23rd Annual International Folk Alliance Conference to Be Held February 16-20, 2011

Over 2200 Folk music professionals from around the world will gather for the 23rd time on February 2011 in Memphis (Tennessee), to celebrate the music and culture of multi generations of songwriters, performers, and industry at the 2011 International Folk Alliance Conference. Under the leadership of South by Southwest (SXSW) co-founder, Louis Jay Meyers, Folk Alliance leads the way in celebrating the past, present, and future of Folk, Traditional, and Roots Music.

The Keynote speakers for 2011 are David Bromberg, Jayhawks founder Mark Olson, and Elektra Records founder and music business icon Jack Holzman.

The recipients of the 2011 Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Awards are Joan Baez (Living), Jimmie Rodgers (Legacy) and Les Blank (Business/Academic). The 2011 Spirit of Folk recipients will be announced in October.

Open to conference registrants only, Folk Alliance features three nights of juried official showcases and special shows featuring over 200 artists representing all styles of Folk and Traditional music from around the world featuring well known to newly discovered artists. The first official showcase invites have gone to: Mary Gauthier (Nashville, TN), MC Hansen & his band (Sweden/Denmark), Henhouse Prowlers (Chicago, IL), The Honey Dewdrops (Charlottesville, VA), Ruby Jane (Austin, TX), Lonesome Traveler (Loveland, CO), Old Sledge (Floyd, VA), The Twilite Broadcasters (Weaverville, NC), The Warrior Gospel Band (Austin, TX) and special performances from 2011 Keynote’s David Bromberg and Mark Olson.

Showcase entry is open until November 19 and the final schedule will be available in early 2011. Submit for an official showcase either through Sonicbids or by using the downloadable form at www.folk.org.

Each evening beginning at 10:30pm, the top three floors of the Marriott Hotel turn into private showcase rooms featuring hundreds of artists performing until the wee hours of the morning. These rooms are sponsored and hosted by cities, countries, organizations, agencies, venues, and individuals. These showcases are open to conference registrants only. Private Showcase rooms are limited and available on a first come – first serve basis.

A unique focus on special topics 2011 marks the return of the Folk Alliance Sacred Steel Summit featuring all of the top performers of the Sacred Steel world AND a very special tribute to the life and music of the legendary John Hartford. Each of the Special Sessions provides a unique series of panels, workshops, clinics, jam sessions, and concerts.

Each year Folk Alliance provides three full days of education including panels and workshops on music industry knowledge and history plus music clinics on numerous instruments and styles of music.

Over 100 exhibitors from across the globe in a jam packed three hour per day trade show that is noted for its high energy and massive networking opportunities. Anchored by mainstay exhibitors like Martin and Taylor Guitars, the Folk Alliance Exhibit Hall also features a full free Health Fair organized by Musicares that services both our conference registrants and members of the local Memphis music community. The Exhibit Hall is the major hub of activity each afternoon and serves as a bridge between the daytime educational schedule and the evenings showcase activities.

Full Conference Registration is currently $250 for Folk Alliance members and $350 for non-members through November 19.

More information at at www.folk.org.