Sign up to win prizes and for exclusive updates about this year’s festival
April 24-26, 2026
Dori Freeman is a singer and songwriter from southwestern Virginia. She lives in the small mountain town of Galax where she grew up learning to play guitar from her father and singing in the school choir. At twenty-four she released her debut self-titled album produced by musician Teddy Thompson. In the decade since, she has […]
Carla Gover is an 8th-generation Kentuckian whose art and work celebrate the best of what the state has to offer. She shares flatfooting, ballads, and banjo through her performances, recordings, collaborations, and online courses. She’s released eight albums, including her most recent, Kentucky Queen. Her three most recent recordings have reached #1 on the Folk […]
Doug and Telisha Williams, partners in love and music, have spent the last 20 years building their careers as the Nashville-based, country-folk band Wild Ponies. They’ve released five albums, hosted the long-running Wild Ponies Happy Hour radio show on WSM, led nine annual distillery tour Trail Rides for fans and friends, and garnered devoted musical […]
The Shaelyn Band is a Florida-based, national recording and touring band capable of shifting from classic, soul, blues and funk, to rock. The band formed in 2020 and has continued to develop and grow, building on the foundation of family first and sharing genuine love with each and every heart they connect with. On September […]
The Little Mercies are an award-winning folk and old-time trio of songwriting multi-instrumentalists. Bronwyn Chelette, Shanice Richards, and Rosalee Walsh united from diverse musical backgrounds through their love of old-time music, giving them the versatility to blend genre lines. ‘Boy Genius meets The Chicks,’ The Little Mercies deliver performances that feel both intimate and electrifying— […]
Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Willy Vlautin has published seven novels, The Motel Life (2007), Northline (2008), Lean on Pete (2010), The Free (2014), Don’t Skip Out on Me (2018), The Night Always Comes (2021), and The Horse (2024). A new novel, The Left and The Lucky, will be published by Harper in April […]
Based out of Tallahassee, Florida, The Funky ‘Taters play music that will “make a dead man dance.” Our unique style of Southern Gulf Coast music is based on jazz and blues, distinguished by a funky second-line beat similar to that of many New Orleans bands. In addition to a funky bass and inspired lead guitar, […]
Newly appointed Music Director of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, and Music Director of the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra, Yaniv Dinur is lauded for his insightful interpretations and unique ability to connect with concertgoers of all ages and backgrounds. Season 25/26 marks the beginning of Dinur’s ninth season with the New Bedford Symphony. Under his leadership, […]
Stephanie Burt is a poet, literary critic, and professor with nine published books, including two critical books on poetry and three poetry collections. Burt’s essay collection Close Calls with Nonsense was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. In her book Taylor’s Version: The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift, Burt offers […]
Stop Light Observations is a dynamic four-piece group hailing from Charleston, South Carolina. Their versatile sound is a unique blend of blues, pop, and indie rock infused with electronic beats and the soulful vocals of Will Blackburn. From songs like “2young” to “Security,” their music is a true reflection of their unique personalities, and their […]