Falcon Ridge Folk Festival/Grassy Hill: Emerging Artists Showcase 2009

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival (FRFF) is a four-day community folk music and dance festival at the foot of the Berkshire Mountains in east-central New York State. July of 2009 will be the 21st year of the fest.



The festival takes place July 23-26, 2009 on the Dodds Farm in Hillsdale, New York near the MA/CT/NY border. The festival has 4 stages: Main Stage, Dance Stage, Family Stage and Workshop Stage. Dance Stage artists are usually booked first, Main Stage next and the Family Stage last. The Workshop Stage features different combinations of performers booked on one or more of the other 3 stages sharing sets on a variety of topics. Some performers are booked specifically for one stage but most appear on more than one.



Artists submitting to this showcase will be considered for a performance on the Main Stage on Friday, July 24th, 2009, the second day of the festival between noon and 5P. The format is 2 songs or 10 minutes. There are 24 slots. Selected artists appear in the program book, will be assisted by our excellent stage crew and will enjoy the very best sound reinforcement in the known universe, Klondike Sound. While there is no compensation for this showcase, artists will receive full admission and on-site camping for the entire festival, meals, and one guest pass.



The showcase is not a contest. However, the audience is surveyed as to which THREE SHOWCASE ARTISTS they wish to see return to the MOST WANTED SONG SWAP (MWSS) at FRFF the following year. Three to six artists are invited to return. Spring Preview shows of the MWSS artists arranged by FRFF take place in May. The SHOWCASE and SONG SWAP are an opportunity to be seen and heard in a large amphitheatre setting with hundreds of folk fans, presenters, agents, record labels and media in attendance. Showcasers are encouraged to bring their mailing lists and merchandise. FRFF takes 10% on all artist merch sales. FRFF has selected Sonicbids as the way for artists to submit to the showcase.



A committee of 3 music professionals review submissions and make selections. The only criteria are high quality performances of interesting, well-crafted acoustic based material. It need not be original. Please make sure to have at least 3 songs in your EPK. If you have more than 3, the first 3 songs will be reviewed.



Past showcasers include Martin Sexton, Catie Curtis, Greg Greenway, The Nields, Peter Mulvey, Ellis Paul, Erin McKeown, Lori McKenna, Pamela Means, Jason Spooner Trio, Jim's Big Ego and Red Molly.



Reminder: If you have showcased or appeared as a feature act at FRFF 2007 and/or 2008 or will appear at the 2009 fest in any capacity such as sideperson or special guest, you are not eligible to showcase this year.