The New Jersey Folk Festival announced Sing Out! columnist and advisory board member Roger Deitz is the recipient of its 2012, Lifetime Achievement Award. The NJFF will confer the award on April 28th at this year’s festival. Held on the Eagleton Institute lawn, Douglass College of Rutgers University, the festival highlights the traditions and diversity of the people of New Jersey – with this year’s festival focusing on the music and culture of The Balkans.  Music Director Kathy DeAngelo said the NJFF Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed on Deitz in recognition of Roger’s “…long-time efforts to promote folk music in New Jersey and around the country both as a musician and singer as well as a writer for Sing Out! and other publications.” Festival Director Dr. Angus Kress Gillespie of the University’s American Studies Department added, “New Jersey native Roger Deitz is the recipient of the New Jersey Folk Festival award for his distinguished contributions to the Folk Music of New Jersey, and for writing a wealth of columns and feature stories appearing in the national folk music press for nearly forty years.”

The NJ Folk Festival is a student run event that is part of the curriculum of The American Studies Department. Students gain leadership and management skills, and course credit for participation, while learning about folk music and festival production. Other volunteers are recruited from the undergraduate ranks.

Congrats Roger!!!