Welcome to the official site of the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest - one of the best free music festivals in the nation! Produced by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, the FolkFest features more than 70 hours of free music over Labor Day weekend. Check back often for updates!

The Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend (August 29-31, 2008) - Johnstown, Pennsylvania

FolkFest News
Updated July 18, 2008 (Press inquiries should be directed to Shelley Johansson at 814-539-1889 x308. Press releases for all Johnstown Area Heritage Association programs and events, including the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest, are posted in PDF format here.) FolkFest 2008 T-shirt now available -- Be the first to sport the official T-shirt of FolkFest 2008! The 100% cotton, white T-shirt features this design on the front, with the names of the performers featured on the back. You can also click here to order one through JAHA's online store. FolkFest flyer now available for download-- Help us spread the word about the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest! This downloadable PDF half-page flyer is easy to copy and distribute. Many thanks.
Individual Sponsorships with prime parking now available online -- You can help support the FolkFest and get a prime parking spot by purchasing an individual sponsorship! The parking lot reserved for individual sponsors is located along Washington Street between Walnut and Johns Streets, just across the street from the festival. For a $75 contribution, individual sponsors will receive a parking pass for the reserved lot, as well as two laminated credentials that will give you entrance to the sponsor lounge, located in the train station! This lounge will feature comfortable seating, a cash bar with beer, wine and mixed drinks, and best of all -- flush toilets. Reminders about purchasing individual sponsorships will be sent out; but you can download a PDF copy of the form and mail it to us at PO Box 1889, Johnstown PA 15907, or click here to purchase your Individual Sponsorship through our online store. FolkFest 2008 lineup now announced! -- It's going to be another terrific year for FolkFest! A reunion of the famed alternative country legends Jason & the Scorchers, sizzling Latin music with Del Castillo (pictured), and the return of Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers are just a few of the highlights. Head over to the 2008 Performers page and take a look! JAHA invites area non-profits to take part in the Community Kitchen -- Since 2004, JAHA has provided free booth space to any non-profit organization or church that wishes to sell homemade food at the FolkFest. A letter is being sent to more than 300 area non-profits to let them know of this opportunity -- for more information, visit the Community Kitchen page on this website, or contact Shelley Johansson at 814-539-1889 x308.
FolkFest welcomes new faces in the 2008 lineup -- As always, the FolkFest lineup for 2008 will feature a mix of new acts and favorites from previous years. Performers slated to appear at the FolkFest for the first time include: Del Castillo; Tom Russell; Webb Wilder & the Beatnecks; Shannon Whitworth (pictured); Jason Ricci & New Blood; Big Sam's Funky Nation; World's Greatest Sinners; Stacie Collins; Born Again Floozies; Amy LaVere; Red Collar; Adia Constantine; Dubmissive; and Beagle Brothers. Read more about the lineup at on the 2008 Performers page of this website.
Jason & the Scorchers to receive 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association -- In June, the Americana Music Association announced that they will bestow a Lifetime Achievement Award on the legendary alternative country band Jason & the Scorchers, which is part of FolkFest 2008. According to the AMA, "Their arguably unprecedented mix's live translation is now legendary: The Scorchers infused the soul of Gram Parsons with the fury of the New York Dolls, shepherded by a lead vocalist who channeled both Faron Young and Iggy Pop. National and subsequent international acclaim arrived on the heels of major label albums and on the strength of live shows. . . .It's often said that art's impact is most accurately gauged looking backward, after the silt settles to the bottom and some sort of clear context emerges. Jason and the Scorchers' profound effect on the international music scene and more specifically, what rock bands felt they could accomplish, was historic, with ramifications still blissfully felt today." FolkFest congratulates Jason & the Scorchers on this huge honor! But before receiving their award in September, the band will play two shows at FolkFest 2008, marking the first Scorchers shows in North America outside of Nashville in five years. The band essentially invented alternative country in the early 1980s, and were the first to fuse country with punk. Frontman Jason Ringenberg played FolkFest 2005 as a solo act, and we are thrilled to welcome him back with Jason & the Scorchers for 2008.
