Illinois-born (now Saratoga Springs, NY resident) Michael Jerling is a songwriter extraordinaire. Winner of the prestigious “New Folk” competition at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, Michael has been a noted artist on the club, college and festival circuits of North America since 1975, with 10 albums to his name. His involvement with the seminal Fast Folk Musical Magazine in New York City led to inclusion of his song “Long Black Wall” in the Smithsonian Folkways CD celebrating 20 years of Fast Folk. His baritone voice, backed with consummate skill on six & twelve string guitars, harmonica and mandolin, are buoyed by his dry sense of humor.