Started in June 1951 by John Avery Lomax Jr, Ed Badeaux, Howie Porper, Chester Bower, and Harold Belikoff, the Houston Folklore Society held early meetings at the Jewish Community Center, the Downtown YMCA, and Hermann Park Pavilion. These meetings consisted of song swaps, folk dancing, and folk song concerts in conjunction with the Jewish Community Center. Early on, they also sponsored concerts by Pete Seeger, Doc Watson, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, and the Foggy Mountain Boys.

By June 1966, a newsletter that contained event information and articles about folk music was started. By 1968, the name of the newsletter changed from the Houston Folklore Bulletin to the Cotton Patch Rag, which continues publication today.

 

In 1980, HFMS started hosting concerts with 100% of concert proceeds going to the artists, and during the 1980s, monthly pickin' parties also began. 

 

In April 1988, the name of the organization was changed to Houston Folklore and Folk Music Society, then shortened and incorporated in July of 1988 to Houston Folklore and Music Society (HFMS).  That name began consistent use in 1990.

Monthly song circles, pickin' parties and concerts have continued to this day, with a variety of national and regional folk musicians performing.  In September of 2025, concerts will be moved from the second Sunday of the month to the second Saturday and to a new time and location - 7 pm at The Annex at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church.  Concerts go on hiatus during the summer.  

 

Houston Folklore and Music Society is a 100% volunteer organization, promoting: Traditional folk 𝅘𝅥𝅯 bluegrass ♪ country music 🎝 old time 🎜 blues 𝆕 acoustic jazz 𝅘𝅥𝅯 other Americana/Roots music ♪ European and Celtic folk 🎝 Mexican and Latin American traditional music, and the list goes on...  You never know who will turn up at a Second Saturday Concert!

For information on the full collection of past Houston Folklore and Music Society records, click below:

Current Officers and Staff:

Second Saturday Concerts:  Jim Gill  or phone

General Organization Info, Our Prez:  Pam Kalinec

 

Newsletter: Luanne Novak
Social Media: Jen Grove
Membership Management: Karon Mueller
Website: Paul Mueller
Newsletter Contributors:  Andy Longo and Paul Cooper