Gregory Page, one of the performers in the Folk in the Foothills festival, says he loves to share his stories, real and imagined, with an audience.
There's more to folk music than you may think.
Once widely regarded as the domain of musos with decorated guitars and hippy darlings with flowers in their hair, folk music now encompasses everything from traditional songs from around the world to jazz-inspired croons to soulful, tear-stained ballads.
Folk in the Foothills co-organiser Russell Hannah, who describes folk music as "a broad church", says what unites all these seemingly disparate musicians is their ability to tell a story.
"Folk is the music of the people. It's generally music that can be sung or danced to, music you should be able to play, that you can pick up a guitar and sit around the campfire or your lounge room and sing and play," he explains.
"It also has to say something. They say the folk singer chronicles their time and that's true when you think about the songs that have been written."
One of the international acts the festival has secured is San Diego-based singer Gregory Page.
Although he is often associated with jazz because of his smoky voice and Billie Holiday-inspired tunes, he says he isn't comfortable being pigeonholed into one genre.
"I feel, if not more comfortable in folk, that folk to me is such a wide variety, really it's all about story, and folk music and jazz music and any kind of traditional music is all about telling the news of the day, in a sense."
Page says sharing a tale or experience between tunes is a crucial part of his performance.
Though his material has evolved over the years, he says the one constant is that he tries to be himself and not act out a character like some other musicians do.
"I used to make up these stories and I found that actually true stories are definitely more engaging and easier to come by."
"I'm a bit of a bumbling story-teller in some ways, I try to fly without a set list. Between songs it's my way to improve.
"I think that's just one of the beautiful things about performing, it's an in-the-moment-experience."
Other artists featured at the one-day folk festival include Canadians Le Vent Du Nord and bluegrass five piece the Stetson Family.
There are two theme concerts this year, Claire Roberts' Joan Baez tribute and Wongawilli and Friends' tribute to stalwarts the Dubliners.
Those in the mood for some traditional folk can check out local band No Such Thing as well and three piece Battlers' Ballad.
There is also a Poet's Breakfast to start the day, featuring a number of writers and comedians, and traditional dance groups such as the Serbian Folk Dancing Ensemble.
Hannah says don't worry if performers you want to see are on at clashing times because the artists are aware the day is jam-packed.
"Nobody cares if you get up and walk out half way through, it's not seen as a sign you don't like the artist, it's a sign that you're trying to get to see as many as you can."
The Folk in the Foothills festival will be held on Sunday at the Jamberoo Valley Lodge.
