Newport Folk Festival 2009, Final Line Up Announced

Since 1959, George Wein has been presenting the very best of Americana, blues, roots, gospel, country, Cajun, bluegrass, and traditional folk music in scenic Newport.  FOLK FESTIVAL 50 will pay tribute to festival co-founder Pete Seeger (see news on Pete's NYC 90th B'Day Concert) on both Fort Adams days and a special set on Sunday featuring Joan Baez, who made her Newport debut in 1959.

Other festival highlights will surely be the sets by Billy Bragg and Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman, who continue in folk's great tradition of political songwriting.  Folk troubadour Ramblin' Jack Elliott picks his way back to Newport, RI to give new voice to the songs of America's greatest blues players. The Campbell Brothers infuse some sacred steel music into Sunday's program, while Tim Eriksen leads a new generation of Shape Note Singers in traditional hymns. The Decemberists combine the energy of rock with the craft of great storytellers, and Neko Case, Guy Clark, Gillian Welch, Elvis Perkins, Josh Ritter and Brett Dennen carry on the festival's long-time history of powerful songwriting. The Avett Brothers bring a rollicking new twist to bluegrass and country roots, and Mavis Staples will take festival-goers to the place where R&B meets gospel. With blues from Ben Kweller, bluegrass from The Del McCoury Band, Cajun from Balfa Toujours, alt-country from guitar master David Rawlings and the down-home sounds of Tao Rodriguez Seeger, this year's lineup draws from the many musical styles that have found a home in Newport over the years.