Six songwriters were named as 2008 New Folk Winners after performing, along with 26 other finalists, in the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Concerts, May 24-25, at the Threadgill Theater on the Quiet Valley Ranch Campgrounds at the Kerrville Folk Festival in the Texas Hill Country. 

This year’s winners were RJ Cowdery of Columbus, Ohio; Robby Hecht of Nashville, TN; Betty Soo of Austin, TX; Devon Sproule of Charlottesville, VA; CJ Watson of Nashville, TN; and Hans York of Seattle, WA.  The six receive cash honorariums and other prizes, as well as the opportunity to strut their stuff –20 minutes each– during a New Folk Winners Concert at the festival at noon on Sunday, June 1

Established 25 years ago at the urging of Peter Yarrow, the Kerrville New Folk concerts have become a highlight of the annual festival, and being named as a New Folk winner is regarded as a very prestigious honor.  Judging this year’s finals were singer-songwriters Jud Caswell, Amy Speace and Jon Vezner.