CD unless you are a venue interested in that artist’s music. If you want to trade CD’s with another artist, please ask them directly. The items on the tables are to present and promote each and every one that leaves them there. This area is to provide a space to meet and talk about what you do and who you are, and what you are looking to accomplish at this conference and beyond. And to offer your products to the other attendees. Obviously, the schedules and stickers and smaller promo items are for everyone, and you are encouraged to take them. But please, be very aware of the value of artist CD’s.

Absolutely use this area and the time allowed to gather there, to do business. Mostly though, take home a feeling of the greatness in connecting.

We share meals for lunches, dinners and Sunday Brunch. This is a great way to meet new folks and care for your health and well-being without missing any of the conference.

Thanks for being a part of the Southwest Regional Folk Alliance Conference (SWRFA)!

SWRFA ACTIVITIES

Wednesday Sept. 27 - Kick Off Party & Open Mic Night

NeWorlDeli, 6:30pm

Join us for music, food & fun! Each registered artist may put their name in the ‘hat’ to do a song.

Thursday Sept. 28 - Dinner by the Pool

Hotel Pool, 5pm

Food - A buffet of great food sponsored by Berkalin Records. SO eat, drink and be merry because Brian and Pam love us!

Thursday Sept. 29 - Open Mic by the Pool

Hotel Pool, 6-10pm

Hosted by John Whipple and Parke Hedges. Registered artists can put their name in the jar at the Registration Table.

Friday Sept. 30 - First Timers Advice

Elm Room, 9am

A panel for first time attendees with Paul Barker and Hilary Adamson. Second and third timers welcome!

Friday Sept. 30 - SW RFA Welcoming Party

Elm Room Bar, 5pm

DJ reception for you to meet radio personalities face to face and use the FREE drink ticket that you got at registration!

Saturday Sept. 31 - Open Mic

Hotel Pool, 3:30-5:30pm

Sunday Oct. 1 - Brunch & Song Assignment Performances

Dining Hall, 11:30am-3pm

WEDNESDAY September 27

6:30-10PM: Come to NeWorlDeli for our conference kickoff meetup and Open Mic! Drop your name in the jar to play- or just listen. Either way, you can enjoy a delicious sandwich. 4101 Guadalupe St. Austin, TX

THURSDAY September 28

2-6PM: Registration Open - Lobby

When you check in, be sure to put your name in to be drawn for a spot at the poolside Open Mic and take a Song Assignment! Artists may write songs from these prompts over the course of the weekend to be presented at the Sunday Brunch. And don’t forget to get tickets for all of the great RAFFLE ITEMS! $1 each!

2-10PM: General Exhibit Area open. This is free space for all registrants to display schedules, CD’s, stickers/ promo and visit with other attendees.

2:30-4:30PM: Concurrent Afternoon Seminars and Educational Panels

5PM: Dinner by the pool - A buffet of great food sponsored by Berkalin Records. Eat, drink and be merry because Brian and Pam Kalinec love us!

6-10PM: Open Mic by the Pool - Hosted by John Whipple and Parke Hedges. Be sure to put your name in the jar at the Registration Table to be included in the Open Mic.

10:30PM-12AM: Alternate Official Showcase - Elm Room. Sound: John Whipple and Parke Hedges. Emcee: Tom Tranchilla

FRIDAY September 29

9AM-11PM: Registration - Lobby

9AM-7PM: General Exhibit Area (Free space for all registrants to display schedules, CD’s, stickers/promo and visit with other attendees)

9AM: First-Timers Orientation - Elm Room. Presented by Paul Barker and Hilary Adamson

10-11:30AM: Concurrent Morning Seminars and Educational Panels

11:45AM-12:45PM: Lunch - Hill Country Ballroom A-B

12:45-1:15 PM: Free Time - Nap, work on your song assignments, visit the information tables by registration or schedule an early One-On-One with industry professionals via the list at the Registration Table or by personal appointment.

1:30-3PM: Concurrent Afternoon Seminars and Educational Panels

1:30-3PM: First-Timers Showcases - 9th Floor

3:15-5PM: Sponsored Showcases - Hosted by Attendees on Floors 7-8-9

4-6PM: Folk DJ Reception - Elm Room

5-6PM: Welcoming Party - Red Pepper Bar & Elm Room (redeem SWRFA free Drink ticket here)

6-7:15PM: Dinner - Hill Country Ballroom A-B

7:30-10PM: Official Showcase Concert - Hill Country Ballroom C-D

10:30PM: In-Room Showcases - Hosted by Attendees on Floors 7-8-9

SATURDAY September 30

9AM-11PM: Registration - Lobby

9AM-7PM: General Exhibit Area (Free space for all registrants to display schedules, CD’s, stickers/promo and visit with other attendees)

10-11:30AM: Concurrent Morning Seminars

11:45AM-12:45PM: Lunch - Hill Country Ballroom A-B

12:45-1:15PM: SWRFA Annual General Meeting of the Membership– Hill Country Ballroom A-B

Join us after lunch for our Annual General Meeting (AGM). We will report on the state of the Region, discuss potential Regional happenings in the coming year, and officially seat our new Board Members. We welcome your participation and input regarding how SWRFA can continue to improve and serve as a valuable resource to you, our Members.

