Second weekend of the Kerrville Folk Festival lineups, May 30-June 1, 2025

Friday, May 30 – Kennedy Outdoor Theater

KC Clifford (7 pm)
KC Clifford is an award-winning folk singer-songwriter known for her emotive vocals and heartfelt lyrics. Drawing from personal experience, her songs often explore themes of resilience, hope, and human connection. With multiple albums to her credit, she’s built a career on authentic storytelling and memorable melodies that resonate with listeners on a personal level.

Mia Borders (8 pm)
Mia Borders is a New Orleans-based singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music blends soul, funk, and blues with elements of rock and folk. Known for her powerful vocals and compelling stage presence, Borders has established herself as a distinctive voice in the Gulf Coast music scene. Her songwriting often addresses social issues while maintaining a groove-oriented approach that reflects her New Orleans musical heritage.

Next of Kin (9 pm)
Next of Kin is a roots music collective that brings together traditional folk instrumentation with contemporary songwriting sensibilities. Their sound often features rich vocal harmonies and instrumental interplay between fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and upright bass. Drawing from American folk traditions while incorporating modern influences, they create music that connects historical roots with present-day experiences.

Hayes Carll (10 pm)
Joshua Hayes Carll (born January 9, 1976) is an American singer-songwriter from The Woodlands, Texas, whose roots-oriented songwriting is known for its plainspoken poetry and sarcastic humor. Described as a “dry-witted folk musician,” his unassuming music comes to life with amusing anecdotes and Texas-inspired blues. His 2021 album “You Get It All” embraced a purer country influence, and he has been nominated for a Grammy Award.

Saturday, May 31 – Kennedy Outdoor Theater

BettySoo (7 pm)
BettySoo is an Austin-based singer-songwriter known for her crystalline voice and insightful songwriting. Of Korean-American heritage, she brings a unique perspective to Americana music while addressing universal themes of love, loss, and identity. Beyond her solo work, she’s collaborated with numerous Texas musicians and been part of projects like Nobody’s Girl (with Rebecca Loebe and Grace Pettis). Her performances are marked by emotional vulnerability and moments of unexpected humor.

Goodnight, Texas (8 pm)
Goodnight, Texas is a folk-rock band named after the geographic midpoint between the hometowns of its two primary songwriters, Avi Vinocur and Patrick Dyer Wolf. Their music draws inspiration from American history and folklore, with songs that often transport listeners to different historical eras. With a sound that combines traditional folk instruments with contemporary production, they create music that feels both timeless and current.

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore (9 pm)
This collaboration brings together two legendary figures in American roots music. Dave Alvin, a founding member of The Blasters, is known for his blend of rock, folk, blues, and country, while Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s distinctive tenor voice and cosmic cowboy approach made him a central figure in the Texas outlaw country movement with The Flatlanders. Together, they create music that honors traditional American genres while showcasing their distinctive individual styles.

Shovels & Rope (10 pm)
Shovels & Rope is an American folk duo from Charleston, South Carolina, composed of husband and wife Michael Trent and Cary Ann Hearst. They blend traditional folk, rock and roll, and country rock in their music. The band’s seventh album “Something Is Working Up Above My Head” was released in September 2024. Known for their emotional bond on stage, they alternate between drums and guitars during performances, building intensity throughout their sets.

Sunday, June 1 – Kennedy Outdoor Theater

Nicky Diamonds (7 pm)
Nicky Diamonds is an emerging singer-songwriter whose music blends folk traditions with contemporary influences. Known for thoughtful lyrics and an engaging stage presence, Diamonds creates songs that explore personal narratives while connecting with universal emotions. Their performances often create an intimate atmosphere that invites listeners into a world of authentic storytelling.

Prophets and Outlaws (8 pm)
Prophets and Outlaws is a Texas-based band that blends Southern soul, country, and rock into a distinctive sound they call “Texas soul.” Known for their energetic performances and soulful vocals, the band has built a dedicated following through extensive touring and a series of well-received releases. Their music often features rich harmonies, groove-oriented rhythms, and themes that resonate with Southern musical traditions.

The Peterson Brothers (9 pm)
The Peterson Brothers are a blues, funk, and soul band led by siblings Glenn Jr. and Alex Peterson. Despite their youth, they’ve already established themselves as virtuosic instrumentalists carrying forward blues traditions while incorporating elements of funk, jazz, and soul. Their dynamic live performances showcase both their instrumental prowess and deep appreciation for American roots music traditions.

FRUITION (10 pm)
FRUITION is a Portland, Oregon-based band that blends elements of folk-rock, Americana, soul, and bluegrass. Known for their three-part harmonies and collaborative songwriting approach, the band has evolved from acoustic street performers to a dynamic touring act with a devoted following. Their music balances rootsy instrumentation with modern sensibilities, creating a sound that honors tradition while pushing creative boundaries.