For more information contact:
PHONE:  John Holum, 410-991-7848
EMAIL:  Jdholum@aol.com

Building upon the interest and excitement generated by last year’s inaugural event, Board Chairman John Holum has announced that the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) will present the 2^nd annual Florida Keys Traditional Music Festival at Boatman’s Sombrero Resort over the weekend of January 28-30, 2011.  The festival will feature Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday evening, and Sunday afternoon concert performances by American musical masters from across the nation.

Morgan Hill of Exit Realty will join Holum as festival co-chair, and Barbara Holum will be the festival manager, joined by a corps of festival volunteers. The Monroe County Tourist Development Council has awarded funding to help promote the Florida Keys Traditional Music Festival.  Boatman’s Sombrero Resort is once again the event’s lead sponsor, with additional  support provided by The Keynoter and Keys Sunday. Dave’s Island Taxi is returning as transportation sponsor for musicians and patrons.  Other sponsorship opportunities are available.

“The musicians were greeted so warmly and received so enthusiastically in Marathon that every one of them was ready to come back,” Holum said. “We’re still working on programming for 2011.  While several artists will be returning by popular demand, others will be entirely new to the Keys.  Whoever is in the final line-up and whatever their musical style, you can rest assured that they will represent the best of grassroots American music.  Audiences will hear some amazing performances.” Holum said.

All of the musicians who will appear at the 2^nd annual Florida Keys Traditional Music Festival are donating their services ­– a value that in 2010 was estimated at more than $40,000 worth of performances by blues, rockabilly, bluegrass, Cajun, Texas swing, country and Appalachian artists.  Each is a member of the non-profit NCTA’s supporting affiliate, “Artists for the Traditional Arts.”  The NCTA, founded in 1933, is the nation’s oldest traditional arts organization, and works to showcase the richness and variety of American culture in national multi-cultural festivals, tours and other public programs. 

The NCTA recently presented a check to the Dolphin Research Center, representing its share of the proceeds from the 2010 festival.  In 2011, the non-profit NCTA’s co-beneficiary will be the Grace Jones Day Care Center of Marathon. 

For additional details, visit the event website: <www.keys musicfest.org>