ANNE HILLS: Anne Hills is a singer, actress, writer, and musician. Her commitment to children and to social justice - she has a Masters Degree in social work - 'keeps her busy.' Throughout her career, Anne has built a stellar reputation, earning many honors in each of her fields of endeavor. Acoustic music audiences know her both as a solo artist and through her collaborations with Tom Paxton, Michael Smith, Cindy Mangsen, Priscilla Herdman, and many others. Tom Paxton says: "Anne Hills is such an exquisite singer that it's understandable that people might be swept up in the pure beauty of her voice and thereby overlook her writing. That would be a mistake. For me, Anne's writing, in songs like 'Follow That Road' and many others, is as direct, melodic and deep as any work being done today. She is quite simply one of my absolute favorite songwriters." We agree, and we are pleased to welcome Anne back to Avalon as our featured songwriter this year. www.AnneHills.com

CREOLE STOMP: This is Real Deal Louisiana Creole Zydeco, Cajun, Blues, and New Orleans Swamp Pop. Since 2002 Dennis Stroughmatt and his band have carried the torch of French Creole music and culture across North America, performing a blend of music from the state of Louisiana and old upper Louisiana. Their unique sound and mix of ancient and modern Mississippi River valley musical tradition positions them as the only band to encompass French Creole and Folk Music from the entirety of the old Louisiana Territory. "Arguably the best band from outside of Louisiana to ever play its music" (Taste LA Festival, IA) www.CreoleStomp.com

THE RANDALL WILLIAMS BAND: Two hours after informing his voice teacher that he was leaving the world of classical music, Randall Williams graduated from the Royal Conservatory of Mons, Belgium at the head of his class. In 2005, Randall returned stateside to scrounge up a career as a performing songwriter, becoming the "Partial Capo Guy," writing two books for the Hal Leonard instructional series, recording a DVD for Kyser Musical Products, and giving workshops at some of the biggest festivals in United States . He has sung in a dozen languages in over 35 countries. "Sing Out" magazine says, "It's rare that a honey-toned tenor carries as much force as Williams. Combine that voice with highly articulate guitar work and superlative songs for a most powerful presence." Randall is joined by Lisa Redfern, David Glaser, Mike Mullane, and Tommy Geddes. www.whereisrandall.com

ILYAIMY: Fronted by Rob Hinkal's and Heather Lloyd's tightly interwoven harmonies, ilyAIMY (ill YAY' mee) is live percussive performance. Their fans say ilyAIMY sounds like some combination of Rusted Root, Buckingham/Nicks, Jethro Tull, acoustic Tool, Ani Difranco, Keller Williams, "Nickel Creek on crack," Alice in Chains, the Indigo Girls, Metallica, and Cry Cry Cry. ilyAMI brings "an acoustically roiling, combustible attack on the usual singer/songwriter fare ... well crafted, thoughtful songs ... stately and intuitive piano ... stirring percussive tumult ... and a hair-trigger vocal/lyrical integrity that you'll only hear here" (Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange). www.ilyaimy.com

GUY MENDILOW BAND:

RESONANCE: Resonance is a world fusion group featuring the alluring sounds of the Caribbean steel drum. The ensemble blends the rhythms and sounds of Trinidadian Calypso and Soca, West African drumming, Brazilian Bossa Nova and Samba, Jamaican Reggae, and American Jazz and Funk. At the heart of every performance is the compelling vibe of the steel drum and a celebration of Caribbean/Jazz and the music of the Americas. Trained in the steel band of pan master Ellie Mannette, members of the ensemble have performed and studied on five continents and with such prestigious ensembles as the Pittsburgh Symphony, Umoja African Arts Ensemble, and the River City Brass Band. www.resonancesteel.com

DAVID KLEINER

TESS AND THE BON TON PARADE: Miss Tess brings us groovy, modern-vintage, 20's and 30's, Swing-Blues Infused Jazz. "If Billie Holiday and Chet Atkins had a musical baby, it would be Miss Tess. With a calmness that belies the intensity in her music, Miss Tess will cement a place in your music-loving heart with her first note" (Caroline Aiken, Atlanta Dogwood Festival). Tess won the 2008 Singer-Songwriter Winner award in the Boston Music Awards as well as the Eddie's Attic shoot-out in Decatur, GA. She has shared the stage with Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett among others. Bon Ton Parade band members are Alec Spiegelman on sax & clarinet, Ben Davis on upright bass, and Matt Meyer on drums. www.misstessmusic.com

THE TWO MAN GENTLEMAN BAND: Original Circus-Country, Dixieland-Swing, Dueling Kazoos and Vaudeville Charm. The Two Man Gentlemen Band's original brand of raucous, retro vaudevillian swing is fast becoming an underground sensation, even catching the attention of big-names like Bob Dylan & Willie Nelson, for whom The Gents opened a handful of shows last summer. Andy Bean pounds out intricate, rapid-fire chord changes and melodies on an assortment of antique 4-string guitars and banjos. Bassist Fuller Condon dances around the fingerboard with a punchy, driving style that renders a drummer unnecessary. Their "keen vocal harmonies" (The New Yorker) recall 20s and 30s groups like the Mills Brothers and The Cats & The Fiddle while their lyrics are "so off the beaten path as to be virtually cliche free." (Bluegrass Journal). "An unparalleled experiment in controlled chaos!" (Seven Days - Burlington, VT). "Romping, outstanding fun!" (About.com) . www.thetwogentlemen.com