What Do Janet Reno and Singer/Songwriter Kathy Mattea Have in Common?

Janet Reno is nearly 70 years old; Kathy Mattea is not yet 49. Reno was born and raised in Florida; Mattea in West Virginia. Reno has a law degree from Harvard; Mattea dropped out of college. Reno was the first woman Attorney General of the United States, appointed in 1997 by then President Clinton. Mattea is a singer and song writer, plays the guitar and is known for her folk, bluegrass and country music. So what could these two women possibly have in common?

Both are social activists of sorts, but more significantly, both are music affectionados who've been invited to attend the upcoming 20th Annual International Folk Alliance Conference.

Folk Alliance is a membership organization for people with an interest in folk music, including performing artists like Mattea and music historians like Reno, as well as managers, agents, record companies, to name a few. Founded in 1989, it currently boasts a worldwide membership of nearly 2,500. The mission statement of Folk Alliance says the community's purpose is to "foster and promote traditional, contemporary and multicultural folk music, dance and related performing arts in North America."

Several countries, every state and many counties have a Folk Alliance, which provides a way for musicians, artists and performers to gain both local and national exposure and hook up with those interested in their type of music. Folk Alliances hold regular meetings at the local level throughout the year, usually commencing with the annual conference. The 2008 conference will be held Feb. 20-24 in Memphis, Tenn.