WELCOME / SPONSORS

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CLONAKILTY, IRELAND SEPT. 19-21, 2017

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 THANK YOU SPONSORS!
Filte romhaibh go lir (Welcome to you all),
WELCOME / SPONSORS

Folk Alliance International (FAI) is thrilled to have each

of you with us for our inaugural micro-conference, The
ExChange, with attendees joining us from across Ireland,
the UK, Sweden, Australia, Canada, and the US.

Our organization is a non-profit headquartered in Kansas

City, Missouri, USA, that strives to preserve, promote,
and present folk music globally. We proudly produce
the worlds largest folk music conference each February,
including the International Folk Music Awards.

The ExChange marks the first time we have orchestrated

an event outside North America in our 30-year history.
The intent of this gathering is to forge folk industry
relationships, discuss opportunities, showcase emerging
talent, celebrate legends, and strengthen networks.

Ireland is the first host location for this venture for many
reasons: its rich legacy of influence on North American
folk music, a strong history of artist showcases and
export partnerships with FAI, and naturally, our personal
roots and connections.

Profound thanks are in order to Culture Ireland, Sharon

Corcoran & Rose Carroll and all at the Cork County
Council Tourism department, our gracious hosts The
Clonakilty International Guitar Festival, and the many
generous venues and sponsors listed here. We could
not have mounted this event without their support.

We deeply appreciate the time youve taken to be

here, not only to network as industry, but as a show of
interest and support in building a stronger bridge for
folk music ExChange between Europe, North America,
and beyond.

Go raibh maith agat (thank you),

Aengus Finnan
Executive Director, Folk Alliance International

Sheena Keane
International Representative, Folk Alliance International

Watercolor image by kjpargeter / Freepik

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TUESDAY, SEPT. 19 If you have any questions about
the event, accomodations, or

SCHEDULE
9.00PM Showcases transportation, please call:
DeBarras Folk Club, Clonakilty
Sheena Keane +353 (0) 87 1958755
Laura Cortese (USA) Jennifer Roe +1 913 638 8908
Ye Vagabonds (IRL)
Moxie (IRL)

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 20 THURSDAY, SEPT. 21

9.30AM Welcome & Introductions 9.00AM Coach Collection
Fernhill Hotel, Clonakilty Fernhill Hotel, Clonakilty

11.00AM Coach Collection 9.30AM Industry Panel & Featured Interview

Fernhill Hotel, Clonakilty Monks Lane, Timoleague

Noon Lunch & Showcases Panel: Life of a Folk Musician
Connollys of Leap Moderator: Aengus Finnan

Talos (IRL) Panelists: Wallis Bird, Laura Cortese, Roy

Wallis Bird (IRL) Harper, John Spillane

2.00PM Industry Panel & Showcases Featured Interview: Luka Bloom

Levis Corner House, Ballydehob
Noon Lunch & Showcases
Panel: The Importance of Festivals Monks Lane, Timoleague
Moderator: Niamh NicGhabhann
John Blek (IRL)
Panelists: Chris Frayer, Chloe Goodyear, The Mae Trio (AUS)
ke Lundstrm, Kevin McNally, Lisa Gavin Moore (IRL)
Schwartz
3.30PM Showcases
Showcase Shanleys, Clonakilty
I Draw Slow (IRL)
In The Round:
7.00PM Delegate Dinner (optional) Mide Houlihan (IRL)
Sam Clague (IRL)
9.00PM Showcases Steve Poltz (USA)
DeBarras Folk Club, Clonakilty John Spillane (IRL)

In The Round: 5.00PM FAI Lifetime Achievment Award

Lisa ONeill (IRL) Dnal Lunny
Wallis Bird (IRL) Debarras Folk Club, Clonakilty
John Smith (GBR)
Mick Flannery (IRL) Followed by a short performance with
longtime collaborator Paddy Glackin

7.00PM Delegate Dinner (optional)

9.00PM Showcase
DeBarras Folk Club, Clonakilty

Lankum (IRL)

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 FEATURED INTERVIEW: LUKA BLOOM
Thursday, Monks Lane, Timoleague

Luka Bloom
Inspired by Suzanne Vegas song character Luka and
James Joyces protagonist Leopold Bloom, Irish folksinger
Kevin Barry Moore adopted the stage name and identity
Luka Bloom while living in the US. He created, recorded,
and toured under this name since 1987. Prior to this moniker
adoption, Luka toured England with his brother Christy
Moore, released several solo records, lived in the Netherlands,
and fronted the Dublin-based band Red Square.

With over 20 albums to his credit, Bloom writes and performs

with a poets heart and a rockstars soul. Having toured the
world over, he is regarded as one of Irelands most respected
contemporary folk artists with provocative songs and covers
that delve into the intricacies of the human soul.

