Nathaniel Rateliff Appointed To Stewardship Role For Newport Folk Festival

Newport Folk Festival is launching a stewardship program and appointed Nathaniel Rateliff to a three-year term overseeing artist advocacy, curation, fellowship and mentorship. Rateliff serves as the first artist appointed to such a role since Pete Seeger .

Rateliff will actively hold the role for the next two years, with the third year seeing him advise the next recipient during a transition year. Newport Folk Festival celebrated its 65th anniversary earlier this year.

“We spoke to people in and outside the organization about who would be best for the position and there was a clear consensus that Nathaniel should be the first,” Jay Sweet, Newport Festivals Foundation Executive Producer, said in a statement. “Not only is his indefatigable nature best suited to help us establish what it means to be a steward of Newport Folk, but mostly because he truly embodies what it means to be ‘Folk Family.’ He has always answered our call to help a cause, played every stage and has been a force behind some of our biggest musical moments including the 2022 star-studded Paul Simon tribute set (Simon’s first appearance in four years). If that’s not enough, he’s also one of the kindest and most considerate people I know. Basically, I see him as being our ‘Human in Residence’ as we embark on this new endeavor.”

The program aims to identify new artists and individuals to continue the spirit of Newport Folk Festival’s “Folk Family.” Stewards will pioneer initiatives to continue impacting the festival in collaborative ways, allowing the festival to continue on.

“I have always held the Newport Folk Festival in high regard historically, but once I finally attended as a performer, it felt life-changing,” Rateliff said in a statement. “I was immediately drawn into the community of musicians and fans. There is a general feeling of family among everyone present, and I consider it an honor to help curate, cultivate and expand the spirit of Newport and the community that exists there. I view this as a valuable opportunity to learn from the talented performers who return each year, as well as from the dedicated fans and individuals who help shape the festival into what it has become today.”