March 15 is the application deadline for the 2012 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters to be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 26 and 27, during the 41st Annual Kerrville Folk Festival at the Threadgill Theater on the Quiet Valley Ranch Campgrounds in the Texas Hill Country. The first 800 entries received via the mail or online will be accepted, and 32 finalists will be named in April.

Songwriters may either send two original songs (written after Jan. 1, 2010) 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.

Six songwriters will be named as 2012 New Folk Winners after performing, along with 26 other finalists. The six winners will receive cash honorariums, as well as the opportunity to strut their stuff for 20 minutes each during a New Folk Winners Concert at the festival a week later, on Sunday, June 3. Each of the 32 finalists also will be eligible for a scholarship toward attending the 2012 Southwest Regional Folk Alliance (SWRFA) Conference in Austin in October.

The 2011 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Winners were Mai Bloomfield (Venice, CA), Megan Burtt (Denver, CO), David Moss (Austin, TX), Cassie Peterson (Nashville, TN), Grace Pettis (Harrisonburg, VA) and A.J. Roach (Brooklyn, NY).

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.