I’ve produced many events through the years, but a film festival is a first. Community oriented events appeal to me. There’s a fun factor – albeit some seriousness is getting the right programming – in creating a new experience and opportunity that wasn’t previously available.
What started out as a simple request to be part of the Shirley Meeting House Committee has evolved into, once again, being a community producer: a person that makes something grow. I hope it has wings.
Have a look at our schedule and come if you can – for all or part.
We need your voice, your good spirit and your presence on Saturday, December 10th. Together, let’s nip humbug in the butt and help out the folks at the American Legioncover a few more expenses. Planned as a ‘variety show‘ like the USO shows of old with local and regional performers, the evening will host your holiday favorites and original compositions. We hope you’ll join us and bring ten of your friends.
Moonlit Pond Records will be hosting an open mic the last Friday of the month at the American Legion in Shirley, MA, beginning September 30th. This is a music only open mic with an emphasis on original music. Limited slots available, and sign up must be in advance via the Facebook page. Evenings will wind down with a community jam session.
When 7 p.m. to 10p.m – the last Friday of the month (be sure to like the facebook page for announcements)
Where Open Mic the last Friday of each month. Held downstairs at American Legion Post 183 8 Church Street, Shirley, MA, United States, Massachusetts
What Two song performances by local and regional songwriters – music only – followed by community jam session
UPDATE: Shows have been cancelled or postponed due to Corvid19. Stay safe! Wash your hands!!
March is always high holiday for The Kelly Girls! We hope we’ll see you at one of these shows this month. The Bull Run Restaurant Concert is always a highlight! Get your tickets Now!
We have an incredible line up for the first six months of our 2020 Kerrville North Songwriter Series. Every third Thursday of the month, three songwriters will share the Ballroom Stage at The Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley, MA. The series is hosted by award-winning songwriter Nancy Beaudette.
Folkstage is an uninterrupted, one-hour concert featuring some of the best traditional and singer-songwriter talent in folk music. The live concerts can be heard Saturday’s at 8 PM on WFMT, immediately preceding The Midnight Special.
Nancy Beaudette will be in the studio on Saturday, November 23rd.
About 26 concerts per year are broadcast live from our studio in front of an audience. The remainder of the concerts are from our archives that stretch back 55 years, recent recordings made in the Chicago area, live broadcasts from the Old Town School of Folk Music, or recorded portions of our live studio concerts that were not previously broadcast.
The series is totally listener funded, and made possible in part by Nancy Clark, Andy & Becky Anderson, Freddi Greenberg & Dan Pinkert, an Anonymous Family Foundation and the members of the WFMT Fine Arts Circle.
From the moment I set foot on Quiet Valley Ranch, I knew I was in for a truly rare and exceptional weekend. At the Kerrville Folk Festival registration building, I was given a special button that said, “Performer”, and among festival goers, the prestige of being a “NEW FOLK ARTIST” was the equivalent of rock star status.
Me and thirty-one other New Folk Finalists were invited to make Rouse House our home base for the duration of the festival. Deb and Lindsey, our hosts, went above and beyond to make sure we felt at home, and their camp was the perfect place to get to know one another and build community throughout our stay. I can’t thank them enough for all they do to support artists. Deb and Lindsey are extraordinary people.
The songwriting competition itself was less competitive than one would think. We learned from the judges, previous finalists or winners, and the festival director Dalis Allen, the real impetus for New Folk is to create a place where great songwriters from around the world can connect and collaborate with one another. It really is a beautiful mandate and one I certainly took to heart.
I was among the first eight performers to play on Saturday, May 26th, on the ThreadgillStage. Thankfully I was able to switch out nervousness for excitement and was pleased with how I presented my two songs. (By the way, we had to play the two songs we used to enter the contest which for me were “Reeds on the River” and “Six Pack”)
Out of thirty-two performers, only six can win. Everyone else places seventh, and over the years this has become known as Club Seven; I’m proud to be a full-fledged member. I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity to showcase alongside so many fabulous songwriters at such a prestigious venue. Thank you.
The Kerrville Folk Festival is held at the Quiet Valley Ranch in the beautiful Texas Hill Country and is celebrated by a community who considers itself family, returning year after year since 1972. During the 18-day Festival, as many as 30,000 guests come from all over the world to experience the magic we simply call “Kerrville”. Even so, each evening’s performances are attended by 800 to 3,000 guests, making everyone’s experience feel intimate.
The highlight for performing songwriters is their annual Grassy Hill New Folk Competition and this year Nancy Beaudette is among the thirty-two finalists. Sixteen of the finalists will perform at the New Folk Concert on Saturday, May 25, and the other sixteen on Sunday, May 26. This is the 48th year for New Folk and these concerts are always one of the highlights of the Kerrville Folk Festival.
Best of luck to all the finalists! You are all already winners!
