Ani DiFranco joins stellar lineup at Kate Wolf fest

For one of the lesser known California roots festivals, the Kate Wolf Memorial Music Festival in Mendocino County always offers up a star-studded lineup to honor the memory of the influential singer-songwriter who passed away at too early an age. The 13th KWMMF runs June 27-29 at beautiful Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville CA.

Check out the lineup: Los Lobos, Ani DiFranco, Taj Mahal Trio, Keb' Mo' Band, Greg Brown, David Lindley, The Waifs, Ruthie Foster, Todd Snider, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Nina Gerber, Jimmy LaFave, Rosalie Sorrels, Cris Williamson, The Wailin' Jennys, The Greencards, Pieta Brown, Blame Sally, Vance Gilbert, and Moira Smiley & VOCO and more to announce in the near future.

The festival is always strong in folkies—I've seen Greg Brown, John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, The Waifs and Jimmy LaFave in previous years. The just-added Ani DiFranco adds more firepower in that dimension. But the big theme in this lineup looks to be acoustic blues—Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo' and Ruthie Foster would make quite the threesome at almost any festival.

That is more than worth the three-hour drive north from the Bay Area, or to travel in from further afield. The festival offers three music stages, great camping, kid's activities and plenty of crafts and food vendors. Highly recommended.