Folk festival explores roots music

One of Sisters' signature events will kick off Friday evening, September 6, as the Sisters Folk Festival gets underway. Evening performances on Friday and on Saturday, September 7, sold out well in advance, marking the surge in the popularity of American roots music.

The Nashville Bluegrass Band will be featured at this year's festival, performing Saturday night and on Sunday afternoon (see event schedule).

The band, composed of some of the finest bluegrass musicians in the business, has gained added attention over the past year, with its members performing on the wildly successful "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" sound track.

Folk-blues virtuoso Chris Smither returns to the festival this year, combining his stunning guitar playing, poetic songwriting, bluesy vocals and wry stage presence into a memorable live performance.

Smither, who performs Friday night, has achieved legendary status by infusing the blues with his own unique songwriting vision to create a style that has the feel and soul of traditional music, but is totally contemporary. Emmylou Harris recorded his song "Slow Surprise" on the "Horse Whisperer" soundtrack.

Main performances will be held in a tent on Sisters' Village Green. Musicians will also entertain in other venues throughout town and food and craft vendors will be on hand to peddle their wares in an open-air market setting.

The songwriting contest finals will be held at noon on Saturday at Bronco Billy's Ranch Grill and Saloon.

The festival bill also includes The Waybacks, whose ace musicianship, wildly entertaining stage show and genre-bending style consistently steals the show at festivals around the nation.

Austin phenomenon Slaid Cleaves will return to the Sisters Folk Festival Saturday night -- by overwhelming popular demand.

Visitors can participate in a variety of workshops covering every aspect of roots music, from writing to picking techniques and introductions to new instruments.

Complete information is available on the festival website at www.sistersfolkfestival.com.