Rod Kennedy
photo by Jim Dirden

We received word earlier today that Rod Kennedy, music lover, impresario and founder of the Kerrville Folk Festivals, passed away this morning in Kerrville, Texas, at 84.

As anyone who ever visited his Quiet Valley Ranch, amidst the dust and blazing sun of the Texas Hill Country summers, could attest, Rod was a truly special friend to songwriters and musicians. His Kerrville Folk Festival, founded in 1972, has long been a veritable Mecca for songwriters … a retreat that grew into a massive and essential 3-weekend long gathering of the tribes starting each Memorial Day weekend and stretching into the scorch of mid-June Texas.

But this was no run-of-the-mill folk festival, and Rod was not your average festival producer. Rod LOVED the music and encouraged and nurtured the musicians who arrived at the ranch each year in a very special and singular way. He did so in two sweeping ways: First of all, Rod was an unapologetic fan first and always. Until his retirement from the festival, Rod would introduce almost every artist, and then perch just off-stage on the left and listen intently to every note, every lyric, and every harmony. Every performer that took to that stage knew the the ritual: A long set, an encore (or two), and then a big hug and firm handshake from Rod on your way off.

But he saw his role as a nurturer to the music and the people that made it, and embraced a role well beyond simply supporting accomplished artists that he loved. The Kerrville Folk Festival became an incubator for young artists just starting out, with a strong focus on everyone making music, sharing music and more. By the late 1970s, none other than Peter Yarrow was there helping Rod to create the “Kerrville New Folk Awards.” A songwriting contest like no other, and spiritually miles away from anything like a “competition.” Young, up-and-coming songwriters from all over would send Rod several songs. Each submission would get a focused listen by Rod, with several dozen earning an invite to come and perform at the Festival in front of an audience and a panel of journeymen songwriters for the chance to come back and perform a full set at the festival the following year. Artists like Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, John Gorka, Michelle Shocked, and, literally, hundreds of others came into their own in that cauldron. With hundreds more established pros drawing from the Kerrville “recharding station” over the years, too. The energy, heart and passion that emanated from that stage may have come from all of us … but its catalyst was Rod Kennedy.

The “official” concerts at Kerrville were really just the top slice of what made the event so wonderful, though. What started humbly as a weekend gathering much like any other summer folk festival, grew into an annual tent city filled with 18+ days a year of non-stop song sharing around campfires, under trees, or by the side of a dusty, rocky ranch road. For a guy who long proudly proclaimed himself a conservative (politically), Rod had nurtured, fueled, and given life to a community of “Kerrverts” that was more about creativity, harmony, love and community than the wildest tie-dyed hippie gathering of the tribes you could ever think of. And even when he’d paternally try to lay down the law about certain dress or behavior, we all knew where he was coming from: A place of love and support.

Rod was hugely supportive of Sing Out!, even as he chided me for our “lefty” leanings. And however he may have tried to stake out a place to the right, his true spirit of camaraderie and community with those that made the music was always clear, honest and palpable. Always looking for the next great song. Always supporting any musician that crossed his path.

We’ll miss you, Rod Kennedy. But we’ll always feel your presence right over our right shoulder, listening intently and loving the music!