Interview: Dalis Allen - Producer of the Kerrville Folk Festival

Every year, Quiet Valley Ranch just outside the small town of Kerrville, Texas is transformed into a musical wonderland as the Kerrville Folk Festival is presented for 18 days. It showcases singer/songwriters who show passion and joy for the art of folk music. People come from all over the world to camp at the ranch and enjoy entertainment day and night.

It is a family friendly event that includes everyone. As stated on their website: "Our purpose is to educate the public about the benefits and characteristics of folk music. We exist to provide a unique experience in a musical community that is enjoyable and rewarding to the listeners and the performers who share their craft.

Our vision is of a community where songwriters and their craft are treasured and supported and folk music is valued and enjoyed by people of all ages and circumstances.

Our mission is to promote public appreciation and support for songwriters, the songwriting craft, and the gift that folk music offers to the world."

And they mean what they say. They care for the community and everyone who is involved. In fact, the Festival was cancelled just after Hurricane Harvey hit in Houston last year so that the community could focus on helping out Houstonians who were affected by the hurricane. Those who wished, donated the money that was to be spent on a ticket for the Kerrville Folk Festival to the hurricane relief fund.

BWW San Antonio recently caught up with Dalis Allen, the producer of the Kerrville Folk Festival. She shared her passion and joy for being a part of the festival since its first year.

How long have you been involved in the Kerrville Folk Festival?

Since the very beginning. I have been a Volunteer, Part time Staff to Full Time Staff to Producer in 2002 when Rod Kennedy retired.

What made you take such an interest in the Festival?

The music, especially the fact that we feature only songwriters, artists that write their own songs.

Who are some of the stand out acts to you that have come through over the years?

There are just hundreds of artists that I have been gifted to know and in many cases watch their careers grow from seeing them at Kerrville for the first time. Peter, Paul & Mary, Judy Collins, Tom Rush, David Crosby, Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett are artists whose fame is known around the world. Artists like Seth Glier, Parker Millsap, John Fullbright, Big Thief, The Accidentals, that are poised for more recognition of their talent.

Although the Kerrville Folk Festival is about the performances, there is so much more that is going on too including the opportunity to camp and gather around the campfires. Tell us more about the campfires.

The music is 24/7 in the campgrounds. Everyone gets to play their songs. Artists that are on the Festival line-up very often sit around a campfire next to someone that considers music more of a hobby and a pleasure. Many of the camps are folks that have been camping together for years and look as much forward to being together again as they do the programmed events.

What else do you want to share about the Kerrville Folk Festival?

We have concerts every night for all 18 days, May 24 - June 10. Children's Concerts on the weekends and Schools and Workshops for Songwriting, Guitar, Ukulele and Harmonica during the mid-week days.

Check out their website for lineup, tickets and show times: www.kerrvillefolkfestival.org Or call the Office at 830/257-3600 Hope to see you there!

 

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