AmeriServ Financial renews its title sponsorship of the FolkFest -- Back in 1996, AmeriServ Financial became the title sponsor of a young festival then known simply as the Johnstown FolkFest. Through that sponsorship, AmeriServ supports the festival financially and with more than 180 volunteers each year -- as well as providing in-kind help with printing and promotion. AmeriServ has once again renewed its title sponsorship for the 2008 festival. JAHA extends a sincere thank-you to AmeriServ Financial and all our FolkFest sponsors, who make it possible for the festival to feature free admission.
Arty Hill & the Long Gone Daddys complete 2008 lineup -- As of March 7, the lineup is complete! Arty Hill & the Long Gone Daddys, a classic country act from Baltimore, will play on Sunday. For more about Arty and the complete 2008 lineup, visit the Performers 2008 page of this website. The Performance Schedule page of this website gives information on which days each performer will play -- exact times and stage assignments will be released soon. Stay tuned!
Additions to the lineup as of February 6 -- The FolkFest is pleased to welcome the Johnstown singer-songwriter Tim Dabbs (pictured) and Jazz In Your Face, a Johnstown-based big band ensemble, back to the festival! In addition, making their first appearance at the festival is Dubmissive, a local band that fuses reggae and rock. Other 2008 performers based in the Johnstown area include Rusty Gun Revival and The Marauders; the punk band Red Collar is based in Durham, N.C., but is fronted by Johnstown native Jason Kutchma.
2008 lineup features past favorites -- The FolkFest is pleased to welcome back several popular artists to the festival, some of whom are playing in new bands. Returning to the FolkFest are: Jason Ringenberg, who played as a solo act and as Farmer Jason in 2005 -- he'll be playing with the reunited Jason & the Scorchers and as Farmer Jason; Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers (2007); Deke Dickerson & the Ecco-Fonics (pictured, played last in 2003) and Barrence Whifield (2004, 2001) -- Deke and his band will play a set on their own, and a set backing Barrence; The Marauders (2007); Rusty Gun Revival (2006); Tim Dabbs (2006, 2005, 2002, 2000); and Jazz In Your Face (many years).
Dwayne Dopsie returns to the FolkFest -- FolkFest 2008's zydeco artist is once again Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. Dwayne is the son of the late, great Rockin' Dopsie and grew up playing zydeco -- and most recently played FolkFest in 2007. We virtually never book performers in back-to-back years, but they're that good! Read more about Dwayne Dopsie and the rest of the 2008 lineup on the 2008 Performers page of this website.
New sponsorship video now available -- The festival simply wouldn't be possible without the support of our sponsors. A new video explaining the benefits of sponsorship is now available -- JAHA would like to thank Clark Productions (production) and Geoff Miller of Woodland Marketing Management (narration) for their work on the video. If you're interested in finding out more about FolkFest sponsorship, contact Patti Genovese at 814-539-1889, ext. 309.
FolkFest 2007 featured in regional media -- FolkFest 2007 was previewed in a variety of regional media. Here's a sampling: FolkFest captures the cover of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette entertainment section -- Dwayne Dopsie is featured on the cover of the August 30, 2007 entertainment section, which features three articles about the festival. You can read the article about the festival, including its schedule, here, a profile of Dwayne Dopsie here, and a profile of Druha Trava here. FolkFest featured in Pittsburgh Tribune-Review -- Bill Kirchen, Slavic Soul Party and The Tossers, along with festival chair Ron Carnevali, were interviewed for an article that appeared in the August 30, 2007 entertainment section -- click here to read it. Ron Carnevali interviewed on WQED -- Ron Carnevali was interviewed on WQED, a public radio station with classical music format that airs in Pittsburgh and Johnstown. Portions of the interview will be aired on Jim Cunningham's Morning Show, which airs from 6:00-9:00 a.m. weekdays, in the days leading up to the festival; you can also hear a podcast on WQED's home page. A.J. Croce interviewed on Cool 101.7 -- Zak McDowell interviewed A.J. Croce by phone, and this interview aired on Cool 101.7 in Johnstown on Tuesday, August 28 at 3:18 p.m. "The Backyard Rocker" with Professor Jim Price -- Festival chair Ron Carnevali was Jim Price's guest on "The Backyard