American Folk Festival – Bill Kirchen to Return [VIDEO]

Rockabilly guitar player Bill Kirchen returns to Bangor this summer for the American Folk Festival! The first performer to hit a Folk Festival stage in Bangor, he's a fan favorite. You may know him by his biggest hit, 'Hot Rod Lincoln!'

The last time Kirchen was in Bangor, the year was 2002 and the event was called the National Folk Festival. It was the first year the Queen City hosted the three-day cultural extravaganza and the first performance was the fun and rollicking music of Bill Kirchen.

A Grammy-nominated guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Kirchen celebrates an American musical tradition where country and rock go back to their roots in blues, bluegrass, honky-tonk, and Western swing. This summer's performance promises to make you smile, laugh out loud, and tap your toes!

The American Folk Festival will be held on the Bangor Waterfront August 22nd, 23rd, and 24th and will be set up much as it was last year. Don't forget the Bangor Color fundraising Run/Walk that will be held later this month on the Waterfront. Get signed up today!

Also announced this week were four other acts that will be joining the festival. Click on the name of each group for a preview!

Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys - a Cajun group that performed at the first American Folk Festival in 2005. Steve Riley is a Grammy award winning musician who is considered a master of the accordian.

Bon Debarras - a Quebecois trio hailing from Montreal. 'Bon Debarras' translates as 'Good Riddance,' but you won't be saying that when you hear the way they mix accordion, banjo, guitars, harmonicas, mandolin, washboard, and foot and body percussion!

Adonis Puentes and the Voice of Cuba Orchestra - Led by Cuban-Canadian singer/songwriter Adonis Puentes, the rich salsa music is accentuated by a fantastic horn section and accompaniment by piano and guitar.

The West African HighLife Band - Originating in Ghana in the 1930's, HighLife is best described by Bab Ken Okulolo himself, who says, "In Africa, music is created to help people rise above the pain and suffering of daily life, to transcend all evils with the joy of music...This is music that  connects body, mind, and spirit. It is happy music."