Hot Press described his 2016 album Frugalisto, as Bloom at the top of his game, high praise as 2017
marks his 40th year of touring. His latest release Refuge, recorded in West Cork, is due out this fall.
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

FAI LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Thursday, Debarras Folk Club, Clonakilty
Since 1995, Folk Alliance International presents Lifetime Achievement Awards each year to living, legacy,
and academic/organizational recipients. Past recipients have included Pete Seeger, Odetta, Bob Dylan,
Joan Baez and Harry Belafonte. Dnals award marks the first presentation specific to an event outside of
North America. Past recipient videos can be viewed at: www.folk.org/lifetime.

Dnal Lunny
A lifelong musician, Lunny has been at the forefront of the
Irish traditional music renaissance for over five decades.
He was a founding member of various seminal Irish bands
(Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Coolfin) and
continues to maintain a robust international recording and
performing career with Mozaik, Triad, ZoDoMo, Ushers Island,
and Atlantic Arc Orchestra.

Lunny holds the unique legacy of popularizing the bouzouki

in Irish music and has produced some of the most significant
albums of the traditional music revival since the 70s.
Recording and production highlights include work with
Kate Bush, Paul Brady, Elvis Costello, Indigo Girls, Sinad
OConnor, and Clannad.

In 2008 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Trinity College Dublin and was also made
a member of the 250-member national Aosdna, honouring his outstanding contribution to the creative
arts in Ireland. Lunny has written music for many films and theatre productions, and he continues to
divide time between composing, performance, production, and teaching.

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 Paddy Glackin Roy Harper
Paddy Glackin has Roy Harper is
been a prominent an English folk
traditional music singer-songwriter
performer and and guitarist
recording artist who has been
since the 1970s. A a professional
founding member musician since
of Seachtar, which 1964. Releasing
became The 23 studio albums
Bothy Band, he across his 50-
is considered one of Irelands leading traditional year career. His influence upon other musicians
fiddle players. has been acknowledged by Jimmy Page, Robert
Plant, Pete Townshend, Kate Bush, Pink Floyd, and
Glackin has been performing in a duet with Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, who said Harper was
Dnal Lunny; in a trio with Liam OFlynn and Sen his primary influence as an acoustic guitarist and
Keane; and with the bands Ushers Island (Andy songwriter.
Irvine, Mike McGoldrick, John Doyle, Lunny and
Glackin) and LAPD (OFlynn, Irvine, Glackin and Awarded the MOJO Hero Award in 2015, and in
Lunny). 2013 a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC
Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Paddy will join Dnal Lunny for a performance
during our award event on Thursday at De Roy will feature on our industry panel Life of a
Barras Folk Club. Folk Musician on Thursday at Monks Lane.

GAVIN MOORE I DRAW SLOW

Timoleague, Co. Cork, IRL Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL
www.gavinmoore.com www.idrawslow.com

Gavin Moore released Dublin roots band I

ARTIST DIRECTORY
three self-penned Draw Slow have been
albums, toured consistently selling out
extensively in the venues and releasing
UK, US, Europe and their records to critical
Australia and had a long acclaim in Ireland for the
association with the last 10 years. Its been
legendary De Barraa five years since the 5
Folk in Clonakilty before piece band made their
taking the opportunity debut US appearance
to open the widely in Nashville, following
acclaimed restaurant release of their second
Monks Lane in Timoleague with his wife Michelle. Three album Redhills. Fifteen tours and 25 states later, theyve
years later the business is thriving and he is turning his moved into a dominant position on the North American
attention back to music gigging with three different folk music scene and are receiving well deserved
bands and a fourth album on the way in 2018. recognition from some of the biggest festivals in the US.
They have signed to Compass Records in Nashville with
BOOKING CONTACT: their new album, which reached No.1 in Ireland.
Gavin Moore, +353 86 171 7658
sittingroomsessions@gmail.com BOOKING CONTACT:
Dave Holden, +353 86 325 7947
holddave@gmail.com

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ARTIST DIRECTORY
JOHN BLEK JOHN SPILLANE
Glanmire, Co. Cork, IRL Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL
www.johnblek.com www.johnspillane.ie

Catharsis Vol.1 is the John Spillane is a

third solo album from musician, songwriter,
Cork, Ireland-based performer, recording
songwriter John Blek. artist, storyteller, poet,
Best known for his work dreamer a canvass filled
with his band John Blek with color and brilliance.
& the Rats, John has His music transports
begun a new journey the listener; his live
influenced by the folk performance captivates
music of Ireland, Britain the audience. What
and the US. With his makes John special is
solo work, he delves into that he is an artist who
the world of fingerstyle guitar and reveals the deeply knows how to deliver all that he has to offer to anyone
personal and poignant lyrical aspects of his character. of any age, male or female, no matter the musical
John Bleks Catharsis Vol.1 will be released on the 6th preference. Place him in the genre of folk, acoustic,
October in Ireland (WARR) and in Germany (Tonetoaster traditional, world or pop - thats fine with John. Whether
Records) on CD, gatefold heavyweight vinyl and digital performing solo with guitar, with gentle accompaniment
formats. or with full band John entertains, charms, and
mesmerizes.
BOOKING CONTACT:
John Blek, +353 85 735 3212 BOOKING CONTACT:
johnbleksolo@gmail.com Lorcan Ennis, +353 1 272 2799
verge@johnspillane.ie

