I find myself saying this over and over again to people when they ask “why” I attend NFF each year. What makes it different than other festivals? Why do you have this indescribable attachment to something that you are just a media attendee or fan of? Why are Newport Folks fans such avid lovers of this festival?

My usual response is “you just don’t get it, until you get it”. But today’s announcement of WILDWOOD in the Museum Stage will be my go to answer from here on out.

I have not attended the Wildwood Revival myself, but have seen photos from the event, and in a word, its looks ‘magical’. Friends, family, a community gathering to celebrate music and just being. Its really something wonderful. I am anticipating that same sentiment and vibe will be unleashed inside the Museum on Friday July 24th as well. Joe Fletcher is a strong part of the Newport family. Last year hosting his Newport Eve show the Thursday night before with a whole slew of wonderful acts, and years prior hosting the Nashville to Newport curated stage in the Museum…some of my favorite songwriters including Joshua Black Wilkins, Andrew Combs, Amanda Shires, Ron Gallo, and of course, Joe himself, provided the soundtrack in this intimate (but of course rocking at times) time slot at the festival. I spent much of my time there enjoying it all. What is most special is that so many other folks will be wowing the Newport crowd at this event as well.

John Moreland is name I have been seeing pop up more and more on my news feed courtesy of my Nashville buddies and each and every time, its all stellar comments about the songwriter. Aaron Lee Tasjan is another gent I have been getting more and more into, but by the way of my friends at The Loar.

J.P. Harris has, in recent months, become a staple on my “heading to work on the train” playlist and the dude’s voice is unlike any other. Good old fashion rock n’ roll the way it was meant to be played and sung. With heart and soul and a deep, rumbling voice that will shake your core.

Ian Fitzgerald is not just a friend, a humble, kind and talented storyteller, but he just may be the greatest songwriter living today…and I am not the only person who thinks so. Just go look at American Songwriter’s features of Joe Fletcher, Joshua Black Wilkins, and Jonah Tolchin. Artists writing amazing songs also feel the same. The Museum stage at Newport will be silenced to a pin-drop when this gent begins to weave his tales and I cannot wait to witness that.

Sammy Brue is probably the youngest songwriter out there with the most respect for what came before him. The kid has only gotten better as he continues to hone his writing craft and impressive travis pickin’ style. This will be one of those sets that people leave talking about.

I eagerly look forward to becoming big fans of Margo Price and Daniel Romano as well after catching them at Fort Adams.

So if you need to ask “why do you go to Newport every year?”, take a look at that poster above, Google all the names on it, listen to their music and you will understand why this festival means so much to me. Incredible storytellers, musicians, artists are being spotlighted in the nooks and crannies of Fort Adams for you to digest and leave hungry for more of.

I strongly urge you all to be in the Museum on Friday at Newport…just be sure to leave a space for me.