1:30-3PM: Concurrent Afternoon Seminars

3:30 – 5:30PM: Pool Party & Open Mic - Hosted by John Whipple and Parke Hedges. (Names will be drawn from registered performing artists that signed up at the main registration table.)

6-7:15PM: Dinner - Hill Country Ballroom A-B. The drawings for raffle prizes will happen at this meal.

7:30-10PM: Official Showcase Concert - Hill Country Ballroom C-D

10:30PM: In-Room Showcases - Hosted by Attendees on Floors 7-8-9

SUNDAY October 1

11AM: Brunch - Hill Country Ballroom A-B

11:30AM: Song Assignment Performances. All registered artists will be given a song topic to write during the weekend. Those who have taken part in this assignment may present their songs at Sunday Brunch. A conference highlight!

Thursday September 28

2:30 – 4:30PM

Songwriting Panel - Pecan Room

This 2 hour workshop will be split into two parts: Hour 1 will be a panel discussion on writing habits, tips for rewriting, and a conversation on writing with your audience in mind. “Is writing for an audience of thousands different from writing for an audience of one?” That’s the main question we’ll explore. Hour 2 will be one-onone meetings with the panelists, and an opportunity for direct feedback on your songs in progress. We call this “compassionate critique.” - Panelists: Flamy Grant, Jaimee Harris, and Jackson Emmer.

2:30 – 4:30PM

Experimenting with Altered Tunings and Multiple Capos - Sycamore Room

Presented by Bill Nash. This workshop is about expanding musical possibilities on the guitar – have you ever felt limited by having to play in standard tuning all the time (ie: hard chord fingerings, etc)? You hear other people using altered tunings and multiple capos and it sounds so good... well this workshop will introduce you to the magical world of multiple 3 string capos with altered tunings! The focus of the workshop is to begin to open up your musical thought processes to experimentation... Bill will show you his process for using altered tunings and capo schemes to produce very colorful guitar sounds that used to be only possible with three and four finger chords, now with just one and two fingers! There will be a packet of charts available of preferred places to put the 3 string capo in all altered tunings for students who attend.

2:30 – 4:30PM The New Product Table - Oak Room

The New Product Table - Consider the power of print! Many artists may be experiencing fewer CD sales and might not be inclined to join the current vinyl revolution but what about an alternative idea for what you could put on the product table that will increase “sales” again.

Nathan Brown - An author, songwriter, and award-winning poet living in Wimberley, Texas. He holds a PhD in English and Journalism from the University of Oklahoma where he’s taught for over 20 years and now travels fulltime performing readings, concerts, workshops and speaking on creativity, poetry, and songwriting. He has published 25 books. Most recent is his new collection of poems, In the Days of Our Endurance. His most recent album of all original music is The Streets of San Miguel, recorded at Blue Rock Studios in Wimberley Texas (featuring Joel Guzman and Warren Hood). His online live video series The Fire Pit Sessions—inspired by the Pandemic Poems Project—has had over 80,000 views. At almost 250 episodes now, Nathan reads a few poems from the project and performs a song at the end. www.brownlines.com

Eileen S. (“Chick”) Morgan, is a writer, singer songwriter, cabaret performer, podcast and radio host, and arts entrepreneur. After a full career working globally with large companies and non-profits in strategy development and execution, Chick now uses that experience as an Arts Entrepreneur, producing such experiences as Wimberley Alive! Arts and Music Festival; creating the inaugural Wimberley Storytelling Fest; and as Visionary and Founder of Descanso Creatives International Writers’ Retreats in Italy and Ireland. Chick is also the Co-Founder of Wimberley Area Writers Group and was instrumental in getting Wimberley’s Texas Music Friendly designation from the Texas Governor’s Music Office. Chick has just completed her third book, Everything’s a Two-Step but a Waltz: The Reluctant Texan Comes Home. morganphdiva@me.com www.chickmorgan.com

Friday September 29

10 - 11:30AM *Focus on Venues (Open Forum style) - Pecan Room

A time for Venues including House Concerts, Coffeehouses, Theaters and Festivals to visit, discuss, ask questions and share ideas. Please bring yours to propose.

Possible AGENDA items:

What is happening with venues as we are still coming out of Covid restrictions; Sound (what is used and what is needed); invitations (what are the best methods – Mail Chimp, other?); how to increase audience; encouraging group bookings (this has been tried and works to a limited extent), so many other choices...