JOHN SMITH LANKUM

Frome, Somerset, GBR Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL
www.johnsmithjohnsmith.com www.lankumdublin.com

John Smith is told Lankum are a four-

ARTIST DIRECTORY

almost every day piece traditional folk

that he has the most group from Dublin,
common name in the Ireland, who combine
world. However, other distinctive four-part
than the name, there is vocal harmonies
nothing commonplace with arrangements
about him. John tours of uilleann pipes,
relentlessly all over concertina, accordion,
the world, in festival fiddle and guitar.
tents and sold-out Their repertoire spans
concert halls. Hes humorous Dublin music-
always looking to communicate through a song, sharing hall ditties and street-songs, classic ballads from the
something intangible with those willing to listen. He has Traveller tradition, traditional Irish and American dance
also played guitar for artists such as Jackson Browne, tunes, and their own original material. They do mark a
Joan Baez, Glen Hansard, David Gray, Lisa Hannigan, turning point in folk that authentic voice of the streets
Richard Hawley, Rodney Crowell and Lianne La Havas. is back in a big way. -- Mark Radcliffe; Anarchic, yet
Youre smiling even as tears catch in your throat. connected, rootsy and gutsy I love them. -- Mike
MOJO, Hes a magician. BEN HOWARD Harding; The most convincing folk band to come out of
Ireland in years. --The Guardian
BOOKING CONTACT:
John Smith, +44 7989 989 030 BOOKING CONTACT:
acousticsmith@gmail.com Tom Sherlock, +353 87 223 4541
tomsherlock71@gmail.com

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LAURA CORTESE THE MAE TRIO
Medford, MA, USA Castlemaine, Victoria, AUS
www.thisislauracortese.com www.themaetrio.com

Cutting her teeth as To suggest that

a sideman in Bostons Melbournes the Mae
roots music scene, Laura Trio is too good to
Cortese forged a unique be true would be to
path including stints as ignore the empirical
an instrumentalist with evidence provided
Band of Horses, Pete by a simply superb
Seeger, Rose Cousins sophomore album.
and Jocie Adams (the -- The Australian.
Low Anthem). Her Leaving behind two
Compass Records half finished university
debut, CALIFORNIA degrees and one steady
CALLING, is the next step in her career as a frontwoman primary school teaching job the Trio took to the road
and bandleader-she and her Dance Cards, break new for the last two years touring Australia, Canada, USA
ground with a bold and elegant new album, based in and Europe with performances at the Hydro Stadium at
the lyrical rituals of folk music but exploring rhythm Celtic Connection, Glasgow, Americana Folk Festival,
and sonics. With the support of producer Sam Kassirer Nashville, Cambridge Folk Festival, UK Edmonton &
(Lake Street Dive) theyve created something thats Vancouver Folk Festivals, Canada, Rocky Mountain folks
simultaneously rowdy, delicate and cinematic. festival, U.S.A and Port Fairy and National Folk Festivals,
Australia.
BOOKING CONTACT:
Laura Cortese, +1 617 230 7041 BOOKING CONTACT:
corteselaura@gmail.com Maggie Rigby, +61 4 0944 4586
themeatrio@gmail.com

LISA ONEILL MICK FLANNERY

Gorey, Co. Wexford, IRL Blarney, Co.Cork, IRL
www.lisaoneill.ie www.mickflannery.ie

Lisa ONeills third Mick Flannery grew

ARTIST DIRECTORY
album Pothole in the up outside Blarney
Sky is an assured piece in Cork. Prior to
of work. Her approach taking up a music
is unrushed, naturalistic, career he worked as a
straight-talking. Shes stonemason. His first
like a musical version album, Evening Train,
of Flannery OConnor. was set to a storyline,
The voice is sprite-like, two of the songs going
but with an old soul on to win international
singing.the kind of awards. Hes since
voice that might sit recorded a total of five
as easily on a Carter Family recording as it would an albums, including two which reached number one in
avant-folk crank artefact. Its a tender and expressive the national charts. In recent years he moved to Berlin
instrument, but possesses a midlands Irish flintiness. where he wrote most of his latest albums. He has toured
More to the point, it suits the subject matter and songs. extensively through Europe from there.
A quiet gem, its simplicity complements the rich poetry
of her narratives THE GUARDIAN ones to watch 2017. BOOKING CONTACT:
Mick Flannery, +353 87 124 2523
BOOKING CONTACT: mickflannerymusic@gmail.com
Claire Leadbitter, +353 87 752 4115
claire@theframes.ie

