Dirk and Amelia Powell

Dirk and Amelia Powell are a daughter/father duo from Southwest Louisiana. Dirk is regarded as a champion of rural Americana, with a focus on his Appalachian heritage and his Cajun home. His emotional recordings have inspired a new generation of roots musicians and his original song “Waterbound” has been recorded over 100 times. Dirk has worked extensively with artists such as Joan Baez, Eric Clapton, Rhiannon Giddens, Levon Helm, and many more. Dirk’s daughter Amelia grew up in the bayous of Louisiana, immersed in the musical culture of her grandfather, Cajun fiddle hero Dewey Balfa. Her driving guitar and soulful vocals, as both a lead and harmony singer, have led to work in the studio, TV and film, and a wide array of performances around the globe. Together, they play music of their heritage, write and craft original songs, and bring audiences the kind of soulful connection that comes from family playing together with trust, humour, and love.

“One of the most respected Americana-Folk musicians of his generation, with four Grammys to his name, and a decade as Joan Baez’s ‘band’, Dirk Powell has more laurels than you can shake a banjo at. He’s not resting on them, he’s building a legacy that takes the form of Amelia Powell, daughter, and granddaughter of legendary Louisiana fiddler Dewey Balfa. The younger Powell’s talents are immediately clear. She has just the right potent, soulful voice for the job, coupled to a burning passion for the music. Dirk’s instrumental skills and Amelia’s evocative voice made for a night of masterfully performed Cajun and Appalachian music hosted by two charming, and deeply likeable human beings.” The Quintessential Review