Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter and self-described "barroom guitarist," is widely considered to be one of the pivotal founders of the current Americana music scene. He is one of the last true California troubadours and possesses guitar chops and songs that demand to be respected and admired by all.

Steve Forbert is the poets’ songwriter.  It is his deep, slow-as-molasses drawl that first invites the listener into his confidence as he continues a conversation with his fans that began over thirty years ago. Each of his songs emerges from an unhurried place and draws people into his vision, crafted by a master.

With a voice like a grazed hawk, she sings bluesy Southern Gothic tales…Whatever you are doing I guarantee you'll stop and listen to every word. Mary is an inspirational spirit, as her energy transmits into tightly crafted well-worn songs.

Willy Porter's miraculous talent never ceases to amaze audiences worldwide. We’ve invited Willy back for 2011 because he is one of the most exquisite, talented and entertaining performers in all of music today.

A Welsh singer and songwriter, has the unique quality of telling a story that seems urgent and important, that touches and inspires at the same time.  Our 2011 Sisters Folk Festival Encore performer, Martyn moved people last year with a generosity of spirit, electric stage presence and GREAT songs!

Anaïs Mitchell sings songs that recall early cabaret coupled with progressive indie-folk, elusive and engaging. Mitchell writes songs that are as intimate as conversations and as rich in detail as short stories.

Timeless music with tight vocal harmonies, CCL merges a traditional bluegrass sound with first-class string band picking.  A North Carolina foursome who first came together in 1999, they perform original songs that are stirring and infectious.

Tony Furtado has become a force as a songwriter and will perform as a trio.  His new record, “Golden,” is brilliant, with soaring melodies and excellent musicianship that we have come to expect from this banjo and slide guitar maestro.

Joe Pug writes exceptionally memorable songs with poignant delivery, and leaves you savoring the moment as you appreciate the poetry and vitality of the song. Up for new and emerging artist of the year through the Americana Music Association, our fans will understand why this 25-year-old Chicago-based songwriter has a remarkable career ahead of him.

Always fierce and lovely, Rita’s delivery is, put simply, intense. "From the first time I heard Rita sing, her voice gripped me and did not let go," (Joe Craven). Her songs are as fragile as a newborn baby, and defiant as a West Virginia coal miner, and with a smoking string band we are in for the real-deal treat.

Describing their style as "new music for old souls," Hoots and Hellmouth are a Philadelphia-based roots music act whose music brings together the passion of alt-country and the rustic tone of acoustic folk, merging them with loping jam band grooves.

Cow Bop is at the forefront of Cowboy Jazz. Led by renowned jazz guitarist Bruce Forman, Cow Bop is the most fun you can have on a dance floor while still wearing your spurs.

This New York-based trio performs and writes haunting and uplifting songs, and delivers authentic bluegrass and old-time gospel-influenced songs. Anchored by beautiful three-part harmonies, each "Molly" brings their own flavor to the band, in both playing and songwriting. In 2011, Red Molly will be celebrating their new CD including their newest member, Austin-based songwriter Molly Venter.

JT  & the Clouds hail from Chicago and their music reflects it, rough-edged, sad, hopeful, and shot through with soul.  With bandleader and songwriter Jeremy Nero, they have style, confidence, and (he) has a killer voice that has a sense or urgency and poetic depth.

Juno (Canadian Grammy’s) nominees and winners of the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Amanda Walther and Sheila Carabine of Dala have come a long way in a short time. With beautiful flights of melody and harmony, Dala perform original music that leaves the listener breathless with its beauty and grace.

"Johnsmith possesses an authentic, genuine quality that cannot be denied, ignored or overlooked. Johnsmith is a gifted singer-songwriter, moving performer and roaming troubadour who is simply captivating to observe. John will be performing with Radisalv Lorkovic, an amazing accordion and piano player that was last here in 2007 with Jimmy LaFave."

Matt Sever is a Texas-based songwriter that does not shy away from clever, tricky tunes that speak to his wry observations of life.  Eventually, he quit his job as an electrician, to spend more time writing and playing songs, and the name stuck with him.

Kathrin Shorr and Tim Burlingame perform as STR with powerful songs and undeniable chemistry, and create Americana-pop songs full of depth and yearning, delivered with passion and a desire to connect.

The Hanz Araki Band is a force in West Coast Celtic music. Their sound is driven by fierce tunes and tempered by songs both humorous and heart-wrenching. Their diverse origins, with flute, fiddle and guitar, blend perfectly to create a sound unlike any other. Hanz performed at SFF many years ago with the Casey Neil Trio, and we are thrilled for him to share his remarkable talent as the leader of the Hanz Araki Band.

Betty and the Boy will steal your heart with memorable and haunting ballads about love and loss. The original duo was comprised of Bettreana Jaeger and Josh Harvey of Montana. Now based in Eugene, OR and performing as a quartet, they play spare, meditative, and poetic songs that scintillate with grit. Betty and the Boy are the 2011 Two Old Hippies & Breedlove Guitars artist.

Rippin’ guitar player Thad Beckman has played with the likes of such talented folk artists as Tom Russell, Dave Alvin and Bo Diddley. Thad blew away so many listeners at last year’s Winter Concert Series as a side man that we had to have him back as a featured artist.

The Shook Twins bring youth, innovation and energy to the age-old tradition of songwriting and vocal harmonies. Eclectic, original and fun are all ways that describe this twin-sister duo act, originally from Sandpoint, ID and now living in Portland, OR.

Nathaniel Talbot wowed listeners so much last year as an emerging artist, that we decided to bring him back again this year. An extremely polished guitar player at the age of 27, Nathaniel weaves intricate melodies around soaring guitar lines.

Cahalen Morrison and Eli West have created a unique strain of roots music with a handful of acoustic instruments and the clear harmonies of bluegrass song traditions. Their delivery is special, tangible, and demands the listener to pay attention. Their sound crosses the warmth of old-time with the fierceness of bluegrass, and high lonesome harmonies. Together, they’ve taken time-tested musical traditions and bent them into new shapes to fit a new world.

Willie weaves his tales of everyday people and situations with the precision of a master craftsman … eclectic, funny and poignant Willie can make you cry, be afraid and rejoice in the small things of life all in one set.

The songs of the Anvil Blasters are peopled with border renegades and desert dreamers, poets and pirates and ghosts of the old, weird America. It's a rollicking recipe of gunpowder, twang and tequila that has earned The Anvil Blasters a loyal following across Central Oregon.

Indie folk rock band The Heroes of Telemark have been making a big wave in Bend lately. Blending old sounds with new, Heroes of Telemark are an up-and-coming act that is sure to excite the ears of our listeners this year.