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ARTIST DIRECTORY
MIDE HOULIHAN SAM CLAGUE
Cork, Co. Cork, IRL Cork, Co. Cork, IRL
www.soundcloud.com/ow_my_pancreas www.facebook.com/SamClagueMusic

Mide Houlihan started Sam Clague is a unique

gigging as a solo act kind of artist. He blends
in late 2011. Her song delicate fingerstyle
Nuts and Bolts won guitar with sultry jazz,
the IMRO Christie and folk tones to create
Hennessy Songwriting his very own brand of
award 2015. Her single Kaleidoscopic Chamber
You Know its Christmas Music - exploring
Time (recorded with themes like Friendship,
Bill Shanley) received a Death and Love with a
great review from Mick reanimated outlook. His
Hanly - I think we have debut EP Balloons
a surfeit of syrup and goo already, but when you hear marks the culmination of a childhood well spent and the
Eastenders being rhymed with preggars in a Christmas verity of being reluctantly pulled into the cruelties of
song setting its time to tune in. Her voice is beautiful, adulthood.
honest, and original; her style is delivered with a bit of
attitude which belies her youth. - Gary Hannon BOOKING CONTACT:
Sam Clague, +353 89 215 4937
BOOKING CONTACT: samclague@outlook.com
Mide Houlihan, +353 86 340 1665
midemunchkin@hotmail.com

MOXIE STEVE POLTZ

Headford, Co.Galway, IRL Nashville, TN, USA
www.moxiemuso.com www.poltz.com/words

All hailing from Irelands Steve Poltz has fun on

ARTIST DIRECTORY

untamed West Coast stage. Steve Poltz has

MOXIE are: Cillian fun off stage. Every
Doheny (tenor banjo/ show has its own
guitar), Jos Kelly (button vibe. Raucous, joyous,
accordion/keyboard), improvisational and
Darren Roche (button always strange. Great
accordion), Ted Kelly guitar work and songs
(tenor banjo) Paddy Hazelton (percussion). Their music that will have you
has a solid traditional backbone, inspired and shaped smiling one minute and
by the surrounding of the west of Ireland, but with crying the next. Born
progressive, world and jazz influences creeping into their in Halifax Nova Scotia
music it makes for a truly heady and distinctive sound, Canada and raised in Southern California and now living
putting them at the forefront of new acoustic music in Nashville Tennessee. Steve Poltz tours nonstop and
from Ireland. With their unmistakable approach, MOXIE is the surprise sleeper hit of any festival. He also thinks
are becoming a festival favourite in Europe, America, hes an attorney for dogs but thats a whole different
Australia garnering a reputation for their highly charged story. Catch him while you can. Hes elusive like Bigfoot.
live performances.
BOOKING CONTACT:
BOOKING CONTACT: Steve Poltz, +1 619 253 8646
Eamon Murray, +44 7709 616 858 stevepoltz@gmail.com
moxiemuso@gmail.com

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TALOS WALLIS BIRD
Cork, Co. Cork, IRL Wexford, Co. Wexford, IRL
www.talostalos.com www.wallisbird.com

Talos is Eoin French. Wallis Bird has been

A musician from Cork, enrapturing audiences
Ireland, and also an for over ten years.
architect. But first and Shes recorded for
foremost, a musician. Universal and Sony,
Just released Wild and toured with the
Alee described by likes of Billy Bragg
The Irish Times as A and Anais Mitchell.
spectacularly assured Her recent headlining
debut deserving of tour attracted 30,000
a wide audience 4/5 people across Europe,
Album of the Week. Japan and Australia.
Talos has picked up nods from the likes of Fader, New Shes won two Irish Meteors, a prestigious German
York Times, Wonderland, BBC Radio 1, racked up over 5 composers prize, and has two Choice nominations.
million streams on Spotify, 10 million streams across all Known for her energy on stage the Irish Times noted it
platforms in just one year. Appearances at Electric Picnic, could kickstart an entire economy she even played a
Eurosonic, Other Voices, Longitude, the band have just 12-hour charity gig in 2016. Shes performed at Europes
completed a sold-out debut album tour in their native biggest festivals, including Montreaux Jazz, Celtic
Ireland. Connections and Electric Picnic. Few can enchant an
audience the way Wallis Bird can.
BOOKING CONTACT:
Barry ODonoghue, +353 87 919 4411 BOOKING CONTACT:
barry@feelgoodlost.me Liz Riches, +44 (0) 7902 875 676
liz@karakter-worldwide.com

YE VAGABONDS
Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL
www.yevagabonds.com

Brothers Bran and

ARTIST DIRECTORY
Diarmuid Mac Gloinn
grew up playing music
together around their
hometown of Carlow,
a small town in the
southeast of Ireland.
After moving to Dublin
in 2012, they quickly
became a staple of the
live music and session scene in Ireland, playing their
own original songs as well as folk songs from Ireland,
Scotland, England and America. They have been busy
touring Ireland, the UK and Europe, opening for acts
such as Glenn Hansard, Villagers, Roy Harper and Lisa
Hannigan. Their highly anticipated debut LP is due out
late 2017.

