For this 32nd Winterfolk  concert, we are privileged and excited to once again have Tracy Grammer, singer/songwriter/ extraordinaire,  headlining the event. She calls Massachusetts home these days, but burst on the national acoustic music scene working with songwriting wunderkind Dave Carter while both lived in Portland.  Dave Carter and Tracy Grammer would release albums that shot to the top of the folk music charts, headline festivals across the U.S., and share stages with artists such as Joan Baez.   Called “the new voice of modern folk music,” the duo was clearly in its ascendancy when in July 2002, Carter suffered a fatal heart attack while the duo was on tour. 

Deciding to carry on regardless, as Dave would have wanted her to do-Tracy Grammer has become one of folk music's most revered artists. Renowned for her springwater-clear alto, perfectly intoned violin, and guitar playing that is by turns percussive and delicate, Grammer is also a masterful storyteller with an ease and charisma on stage . Stories about the duo's first meeting, Carter's quirks and fancies, or Grammer's own misadventures and missteps are woven thoughtfully into the set list to create a uniquely personal evening that connects audiences to performer, to the Carter/Grammer legacy, and most importantly- to one another. Tracy has been a great friend to "Winterfolk" and we are thrilled that she will be again be gracing our stage  for this year's benefit concert. 

Kate Power and Steve Einhorn  are two of Portland's most respected and influential  musical artists. Known and beloved across the U.S. from their appearances on "The Prairie Home Companion, the "Kerrville Folk Festival" , and other prestigious stages, they also made a lasting impact on thousands in their years as proprietors, promoters, and performing artists at the beloved Artichoke Music- which continues to carry on their legacy.

Also appearing at this year's "Winterfolk 30" concert is Jim Page.” He has recorded 21 albums over the course of a 40-plus year career. His songs have been covered by The Doobie Brothers, Christy Moore, Dick Gaughan,  and many others.  He is joined tonight by the impeccable fiddle accompaniment of Billy Oskay, founder of the internationally renowned touring group "Nightnoise" and proprietor of  Big Red Studio in Corbett. 

Beth Wood is an Oregon treasure, via Texas, who has charmed us at "Winterfolk" in previous years- but not since 2015! An energetic modern day troubador and believer in the power of song, she has recorded eleven solo CDs and released two books of poetry.   Recognized with the Kerrville New Folk Award, the Sisters Folk Festival Dave Carter Award, the Oregon Book Award, and many more- Beth is simply a creative powerhouse.  

Kim Stafford is Oregon's Poet Laureate, a nationally recognized and honored writer and emotional truth teller.  His poems about homelessness vividly paint a picture of the reason "Winterfolk" exists" We are honored to once again have this renowned poet sing and  read some of his work at this year's "Winterfolk".   

Sky in the Road features the compelling harmonies and original, uplifting songs of Dan Rhiger and Rahmana Weist.   Social justice champions and true representatives of a clean, "world music" sound, Dan and Rah represent the very heart and soul of the PDX musical community.

Hosting and performing at Winterfolk will again be Tom May, the founder and director of the event and producer of the decades-long syndicated radio broadcast "River City Folk".   Tom has recorded 14 albums and been a major presence in American Folk Music for almost 50 years. He will be joined by quintessential Portland sideman and pal Donny Wright, and  banjo/dobro accompanist Matt Snook. 

The annual guitar raffle is a "Winterfolk" tradition, and this year we will be offering a Martin 000-18 custom guitar with hardshell case.  Also, the lucky raffle winner will receive 8 hours of studio time at Billy Oskay's Big Red Studio in Corbett, one of the premiere recording facilities in the Pacific Northwest. Raffle tickets are only $10, and will be available at Artichoke Music, online at Joinpdx.org, and the night of the event at the Alberta Rose.

Winterfolk began 32 years ago, a humble gathering based around a singing birthday party at Portland's venerable "Horse Brass Pub".  Hundreds of thousands of dollars raised for those in need later , the music played at this Rose City institution still reverberates through the community, making a difference in the  lives for many in our region .    

Winterfolk 32 tickets are on sale now! $30 in advance or $32 at the door the night of show. Get your tickets HERE. 

Learn more about Winterfolk by watching interview with host Tom May, online HERE.

JOIN is the beneficiary of this year's Winterfolk. JOIN transitions people out of homelessness and into stable housing.  Since 1992 Join has moved 12,000 people into permanent housing, and counting. Of the households that JOIN has moved, 83% remain stable in their housing 12 months later. To learn more, please visit www.joinpdx.org