Inspired by the Oscar-winning film Tender Mercies, written by the great American storyteller Horton Foote and starring Robert Duvall & Ellen Barkin, the festival will feature artists who celebrate colorful American stories and songs about people on the margins, often seeking a second chance.

The Eileen Ivers Band—Called “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin” by the New York Times, decorated fiddler Eileen Ivers’ talent goes unmatched. This Grammy award winner and Emmy nominee is known for giving truly sensational performances: “She electrifies the crowd with a dazzling show of virtuoso playing” (The Irish Times). Ivers’ recording credits include 80+ contemporary and traditional albums, as well as numerous film scores.