BOOKING CONTACT:
Una Molloy, +353 87 293 0529
una@turningpirate.com

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ARTIST DIRECTORY
RAY BLACKWELL JOHN CLEERE
De Barras Folk Club Kilkenny Rhythm & Roots Festival
Clonakilty, Co. Cork, IRL Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny, IRL
Ray is the manager of John Cleere is Festival Director
DeBarras (a third generation of Kilkenny Roots Festival, which
pub & famed music venue in will celebrate 21 years in 2018.
Clonakilty), founding member Festured artists have included
of the Clonakilty International Calexico, Ryan Adams, Guy Clark,
Guitar Festival, and a member Ray LaMontagne, Richmond
of the South of Ireland Band Fontaine, Sturgill Simpson and
Championship Committee. Alabama Shakes. He developed
DeBarras is featured in the award-winning documentary John Cleeres Bar and Theatre which have played host to
The Irish Pub currently on Netflix. numerous acts since 1992.
CONTACT: CONTACT:
eolas@debarras.ie info@kilkennyroots.com
www.debarra.ie www.kilkennyroots.com

CONOR BYRNE MICHELLE CONCEISON

Doolin Folk Festival
Liscannor, Co. Clare, IRL
Musician, programmer, and
broadcaster, Conor released 2
albums. Conor programmes the
Doolin Folk Festival, and Scoil
Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy. As
a TV Producer he has produced
several series for TG4, and has
worked for RT Radio One
including Big Music Week, and was guest presenter of
The Rolling Waive.
CONTACT:
conorabyrne@mac.com
www.doolinfestivals.ie
Market Monkeys
Nashville, TN, USA
Michelle Conceison runs
management/marketing firm
Market Monkeys (founded 2004).
She works with singer-songwriters
and folk/roots artists including
Rose Cousins, Fortunate Ones,
Sarah Siskind, Kirby Brown, Kris
Delmhorst, Hayward Williams.
Michelles on the FAI board, has a MBA, teaches at two
universities. She led teams at global ad agencies before
music.
CONTACT:
michelle@marketmonkeys.com
www.marketmonkeys.com

KERRY CLARKE CLAIRE COURTNEY

Calgary Folk Music Festival Earth Agency
Calgary, AB, CAN London, England, GBR
She entered the independent Claire started her music industry
music world through community career 20 years ago in music PR,
radio 30+ years ago and is the moving into the live industry back
DELEGATE DIRECTORY

artistic director of the Calgary in 2001. With over 15 years of

Folk Music Festival a 38-year booking experience, in 2014 she
post-folk festival each July. She co-founded Earth Music Agency.
serves on arts boards and juries,
co-founded Rwandas KigaliUp
festival, and hosts CJSW and CKUA radio programs. CONTACT:
clairecourtney@earth-agency.com
CONTACT:
www.earth-agency.com
kerry@calgaryfolkfest.com
www.calgaryfolkfest.com

