Critically-acclaimed singer songwriter Joel Rafael, known for his 5-decade folk career of original Americana music, as well as for being a natural interpreter of Woody Guthrie’s lyrics and songs, will be performing at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, TX tonight at 8:00pm U.S. central time. The festival is taking place at 3876 Medina Hwy, Kerrville, TX 78028. Tickets can be purchased at www.kerrville-music.com.

“In 1995, as a New Folk Winner, I found in the Kerrville Folk Festival, a musical community celebrating the work of folk-styled songwriters at a time when folk music had faded in popularity to the point of near extinction,” said Rafael. “Now, twenty years later, I am thrilled to be coming home.”

Rafael released his 9th studio album, Baladista, on April 14 on Jackson Browne’s label, Inside Recordings. The album landed on three separate Billboard charts: #18 on the Top New Artist Albums Chart, #21 on the Folk Albums Chart, and #70 on the Independent Current Albums Chart. Rolling Stone France recently gave the album a 4 star review, with the U.S. Rolling Stone giving a respectable 3 stars.

[contact_info email=”info@kerrville-music.com” phone=”(830) 257-3600″ fax=”(830) 257-8680″ address=”3876 Medina Hwy, Kerrville, TX 78028″][/contact_info]

People are talking about Baladista:

“Joel Rafael’s songs are filled with passion and compassion. Passion for social justice, and compassion – for those among us who have to struggle for a place at the table of American prosperity. His voice is unmistakably his own, big, warm and strong, and a conductor for the human emotions that connect us all.” – Jackson Browne

“Joel Rafael is a disappearing breed: a Guthrie-Dylan-Llewyn Davis-style folk singer and Vietnam draft-dodger armed with a harmonica rack and acoustic guitar, who sings tales of love and history flickering with ache and political outrage.” – Rolling Stone

“The must have Americana album of 2015.” – Boomerocity.com

“It is an album overflowing with gentle, melodic grace.” – No Depression

Joel Rafael has been writing and performing since 1974, and over the past decades has released a stunning collection of nine Americana albums, including a 2CD Woody Guthrie collection with five Guthrie/Rafael co-writes. As a solo performer and with his band, he opened shows throughout the southwestern United States for artists including Crosby, Stills & Nash; Sheryl Crow; Laura Nyro; Joan Baez; Taj Mahal; Iris DeMent; Emmylou Harris; and John Lee Hooker.