Kerrville Folk Festival names its field of New Folk finalists for 2025

The Kerrville Folk Festival will spotlight 24 emerging songwriters during its prestigious Grassy Hill New Folk Competition next month, featuring artists from across North America and Europe who represent the future of folk music.

The finalists, selected from 1,118 submissions, will perform at the festival’s Threadgill Theater on May 24-25, with winners announced May 31. Each finalist will present two original compositions before a judging panel including Adeem the Artist, J Wagner, Matt Nakoa, Raina Rose, and RJ Cowdery.

Meet Some of the Finalists

Abbie Gardner (Nashville, Tennessee) – A resonator guitar virtuoso and singer-songwriter known for her work with the Americana harmony trio Red Molly. Her 2022 album “DobroSinger” reached #11 on the Billboard Blues Chart, showcasing her impeccable lap style slide guitar playing and intimate vocal delivery. Gardner performs both solo and with Red Molly, crafting songs described as “tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet.”

Abigayle Oakley (Nashville, Tennessee) – Originally from Las Vegas, this indie folk artist now based in Nashville blends “the melodic richness of folk pioneers with the lyrical honesty of today’s confessional singer-songwriters.” A Belmont University Songwriting graduate, Oakley has performed at prestigious venues including Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley and The Listening Room. She also collaborates with Challenge America, a non-profit connecting songwriters with U.S. veterans to share their stories through song.

AJAYE (Nashville, Tennessee) – Featured in Rolling Stone and American Songwriter, AJAYE (pronounced “A.J.”) is an award-winning Americana artist originally from Toronto. Her songwriting “lives between modern folk and Americana and explores the everyday in an extraordinary way.” Born in British Columbia, Canada, she’s earned recognition performing in Nashville’s club scene, including regular appearances at the legendary Bluebird Cafe.

Brian Johannesen (Iowa City, Iowa) – A Midwestern Americana singer-songwriter whose music has been described as “a supremely well-crafted piece of Midwestern Americana.” After spending five years in Nashville, where he earned an MBA from Belmont University focused on the entertainment and music business, Johannesen returned to Iowa. His 2020 album “Holster Your Silver” weaves together elements of country, folk, blues, and Americana.

Christopher Worth (Portland, Oregon) – A folk musician based in the Pacific Northwest whose songwriting showcases the region’s rich musical traditions.

Cindy Kalmenson (Ojai, California) – A California-based songwriter known for her introspective lyrics and melodic sensibility.

Helena Hallberg (Zurich, Switzerland/Nashville, Tennessee) – A unique voice in the folk scene who bridges European and American musical traditions.

Holly Lovell (Denver, Colorado) – A Rocky Mountain folk artist whose songs reflect the landscapes and communities of Colorado.

Hudson Mueller (Houston, Texas) – A Texas songwriter continuing the state’s rich tradition of storytelling through song.

Isabel Shaye (Arlington, Virginia) – An emerging voice from the vibrant Washington D.C. area folk scene.

Jeremy Facknitz (Colorado Springs, Colorado) – A Colorado-based performer bringing fresh perspectives to traditional folk formats.

Jessica Willis Fisher (Nashville, Tennessee) – A Nashville artist whose music draws from both traditional and contemporary folk influences.

Madeleine Roger (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) – A Canadian songwriter whose work exemplifies the country’s strong folk music heritage.

Malena Cadiz (Los Angeles, California) – A West Coast artist blending California’s diverse musical traditions with folk storytelling.

Martin Gilmore (Denver, Colorado) – A Colorado musician whose songcraft extends the legacy of Rocky Mountain folk.

Mike Vitale (Los Angeles, California) – A Los Angeles-based songwriter bringing contemporary perspectives to the folk tradition.

Morgan Lee Powers (Waco, Texas) – A central Texas artist whose songs reflect the state’s diverse musical landscapes.

Racyne Parker (Everett, Washington) – A Pacific Northwest songwriter contributing to the region’s vibrant acoustic music scene.

Katie Dahl (Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin) – A Midwest folk artist whose work captures the spirit of Wisconsin’s musical traditions.

Reckless Saints (Fort Myers, Florida) – A Florida-based folk group bringing collective energy to acoustic storytelling.

Sara Beth Go (Nashville, Tennessee) – A Nashville songwriter who represents the city’s evolving folk music community.

Sophia DeLeo (New York, New York) – A New York City artist bringing urban perspectives to traditional folk formats.

Stephanie Sammons (Farmers Branch, Texas) – A Texas songwriter continuing the state’s rich storytelling traditions.

Tai Shan (Madison, Tennessee) – A Tennessee-based artist whose work blends various folk music influences.

The Kerrville Folk Festival, celebrating its 54th year in 2025, remains one of America’s longest-running folk music gatherings. The New Folk Competition has launched careers of numerous notable singer-songwriters since its inception.

Festival organizers expect record attendance for this year’s competition performances, with both in-person and livestream options available for audiences. The complete festival runs May 22-June 8 at Quiet Valley Ranch in Kerrville.

For more information, visit kerrvillefolkfestival.org.