Kerrville New Folk LogoSix singer-songwriters were named as winners in the 2021 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters during the Kerrville Folk Festival’s Virtual Celebration on May 29. They were chosen by a panel of judges from among 24 finalists who performed two songs each during the New Folk Concerts that streamed online May 22 and 23 on the festival’s website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.

Taylor Abrahamse (Toronto, ON, Canada), Sav Buist (Traverse City, MI), Humbird (Minneapolis, MN), Spencer LaJoye (Denver, CO), Sam Robbins (Nashville, TN), and Alexa Rose (Asheville, NC) will each receive $650 cash honorariums and other prizes, and will be invited to showcase their talents (in-person) during a New Folk Award Winners Concert on the first weekend of the 49th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival that is slated for Oct. 1-10, 2021 on the Quiet Valley Ranch Campgrounds in the Texas Hill Country

Established in 1972 at the urging of Peter Yarrow, the Kerrville New Folk Concerts have become a highlight of the annual festival that is geared towards singer-songwriters of various musical styles and is the longest continuously running festival of its kind in North America. In addition to receiving cash awards and additional performance opportunities, being named as a New Folk Award Winner is regarded as a very prestigious honor.