10 - 11:30AM MENTORING: One on One or in a group - Elm Room

This year is a do it yourself model. It can begin now and continue throughout the weekend. Rather than signing up for a specific time/person you are encouraged to ask other attendees to have a conversation for 15 or 20 minutes to ask questions and gather information or just to compare notes. It might turn into a co-writing session, it might turn out that they say exactly what you needed to hear or know. It can be about anything you think you wanted to know or even something better!!!! Make it yours...

10 - 11:30AM Advancing: What Does it Mean, Why Does it Matter, and How Do I Do It? - Sycamore Room

A proper advance can seriously reduce frustration on all sides, reduce the risk of road horror stories, and set the tone for a fabulous show. In this panel, we’ll discuss best practices for advancing – what to ask, when to ask it, what to avoid, and what to do when you get a sense that things are going awry.

Matt Munoz (Long Center, Programming Coordinator) will share his knowledge earned from decades of experience on the venue buyer/marketing side.

Creekbed Carter Hogan (singer/songwriter, author) will share their experience of communicating with a variety of buyers/venues from the artist side.

Jaimee Harris (singer/songwriter) will moderate and share her experience as an international touring singersongwriter who learned the importance of advancing the hard way.

Digital resources (advancing email template scripts, helpful tips, and more) will be distributed to panel attendees following our discussion.

Song Assignments

Pick a topic when you arrive

The jar is at Conference Check-in

Write a song while at SWRFA, then share it at the Sunday Brunch! This is a favorite event at SWRFA!

Friday September 29

1:30 – 3PM Insights into Fulfilling Your Careers in Folk Music - Sycamore Room

Touring musicians view their careers as unique. Yet they face common challenges and rewards with all whose paths they cross in the folk community. Venue operators, festival programmers/promoters, concert promoters and radio DJs share much in common. The same skills and attitudes that contribute to success in one area apply to any other area of the community. As someone who has professionally made a living in folk music for over 50 years, I’d like to share tips and techniques for advancing careers. “Professional” may be a loaded word, but it stands for a great deal. Even if you choose not to earn your full-time living in making, presenting or disseminating music, there’s much simple wisdom to increase your satisfaction and the enjoyment of those around you.

Rich Warren 52 years, as a DJ, festival organizer-producer, (City of Chicago Folk Festival, among others), coffee house manager, concert producer and host and recording over 1,000 live performances

1:30 – 3PM Hireability for Private/Corporate Events - Oak Room

This session lends insight into the minds of event planners and decision-makers for private events with a budget for paid talent. What do private buyers look for and where do I find them? How does an artist stand out as desirable for hire? What is reasonable to charge for non-ticketed shows? This and more will be covered in this session led by The Good Wolf Experience.

Brandon DeMaris Good Wolf’s President & COO, Brandon DeMaris has over 20-years of experience in the music business as an event producer, talent buyer and is a musician himself with two studio albums under his belt. As such, artist development is a core tenant for DeMaris personally and by extension, Good Wolf has been a formidable partner in launching music non-profits Sonic Guild and the MusiCares Sober Jam, which have since both scaled nationally.

1:30 – 3PM Narrative Songwriting - Pecan Room

This session will be focused on exploring the potential of narrative songwriting. We will cover some great examples of narrative writing in songs, literature and cinema and explore the techniques that are being employed to turn a sequence of events into an engaging emotional experience, focusing on perspective, negative space and form as well as other considerations. We’ll also explore pathways for developing narratives that seem un-singable and for generating stories from scratch.

Aaron Smith Award winning songwriter with Influences like Flannery O’Connor, John Prine and John Hartford his songs explore the mystery of human experience, searching for the meaning of love, family, heritage, kindness, doubt, and grace. In vignettes infused with an infectious sense of hope and humor, the unlikely heroes of his songs -grandmothers and grandfathers, street preachers and neighbors, the forgotten and lonely -- find courage, salvation, and more than a few laughs.

Sa turday September 30

10 – 11:30AM DIY Booking Panel - Oak Room

This workshop is geared towards musicians/artists who are booking themselves. What kind of gigs are out there, how much should you be getting paid, and what are the pros and cons of each kind of gig? We’ll also talk about transitioning from “gigs” to “shows” and how to build your own network of house concert hosts. We’ll also talk about when and why you should get a booking agent- or not!

Panelists: Laura Thomas (Combo Plate Booking), Ordinary Elephant (Booked by Lara Supan/Midwood Entertainment), and Jackson Emmer (Independent Artist). 10 – 11:30AM What in the world is DEI? - Sycamore Room

How diversity, equity and inclusion are changing the music industry, for the better!

