By Richard Skanse

(LSM May/June 2011/vol. 4 – Issue 3)

If you ever thought the hugs and happy vibes at the Kerrville Folk Festival were rampant in the past, count on them being more intense than ever at this year’s installment, as thousands of “Kerrverts” come home to celebrate the festival’s 40th birthday. Eliza Gilkyson is this year’s brochure “cover artist,” but the entire lineup is chock-full of Kerrfavorites old and new. Slaid Cleaves, Judy Collins, Terri Hendrix, Mary Gauthier, Jimmy LaFave, Eric Taylor, Kevin and Dustin Welch, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bob Livingston, Asleep at the Wheel, Butch Hancock, Sara Hickman, Trout Fishing in America and many, many more will all be on hand for the 18-day folk fest, which is scheduled for May 26-June 12 at Quiet Valley Ranch in Kerrville, Texas.