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ORLAGH DE BHALDRAITHE
Macnas / Musician
Kinvara, Co. Glaway, IRL
Musical Director of Macnas
theatre company. Also a
performer and producer of music,
based in Galway. Performance
highlights include SXSW 2016,
Dublin Fringe 2013, #Stateofus
FAI 2017, Clowns Without Borders
tour Lebanon 2017. Currently
working on a Macnas show premiering in Hull, European
city of culture closing ceremony Nov 2017.
CONTACT:
orlaghsmusic@gmail.com
www.orlagh.net
VALERIE DENN
Val Denn Agency
Blandford, NS, CAN
Val is a booking agent who
is active in the Folk/Roots/
Americana/World music
community and is passionate
about working with artists on
export development. Val served
for 4 years on the Board of Folk
Alliance International. Val has
partnered with industry events coaching attendees on
enrichment of the creative/artistic process.
CONTACT:
valdenn@valdenn.com
www.valdenn.com
KELLY DOUGHERTY
Kansas City Irish Center
Kansas City, MO, USA
Kelly is a board member and
entertainment chair for the Kansas
City Irish Center as well as a stage
manager and founding member
of the Kansas City Irish Fest.
She holds a Masters degree of
Liberal Arts from Baker University
with an emphasis in leadership
and management. Kelly is the new coordinator of FAIs
Kansas City Folk Festival.
CONTACT:
kelly@irishcenterkc.org
www.irishcenterkc.org
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AENGUS FINNAN
Folk Alliance International
Kansas City, MO, USA
Aengus Finnan is the Executive
Director of Folk Alliance
International. Earlier he served as
Audience Development Officer
for the Ontario Arts Council,
Board President for Folk Music
Ontario, and was the founder of
the Shelter Valley Folk Festival. He
spent 10 years as a touring singer-songwriter.
CONTACT:
director@folk.org
www.folk.org
CHRIS FRAYER
Winnipeg Folk Festival
Winnipeg, MB, CAN
Chris has been the Artistic
Director of the Winnipeg Folk
Festival for the last 13 years. He
is responsible for programming
a year-round concert series and
the annual summer festival that
is a multi-staged, 4-day festival
featuring over 70 of the best
Indie-Folk, Roots and Global music artists on the planet.
CONTACT:
cfrayer@winnipegfolkfestical.ca
www.winnipegfolkfestival.ca
CHLOE GOODYEAR
Woodfordia Inc.
Woodford, Queensland, AUS
Chloe is the Head of
Programming for Woodfordia
Inc., which incorporates the
DELEGATE DIRECTORY
programming of the Woodford
Folk Festival and The Planting,
creative partnerships, the
boutique regional touring
programme Festival of Small
Halls, Australia and support of a small roster of
international touring artists, usually on their first visit to
Australia.
CONTACT:
chloe@woodfordia.com
www.woodfordfolkfestival.com
11
ARTIST DIRECTORY
SHEENA KEANE CLAIRE LEADBITTER
Blue Grace Music/Folk Alliance International Claire Leadbitter Management
Clonakilty, Co. Cork, IRL Gorey, Co. Wexford, IRL
Sheena is the director of music Claires career started at Warners
management company Blue in London as domestic label
Grace Music. She has the A&R manager. Then to ZTT as product
role for Star House Collective, a manager, where she fell in love
multidisciplinary arts company. with their new signings The
She consults for various Frames. She left to take on
companies and individuals in the management of one of Irelands
music and arts industry, curates finest groups. She looks after
festivals and is the International Representative for Folk Glen Hansard & Lisa ONeill, amongst others.
Alliance International.
CONTACT:
CONTACT: claire@theframes.ie
info@bluegracemusic.com www.claireleadbitter.com
www.bluegracemusic.com

JOE KELLY SAM LEE

The Good Room / Live at St. Lukes
Cork City, Co. Cork, IRL
Joe arrived in Cork in 1988 and
since then was resident DJ in
the legendary Sir Henrys, ran
many seminal club nights, was a
Publican for 17 years and has put
on hundreds if not 1000s of acts
through the years. Not bad for a
Galwayman.
CONTACT:
joekellycorkcity@gmail.com
www.liveatstlukes.com
The Nest Collective / Artist
London, England, GBR
Sam Lee is a Mercury-nominated
and BBC award-winning folk
singer and song collector as
well as founder of the eclectic,
award-winning folk club The Nest
Collective, which has brought
traditional music to new venues
and festival stages throughout the
UK. Member of FAI Board of Directors.
CONTACT:
sam@thenestcollective.co.uk
www.thenestcollective.co.uk

PEADAR KING KE LUNDSTRM

Inis: Island Conversations Live at Heart
Inish Bofin, Co. Galway, IRL rebro, SWE
Peadar King is a musician from ke is the Swedish producer
Inishbofin island and chairperson and CEO of Live at Heart as well
of the Inish:Island Conversations. as one of the founders and the
DELEGATE DIRECTORY

Member of the steering CEO of the Swedish production

committee for The Inishbofin company Eyra Media. He is also
Arts Festival, Founder of The spearheading the establishment
Inishbofin youth film-making of a Nordic Folk Alliance.
group - Onarock Productions.
Most recently Peadar launched The Black Gate Cultural CONTACT:
Centre in Galway City with Eamonn Day Lavelle. ake@liveatheart.se
www.liveatheart.se
CONTACT:
irelandvoyager@gmail.com
www.inishfestival.com