Over the past 4 years, the global music industry has seen the need for diversity, equity and inclusion. DEI has provided equitable opportunities of advancement to minorities and has helped to create an environment where musical creatives feel welcome in the spaces they perform in. Now, DEI is under attack in universities, corporations and political spaces. We will dive into the need and impact of DEI and what role we all play in moving the industry forward to a more equitable environment for all creatives.

Esther Calloway is a music and entertainment professional that brings her passion for artist relations, talent curation, DEI, scouting, brand partnerships and artist operations to the companies and brands she supports. As the Artist Development Manager for Sofar Sounds oversees the talent booking and artist quality control for more than 80+ concerts a month across Central North America. Esther is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and actively works within the music industry to provide opportunities and support to marginalized communities by helping lead Sofar’s Women & Black ERG and Sofar’s Equity council.

SONiA Rutstein is a world class composer and artist known as SONiA disappear fear. She has received 6 GLAMAs including Female Artist of the Year, GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian American Anti Defamation) Award for Best Album (previous recipient Elton John), Coin Of Honor from a joint coalition of the United States Military for her humanitarian efforts and the Spirit of Folk Music Award from Folk Alliance International. SONiA’s talent of writing in a variety of genres and languages has garnered her a vast following worldwide. In 2019 she released the CD By My Silence. The CD which was inspired by the rise in violent attacks and hate around the world has brought people together from Germany to Israel, Turkey and the US and Australia to end the fear.

Terry Irons started producing events when she was just 9 years old and has gone on to produce events from Pride Festivals to Presidential Inaugural Balls. Her work as an advocate for the disabled led her to include access to all her events. Terry believes that all Festivals should include basic access and interpreters and make a commitment to environmental issues such as land protection and recycling. She also believes that festivals should strive to be as diverse as the communities attending. It was this commitment to making her Pride events truly human rights events that led her to working with artist like SONiA disappear fear.

1:30 – 3PM Wisdom of the Elders (with a focus on the wisdom rather than the elder) - Elm Room

With so many new voices on the scene, countless changes in technology and communication, and the passing of friends and folk legends each year, it’s worth pausing every now and then to celebrate our elders. Many of these community leaders and folk music pioneers have been interviewed individually over the years, but in 2010 Sonny Ochs entertained the idea of presenting legends and luminaries of the folk community in small group settings where they could interact and share stories and perspectives about their experiences over a lifetime in folk music. The first Wisdom of the Elders panel was held at NERFA (the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance) in 2010 and featured Oscar Brand, Theodore Bikel and David Amram

Meredith Carson (Moderator) - Meredith’s introduction to music performance was with the Post (Texas) High School Choir, which was an award-winning choir that toured every year and went to state competitions, where she proudly represented Post as a soprano in the choir and in a sextet, whose costumes were elaborate evening gowns designed and sewed by the mother of one of the members of the sextet. At Bradford Junior College in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Meredith was a member of the folk group, Passports. They played at a few small folk clubs in the Boston area and once opened for Bill Staines at the King’s Rook in Ipswich. The highlight of our musical career was talking Tom Rush into doing a concert at our college, which he remembers to this day. This was during his period as The Handsomest Man in The Folk World, and let’s just say he got a very warm reception. It was Meredith’s first gig as a concert producer, and she sort of never got that out of her system.

In the 80s, she worked for Nona Gandelman’s Maven Productions in Boulder, bringing old blues guys and zydeco music to the dancehalls, and presenting songwriters in the women’s music movement to the Boulder Theater and The Paramount in Denver - Cris Williamson, Meg Christian, Teresa Trull and other Olivia Records standouts. In the 90s, she was concert director at Swallow Hill Music, Denver’s folk music place. For ten years she produced 200+ shows a year, working with T Bone Burnett, Geoff Muldaur, Tom Paxton, The Flatlanders, Ian Tyson, Townes Van Zandt, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Tom Russell, Eric Andersen, Rick Danko and lots more fabulous people. Her first Folk Alliance conference was in Tucson in 1992, and she attended annually for 20 years. She served in the FAI board for six years, and was part of the executive committee that hired Louis Jay Meyers when Phyllis Barney decided to step down as executive director or FAI. She made a friend of Rod Kennedy, which led to a long-time close friendship with our illustrious producer, Dalis Allen, and many trips to Kerrville.

In 2005, Meredith moved over to a production job at Denver’s downtown theater complex and got to do events with the Ballet and Opera companies, the Symphony, Broadway plays, speakers series, and concerts. Lots of fun experiences - watching The Lion King’s first touring company being created and built at the Buell Theatre and seeing the very first performance, getting a kiss on the cheek from Tony Bennett as he walked onstage, watching the construction of a new world-class opera house from the ruins of a 100-year-old theatre, sitting in on a rehearsal of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band with the Colorado Symphony, working with Robert Redford and Queen Noor and Lenny Kravitz and Jane Fonda, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Madeline Albright and many more. Oh yeah, and the 2008 Democratic Convention, where Barack Obama was nominated as the candidate. Retired from the Arts Complex in 2013.

