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.

Martha Redbone Roots Project—By combining Native American influence with funk and her deep roots in Appalachian folk and Piedmont blues, Martha Redbone’s music evokes a world of emotion in its audience. Since bursting into the music scene in 2002, Miss Redbone has earned a reputation as a performer, collaborator, educator, and mentor on a global scale. Her warm melodies transcend time as she tells stories of the Southland since before America was founded.