I am VERY pleased to announce the lineup for the formal showcase for the 14th Annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference (NERFA)!! NERFA will be held November 13, 14, 15, 16, 2008 at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, NY.

The selected artists who will be appearing at NERFA in 2008 are:

Alternates – Andrew McKnight and Kelleigh McKenzie

As you look at the names that were selected, I think you will get a picture of the incredible diversity and talent that is the hallmark of our folk community.

This year’s panel of judges included Mary Sue Twohy, Music Director and on-air host of XM Satellite Radio’s “The Village” folk channel; Scott Sheldon, the booker and concert chair of Sanctuary Concerts; Sonny Ochs, radio host on WRPI, concert producer, and an emcee/stage manager/volunteer/you-name-it at practically every folk festival in the country; Dianne Tankle & Dr. Robert Cohen (who share a vote on the committee), and as you should know – Dianne is the conference coordinator for NERFA and her husband Bob assists in various functions to help make this weekend a reality; and myself, host of radio shows on WFDU-FM and the president/booker of the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club. I should also mention that Mary Sue and Scott have “singer-songwriter” listed on their resume as well.

While this may sound cliché – I think all of my fellow judges will agree with this statement – selecting ONLY 14 people from among all the submissions that were received was very difficult this year, and also very encouraging. The quality of performances and songwriting that we had the honor of listening to was extraordinary. While we were forced to select ONLY 14, I can guarantee you that the folks that weren’t selected are also going to be heard from in the future. Speaking for myself, I’ve already started playing some of these artists on my show as well as approached to book at my venue. I am sure many of these names will be heard at the Tricentric and other showcases at NERFA. I am already counting the days!

IF you have been procrastinating, I urge you to sign up for the conference A.S.A.P. Our new location, the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, NY is a wonderful resort that has been refurbished in recent years and provides NERFA with a great setting and accommodations for the conference. We also get to conquer a new mountain range – NERFA’s first conferences were held in the Poconos, moved to the Catskills, and now we are nestled on 400 acres in the stunningly beautiful Shawangunk Mountains. The showcase and conference rooms appear to be more conveniently located than in the past, and there some new additions to the schedule that will make 2008 a conference that should not be missed!!

To sign up, and to find out more about NERFA, visit the website at www.nerfa.org. You can register online today!!!

I look forward to seeing everyone at the conference, and be sure to get to the formal showcase early on Friday and Saturday night! You do not want to miss a note!

Ron Olesko
Chairperson, the Formal Showcase Committee for NERFA