Folk festival comes to Sisters this weekend

Some of the finest talents in American roots music will be in Sisters Friday and Saturday, September 8-9, as the Sisters Folk Festival rolls into town.

Legendary Texas songwriter Guy Clark, who has influenced a whole generation of folk and "alternative" country songwriters including Lyle Lovett and Steve Earle, will headline the Saturday night show.

Clark, who is famous for such masterpieces as "LA Freeway," "Desperados Waiting For A Train," and the whimsical "Homegrown Tomatoes," will share the stage with some of the top national and regional talent in the world of folk music.

The duo of Robin and Linda Williams, regular guests on "A Prairie Home Companion," will be featured performers, playing Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The duo will also kick off the "Americana Project" at Sisters High School, a year-long exploration of music as art, literature, history and business.

"String Wizard" John McEuen will return to Sisters with a new show featuring fellow Nitty Gritty Dirt Band founder Jimmy Ibbotson. The duo will headline the Friday night performance.

McEuen left the Dirt Band a decade ago to pursue a solo career. Now the pair have reunited for a tour that showcases their phenomenal instrumental prowess while entertaining audiences with gems from the Dirt Band's deep catalogue of classics.

Performances will be held in a tent on Sisters' Village Green and at the Sisters Smokehouse corral (see schedule, this page). Musicians will also entertain in shops and other venues throughout town.

The festival features a songwriting contest, with finals set for Saturday afternoon. The contest features five finalists selected from nearly 100 entries that came in from all over the United States.

The contest has boosted the careers of some of the region's emerging talent, including festival favorites, Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer.

Carter and Grammer have taken the world of folk music by storm since Dave's 1995 songwriting contest success. Their new CD, "Tanglewood Tree," was released this spring to rave critical reviews. They will perform several times during the festival.

The festival bill also includes the high-energy Casey Neill Trio, who connect the dots between Celtic music and bluegrass with passionate, socially aware songs.

The Misty River Band offers tight harmonies and unique instrumentation, while local bluesman Bobby Sims will rock the festival stage.

Visitors can participate in a variety of workshops.

Tickets are available at Paulina Springs Book Company or at the venues during the festival.