Arts & Life

PHOTOS: A Day At The Folk Alliance Conference With Duo Betse & Clark

KCUR | By Julie Denesha

Published February 20, 2015 at 12:39 PM CST

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Betse Ellis tunes up as Clarke Wyatt rehearses behind her. The fiddle and banjo duo 'Betse & Clarke' performs Ozark tunes both new and old.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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A concert schedule announces the evening's entertainment as Wyatt and Ellis walk in before their showcase.

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Wyatt tunes a banjo before the first showcase of the evening.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Empty chairs surround the stage as Ellis and Wyatt run through a snippet of 'Collard Greens' during a sound check before their music showcase.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Passing musicians in performance on the skywalks between hotels Ellis and Wyatt discuss their next set as they rush from one concert to the next.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Ellis takes a final look at her list of tunes before settling on 'White River,' a traditional Ozark tune popularized by John Hartford.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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To avoid disturbing a concert in progress, Wyatt steps away to tune his banjo in the hallway.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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An iPad records Betse & Clarke performing at a Camp Faculty concert at the Sheraton.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Wyatt and Ellis warm up in a hotel room transformed into a late-night concert venue.

Julie Denesha / KCUR

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Ellis and Wyatt perform a murderous variation on 'Old Joe Clark.'

Julie Denesha / KCUR

Hundreds of musicians carrying instruments are filling the hallways of the Westin Hotel in downtown Kansas City, Mo. this weekend. Clustered in small groups picking, strumming and fiddling, they are gathered for the 27th Annual Folk Alliance Conference and Winter Music Camp.

On day two of the conference, fiddler Betse Ellis was fighting off a cold and trying to pace herself.

“I’ve certainly been sicker than this onstage,” says Ellis with a laugh.

As Ellis and the other half of her musical duo ‘Betse & Clarke’ prepared for their evening showcase, Clarke Wyatt had a look of wonder on his face as he took in the scene before him.

“I am kind of mind boggled by this right now,” says Wyatt. “This is my first Folk Alliance Conference.”

Until recently, Wyatt said he considered himself a closet banjo player and being around so many other great players was a little overwhelming.

“Whenever I get nervous, I just tell myself, 'Let’s go over there (pointing to the stage) and play some music that we like.'”

The 27th Annual Folk Alliance Conference and Winter Music Camp presents musical showcases open to the public through Saturday, Feb. 21. There is a full schedule on the Folk Alliance International website.