Rocker" and played music from FolkFest artists. The show aired on Sunday, August 26 from 8-10 p.m. on WBXQ 94.3/WBRX 94.7 in Altoona. The Acoustic Hour with Anthony Frazier -- This show airs on WCCS in Indiana, Pa., on Sunday mornings from 9-10 a.m. The August 19 show featured a phone-in interview with Bill Deasy, a featured performer at FolkFest 2007, and more -- you can listen by clicking here. Jennifer Drummey and Jackson Monsour were in the studio for the Sunday, August 26 show, and each played a few songs live; you can hear that show by clicking here. The Tribune-Democrat previews the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest -- Click here to read the story in the Johnstown paper, which ran on August 26. WYEP's "Rhythm & Roots" show on Sunday, August 19 -- Host Kate Borger talked to festival chair Ron Carnevali on WYEP, Pittsburgh's AAA public radio station, and they played some of the artists featured in our 2007 lineup. FolkFest previewed on KDKA's "Pittsburgh Today Live" -- Festival chair Ron Carnevali was a guest on KDKA, Pittsburgh's CBS affiliate, on the Friday, August 17 episode of "Pittsburgh Today Live," which airs from 9-10 a.m. weekdays. Footage from past FolkFests was shown, and the 2007 lineup was previewed. The August 16 issue of Our Town Magazine -- This issue featured interviews with FolkFest performers Bill Kirchen, James Talley, The Tossers, A.J. Croce, Gigi Dover & The Big Love, Dwayne Dopsie, and Tres Chicas . Bill Kirchen on the FolkFest -- "a whole parallel universe of music." Bill Kirchen, former guitarist for Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen and the "Titan of the Telecaster," last played at FolkFest in 2004 (see picture). He was recently interviewed in Our Town Magazine; the following is an excerpt from the online version of the article: "If I saw someone do today what we did in 1967, I'm not sure it would work anymore. I think they've closed the door. There aren't as many wide and varied artists coming in. We were a wacky eight-piece playing boogie woogie from the forties and hardcore rockabilly and country," he said. One of the few places Kirchen said those artists still exist is festivals like the AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest. "That's the great thing about the FolkFest. That is a whole parallel universe of music that has escaped that marketing strictly by the numbers," he said. "That's the heir to what I saw in '64 and '65 in Newport that really ruined me for normal work."
FolkFest chosen for the third year of a state marketing program; attendees came from 28 states in 2007 -- In 2006, FolkFest became one of about 30 Pennsylvania festivals chosen to participate in a festival marketing program sponsored by the Pennsylvania Tourism Office, designed to increase the number of overnight visitors to festivals. FolkFest continued its participation in the program in 2007, and in 2008. The program has been a great success for the FolkFest thus far. Audience data from 2007 shows that people came from at least 28 states, Washington D.C., and Canada. But even as the FolkFest develops new audiences, our existing audience comes back year after year -- the average number of FolkFests attended in 2007 was an amazing 6.0, while the the average "likelihood of attending again" was ranked at 8.1 out of 10. As a part of this program, the Johnstown FolkFest has been featured on a special music festival page on the state's tourism website, visitpa.com. That's Big Sandy & the Fly-Rite Boys in the banner photo, which was taken at FolkFest 2004. For more information on some of the other participating festivals, click here.
FolkFest on YouTube -- A FolkFest fan let us know about several short films he took at the 2007 festival, and posted on YouTube -- and with the artists' permission, we're pleased to post them here. Last Train Home; Bill Kirchen, one more of Bill Kirchen, this time on the trombone; and Slavic Soul Party, coming out into the audience to close their show. In addition, here are links to Jennifer Drummey and Jackson Monsour as they played on the August 26, 2007 live radio show, "Acoustic Radio Hour with Anthony Frazier," on WCCS, Indiana, Pa. Enjoy!
The AmeriServ Johnstown FolkFest 's MySpace.com page includes music -- Visit the Johnstown FolkFest's page on MySpace.com, which will has been updated with music by 2008 performers! Every Tuesday we'll post a new song, so visit often. If you're a member of MySpace, please add the FolkFest as a "friend" -- and help us spread the word about the festival by forwarding the page to your "friends" who would be interested!