Oklahoma traditionally has a high profile at the Folk Alliance International conference, and this year was no exception.
The 2017 installment also featured a high-profile special presenter: Ani DiFranco, whose 20-album career has sealed her legacy as an icon in modern folk music as well as the feminist movement.
More than 2,700 delegates from around the world attended the event Feb. 15 through 19 at the Westin Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. Tulsa’s Horton Records label, the Woody Guthrie Center and Kaiser Family Foundation are significant sponsors helping Okie musicians participate.
The hotel’s conference room No. 718 was the Oklahoma Room, which hosted scores of, basically, around-the-clock musical sets by the 40-plus Sooner State delegation and their fans. Players from Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Norman were a strong presence, including Susan Herndon, Carter Sampson and Annie Oakley.
It’s an excellent opportunity for Oklahoma to showcase our wealth of talent to the world.