Nearly two dozen of the finest performers that represents the music you hear on WUMB Radio will be at the 12th Annual Boston Folk Festival. Click on the special "music-in-your-ear" icon next to each performer to play a short MP3 sound file. For more information, just click on the performer's name to go to their web site.

	Dar Williams	Dar Williams has mastered the art of songwriting as she expresses the need to “get to the point where you can say what you need to say – no more, no less.” With a profound skill to transform lyrics into something meaningful to everyone, giving a story with enough words to make sense, but few enough to leave room for interpretation, the outcome is quite remarkable. She has proven to be an artist that appeals to a vast crowd, working with Grammy-nominated producer Brad Wood to change her sound into something new and refreshing with that same dominant appeal. As far as we’re concerned, it’s working quite marvelously.
	Merrie Amsterburg	With each album Merrie Amsterburg releases, the only complaint listeners have is that it is simply overdo. As each album is a work of complex instruments, mostly played by Merrie herself, overlapped by her gifted voice, her releases include a mix of her own songs and redoing what one would consider the classic folk songs. It is no secret that her work simply leaves us pining for more, and that is exactly what she will give us live on stage.
	Jake Armerding	This North Shore native and second-generation musician first appeared on stage while still in his teens, playing the fiddle in Northern Lights, his dad Taylor's band. He inherited his father's clean tenor voice and he has expanded his mastery to include mandolin and guitar, among other instruments, and has become a fine and well-respected songwriter. After living in Nashville for a few years while recording for the Tennessee-based Compass Records, he returned to his native Massachusetts. He tours regularly as a soloist or with his own top notch band. And he continues to share the stage with his dad when the occasion arises.
	Geoff Bartley	A mainstay of the Massachusetts music scene since the early sixties, Geoff has become the godfather to generations of songwriters and singers who have honed their craft at his long running Open Mic on Mondays at the Cantab Lounge in Cambridge. A winner at the prestigious National Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas he continues to amaze with his prowess. In addition to being an able interpreter of American musical traditions he is also known worldwide as a songwriting. Though his performances are in demand nationwide, he prefers to stick close to his New England home where he continues to support and encourage the singers and songwriters who make the pilgrimage to the Cantab from across the country and beyond.
	Lou & Peter Berryman	Peter’s fascination with using a piece of paper to create the masterpieces we call songs has been paired equally with his ex-wife’s ability to face any musical challenge. Although their relationship may not be so normal, their music focuses on real life humor that everyone can imagine regardless of age. Songs like “A Talk With Your Mother,” which details a parent’s reaction to her daughter’s cursing, can be felt by people in the mother as well as the daughter position. Lou and Peter have not only mastered a great friendship between each other, but also with their huge assortment of fans.
	Jeff Black	Uplifting music never gets boring, and Jeff Black’s songs are definitely no exception. His album “Tin Lily” could be used to sum up his style of music pretty well – the creation of something as beautiful as a flower out of such a hard and cold object like tin. Every situation seems to be overcome in Black’s music, and the effect is felt so deeply through headphones that a live show promises to be incredible.
	Boston T Party	What’s been dubbed the ‘Boston T Party’ is something as powerful as an earthquake, including Alastair Moock, Tim Gearan, Merrie Amsterburg and Rose Polenzani. These artists separately cause a roar in the crowd, a whirlwind of applause, and a mercy cry to hear more. When joined together, the outcome is unimaginable. We’ll put the Boston T Party on the same level as the Fantastic Four, X-Men, or maybe even the Power Rangers. They’re just that amazing together.
	Cindy Bullens	Cindy Bullens started in Massachusetts before following the path to Los Angeles with a dream and a guitar. In no time at all, her resume has been filled with Grammy nominations and AFIM (independent) music awards, and her songs are right up to par with guests such as Elton John, George Marinelli (guitar for Bonnie Raitt), Garry W. Tallent (E-Street Band), and even Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Her music has been performed by artists such as the Dixie Chicks, and although her genre may be a little negotiable, she considers herself a rock and roller at heart. With such an outstanding record, we can do nothing but welcome her to our Boston Folk Festival.
	Aiofe Clancy with Chuck Colley, and Erik Wendelken	Aoife Clancy,(vocals & Bodhran) former singer with the group Cherish the Ladies and a member of the Clancy Legacy got together with Chuck Colley and Erik Wendelken while performing a solo concert in Nantucket in Spring of 09. Chuck Colley (vocals & guitar) is an established songwriter/musician from Maine and has been performing folk music for over a quarter of a century. He has performed and recorded with numerous groups including folk legends Bill Staines and Bill Morrissey. Erik Wendelken (bass vocals & Mandolin) studied at the Manhattan School of Music and the Julliard School with Homer Mensch. After studying Orchestral bass, Erik turned to playing acoustic roots music and has performed and recorded with The Clancy Legacy, the Chili Brothers and is also a member of the Chuck Colley trio. Aoife Chuck and Erik have brought together an harmonious blend of Celtic and acoustic roots music woven together with original material by Chuck and Erik.
