Kerosene Kites to play the Great River Folk Fest

Beth Kille and Erik KjellandErik Kjelland

Sunday at the Great River Folk Fest in LaCrosse has always been the culmination of the Songwriter contest, but because it's online this year it affords them the chance to bring current and past songwriter winners and finalists to the fest. Erik Kjelland was a finalist in 2020 and quickly made an impression in the 2021 contest with a submission from the duo Kerosene Kites with Beth Kille. Week One highlights of the contest that open submissions runs through Jun 30th featured their video. These prolific songwriters and co-founders of Flannel Fest began co-writing in the fall of 2013 after both were members of the Nashville Songwriters Association - Madison Chapter. Shared experiences of life on the road and supportive families at home allowed for a common lyrical bond and a basis for their holiday-themed North Star Sessions album released in December 2014. Another Christmas cd was released in 2016 and a non-holiday "Float Away" in 2017.

The Sunday at the fest will included a John Prine Tribute songswap, last year's songwriter winner Shanna in a Dress, and many unique voices and songs that are exactly what Beth and Erik will love and fit into. In fact the first workshop they will play will be three duos, Songa from Chippewa Falls (also a finalist in 2020) and Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin from Austin Texas. Danny has been favorably compared to our modern day Leonard Cohen. "In today's underground folk world, Danny Schmidt is spoken of in reverent tones, drawing comparisons to Leonard Cohen, with a poetry that breathes naturally and without pretension, with results that are both attractive and intense." Jim Caligiuri, Austin Chronicle

We hope this first trip to LaCrosse for Beth and Erik, is one of many. The Fest has been active since 1976 and with the pandemic only held on-line events last year. So it's time to come back to the Great River. For the last five years it is located in the downtown Riverside Park right next the Mississippi. The fest starts Friday night with a concert Humbird, Gentlemen's Anti Temperance League, and Barbaro. Saturday has day time songwaps, crafts, and children's activities. Children are free. Saturday night has a concert with Greg Gilbertson, Danny & Carrie, Chicago Farmer, and Annie Mack.

Here is the highlight post that Beth and Erik are featured in:

https://greatriverfolkfestival.blogspot.com/2021/05/week-1-songwriter-contest-highlights.html

Beth Kille and Erik KjellandGRFF/Dave Schipper

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