Meredith started at KGNU Community Radio in 1986. Heard Cajun music for the first time at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival that year and went back to Colorado wanting to get that music on the radio. First program, The Crawfish Club, played for a year on Mondays noon to 1:00 PM. Then she was offered a regular slot on Friday mornings, 9:30 to noon, and has been doing that ever since. Helped develop and became a monthly host for KGNU’s Sunday morning Americana show, Roots and Branches. She has served on KGNU’s board, and for the last 20 years, as a member of the events committee. This is Meredith’s fifth or sixth SWRFA. She’s glad to be back!

Rich Warren - DJ and retired host of WFMT’s “The Midnight Special,” and host/producer of “Folkstage” an in-studio concert series. He was the recipient of Folk Alliance International’s Folk DJ of the year award in 2008 and also served on the FAI board 1999-2002.

He spent 52 years, as a DJ, festival organizer-producer, (City of Chicago Folk Festival, among others), coffee house manager, concert producer and host and recorded over 1,000 live performances. He also reviewed CDs and wrote for “Sing Out!” magazine and was a nationally syndicated audio/video columnist for major newspapers. AND our very own SWRFA Emcee extraordinaire!!!

Dalis Allen began her involvement in the music industry in her days at the University of Houston where she booked and ran the Coffeehouse in the converted ROTC building and eventually became President of the overall Program Council. Artists like Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Denver, Judy Collins, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith, Eric Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark became the source from which the journey continued.

Hosting National Entertainment Conferences (NEC) at U of H led to meeting Ray Wylie Hubbard and Three Faces West, Allen Damron, Steve Fromholz, Travis Holland and a ‘cast of thousands’ which led to the Kerrville Folk Festival in its inaugural year, 1972. And the rest is history...she became the Producer of the Kerrville Music Festivals in Texas from 2002 until October 2019. She followed in the footsteps of the Founder Rod Kennedy having worked with him for most of the 32 years he produced the Festivals.

She has attended the International Folk Alliance Conference since 1995 or 96, and in 2000 Dalis became the Founder, President and Conference Coordinator of the Southwest Region of the Folk Alliance. Currently is the Executive Director. Also had her own booking agency for artists more than once. Will not be doing that again...

Jay Boy Adams spent a number of years honing his craft playing in bands in Houston and then in Midland, Texas with noted bluesman Johnny Heartsman. In 1972 Adams landed an opening slot in Lubbock for ZZ Top, whose manager Bill Ham was impressed enough to recruit Adams as the group’s regular opening act. But intent on being a good father and husband he put his guitar down, left the road and quit music. “When I walked away, I walked away,” says Adams.

Country star Lee Roy Parnell invited Adams to join him onstage at a show in 1997, and his songwriting muse and love for playing guitar and performing returned with a vengeance. He has since toured on George Strait’s 1999 Country Music Festival, headlined the Kerrville Folk Festival and also toured Europe as a special guest star with The Texas Tornados. A well-known name on the Texas scene Jay Boy Adams, toured with ZZ Top, The Band, Jackson Browne, The Marshall Tucker Band, Joe Cocker and his CD The Shoe Box brought him an extensive tour as special guest for the legendary Stephen Stills, not only opening the show, but also playing some guitar and singing back-up vocals as part of Stills’ band. Currently touring as Jay Boy Adams & Zenobia he has also restored a beautiful historic church to a state of the art venue called Church at Waring. Regular concerts there are a beautiful experience

1:30

– 3 PM

Making the Record of Your Dreams - Sycamore Room

Don’t just record your songs, tap into what you really love about music with your next studio project! This panel emphasizes building a positive atmosphere for creativity and the role of fun in making an album that is uniquely yours. The team that made Kate Klim’s “Something Green” takes you through the creative process behind each step in making the album and how the above concepts can apply to your next project; from initial ideas and pre-production, to hiring of studio musicians, through the recording process, crowd-funding, and release.

Panelists: Kate Klim – Artist, Songwriter, and Thrower of Shoes

Michael Briggs – Engineer and Proprietor at Civil Audio in Denton, TX. Good coffee. Cute cat. Andrew Delaney – Producer, Counselor, and Choreographer.

