Entries are now being sought for the 2011 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 28 and 29, during the 39th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival. The first 800 entries received via the mail or online by March 15, 2011 will be accepted. 32 finalists will be selected in April to perform the following month at the Threadgill Theater on the Quiet Valley Ranch Campgrounds in the Texas Hill Country. Six will be named as 2011 New Folk Winners.

Songwriters may either send two original songs (written after Jan. 1, 2009) on a home-burned CD, not to exceed eight minutes in total length, to the Kerrville Folk Festival office or submit them electronically via Sonicbids. The entry fee is $25. Official guidelines, along with entry information and forms, are posted at www.kerrville-music.com/newfolk.htm.

The 2010 winners were Jon Brooks (King City, ON, Canada), Dan Colehour (Nashville, TN), Andy Gullahorn (Nashville, TN), Kate Klim (Boston, MA), Kim Richardson (Mountain Home, AR) and Michael Troy (Fall River, MA) The six received cash honorariums and other prizes, as well as the opportunity to strut their stuff for 20 minutes each during a New Folk Winners Concert at the festival.

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 their fans. Being named as a New Folk winner is regarded as a very prestigious honor.