The annual convergence of folk musicians, promoters, and enthusiasts that is The International Folk Alliance Music Conference took place February 16-20th at the Memphis Marriot Conference Center in Memphis, TN and The Steel Wheels took part for the second year in a row. It is impossible to fully paint the picture, but I’ll try. The conference includes great workshops and an amazing exhibit hall, but its most remarkable and inspiring for the floors and floors of talented musicians telling their stories and singing their songs in large ballroom “offical” showcases or in one of the many “guerilla” showcases in small hotel rooms. Hosts from all over the globe take great pains to transform their rooms into venues with tasteful decor and lighting. But the music is what makes the caffeine and 4AM nights worthwhile. Here are a few of my most magical musical moments this year in no particular order:

- Hanging out and an impromptu showcase with our sweet friends, Honeydew Drops. - Watching a Songwriter’s Round with Amy Speace, Sally Burris, and Danny Schmidt and hearing a ghost harmony from a very sick Jonathan Byrd laying on the hotel floor. - A packed room to hear the great Ron Sexsmith play his tender songs. Sorry to the people in the hallway who were trying to get in. There really was no room! - The best guitar player in the world, Jack Williams. - Playing in a 2AM round with Dayna Kurtz, Jon Vezner, and Brad Yoder. You never think of soprano sax working with banjo. Dayna is the female Richie Havens and Jon is the epitome of smoothe. - Round Mountain sweeping into Memphis just in time to wow me again with their ridiculously wide open music. One song, two men, 5 instruments including accordion, trumpet, kora, and drums. - Mark Dvorak with Sally Potter, reminding me that there are almost too many great songs with wildly good stories to need any new ones. Mark is a treasure. - Hot Club of Cowtown: too good. - Meeting the great Rosie Flores and seeing her pick the guitar is raw and sweet. - Sitting back and watching Jay, Eric, and Brian of The Steel Wheels play with NYC-based singer-songwriter Ana Egge for her official showcase. They played great, but it all set up her solo accapella version of Edelweiss so well. - Doug and Telisha Williams’ future hit song, Hallelujah. - Carrie Elkin’s official showcase with her all-star band. - With all the buzz around Oklahoma songman, John Fullbright, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But he was confident and commanding in his official showcase and truly a young talent. - Amy Speace singing the line: “The killer in me loves the killer I see in you.” Mysterious and crystal clear is a rare find. - Late night jam with Doug and Telisha and Jonathan Byrd. Anything he writes is worth hearing. There were many moments in a short span at FA and we were thankful and happy to meet so many wonderful people in the small world of folk music. We hope to see you down the road again soon.