Meals are in the ballroom on the 1st Floor - buffet style. The line gets long, so come early. Prizes and announcements are given at dinner.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 29

LUNCH

Build Your Own Sandwich Buffet. Selection of Assorted Thin Sliced Deli Meats (Roast Beef, Smoked Turkey Breast, and Sugar Cured Ham) Sliced Deli Cheeses, Tomatoes, Leaf Lettuce, Red Onions, Pickle Spears and Assorted Condiments. Served with a Fresh Field Green Salad, Southern Potato and Pasta Salad, and Texas Potato Chips Assorted Bakery Breads and Rolls and Assorted Freshly Baked ‘’Texas Size’’ Cookies. All Buffets include Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee and Freshly Brewed Iced Tea with Lemon Wedges. Vegetarian Option - Grilled Mixed Vegetable Plate

DINNER

Little Italy Buffet. Home Baked Meat Lasagna. Vegetarian Lasagna - Lasagna Noodles Stacked with Garden Vegetables, and Topped with a Zesty Tomato Sauce. Served with: Fresh Italian Green Salad w/ 2 dressings Romaine Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Olives, Red Bell Peppers, Cucumbers and Carrots. Sprinkled with Parmesan Cheese. Ratatouille, Warm Garlic Bread Sticks. Dessert - Tiramisu. All Buffets include Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee and Freshly Brewed Iced Tea with Lemon Wedges

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 30

LUNCH

Healthy Buffet - Soups: Roasted Poblano and Corn Chowder, Chicken Tortilla Soup. Salads: Fresh Field Green Salad w/ assorted Salad Bar Toppings, and Dressings, Fresh Seasonal Fruit Salad. Served with Warm Rolls and Butter Double Chocolate Fudge Brownies. All Buffets include Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee and Freshly Brewed Iced Tea with Lemon Wedges

DINNER

Fresh Field Green Salad, Vegetable Medley, Mashed Potatoes (vegetarian), Meatloaf. Served with: Warm Rolls, Chefs Choice of Dessert. All Buffets include Freshly Brewed Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee and Freshly Brewed Iced Tea with Lemon Wedges. Vegetarian Option - Mixed Vegetable Stir Fry. Set on Separate Buffet tables

SUNDAY OCTOBER 1

BRUNCH

Omelet Station with assorted condiments, Scrambled Eggs also on the line for those not interested in Omelets Fresh Seasonal Sliced Fruit and Berries Biscuits and Gravy Crisp Bacon Cottage Fried Breakfast Potatoes Assorted Rolls, Croissants, Muffins and Danishes Butter and Preserves Freshly Squeezed Orange & Grapefruit Juice Coffee, Decaf and Specialty Teas

VEGETARIAN AND GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT ALL MEALS. NOTE: ALL MENUS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

ALTERNATES SHOWCASES - Thursday September 28

The Alternates Showcase is Thursday night after the Pool Party beginning at 10:30PM in the Elm Room.

Butch Morgan and John Whipple will open this evening with one song each. Emcee Tom Tranchilla. Sound by John Whipple and

Parke Hedges.

Brian Kalinec Aleksi Campagne Teresa Storch Duo Jaime Michaels

SWRFA sponsors!

BERKALIN RECORDS

Brian and Pam Kalinec

BIG BEAR PRODUCTIONS

Scott Twiford

Kim & Mary McDowell

Southwest Regional Folk Alliance

2023 Board Members

Andrew Delaney, PRESIDENT

Natalie Price, VICE-PRESIDENT

Rachel Laven, SECRETARY

Dalis Allen, TREASURER

Cheryl Duckett

Jim Jones

Steve Ray

Brad Raley

David Broyles

Dalis Allen, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The newly elected board members for 2024 will be seated during this Conference at the Annual General Meeting on Saturday.

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION DON’T FORGET SWRFA 2024 ONLY $175* Stop by the registration table and sign up for 2024. *$175 Early Bird Special! LIMITED TIME OFFER.

2023 OFFICIAL SHOWCASES

The Official Showcases are in the Ballroom at the Holiday Inn Midtown from 7:30PM – 10PM and are open to the public for a $15 cover each night.

Sound by rche, emcee Rich Warren

Friday September 29

Aaron Smith

Deer Fellow

Sam Robbins

Rachel Laven

Robin Bienemann

Garrett Owen

Flamy Grant

Heather Pierson Duo

Saturday September 30

Brian Wolff

Helene Cronin

Charlie Chamberlain

Katie Boeck

Ordinary Elephant

Jackson Emmer

Jaimee Harris

Jason Erie

AARON SMITH

’s songs explore the mystery of human experience, searching for the meaning of love, family, heritage, kindness, doubt, and grace. In vignettes infused with an infectious sense of hope and humor, the unlikely heroes of his songs find courage, salvation, and more than a few laughs. Influenced as much by Flannery O’Connor as John Prine and John Hartford his songs range from witty jazz to pensive, emotive ballads, to southern roots grooves. Aaron’s current album “The Legend of Sam Davis” is a coffee-table compendium of songs, stories, artwork, maps, and family photos telling stories and legends of Newton County Arkansas.

