Memphis (Tennessee), USA - The 18th annual international convention of the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance (the Folk Alliance) is about to arrive in Austin, Texas. From keynote speakers Arlo Guthrie, Kinky Friedman and Peter Yarrow; to special early evening concerts Judy Collins, Peter Yarrow, Lowen & Navarro, the conference will fill the registered attendees’ days with working knowledge of the business, a MusiCares sponsored health room, films and a diverse exhibit hall, and attendees’ nights with music from around the world. Go to folk.org for complete schedules. The conference is held entirely in the Austin Hilton.

With around 2,000 attendees, over 200 artists will perform for promoters, booking agents, and record label representatives, mingle with radio and print media, music publishers and others in this part of the music industry. During the conference, registrants attend panels that provide useful insight for achieving success in the field of folk music and dance. A complete "Performance Alley" showcase schedule is up on the web at: www.folk.org.

The conference offers a complete view of the business world of traditional and contemporary folk music and dance through showcases, films and educational workshops. The Trade Show hall with artists, luthiers, publications, recording companies and other facets of the industry of over a 115 booths is sold out.

The “Texas Trails“ events will take you through the blues, conjunto, Texas swing, mariachi and cowboy music and highlight Texas photographers, local Austin music business people and Texas singer/songwriters groups. With artists from every genre of the folk music, production in the nightly Performance Alley showcase rooms will be run by Austin company, Bluefish Entertainment. Strait Music, Collings Guitars, Cactus Cafe, and the Lucky Tomblin Band are sponsors of the Texas Trails events.

Monday night, Feb. 13 the first Folk Awards and Folk Alliance Music Business Awards Banquet will be held with host Ray Wylie Hubbard and featuring Jonathan Edwards, Marshall Crenshaw, Danny O’Keefe, Willis Alan Ramsey, Susan Gibson, & more. Tom Paxton, Clifton Chenier, and Kenneth Goldstein, will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards there.

The Folk Alliance is the largest networking organization on the continent devoted to the folk community. It provides ever-expanding access to the vital network of those who are active and involved in the broad world of folk music and dance in North America. In addition to producing the conference event, Folk Alliance provides year-round services including a music business directory, newsletters, other classes, workshops, and regional events, and arts advocacy for the field on a regional and international basis. Register online at www.Folk.org or call 901/522-1170.

[Photo: Arlo Guthrie].