Folk musicians from all over the world go to these conferences to see others perform, attend industry business seminars and, well, promote themselves through performances and shameless schmoozing.

Lane reports that they had a great time "hanging out and doing what we do with so many of our musical brethren." And between the speeding ticket, the blown tire and the hotel fire, there was a lot of buzz.

Lane's Annotated Top Nine Highlights:

1. My speeding ticket on the way down
2. Blowing a tire in Marisa's car and having to get a new one (my fault)
3. Being shut down in the middle of our 3 am showcase because the hotel was on fire. (big flames, no injuries - see a full and very exciting account of the fire in the PureMusic article)
4. Shaking Steve Seskin's hand after hearing him showcase. (his songs are all like epic hollywood films)
5. Seeing The Dreamsicles (Tom Prasada-Rao & Cary Cooper) (buy their music, trust me)
6. Seeing Tom Kimmel (beyond song writer, just a cat!)
7. Hearing Jim Lauderdale and Susan Gibson sing a rough "I'm Happiest When I'm Moving" - I have a new and great respect for Mr. Lauderdale. Let's hope he never hears "Suicide Jim."
8. Hearing Joe Kyle Jr. of The Waybacks play Bowed bass. Best I ever heard in person. Better than the symphony cats. Looking forward to hearing it again Tuesday night!!
9. Hearing Kitka (oh my god!) it's what heaven probably would sound like (I'm not sure if this would translate in a recording but live was amazing!!)