Doors @ 7:00pm
Show @ 8:00pm
Full Bar
Free On-site Parking
All Ages

Many people consider the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition to be the soul of the Kerrville Folk Festival. Every year since 1972, songwriters have been invited to submit two songs to be considered for this prestigious competition. From the 1,200 submissions in 2025, 24 artists are invited to come to the Kerrville Folk Festival and perform their songs before an adoring and enthusiastic audience. A panel of professional touring singer songwriters selects six “award winners” from the 24. Each year those six award winners are invited to participate in a tour of central Texas.

This year, 5 award winners will join us at Sycamore Creek Concerts and share their incredible songs and musicianship. The sixth award winner, Katie Dahl, had previous commitments and is not able to join the tour.

ARTISTS:

Sara Beth Go, Nashville, TN

Starting out in New Orleans as a blissfully awkward 13-year-old girl playing an out-of-tune, dark brown, upright piano. At age 18 she moved to Nashville. Welcome to Sara Beth’s Neighborhoodof Noise, 2nd Edition. It's strong and shimmery, clunky and uncomfortable, heartbreaking and hopeful, mental and, like a 13 year old, funny as hell.

https://www.sarabethgo.com/

Cindy Kalmenson, OJAI, CA

Cindy Kalmenson is on a rollm she has won numerous songriting competitions before becoming an awar winner in the Kerrville New Folk Songwriters Competition. FolkWax sus it up: “As a singer, Kalmenson has a gift for storytelling and phrasing well suited to the stories she writes. She sings in a light yet powerful soprano that reminds a bit of FolkWax favorite and artist of the year Gretchen Peters.”FolkWax. https:cindystylemusic.com/

Abigayle Oakley, NASHVILLE, TN

From Las Vegas to Nashvegas, Abigayle Oakley blends the melodic richness of folk pioneers with the lyrical honesty of today’s confessional singer-songwriters. Her songs explore the complexities of life and the existential questions that shape us, often with a sharp, tongue-in-cheek wit that adds layers of humor and insight. Check out her website to experience some of her music. https://www.abigayleoakley.com/

Madeleine Roger, WINNIPEG, ONTARIO - CANADA

Madeleine Roger is a singer-songwriter from Winnipeg, Canada. She can easily silence a room, uniting her lyrical prowess with breathtaking melodies that linger long after they are sung. Her newest collection of songs (Nerve) is a deeply personal body of work and is the result of three years of soul-digging, experimentation, and fine-tuning. She has toured extensively across Canada, Europe, USA, and the UK. She is also a regular collaborator with JUNO award winning string quartet The Fretless, appearing with them in performances and on recordings as a vocalist and co-writer. www.Madeleineroger.com

Martin Gilmore, DENVER, CO

Martin Gilmore released his debut self-titled record in 2009 featuring a number of well know artists. He teaches music and has opened for a long list of note worthy artists. He has also won a number of songwriting competitions in addition to he win at the Kerrville Folk Festival.

Https://www.Martingilmore.com