The Top Folk Music Festivals of 2009

Looking for a great folk music festival to attend this year? Check out our list of the top festivals happening in 2009!

Introduction

Folk music has come to be known as a genre that is traditionally passed down through the generations by way of oral tradition. In recent years, however, the popularity of folk music has seen a resurgence, with many modern artists finding success with elements of the style in their work. If you’re a fan of folk music, or simply looking to expand your musical horizons, check out some of the top festivals celebrating this genre from around the world.

The Top Folk Music Festivals of 2009:

1. CMA Music Festival – Nashville, Tennessee
2. Newport Folk Festival – Newport, Rhode Island
3. South by Southwest – Austin, Texas
4. Calgary Folk Music Festival – Calgary, Alberta
5. Winnipeg Folk Festival – Winnipeg, Manitoba
6. Festivals Acadiens et Créoles – Lafayette, Louisiana
7. Philadelphia Folk Festival – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
8. Folk Fest – Edmonton, Alberta
9. Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival – Oak Hill, New York
10. Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival – Laytonville, California

Newport Folk Festival

The Newport Folk Festival is an annual music festival started in 1959 by George Wein, producing director of the Newport Jazz Festival. The festival is often considered one of the first modern music festivals. It is held every year at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island and usually takes place on the last full weekend in July. The Festival features a wide variety of folk performers, including both traditional and contemporary musicians.

Old Settler’s Music Festival

The Old Settler’s Music Festival is one of the top folk music festivals in the country. Held in Austin, Texas, the festival features a wide range of folk musicians from across the United States. The festival takes place over four days, and features a variety of concerts and workshops.

Pickathon

One of the best things about the summer is the abundance of music festivals. There are festivals for every genre, from country to rock to jazz, and there are even festivals devoted to specific subgenres, like bluegrass or folk. If you’re a fan of folk music, there are plenty of great festivals to choose from all over the country. Here are some of the top folk music festivals of 2009:

Pickathon: This annual event takes place in Portland, Oregon and features a wide variety of folk, bluegrass, and roots performers. This year’s lineup includes John Prine, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, and many more.

MerleFest: This North Carolina festival is one of the most popular bluegrass events in the country. This year’s lineup includes Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Larry Sparks, and more.

New Bedford Folk Festival: This Massachusetts festival features a mix of traditional and contemporary folk performers. This year’s lineup includes Ralph Stanley, Odetta, Tom Paxton, and many more.

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival: This New York festival is known for its strong lineup of emerging artists. This year’s lineup includes The Devil Makes Three, Anais Mitchell, Jim Infantino & Tribe of Love Band with Julie Murray-Hallman.

Rockygrass

Rockygrass is one of the top folk music festivals of 2009. It is held annually in Lyons, Colorado. The festival features world-renowned bluegrass and roots musicians. Some of the artists who have performed at Rockygrass in the past include Earl Scruggs, John Prine, Bela Fleck, and Emmylou Harris.

Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival

The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival is held each year in Oak Hill, New York. The event traditionally takes place during the last weekend in July and features some of the top performers in the bluegrass world. Attendance at the festival has climbed steadily over the years and 2009 is shaping up to be one of the biggest Grey Fox events ever.

Winterfolk

Now in its 9th year, this music festival celebrates acoustic and contemporary roots music. With more than 125 performers on 13 stages, the festival features a wide range of artists, from Canadian legends like Bruce Cockburn and James Keelaghan to up-and-comers like Justin Rutledge and Kellie Loder. The 2009 festival takes place February 20-22 in Toronto.