	Joe Crookston	There is no better way to sum up this artist than this observation: He stands on stage holding his Martin OM 28, stompin his foot, singing superb songs about ruby red dresses, drunk roosters, ex-slaves, window washers, Polish Immigrants, Tinian Island, rutabagas and the cycles of life & death. He sings about the thread that runs through us all. If that doesn’t make it obvious enough, I can spell it out for you. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Joe Crookston is an artist to see, and proof can be found through his numerous awards – one including being named in the Top 3 “Most Wanted” Emerging Artists in 2007. Join us for his breakthrough as he joins us for this year’s Boston Folk Festival.
	Tim Gearan	Although Tim Gearan appears as a regular at Club Passim, packing the crowd in from wall to wall, it is only selectively that the opportunity to enjoy his music along with other top notch guests is offered. With a 10 year long performance spot every Monday night, Gearan has really become a part of our city, and WUMB welcomes him with open arms just as much as Club Passim audiences.
	Jeremy Lyons	Jeremy Lyons has spent his time exploring the streets of New Orleans and perfecting his finger picking in a Rockabilly sound, but since Hurricane Katrina, he has relocated to Cambridge, Massachusetts and is now available to bring some New Orleans to us. Although the last album of The Deltabilly Boys has a more rootsy, acoustic tone, Lyons has mastered his craft and is set to impress in any style of music. As the Erie Daily Times describes him as “used to blowing people away,” he will be no exception to us this September.
	Alastair Moock	Although Alastair Moock is not a new name to Bostonians, nor to the rest of the Americana world, his performance is stronger than ever and is not to be missed. With a new family and album since the last time he visited us, he is claiming he is “happier than he has any right to be” and we need him to prove it. Alastair Moock is nothing short of incredible, and we guarantee you will be impressed with his performance just as much as before.
	Rose Polenzani	The Utne Reader says “Somewhere in-between the raw emotion of singer Patty Griffin and the poetry of Anne Sexton, you'll find Rose Polenzani." Where else can you find her? Right here in the Boston area. With a voice that has been classified as being “fully formed,” Rose Polenzani has taken her time opening for artists such as David Gray, Kristin Hersh, and Vic Chestnutt, but as well began to make a strong name for herself. Featured on her website are updated blogs as well as free music, and it is quite apparent that Rose has a strong connection with her fans on and off the stage.
	Kerri Powers	Kerri Powers is not a name to miss. After surviving the setback of a shady record distributor, Powers has reached out and reconnected with her music and is ready to take the world by storm. Although Boston’s listeners such as the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald have been supporting her shadowed name for years, Powers has taken the leap into greatness and is ready to get her name into the spotlight. With her new music featured on the FX Network’s Rescue Me, the world is starting to really be exposed of her talent, and you shouldn’t miss out on that.
	Jill Sobule	Jill Sobule’s presence on stage is almost like a dramatized version of that lunch date with your best friend. Topics can vary through all of the struggles of life, past or present, including current love or lack thereof, health issues as well as legal ones. Sobule, however, has the power to take over her audience and use the strength of her music to not only engage you with her lyrics, but influences the listeners to connect with the issues as if they were really coming from your best friend. The connection is absolutely astonishing, and you will have the opportunity to experience it at this year’s Boston Folk Festival.
	Abi Tapia	Miss Tapia has grown up learning that the next town over could offer some amazing opportunity. So far, she’s been right. With awards and recognition from towns throughout the country, Abi has one album under her belt and has just recently released a new one entitled “The Beauty in the Ruin.” With a positive message in her songs and a smile on her face, Abi Tapia is continuing her journey not only to promote her new album, but to see what may be ahead for her. Boston’s Folk Festival is the perfect next stop.
	Michael Tarbox	With a couple of thrift shop guitars and powerful growl that echoes the delta, Michael Tarbox is one of the best and most original interrupters of American Roots music today. His sound is based in the blues and jug band music but it’s filtered through generations of juke joints and has major doses of Old Time Country music and good old Rock & Roll. The leader of the Tarbox Ramblers, Michael is most often accompanied by the best fiddlers and rhythm players on the scene. His appearance at this year’s Boston Folk Festival is a rare opportunity to see him solo and in collaboration with the other great blues players who will share the stage.
	Tripping Lily	Tripping Lily is another name you can find everywhere around Boston, including the Boston Globe, which has defined them as creating their own genre. If you haven’t heard “For Five Years of More,” a popular song here at WUMB, you can be sure their self created genre will not only fit in perfectly at our Boston Folk Festival, but will stand out enough to make you really listen to their unique and incredible sound.
	Don White	Although Don White is now a resident of Lynn, Massachusetts, he has seen his fair share of the world after traveling for three years with his girlfriend (now wife), guitar, and dog. His emotions are just as diverse, making an audience laugh and cry within the same performance. As a musician, storyteller, and comedian, Don White can hit every key on the piano and touch every string in your heart.
		* performers and schedule subject to change