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KEVIN MCNALLY
The Clonaklity International Guitar Festival
Clonakilty, Co. Cork, IRL
Kevin McNally is a musician and
lecturer. Lecturing in Irish Popular
Music and Javanese Gamelan
at University College Cork &
University of Limerick. Member of
Irish Gamelan Orchestra, Kulini &
musical director of the West Cork
Ukulele Orchestra. Kevin is one
of the directors of The Clonakilty International Guitar
Festival.
CONTACT:
info@clonguitarfest.com
www.clonguitarfest.com
SAM MCNICHOLL
Connollys of Leap
Leap, Co. Cork, IRL
Connollys of Leap, a third-
generation music venue in West
Cork, run for years by Paddy and
Eileen McNicholl, closed in 2006,
reopened in 2015 by their son
Sam. Curating all performances,
recently presenting Valerie June,
Lisa Hannigan & James Vincent
McMorrow. Sam also plays drums in Talos.
CONTACT:
sam@connollysofleap.com
www.connollysofleap.com
DNAL MINIHANE
Hotel Doolin
Lahinch Co. Clare, IRL
Dnal runs the multi-award
winning Hotel Doolin in Co. Clare,
is the founder and director of
the Doolin Folk Festival, Doolin
Craft Beer & Roots Festival and
the Doolin Writers Weekend.
Dnal holds a degree in Hotel
Management and an MA in
Creative Writing and is also an award-winning novelist.
CONTACT:
dminihane@hoteldoolin.ie
www.doolinfestivals.ie
thE
NIAMH NICGHABHANN
MA Festive Arts, University of Limerick
Limerick, Co. Limerick, IRL
Niamh NicGhabhann is the course
director of the award-winning MA
Festive Arts programme at the
Irish World Academy of Music and
Dance, University of Limerick. This
programme prepares students for
a career in developing creative
and successful festivals and events
across a range of genres and contexts.
CONTACT:
niamh.nicghabhann@ul.ie
www.ul.ie/graduateschool/course/festive-arts-ma
MARTIN NOLAN
Essential International Artists
Nashville, TN, USA
Martin Nolan is owner of Essential
International Artists a US-based
booking agency and MPI an Irish
and UK-based agency. Artists
include The High Kings, Altan,
Sharon Shannon, Socks in the
Frying Pan, The Saw Doctors,
Hermitage Green, Doolin, King
Kong Company, and Raglans.
CONTACT:
info@essentialartists.tv
www.eiaagency.com
ED OLEARY
The Good Room / Live at St. Lukes
Kinsale, Co. Cork, IRL
Ed OLeary has been promoting
music in Ireland for15 years. He is
based in Kinsale, West Cork where
DELEGATE DIRECTORY
he runs The Good Room with Joe
Kelly. In 2015 they took over St.
Lukes Church and transformed it
to one of the most unique venues
in the country.
CONTACT:
thegoodroomcork@gmail.com
www.liveatstlukes.com
13
ARTIST DIRECTORY
JOSEPH OLEARY LISA SCHWARTZ
Levis Corner House Philadelphia Folk Festival
Ballydehob, Co. Cork, IRL Philadelphia, PA, USA
Joseph OLeary & Caroline Lisa is a vibrant and dynamic
ODonnell (& 8 month old individual with a passion for great
daughter Johanna Sadie Mae) music. As the Festival Director for
run Levis Corner House in the world-renowned Philadelphia
Ballydehob, West Cork. Recently Folk Festival, Lisa is honored to
winning Irish Pub of the Year & present both superstars and rising
Munster Live Music Venue. Home stars alike from across the globe.
to Secret Song Festival, Joseph Lisa is delighted to serve as Vice-
is also a director of the Ballydehob Jazz Festival. President for Folk Alliance International.
CONTACT: CONTACT:
leviscornerhouse@gmail.com ljschwartz@pfs.org
www.leviscornerhouse.com www.pfs.org

LIZ RICHES ALKA SHARMA

Karakter Worldwide
London, England, GBR
Liz Riches is a co-founder of
Karakter Worldwide (London/
Berlin). Together with her Berlin-
based business partner, she has
co-managed Wallis Bird since
Karakters inception in 2006. Liz
is based in London and also
manages Anais Mitchell and runs
Wilderland Records on her behalf, and manages the UKs
Keston Cobblers Club.
CONTACT:
liz@karakter-worldwide.com
www.www.karakter-worldwide.com
Folk Music Ontario
Ottawa, ON, CAN
Alka joined Folk Music Ontario
as the Executive Director in 2013.
Prior to that, she worked as the
Interim Executive Director at the
Toronto Reel Asian International
Film Festival and spent many
years as the Senior Manager
of Operations with the Toronto
International Film Festival. She currently serves as
Treasurer of Folk Alliance International.
CONTACT:
asharma@folkmusicontario.ca
www.folkmusicontario.ca

JENNIFER ROE DAVID SHAUGHNESSY

Folk Alliance International Kansas City Irish Festival
Kansas City, MO, USA Kansas City, MO, USA
Jennifer is the Director of David has been the Entertainment
Operations for Folk Alliance Director of the Kansas City Irish
International. She started working Festival for 15 years. He has hired
DELEGATE DIRECTORY

for the organization when it entertainers from all over the

moved to Kansas City in 2013. She world. His expertise has helped
is responsible for leading the FAI grow the festival to one of the top
staff and contractors in planning Irish Festivals in the United States.
the annual conference and
running the day-to-day operations of the office. CONTACT:
david@shaughnessyphoto.com
CONTACT:
www.kcirishfest.com
operations@folk.org
www.folk.org

