Abby Posner: Most of the artists here say this is their favorite festival, and I do agree. Everyone takes such good care of us. And you make us feel right at home, so thank you so much.

[“New Orleans” by Abby Posner]

[upbeat acoustic folk music]

[upbeat bluesy guitar music]

Well, pit on my shoulder

Pit in my mind

Drink down that loneliness and leave you behind

I’m going down to New Orleans

Where my soul belongs

Well, I’m gonna sing to the devil

Oh, with the barrel of my gun

Well, poison in my water

Poison in my head

Poison dripping slowly to your side of the bed

I’m going down to the Bayou

Lay my soul to rest

Well, I’m gonna find me that someone

I ain’t gonna settle for less

Hey!

[bluesy acoustic guitar music]

Well, pit on my shoulder

Pit in my mind

Drink down that loneliness and leave you behind

I’m going down to New Orleans

Where my soul belongs

Whoo!

Well, I’m gonna sing to the devil

Oh, with the barrel of my gun

Well, poison in my water

Poison in my head

Poison dripping slowly to your side of the bed

I’m going down to the Bayou

Where my soul belongs

Well, I’m gonna find me that someone

I ain’t gonna settle

I’m gonna find me that someone

I ain’t gonna settle

I’m gonna find me that someone

[rapid acoustic guitar strumming]

Ain’t gonna settle for

[bluesy descending notes]

Ain’t gonna settle for

[bluesy guitar riff]

For less

[rapid guitar strumming] Thank you guys!

[audience applauding]

Abby Posner: Appreciate ya! This festival is so special. Everyone’s just so kind. Y’know, the Midwest kindness is real. But also, they’re just music lovers, and they care, and they show up even if they don’t know who you are. People arrive and kinda take a risk on you, and see if it’s something they might like. So everyone has honestly just shown up with nothing but kindness and compassion and genuine curiosity and care for music.

[“Darkest Hours” by Abby Posner]

[groovy blues guitar music]

Well, I don’t want to cry anymore

With the tears I have left

And I’m tired of sitting with myself

And this handmade mess

Well, I just wanna fix this

Oh, but I don’t know how

They say you gotta give it some time

Nothing can change right now

I’ve got to pray with these arms that will guide me

And I’ve got to love a little harder than I have ever before

Will you forgive me for my darkest hours

‘Cause honey, I was born to be yours

And you, you were meant for me

Oh, I broke my own heart

Into a thousand tiny pieces

Well, I cracked my whole world wide open

Now I finally see

Oh, am I too late to come back to you

You see, I’m never leaving you again

Honey that’s the truth

So I’ve got to pray

With these arms that will guide me

And I’ve got to love a little harder than I have ever before

Will you forgive me

Oh, will you forgive me for my darkest hours

Honey I was born to be yours

And you, you were meant for me

[groovy blues guitar music]

I’ve got to pray with these arms that will guide me

And I’ve got to love a little harder than I have ever before

Will you forgive me

Oh, will you forgive me for my darkest hours

Honey I was born to be yours

And you, you were meant for me

‘Cause honey, I was born to be yours

And you [rapid strumming]

You were meant for me, yeah

[audience applauding] Thank you, thank you so much.

Abby Posner: My cousins were here, my aunt, and then my cousin just decided to FaceTime my parents in Colorado. And it just felt like they were all, you know, like, here together. And I have a ton of family out in Green Bay and here even in Appleton. And so it’s been really nice to kind of have a little bit of work trip and also a little bit of family time. But it was so nice that my parents FaceTimed. It was sweet.

[“Another Year” by Abby Posner]

Another year is flying by

Time is hunting me down without an alibi

Where she goes

It’s not my place

I’m still blessed to be here to see your face

Ooh take me back where I belong

Ooh to California’s arms

Ooh well I need you now like an old steel drum

I said ooh ooh ooh well I’m coming home

[upbeat harmonica and acoustic guitar music]

Way down west

There’s still a home

With a mother’s tears leaking out when you have to go

In the north bay there’s a child

With a love so deep, her eyes, they could fill you up

Hey

Ooh take me back where I belong

Ooh to Colorado’s arms

Ooh well I miss you now like that old steel drum

I said ooh ooh ooh well I’m coming home

[upbeat harmonica and acoustic guitar music]

There’s a light on this centerfold

Where it says not to leave

But I’ll follow my inner glow

Well, it’s too soft to see

Ooh take me back where I belong

Ooh to Appleton’s arms [audience cheering]

Ooh well I need you now like an old steel drum

I said ooh ooh ooh well I’m coming home

Ooh ooh ooh well I’m coming home

And ooh ooh ooh well I’m coming home

[ascending and descending guitar notes]

[audience applauding]