Friday afternoon, 26 emerging performers are scheduled to take the stage at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. The performers can be found on the website, as well as on Sonicbids. The list on SonicBids includes links to the performers Electronic Press Kits, or EPKs. In these press kits, you read about the performers and listen to their music. Some of the music is only streamed. Other music is available for download. I’ve downloaded what I can so I can listen to it from my cellphone, especially since my network connection has been flakey and not cooperative to streaming recently. I believe I’ve fixed this, but I haven’t ended up listening as closely to the various performers as I would like. That said, let me start provide initial reactions to the performers that will be appearing on the mainstage on Friday.

I should also note that my comments about the following musicians are based more on what appeals to me and who I am than any rigorous critique of the performers musical ability.

Shannon Wurst

The first performer scheduled to perform is Shannon West (@shannonwurst, EPK) from Arkansas. She was a finalist in the 2009 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting competition and a semi-finalist for the Prairie Home Companion's Talented Twenties Contest.

Wiggins Sisters

Second up is the Wiggins Sisters (@wigginssisters, EPK). “Their second CD ‘Minnesota’ was produced by Lloyd Maines (of Dixie Chicks fame) in Austin, TX with some of the finest musicians that town has to offer.”

Chris Velan

After the Wiggins Sisters, Chris Velan (@chrisvelan, EPK) is scheduled to perform. Chris’ background is particularly interesting. He was trained as a classical guitarist, became involved in a documentary about war-torn Sierra Leone, headed off to school to become a human rights lawyer and ended up back and being a musician.

Pauline Pisano

Pauline Pisano (@paulinepisano, EPK) performs after Chris.

Caleb Hawley

Pauline is followed by Caleb Hawley (@iAmCalebHawley, EPK).

Nicole Reynolds

The next performer is scheduled to be Nicole Reynolds (EPK). She was born into a family of Pittsburgh steelworkers and it comes through in the social consciousness in her music. It also comes through in the links on her website with information on mountain top removal, food not bombs, and progressive news sources.

ellen cherry

Next up is ellen cherry (@ellen_cherry, EPK).

Bobbie Lancaster

All of the preceding performers are good, yet none of them jump out and me and make me want to rush out and buy their albums. Bobby Lancaster (EPK) comes close.

Rachael Sage

Rachel Sage (@rachaelsage, EPK) probably comes even closer.

So, of the first group of performers, Rachel Sage, Bobbie Lancaster and Shannon Wurst are probably my favorites. I'll see how I do with the second group later on.