14 thE
CHRISTINE SISK
Culture Ireland
Dublin, Co. Dublin, IRL
Director of Culture Ireland
with the remit of creating and
supporting opportunities for
Irish artists and companies to
present their work at international
festivals, venues and arts markets.
In recent years has presented high
profile initiatives including I am
Ireland, as part of Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.
CONTACT:
christinesisk@cultureireland.gov.ie
www.cultureireland.gov.ie

KATHLEEN TURNER
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
Limerick, Co. Limerick, IRL
Kathleen Turner is a singer,
songwriter, performer, community
musician and researcher. She is
a member of faculty at the Irish
World Academy of Music and
Dance and is currently course
director of MA Community Music.
Kathleen is also the recipient of
the Arts Council of Ireland Jerome Hynes Fellowship
2017/18.
CONTACT:
kathleen.turner@ul.ie KANSAS CITY, MO, USA FEB 14-18, 2018 FOLK.ORG
www.irishworldacademy.ie

LISA WHYTOCK Now in its 30th year, the Folk Alliance International
conference is the leading hub for the folk music
Active Events
industry and community. Twenty-seven hundred
Glasgow, Scotland, GBR
delegates from 27 countries come to do business and
Lisa is the director of Active build careers through artist showcases, networking
Events an agency and events events, professional development panels, industry
summits, and all day-all night jams.
management company, who look
DELEGATE DIRECTORY

after the international careers

of artists including Capercaillie,
Breabach and Elephant Sessions.
She is also the Artistic Director
of the Spree Festival iPaisley and
produces both Showcase Scotland st Celtic Connections
and Showcase Scotland Expo.
CONTACT:
lisa@activeevents.org.uk
www.activeevents.org.uk Mary Chapin Richard
Carpenter Thompson

thE 15
Folk Alliance International (FAI) was founded in 1989 to connect FAIs mission is to nurture, engage,
folk music leaders aiming to sustain the community and genre. The and empower the international
leading international voice for folk music, FAI is a 30-year-old arts folk music community traditional
nonprofit based in Kansas City, Missouri, USA. and contemporary, amateur and
professional through education,
The organizations expanded global network now includes more advocacy, and performance.
than 3,000 members, a worldwide community of cultural sector
entrepreneurs and leaders that includes artists, record companies, FAI fulfills its mission through
publishers, presenters, agents, managers, arts administrators, Education, Networking, and
diplomats, and more. Advocacy as well as Consumer,
Field, and Professional
Enhancing folk music networks and creating development Development.
opportunities for cultural sector entrepreneurs is the foundation
of FAIs work. As the leading voice for the international folk music FAI defines folk to include:
genre, FAI produces the worlds largest conference for the folk music Appalachian, Americana, Bluegrass,
industry, the International Folk Music Awards, Louis Jay Meyers Music Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Global Roots,
Camp, Folk in the Schools, FAI Artists in Residence, and the Kansas Indie-Folk, Indigenous, Latin, Old
City Folk Festival. Time, Traditional, Singer-Songwriter,
Spoken Word, and every imaginable
fusion.

President: Matt Smith Donald Davidoff Tim McFadden

Club Passim Acoustic Alley Tim McFadden Management
Boston, MA, USA Littleton, CO, USA Nashville, TN, USA

Vice President: Lisa Schwartz Lou DeMarco Amy Reitnouer

Philadelphia Folk Festival Momentary Love Management The Bluegrass Situation
Philadelphia, PA, USA Hightstown, NJ, USA Los Angeles, CA, USA

Treasurer: Alka Sharma Dom Flemons Ellen Stanley

Folk Music Ontario Artist, The American Songster Minnesota Music Coalition
Ottawa, ON, CAN Hillsborough, NC, USA St. Paul, MN, USA

Secretary: Deana McCloud Joan Kornblith Mary Sue Twohy

Woody Guthrie Center The Loud Poet Society Sirius XM Radio
Tulsa, OK, USA Washington, DC, USA Washington, DC, USA

At-Large: Matt Sever Michael Kornfeld Erika Wollam-Nichols

Artist, Matt the Electrician Acoustic Music Scene The Bluebird Cafe
Austin, TX, USA Huntington, NY, USA Nashville, TN, USA

Lynn Cingari Cheptoo Koistany-Buckner

Paradigm Agency American Jazz Museum
Monterey, CA, USA Kansas City, MO, USA

Michelle Conceison Sam Lee

Market Monkeys Artist & The Nest Collective
Nashville, TN, USA London, England, GBR

509 Delaware Street, Suite 101

Kansas City, MO, 64105 USA
+1 816 221 3655