DEER FELLOW

is an indie folk-pop duo with “comforting yet bold musicality.” Based out of Austin, bandmates Matt Salois (guitar, vocals) and Alyssa Kelly (violin, vocals, piano) met at an open mic and were quick to collaborate. Fast forward to present day and coupledom, the two have built a cross-genre sound that “stirs hearts with each carefully crafted note.” The duo’s vocal harmonies and unique guitar-violin blends have landed them features on EARMILK, KUTX Radio, and the Austin AmericanStatesman.

SAM ROBBINS

is often described as an “old soul singer songwriter.” A Nashville based musician whose music evokes classic singer songwriters like James Taylor and Jackson Browne, Sam adds a modern, upbeat edge to the storyteller troubadour persona. An avid performer, he has gained recognition from extensive touring and as one of the six 2021 winners of the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk competition. Sam released his second album “Bigger Than in Between” to critical acclaim on August 5th, 2022, and continues to tour to relentlessly in 2023.

RACHEL LAVEN is a New Folk Award winning songwriter who performs a blend of Texas Folk and Americana music. A positive force of nature on stage, Laven not only captivates with her smiling lyricism, but with her electric vocals and accomplished guitar work. She calls Nashville, Tennessee home these days, but her roots are deep in Texas where she was born and raised. Plans for a new album titled, Hard Truths are in the works.

ROBIN BIENEMANN is a Chicago songwriter whose wildly original songs mix contemporary themes with Jazz, Blues and Country guitar. His songs are poetic, comical and educational, combining sophisticated musicality, dry humor, and a wide-open curiosity about the World. Winner (w/ Twang Bang) of Japan Open song contest, Hamamatsu Japan. Twice a finalist at the prestigious Kerrville (Texas) Songwriting Competition. Special Recognition: Great American Song Contest. Robin performs solo, with his combo, and as a duo with his wife Jenny Bienemann.

GARRETT OWEN was born in San Antonio, TX but raised in East Africa (Tanzania and Kenya) and South America by career Missionary Parents but now resides in Fort Worth. He won the 2018 Telluride Troubadour contest at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and was nominated for 4 Dallas Observer Music Awards in 2018, and for 2 more in 2020. He has released 2 full lengths and an Ep and 5 covers since his last full length release with an LP in the works for 2024. All that aside, he wants to play songs for you.

FLAMY GRANT is a shame-slaying, hipswaying, singing-songwriting drag queen from western North Carolina. Her 2022 debut record, Bible Belt Baby, was nominated for Best Pop Album at the San Diego Music Awards, and she is a winner of the 2023 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition. A powerhouse vocalist and intrepid songwriter, Flamy blends the art of drag with her roots and gospel-inspired sound to spotlight queer resilience and recovery from religious trauma. This downto-earth diva drags audiences to a soulful, uplifting church of her own making, entertaining audiences from Los Angeles to Nashville with funny, frank, and fabulous songs.

HEATHER PIERSON DUO

Heather Pierson is a pianist, singer/songwriter, song leader, and performer with a passion for cultivating joy, both onstage and off. Her uplifting live performances with her bassist/partner Shawn Nadeau delve into New Orleans jazz, blues, and folk. Best known for her ease at the piano and her bell-tone vocals, Heather’s songs and the duo’s musicianship embody honesty, playfulness, and a desire to share from the heart.

BRIAN WOLFFis a guitarist, singer and songwriter based in Austin, Texas. Wolff’s musical style draws influence heavily from Classic Rock, 90’s Alternative, and Americana. His songs are marked by big guitars and impactful rhythms complete with thoughtful, introspective and unique lyrics. His recent Frenchie Smith produced EP “The Golden Age” is available everywhere now.

CHARLIE CHAMBERLAIN

brings his intimate songwriting and nimble guitar work into focus on his forthcoming album “Welcome Home.” The music on “Welcome Home” is multilayered and deep, which comes through in the details of his authentic Americana indie folk style. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter displayed his talent this year as a New Folk Finalist at Texas’ renowned Kerrville Folk Festival. For music fans seeking authenticity, first class songwriting, tasteful instrumentation and soulful guitar playing “Welcome Home” is a promising next step for an artist embracing musical storytelling on his own humble terms.

HELENE CRONIN describes herself as a “story-singer.” Hers is a musical mission born from experience and she takes her place among songwriters who share intimate experiences, unblemished honesty and their own unguarded vulnerability. Her desire is to share stories that resonate with genuine emotion which her listeners can relate to their own life experiences. A New Folk Winner at the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival in 2018, Helene has released 2 full-length records produced by Matt King in Nashville.

KATIE BOECK is a Nashville based altfolk singer and songwriter whose career has been wildly varied. After graduating from UCLA, she went on to star as the voice of Wendla in the Broadway revival of Duncan Sheik’s Spring Awakening. The play’s success occasioned an appearance on the NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt and a 2016 Tony nomination for Best Revival of a Musical. Her new album Calico has been described as “beautiful, restrained folk” (Black Plastic). She has played Electric Forest Festival, Mile of Music, Hotel Cafe, the Cutting Room, City Winery and Carnegie Hall. Katie is a 2023 Kerrville New Folk winner and a top 10 finalist in the 2023 Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter Competition.

ORDINARY ELEPHANT

captivates audiences with their emotionally powerful and vulnerable songs, letting the listener know that they are not alone in this world. The collaboration of husband and wife Pete and Crystal Damore, their connection, and their influences (such as Gillian Welch, Guy Clark, Anais Mitchell) all meet on stage. “Two become one, in song...hand-in-glove harmonies surprise the listener with focused intensity and musical mastery,” says Mary Gauthier. The Associated Press is calling their latest album, Honest, “one of the best Americana albums of the year.” They were the International Folk Music Awards 2017 Artist of the Year.

JACKSON EMMER is an awardwinning singer, songwriter, and producer from Carbondale, Colorado. His songs blend humor with heartache, and tradition with exploration. Emmer’s writing is often compared to that of John Prine and Guy Clark. He has toured the US since 2009, collaborated with Grammywinners, and co-written 40+ songs with folk music legend, Tom Paxton. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, 1200+ Spotify playlists, and 200+ radio stations worldwide.

JAIMEE HARRIS has been called “the Next Queen of Americana-Folk” by NPR. Jaimee Harris’s sophomore effort Boomerang Town marks a bold step forward for this country-folk-leaning singer-songwriter. It is an arresting, ambitious song-cycle that explores the generational arc of family, the stranglehold of addiction, and the fragile ties that bind us together as Americans. Jaimee eventually found a way out of her hometown of Waco, Texas but the characters she grew up with and the stories of a childhood in the South live on in the songs on her latest record. Themes of addiction, grief, family and loss permeate her highly-acclaimed sophomore project, drawing listeners in to find hope in the face of darkness.

JASON ERIE is a nationally touring Folk/ Americana singer-songwriter based in Nashville, TN. His sophomore record ‘Tiny Fires’ was released in March of 2022 via WireBird Records, and has since earned Erie major critical acclaim, being praised for his storytelling and its raw honesty. Jason’s music has been featured in NPR, The Bluegrass Situation, American Songwriter, Americana Highways, For Folk’s Sake, Music Mecca and many more. A native of New Jersey, Erie’s music has been described as “hyper-sensory storytelling with raw, hard-hitting images and a white-knuckle worldview that seems best cultivated in the Garden State.”

15th Anniversary commemoration compilation coming in 2024

Featuring tracks by: George Ensle, Ruby lovett, jeff plankenhorn, taylor pie, michael o'connor, eben wood, renfree isaacs, shake Russell, Michael Hearn, greg whitfield, jack saunders, and various songswarms

Sept. 25-29, 2024

Concert Series, Podcasts, Conferences, and Technical Instruction Opportunities

365 days a year!

https://nerfa.org

2023 IN-ROOM SHOWCASES

FLOORS OF FOLK

Beginning at 10:30PM Friday and Saturday nights these floors are flooded with music. Go check it out!

7TH FLOOR

Room 704 - Coloradans and Company/Teresa Storch & Peter Lacis

Room 709 - IWMA/New Mexico Chapter/Jim Jones

Room 716 - The Alamo Room/John Whipple & Parke Hedges

Room 721 - Sofar Sounds/Esther Calloway (Saturday only)

8TH FLOOR

Room 804 - People’s Republic of Austin/Jan Seides

Room 809 - Texas Sugarbaby/Glynace Eastham

Room 816 - Gypsy Wagon/Access Film/David Hakan

Room 821 - Kerrville Folk Festival/Marghi Allen

9TH FLOOR

Room 904 - HAAM/Tom Tranchilla

Room 909 - Song Circle Houston/Ed Amash & Ted Miller

Room 915 - Open Door and Bonedocs/Karen & Craig VanWinkle

SWRFA RAFFLE ITEMS

FOLK ALLIANCE CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS:

FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL (FAI) February 21 – 25, 2024 (2)

SOUTHEAST REGIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE (SERFA) May 9-12, 2024

SOUTHWEST REGIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE (SWRFA) September 25 – 29, 2024 (2)

FAR-West REGIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE October 2024

FOLK ALLIANCE REGION MIDWEST (FARM) October 24 – 27, 2024

NORTHEAST REGIONAL FOLK ALLIANCE (NERFA) November 2024

CHARLIE STEWART – ONE YEAR OF HANDSHAKE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

$1 TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE. BUY A WHOLE BUNCH! THANK YOU.